Final Credits Roll on ScreenCraft Competitions & Coverage
(2025-02-18, Boston MA, Editorial by Jake Bourke) ScreenCraft is a reputable, renowned name in the screenwriting community, best known for its year-round rotation of writing competitions and for providing in-depth script coverage services. Their contests, often held in high regard alongside prestigious film festivals, not only offered a decent cash prize to prospective screenwriters but also, more tantalizingly, allowed finalists to connect and meet with key figures from Hollywood. Coupled with their blog, which is consistently updated with writing tips, industry insights, and interviews, ScreenCraft cemented itself as a resource for emerging literary talent to improve their craft and get discovered.
However, as of February 28, 2025, the website’s homepage displayed only a short message announcing the discontinuation of all services, prompting users to visit FilmFreeway, a platform allowing filmmakers and other creatives to submit materials to film festivals and other competitions. Writers can still apply to competitions that remain open for submission. All final deadlines coincide with the shutdown date.
This announcement came with little fanfare. Despite an active social media presence on platforms like Instagram, Bluesky, and LinkedIn, none mentioned the imminent closure.
News of ScreenCraft’s discontinuation largely spread by word-of-mouth among screenwriting communities, fueling speculation on the rationale behind this seemingly abrupt decision, with fears that websites such as Coverfly may be next on the chopping block.
On Reddit’s r/Screenwriting community, the consensus among confused and angry commenters is corporate consolidation:
ScreenCraft, among other screenwriting talent-discovery platforms such as Coverfly, were owned by Industry Arts.
Industry Arts was acquired by casting call platform Backstage in 2021 as part of a “$200 million acquisition spree.”
Finally, in 2022, Backstage was bought out by Cast & Crew, a software company specializing in payroll and HR solutions for the entertainment industry. They are also the parent company of Final Draft screenwriting software.
FilmFreeway is another brand Cast & Crew acquired through the absorption of Backstage, suggesting a desire to reduce competition among its owned brands. With large amounts of money changing hands, an apparent corporate shakeup, and the discontinuation of another screenwriting service, WeScreenplay, prospective writers are anxious about what the future holds.
The ScreenCraft Team concludes their announcement with a personal, heartfelt farewell. “Thank you for being a part of the ScreenCraft community. We are proud to have been champions of aspiring screenwriters and advocates for bold, original voices in narrative storytelling. We wish all of you the best of success moving forward.”