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Now Accepting Submissions!

TSA's 'Short 'N Scary' Script Contest

The Tennessee Screenwriting Association, in partnership with CharlieHorse Productions, is proud to announce this year's Short 'N Scary script contest!

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The contest winner will have the opportunity to have their script produced along with a prize package that includes a $200 cash prize!

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The Short 'N Scary contest is only open to Members of the Tennessee Screenwriting Association (join or renew here). Scripts under consideration should not be longer than 10 pages and should be "highly-producible" (micro-budget).

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The contest deadline is Oct. 25, 2026

Short 'N Scary 2026 - Contest Rules &​ Recommendations

Overview:

  • CONTEST OVERVIEW:  Short 'N Scary challenges TSA member writers to craft short screenplays firmly rooted in thriller, horror, or a combination of both genres; screenplays that are imaginative, compelling, and, above all, highly producible on a limited budget and timeline.
     

  • DEADLINE:  Submissions will be accepted beginning on September 11, 2025. All entries must be received by 11:59 pm (central) on October 25, 2026, though early entries are strongly encouraged.
     

  • PRIZES:  The 2026 Short 'N Scary prize package includes:

    • The winning script's Writer will be offered a production opportunity agreement by CharlieHorse Productions to have the script made into a film.

    • $200 cash prize, pending a signed production agreement.

    • A one-year extension of the Winner's membership to the TSA.

    • A ticket to this year's Script-Com event in Nashville.

    • TSA's "Writers Survival Kit," which includes gift cards and TSA merch. 
       

  • ​THEME:  ​​Short 'N Scary's theme is horror or any of the associated horror subgenres. Read more about the contest's Genre Recommendations.
     

  • LENGTH & PRODUCIBILITY:  Script must be 10 pages or less, not including the title page. 8 pages is the preferred target; a tighter script is more practical to produce. There are multiple locations, actors, and animals available to the production. We strongly urge writers to review the available production resources and to review the recommendations on what is considered "highly producible" in this contest before writing their script.
     

  • ELIGIBILITY:  While there is no Entry Fee for this contest, it is only open to dues-paying Members of the Tennessee Screenwriting Association. Non-members may join TSA and are eligible to submit once dues payment has been made. To determine your Membership status, contact the TSA Secretary. TSA board members or officers who participate may not serve in any function as a Judge or contest official.

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Please read all the following Rules, Recommendations, Rights and Responsibilities before submitting.

​Contest Rules:

  • The Writer’s name or contact information shall not be on the title page or in the script.

  • Maximum number of submissions is one script per entrant/Writer.

  • Only material written by a single Writer is eligible - no writing teams.

  • Entries must be submitted using the contest Entry Form on the TSA website.

  • Script files must be properly formatted (12-point Courier) in .pdf format; no Word or Final Draft-type documents will be accepted.

  • TSA reserves the right to reject entries that do not observe basic screenplay format, length, deadline, and genre guidelines.

  • The material must be the Writer’s original work, except for material in the public domain or published material which the author holds the copyright for.

  • Scripts are to be written in the narrative form. No documentaries, industrials, poems, short stories, stage plays, music videos etc.

  • Script must be a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end. No outlines, treatments, or pitch decks.

  • TSA does not claim copyright on any submitted material. 

  • By submitting an entry to the contest, the Writer agrees to release their material for promotional and educational purposes by the TSA, including for tutorials and table reads. Winning and Finalist scripts may be uploaded to TSA's password-protected Member Portal.

  • TSA and CharlieHorse's designees have the final say on eligibility, prizes, and contest rules and reserve the right to change them at any time, with any changes being available on the TSA website's contest page.

  • Script must be horror, thriller, or a combination of the two genres (see below).

  • Script should be compatible with a PG-13 rating - no nudity, excessive violence, or excessive strong language.

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​​​​Production Recommendations I: What Is "Highly-Producible"?

  • This contest is not just a writing competition; it is a production-readiness challenge for thriller and horror storytelling. Judges and the production team will evaluate scripts not only on story and scares, but on whether they can realistically be filmed on a limited budget with a small crew in a short production window (ideally one day).

  • Write with these practical principles in mind:

    • Short page count. 10 pages maximum; 8 pages preferred. Fewer pages = more producible.

    • Small cast. Four or fewer speaking characters is strongly recommended. Limit extras where possible

    • Contained tension. One location is highly encouraged; allows dread and suspense to build without added cost or logistics.

    • Practical scares. Favor atmosphere, sound design, lighting, and performance-driven fear over elaborate prosthetics, makeup effects, or visual effects. While the production has access to a practical-effects artist and prop master including for approved safe weapon props, practical effects, weapons, and related action should remain limited, manageable, and subject to production-team approval and safety requirements.

    • No scenes inside moving vehicles. These require specialized equipment and permits.

    • Limited CGI and visual effects. Practical, in-camera storytelling is preferred; especially for supernatural or body horror elements. While the production team has access to CGI and visual-effects support, these resources should be used sparingly and only when practical or in-camera solutions are not sufficient. All visual effects must remain manageable within budget and production timeline constraints.

    • Limited stunts and action sequences. Choreographed fights, falls, chases, and elaborate action add cost, time, and safety requirements.

    • Accessible props and wardrobe. Avoid writing scripts that depend on rare, overly expensive, or hard-to-source costumes, props, or set dressing.

    • Visual storytelling. Show, don't tell; let imagery, shadow, sound, and suggestion do the frightening work

    • One-day shoot potential. If your script can plausibly be filmed in a single production day, that is a significant competitive advantage. Adding two locations will decrease the chances of a one day shoot, so keep that in mind.​

Production Recommendations II: Production Resources

To help writers craft truly producible scripts, the following resources are currently anticipated to be available should the winning script move forward under the Short 'N Scary Production Opportunity. Writers are encouraged but not required to incorporate any of these into their scripts.

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⚠️ Important: All resources listed below are subject to availability, scheduling, necessary permissions, applicable safety requirements, and final approval by the production team. Writers should not assume guaranteed use of any resource. Listing a resource in your script does not guarantee it will be available during production.

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  • Location - Warehouse: Interior/exterior access. 

  • Location - Home: Interior/exterior, residential setting.

  • Location - Farm & Barn: Interior/exterior residential setting.

  • Location - School & Classroom: Interior/exterior, residential setting.

  • Location - Mechanic Shop: Interior/exterior, residential setting.

  • Location - Kids Camp: Exterior access.

  • Child Actors (Caucasian):

    • Boy, Age 12

    • Girl, Age 10

    • Girl, Age 14 

  • Animals:

    • Bird - A bird that says "peek-a-boo."

    • Guinea Pigs

    • Ball Python


Writers who choose to incorporate any of the above resources into their scripts should do so knowing the production team will make every reasonable effort to honor those choices but final resource availability will be determined at the time of production.

 

Writer Resource Disclosure Requirements:

If your script depends on or would be significantly enhanced by any location, prop, animal, performer, business, vehicle, equipment, or other resource that you personally have access to, you should disclose that access in a brief note at the time of submission on the Entry Form.

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Examples of disclosures:

  • "I have access to a working barn on my property that could serve as the main location."

  • "I own two trained dogs that could be used in the film."

  • "I work at the venue described in the script and can arrange access."
     

Why this matters:

  • Disclosed access may improve the producibility score of your script.

  • It gives the production team critical logistical information when evaluating finalist scripts.

  • It ensures transparency in the judging process.
     

Please note: Writer-disclosed access does not guarantee that a resource will be used. All locations, animals, performers, and materials must still receive independent approval from the production team, including verification of permissions, safety compliance, and logistics.​​​​

​Genre Recommendations: Horror & Thriller:

Short 'N Scary is a genre-specific contest. Eligible scripts must be a horror story, thriller or a blend of the two. Scripts that are unrelated to these genres, a straight comedy, drama, or romance with no genuine thriller or horror elements, will not be considered.

 

To help spark ideas, acceptable subgenres and approaches include (but are not limited to):
 

  • Psychological horror

  • Supernatural horror

  • Historical horror

  • Science-fiction horror

  • Body horror (within PG-13 limits)

  • Folk horror

  • Slasher or survival thriller (within PG-13 limits)

  • Mystery thriller with horror elements

  • Suspense horror

  • Dark comedy with genuine horror or thriller elements


This list is illustrative, not exhaustive. If you have a concept that fits within the spirit of thriller or horror storytelling but doesn't neatly fit a category above, it is still welcome. The core requirement is that the script deliver genuine tension, dread, fear, or suspense as a defining element of the story.

​​​​​​​Judging & Contest Management:

  • Scripts will be read and judged by an independent panel, using a scorecard created by TSA to rank each script.

  • The top 5 ranking scripts will be submitted to production company CharlieHorse Productions, which will choose the winning script. At Producer’s discretion, Producer may conduct a short interview with Finalists to help pick the winning script.

  • Producer may decide not to produce ANY of the finalist scripts. In this event, one will still be chosen as a winner, though other prizes may be nullified.

  • Producer will provide brief notes to Finalists describing why their script was or wasn’t chosen for production.

  • Contest Judges will score all scripts using a Scoring Sheet approved by TSA's Contest Committee.

  • The Contest Manager, Coordinator, and Contest Judges are ineligible to enter the contest.

  • All decisions made by the Judging Panel and CharlieHorse Productions are final. The TSA is under no obligation to provide notes, coverage, or copies of Scoring Sheets to contest entrants.

  • The Contest Manager shall maintain all records, contact information, and reporting for the contest for the TSA and will coordinate all activity with the Judging Panel. The Contest Manager is responsible for distributing the Contest Score Sheet and hosting any necessary Judging Panel conferences.

​​​​​Writer/Producer Rights & Responsibilities

  • No rights transfer occurs without a final written purchase agreement. If CharlieHorse Productions offers to purchase the winning script, the writer will sign final purchase, authorship, copyright, and/or assignment documents specifying the negotiated terms, rights transferred, and credit.

  • Written By credit, promotional/festival/distribution recognition, production expense coverage, and set invitation apply only if the script is purchased and the film is produced.

  • If no purchase agreement is reached, the writer retains all rights to the script.

  • If a purchase and production agreement is reached, the Producer is responsible for all cost associated with production and promotion of the film.

  • If a purchase and production agreement is reached, CharlieHorse Productions retains all rights for distribution and promotion to festivals, streaming platforms, and online video services

  • The Tennessee Screenwriting Association retains the right to promote the finished film and the writer in promotion/publicity for the TSA in connection with TSA programs. If the winning script is purchased and produced, behind-the-scenes photography and video captured during production may be used on TSA social media platforms to promote TSA projects. TSA may use the film and the writer's name in organizational promotions and publications.

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'Short 'N Scary' Contest Entry Form
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