BISF Berlin International
Screenwriting Festival
The Berlin television tower standing over the city at sunset, the sky burning orange behind it and the streets already lit below.

Submissions open on FilmFreeway

Berlin International Screenwriting Festival

“Empowering voices, shaping the future of storytelling”

See the Summer 2026 winners Submit your script
17Award categories
7Jury members

Who entersWriters from all around the world, at every level of experience.

The festival

Open to writers at every level of experience

We believe that everyone has a story to tell - and we are committed to providing a platform for writers from all backgrounds to share their work with the world.

Our reviewers

Our reviewers bring industry knowledge and expertise, so that every submitted screenplay gets the attention it deserves. They took part in well-known festivals, including the Austin Film Festival.

Our past submitters

Our past submitters have brought an impressive array of talent and accolades. Jett Garrison stands out as an Oscar and Emmy-nominated writer-director, also holding membership in the Writer’s Guild of America. John Parr, a prolific songwriter, has contributed to the soundtracks of 15 Hollywood movies, including hits like “Spider-Man into the Spiderverse” and “Deadpool”. We’ve had the privilege of showcasing the works of esteemed Academy Nicholl Fellowship alumni, including Michael J Dunker, Jack C Irwin, and Guy Ducker, whose creations have garnered global recognition. Nathaniel Tapley, a two-time BAFTA-winning comedy and horror writer, has captivated audiences as the head writer for Netflix’s “Bad Dinosaurs”. Noteworthy contributions also come from Louis Macovsky, recognized in the Austin Film Festival, and Robert Simpson, a semifinalist in the Academy Nicholl Fellowship and quarterfinalist in the Austin Film Festival. Their talents have enriched our festival and inspired audiences worldwide.

Read the submission rules

Young writers working together at a long table.
Every level of experienceNew voices and established writers are read the same way.
A finalist holding his Berlin International Screenwriting Festival certificate.
A finalist with his certificateBerlin International Screenwriting Festival
A finalist holding her Berlin International Screenwriting Festival finalist diploma.
A finalist with her diplomaFinalists are published alongside the winners

Writer’s Room

Advice, creativity and success

Your blog hub for screenwriting advice, creativity, and success.

Open the Writer’s Room

Close-up of a hand writing notes with a pen.
Writer’s RoomCraft, market and voice.
The Museumsinsel colonnade in Berlin at night, its stone columns lit by warm lamps.

Submissions

everyone has a story to tell…

We invite you to submit your projects, feature scripts or any of your recent screenplays to be considered for our festival.

Our expert panel of industry professionals will review all submissions and select a diverse group of Winners and Official Selected.

Read the rules first Submit your script

Contact

Any questions?

Write to us and we will get back to you. For submissions, always use FilmFreeway.

info@berlinscriptfestival.com

We read every message. A note about your submission lands just as surely through FilmFreeway or Instagram.