If you've ever dreamed of penning the next Rocky or Rudy or Hoop Dreams, or think you have the next Field of Dreams on your hands, then you might consider submitting your script to the Sports Script Championship, which is sponsored by the the International Sports Film Festival Houston (ISFFH) and Event Horizon Films (EHF).

The competition is dedicated to helping emerging sports writers break into the industry, with each script judged by readers from the industry’s top talent agencies and management companies during the preliminary rounds. 

“We wanted to create a platform that celebrated sports stories that transcend life. Sports are intertwined with society and many barriers have been broken on the field before they have been broken in society,” ISFFH founder Josh Merwin told Final Draft.

“Sports have the power to bring people together like nothing else, and that is increasingly important.”

From sports biopics and sports family to sports comedy and sports drama, Merwin says the competition judges are looking for stories that make an impact in one way or another.

“Great character pieces with a strong theme tend to be a natural focus for most sports stories. If your script can inspire us and bring awareness to a meaningful issue, it will certainly be a top contender for the finals,” he said.

“But let's also not forget that stories are a great way to unwind and forget about life’s stress for a brief escape. We are also looking for stories that entertain us through great concept, plot and dialogue.”

As for which classic sports movie Merwin considers one of the best, he cites A League of Their Own.

“It’s one of those movies that draws you in for the rich subject matter and its relevant impact on society. Most of all, it’s inspiring. Fans want to feel inspired” he said.

“While we often crave to see a great game or an amazing performance, the stories behind these athletes off the field tend to be even more inspiring than their successes on the field. Seeing this on the screen helps fans relate to the athletes on a deeper level.”

The Sports Script Championship accepts any shorts, pilots and feature screenplays that involve a sports setting, athlete, or competitive event. Winners will be announced during the festival’s fall golf ceremony and will receive autographed sports scripts, industry exposure opportunities, and tickets to a professional sporting event. 

Writers who are at least 18 years of age are eligible, excluding any writer who has earned more than $50,000 (or the equivalent in currencies other than USD) from professional writing services for film or TV in the preceding year. While writers may submit sports scripts to the ISFFH Sports Script Championship now through midnight on Oct. 3, 2022, Merwin advises to get your script in sooner rather than later. 

According to the competition's webpage, “In true sports fashion, advancing scripts will go head-to-head in a tournament bracket until one writer is named champion. The earlier the submission, the higher the seed.”