- Jared Kelly, London, UK
Grand Prize Winner, 2011

I’d never entered a screenwriting competition before, but I know many writers who’ve dabbled in all the main ones, and having compared experiences there is no doubt that this is THE competition to enter if you take your career and your work seriously. So many screenwriting competitions seem to be mainly about prize money and end their involvement when they hand over your prize for winning. With Julie it’s the complete opposite – winning is just the beginning.

Flown out to LA, put up in a lovely hotel with spending money, and then being exposed to the inner workings of an industry most of us can barely comprehend is an invaluable experience. Julie’s enthusiasm and commitment to writers, plus her industry connections and friends, ensure this competition isn’t about winning cash prizes – it’s about making those vital connections in an industry that thrives on relationships and is sealed off to the majority of writers.

What price on having dinner at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel with legendary SNL, Simpsons, King of the Hill writer and producer, Dan McGrath, who I have since become firm friends? (I went to LA and got drunk with a Simpsons writer! Doh!) What price on lunch at the DreamWorks Commissary with the multi-talented DreamWorks director, Conrad Vernon?  What price on being mentored by the lovely and brilliant writer, Stephen Susco, who subsequently gave so much of his time and wisdom talking me through an offer I received while still in LA, and who I am proud to also now call a friend?

A steady stream of industry meetings and connections, all valuable and insightful, and in Julie I’m extremely fortunate to have found a friend for life. Priceless.

- Ian R. Simpson, Cincinnati, OH
Grand Prize Winner, 2010

Winning Julie Gray’s competition meant a significant number of things: a warm, well-connected, generous and genuine new contact in Gray herself, a unique entre into the Hollywood pitch machine, and, in my case, new representation–precisely because of Julie’s dedication to me and my script.

Listen to an interview with Ian HERE.

- Kodjo Akeseh Tsakpo, Bristol, UK
Grand Prize Winner, 2009

As a Hollywood outsider breaking in, winning the Just Effing Entertain Me (formerly the Silver) Screenwriting Competition provided me with both an invaluable and overwhelming opportunity – not just to be in LA but to tap the kindness, wisdom and experience of those working within it. A definite career high point!

Listen to an interview with Kodjo HERE.

- Hilary Graham, Francesville, New Hampshire
Grand Prize Winner, 2008

I encourage every aspiring screenwriter to enter the Just Effing Entertain Me (formerly Silver) Screenwriting Competition. You WANT to win this prize. To me, the trip to LA was really what it’s all about. Not only did they set me up a cool little trendy hotel, but Julie put so much energy into making sure I was living the life of a Hollywood screenwriter—from arranging meetings with writers like Steve Faber (Wedding Crashers) to David Arata (Children of Men) to three different managers, to taking me to lunch at the Paramount Commissary, and drinks at the chi-chi Château Marmont with the late, great Blake Snyder. Talk about priceless! Clearly, this is more than just your average screenwriting contest. Enter it. Hell, enter it twice.

Listen to an interview with Hilary HERE.