Overview
The Black List is an annual survey of Hollywood development executives that identifies the most-liked unproduced screenplays of the year. Founded in 2005 by Franklin Leonard, the 2025 list (the 21st edition) featured 74 scripts by 86 writers, selected by nearly 500 film industry executives. The top script of 2025 was "Best Seller" by Matisse Haddad, which received 48 mentions from voting executives.
Beyond the annual list, The Black List operates an online platform at blcklst.com where writers upload screenplays for professional evaluation and industry discovery. Scripts that receive high ratings from Black List readers are flagged for industry professionals, creating a pathway for unrepresented writers to get noticed outside the traditional agency system. The platform charges $30/month for hosting and $100 per evaluation for feature screenplays and one-hour pilots ($70 for half-hour pilots). Guild members receive 20% off.
The Black List also runs free annual labs, partners with the Academy on the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, and offers a Sloan Foundation Fellowship for science and technology-focused writers. The organization has become one of the most important mechanisms for discovering screenwriting talent outside the traditional studio and agency pipeline.
What It Covers
The Annual Black List
- Published every December since 2005.
- Compiled from votes by Hollywood development executives (not a competition writers enter).
- Scripts that appear on the list gain immediate industry attention from agents, managers, producers, and studio executives.
- The 2025 list included 6 writers with no representation listed, demonstrating the list's function as a discovery tool for unrepresented talent.
- Notable films that originated as Black List scripts include Slumdog Millionaire, The King's Speech, Argo, Spotlight, and The Social Network.
Online Platform
- Hosting: $30/month per script. Scripts are discoverable in the Black List database by industry professionals.
- Evaluations: $100 per evaluation for feature screenplays and one-hour pilots. $70 for half-hour pilots. Each evaluation is 1-2 pages with scores (1-10) for premise, plot, character, dialogue, and setting.
- Free rewards: Scripts that score 8 or higher from a paid reader earn free hosting months and additional free evaluations (2 months + 2 evaluations for an 8; 2 months + 3 for a 9; 2 months + 5 for a 10).
- Industry access: High-scoring scripts are flagged for industry professionals who browse the database. At least one paid evaluation is required to be considered for Black List programs.
- Turnaround: Evaluations typically take 2-4 weeks.
Annual Labs
The Black List runs two free, weeklong, in-person workshops in Ojai, California:
| Lab | Focus | Cohort Size | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writers Lab | Feature scripts to sell within the studio system | 6 writers | October (2025: October 13-17) |
| Projects Lab | Feature scripts the writer intends to direct | 6 writers | November (2025: November 10-14) |
Both labs are free for selected writers. The selection process:
- Up to 40 writers are invited based on script strength as determined by the Black List.
- Invited writers submit a one-page personal statement and professional resume (Projects Lab also requires a directing sample link).
- Up to 20 writers are shortlisted and asked to submit additional materials.
- Select writers are interviewed via Zoom.
- 6 writers are chosen per cohort.
Sloan Foundation Fellowship
Writers in both lab cohorts are eligible for the Sloan Foundation Fellowship, awarded to a writer with a science- or technology-focused feature screenplay. The Sloan Fellow receives extended mentorship beyond the lab week.
Nicholl Fellowships Partnership
Starting in 2025, The Black List serves as the public submission portal for the Academy's Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting:
- The Black List accepts up to 2,500 eligible submissions per cycle.
- From those, The Black List recommends up to 25 feature screenplays to the Academy based on script strength.
- For the 2025-2026 cycle, 5 of the 10 Nicholl finalists (including one fellow) came from Black List-recommended scripts.
- Each Nicholl fellow receives $35,000 and ongoing support from the Academy.
- 2026-2027 submissions close July 6, 2026, or when 2,500 eligible submissions are received (whichever comes first). The 2025-2026 portal reached capacity in 20 days.
- Scripts must be hosted on the Black List website with at least one paid evaluation to submit.
Eligibility
Annual List
The annual Black List is not a competition writers enter. It is compiled from votes by Hollywood development executives. There is no submission process for the annual list itself.
Online Platform
Open to any writer who creates a Black List account and pays the hosting fee. At least one paid evaluation is required to be considered for Black List programs (labs, Nicholl partnership).
Annual Labs
- Open to non-professional writers (writers who are not yet earning their primary income from screenwriting).
- Writers must have a completed feature screenplay hosted on the Black List platform.
- The Projects Lab requires a directing sample (a working link to previous directing work).
- Lab submissions typically close in early June.
Nicholl Fellowships (via Black List Portal)
- Open to non-professional screenwriters.
- Maximum one screenplay per writer or writing team.
- Script must be hosted on blcklst.com with at least one paid evaluation.
- Writers can submit via blcklst.com/nicholl.
How to Use the Platform
Getting Started
- Create a free account at blcklst.com.
- Upload a completed screenplay (feature, pilot, or play).
- Pay $30/month hosting fee to make the script discoverable.
- Purchase at least one evaluation ($100 for features/one-hour pilots, $70 for half-hour pilots).
- If the script scores 8 or higher, you earn free hosting months and additional evaluations.
- Scripts with strong evaluations are considered for Black List programs and flagged for industry members.
Submitting to Labs
Lab applications open in spring and close in early June. Writers do not apply directly. The Black List identifies strong scripts on the platform and invites writers to submit additional materials. Ensure your script is hosted, evaluated, and scoring well before the lab submission period.
Who Should Use It
The Black List platform is for screenwriters at all career stages with completed feature-length screenplays who want industry exposure. It is particularly valuable for unrepresented writers who lack agency or management connections. Writers who consistently score 8 or above gain the most, as those scores trigger free benefits and industry flagging.
The annual labs are for non-professional writers with strong feature scripts who want intensive, in-person mentorship. The Writers Lab targets the studio system. The Projects Lab is for writer-directors. Both are free but highly selective.
The Nicholl partnership is the most direct path to cash funding. Writers who submit via the Black List portal and are recommended to the Academy compete for a $35,000 fellowship. Writers from underrepresented backgrounds should explore the lab and fellowship programs, which actively seek diverse voices.
Past Recipients
The Black List has several categories of "recipients" - writers whose scripts appeared on the annual list, lab participants, and Nicholl fellows.
Annual List - Notable Films Produced:
- Slumdog Millionaire (2007 list) - won 8 Academy Awards including Best Picture
- The King's Speech (2009 list) - won 4 Academy Awards including Best Picture
- Argo (2007 list) - won 3 Academy Awards including Best Picture
- Spotlight (2013 list) - won 2 Academy Awards including Best Picture
- The Social Network (2009 list) - won 3 Academy Awards
- May December (2020 list, Samy Burch) - directed by Todd Haynes, premiered at Cannes, streamed on Netflix
Over 450 Black List scripts have been produced as theatrical films, grossing over $30 billion worldwide and earning 241 Academy Award nominations.
2025 Writers Lab Participants:
Cristina Kinon (Dumb Luck), Melanie Rish-Ho (Slab Serif), Joe Veix (The Hole Story), Karna Warrior (Chomolungma), Rob Norman (I Love You, Tank), Kaley Rose Mamo (Play Therapy), and Sarah Elizabeth Walker (The Junket). Selected from over 2,200 submissions.
Nicholl Fellowship via Black List Portal:
In the 2025-2026 cycle, 5 of 10 Nicholl finalists (including one fellow) came from Black List-recommended scripts. Each Nicholl fellow receives $35,000 from the Academy.
What Made Their Application Stand Out
The Black List has distinct selection mechanisms for each program:
Annual List: Scripts are selected by votes from Hollywood development executives, not by application. The 2025 top script ("Best Seller" by Matisse Haddad) received 48 mentions from nearly 500 voting executives.
Annual Labs: Selection is based on script strength as determined by Black List readers. Competitive scripts typically score 8 or higher. From up to 40 invited writers, 6 are chosen per cohort after submitting a personal statement, resume, and completing a Zoom interview. The 2025 labs selected 7 writers from over 2,200 submissions.
Nicholl Partnership: The Black List recommends up to 25 scripts to the Academy based on script strength. Scripts must be hosted on blcklst.com with at least one paid evaluation.
Online Platform: Scripts scoring 8 or higher earn free hosting and additional evaluations. High-scoring scripts are flagged for approximately 1,300 industry professionals.
Renewal Requirements
The Black List programs are not renewable in the traditional sense:
- Annual List: Compiled fresh each December. Writers can appear multiple years with different scripts. No application process.
- Annual Labs: One-time opportunity. Lab alumni cannot apply again for the same lab.
- Nicholl Fellowship: One-time $35,000 award. Writers can submit one screenplay per cycle. Previous fellows cannot reapply.
- Online Platform: Requires ongoing $30/month hosting fee. Writers can host multiple scripts. Evaluations ($100 features, $70 half-hour pilots) are purchased as needed.
Writers should budget for ongoing platform costs. Hosting for 6 months with 2 evaluations costs approximately $380.
Watch
See Also
For screenwriting craft and career guidance, see Screenwriting Essentials. For understanding spec scripts and development terminology, visit the Filmmaker Glossary. For planning a screenwriting project timeline, use the Post Production Timeline Calculator.
