The 2026 edition of the Mattador Award for the best screenplay named after Matteo Caenazzo – a budding screenwriter who died prematurely.MATTADOR Cultural Association, which organizes the event, aims to highlight young talent in the field of screenwriting. The competition is open to Italian and foreign screenwriters, young authors who are at least 16 years old and under 30.

The Competition for this edition includes the following sections:

• Mattador Award for Best Screenplay for a Feature Film.
• Mattador Award for Best Story: Mattador Training Grant for the finalists in the section.
• Mattador Series Award for Best TV Series Project.
• Dolly Illustrate Cinema Award for the best story told through images, with a Dolly Training Grant for the winner of the best illustrated screenplay.
• Corto86 Award for Best Short Film Screenplay, including a scholarship to produce a short film based on the winning screenplay, which the author will also direct.

Only one work per section may be submitted; in any case, the works must be unpublished. Cash prizes of up to €5 will be awarded, as well as scholarships for screenwriting and directing training. There is time to enter. until April 15 2026. 

Click here to view the regulations.