Finalize your screenplay and make copies ready for registration and presentation to movie producers, studios and script agents. The registration may not be a requirement, but it is best to have your screenplay registered at the U.S. Copyright Office for your own protection, in case somebody else attempts to claim ownership of your screenplay. You can complete the registration and pay for it online through the U.S. Copyright Office website.
List the names and contacts of potential movie producers, movie studios, script agents and script agencies where you can present your screenplay. You may also search for possible film funding opportunities through open calls for film grant applications, an independent filmmaker or producer looking for material to direct or produce and film writing competitions where the winning screenplay will get film funding. Usually, these contacts are easily searchable online and through bulletin board announcements in film schools, film clubs and organizations and film festival offices.
Trim down your initial list and prioritize the ones that you think would be interested in your screenplay. If you are a struggling writer, making an appointment with big names, companies and agencies is very challenging. Invest more time and effort in individuals and agencies that are more open to submissions from new writers. While it is still a good idea to try sending your script to famous names and established agencies, you may have better chances with smaller and new names and companies looking for new talent.
Get in touch with the movie producers, movie studios, script agents, script agencies, funding agencies and grant-giving organizations on your list. Depending on the setup and regulations required by each of them, you may need to pitch your story to them or you may initially have to send a copy of your screenplay to them.
Hire a lawyer before signing any contract for the production of your screenplay to make sure you are protected as the material's scriptwriter. Depending on your agreement with the movie producer and studio, your screenplay will typically undergo a number of revisions and even drastic changes throughout the course of the film production.