About
The 14th Annual First Look Project searches for higher-concept material across six categories.
- Screenplay - Action & Sci-fi, Comedy, Drama, and Horror & Thriller
- TV Pilot - Hour and Half-hour original pilots
One winner in each division receives a share of $15,000, industry circulation, development assistance, and personalized career guidance over the long-term from Script Pipeline’s executive team. A minimum of one runner-up is also chosen for each category.
Supported by Divide/Conquer (M3GAN), STX Entertainment (The Irishman), Bellevue Productions (Eli), Epicenter LA, Alibi Management, and additional Script Pipeline management and producer partners, the competition introduces the winners and runners-up to these and other companies.
Unlike Script Pipeline's Screenwriting and TV writing competitions, entries for First Look are judged on both writing ability and market potential, in addition to the originality of the concept. For this particular contest, your script could need a bit of refining and still have a great chance to win if we feel the story itself could stand out in the current landscape.
The six First Look winners, with at least one runner-up in each category, receive the following:
- - $15,000 total awarded to winners ($2,500 in each category)
- - Long-term facilitation to Script Pipeline's industry network of producers, agents, and managers seeking features.
- - Development assistance from Script Pipeline's execs on both the screenplay and pitch
- - Additional script reviews and consideration of other material for industry exposure
- - Invitations to private events and Symposium panels hosted by Pipeline
Over $8 million in screenplays and pilots have been sold by Script Pipeline writers as well as numerous scripts produced since 1999, a notable list that includes studio films Stuber by Tripper Clancy (Fox) and Snow White and the Huntsman by Evan Daugherty (Universal). Pipeline Screenwriting finalist Bring Me Back by Crosby Selander sold to Legendary in 2020 for seven figures—one of the all-time biggest spec sales by an unproduced writer. Helen Gaughran's winning horror script Visitation was produced, starring Olivia Cooke (House of the Dragon) and Isla Johnston (The Queen’s Gambit), releasing soon. Several Pipeline writers have made The Black List in recent years, such as Court 17 by Elad Ziv, Cauliflower by Daniel Jackson, and Pure by Catherine Schetina, with the latter two securing the #1 spot. And over the past 25 years, writers have signed with multiple top managers and agents, landing with reps at Bellevue, UTA, Kaplan/Perrone, XYZ Management, IAG, Alibi Management, and more following Script Pipeline development and introductions.
Prices & Deadlines
Apr 1st
Special Entry
|
Jun 20th
Early
|
Sep 30th
Regular
|
Oct 15th
Late
|
Oct 30th
Final
| |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Screenplay - Action & Sci-fi Entry
|
$40.00
|
$50.00
|
$55.00
|
$60.00
|
$65.00
|
Screenplay - Comedy Entry
|
$40.00
|
$50.00
|
$55.00
|
$60.00
|
$65.00
|
Screenplay - Drama Entry
|
$40.00
|
$50.00
|
$55.00
|
$60.00
|
$65.00
|
Screenplay - Horror & Thriller Entry
|
$40.00
|
$50.00
|
$55.00
|
$60.00
|
$65.00
|
TV Pilot - Half-Hour Entry
|
$40.00
|
$50.00
|
$55.00
|
$60.00
|
$65.00
|
TV Pilot - Hourlong Entry
|
$40.00
|
$50.00
|
$55.00
|
$60.00
|
$65.00
|
Screenplay - Action & Sci-fi Entry + Development Notes
|
$155.00
|
$165.00
|
$170.00
|
$175.00
|
$180.00
|
Screenplay - Comedy Entry + Development Notes
|
$155.00
|
$165.00
|
$170.00
|
$175.00
|
$180.00
|
Screenplay - Drama Entry + Development Notes
|
$155.00
|
$165.00
|
$170.00
|
$175.00
|
$180.00
|
Screenplay - Horror & Thriller Entry + Development Notes
|
$155.00
|
$165.00
|
$170.00
|
$175.00
|
$180.00
|
TV Pilot - Half-Hour Entry + Development Notes
|
$135.00
|
$145.00
|
$150.00
|
$155.00
|
$160.00
|
TV Pilot - Hourlong Entry + Development Notes
|
$135.00
|
$145.00
|
$150.00
|
$155.00
|
$160.00
|
Benefits
Winners (4): December 15th, 2025
- - $10,000 awarded. $2,500 to the winner of each genre category (Action & Sci-Fi, Comedy, Drama, Horror & Thriller)
- - Circulation to select production and management companies for first look, with expanded circulation afterward
Runners-up (4, minimum of one in each category): December 15th, 2025
The Screenplay winners and runners-up receive:
- - Long-term facilitation to Script Pipeline's industry network of producers, managers, agents, directors, and others seeking features.
- - Development assistance from Script Pipeline's execs on both the screenplay and pitch
- - Additional script reviews and consideration of other material for industry exposure
- - Invitations to private events and Symposium panels hosted by Pipeline
Winners (2): December 15th, 2025
- - $5,000 awarded. $2,500 to the winner of each category (Hour and Half-Hour)
- - Circulation to select production and management companies for first look, with expanded circulation afterward
Runners-up (2, minimum of one in each category): December 15th, 2025
The TV Pilot winners and runners-up receive:
- - Long-term facilitation to Script Pipeline's industry network of producers, agents, and managers seeking original pilots and new TV writer clients.
- - Development assistance from Script Pipeline's execs on both the pilot and series pitch or bible
- - Additional script reviews and consideration of other material for industry exposure
- - Invitations to private events and Symposium panels hosted by Pipeline
Writer Success
2024 Winners on Coverfly
Announcements
Rules
Screenplays - must be a feature-length script (i.e. 80-120 pages, preferably).
If your specific genre isn't listed as a category, you may submit to the one closest resembling it. For example, Fantasy, Western, and Adventure could fall under Action & Sci-Fi. Or Crime and Mystery scripts could be submitted to Thriller.
TV Hour & Half-hour - pilot scripts in the 30-60 page range (appx.).
All genres of TV accepted, including animation, sketch show, off-the-wall genre hybrids ... anything goes.
RULES + GUIDELINES
Please review the following prior to submitting:
- - For both Screenplay and TV, the script must not be under an option or shopping agreement at the time of entry (if it happens after, that's absolutely fine!).
- - The same script cannot compete in multiple categories. Genre hybrids (i.e. an Action/Comedy) can be whatever category the writer chooses.
- - Writers who have sold, optioned, or produced scripts in the past are eligible; however, the material submitted must not have been produced and released as a feature film or TV series at any time before the end of the season.
- - Judging criteria emphasizes both writing ability and concept, unlike our Screenwriting and TV Writing competitions, which are centered almost exclusively on writing ability. Preference may be given to what we deem "higher-concept" material.
Email our contest coordinator with any other questions on guidelines or judging criteria.
FAQs
CAN I UPDATE MY DRAFT AFTER ENTERING?
We'll accept updated drafts (no extra fee) up until the final deadline October 30th, 2025. Email us direct.
DO YOU ACCEPT OTHER GENRES?
Genres adjacent to the current categories may be submitted. For example, Western, Fantasy, Adventure ... those could all fall under Action & Sci-fi. While Crime or Mystery would fall under Horror & Thriller.
If you're unsure of which category to submit to, feel free to email us for clarification. Any script genre will fit into a proper First Look category.
WHAT SHOULD GO ON THE TITLE PAGE?
Contact info can be on the cover page. Logline and genre is preferred, but not required.
HOW IS FIRST LOOK DIFFERENT FROM SCRIPT PIPELINE'S OTHER COMPETITIONS?
The main difference would be the judging criteria. Our annual Screenwriting and TV Writing Competitions are critiqued almost exclusively on their writing ability for film and television.
The First Look Project, however, focuses on both writing ability and "marketability" (a term we don't particularly like because marketability is subjective, but basically a unique concept in line with current trends and industry preferences). Something relevant that twists the genre or hits on relatable themes will fare well.
Writing ability is obviously still critical, but the script needn't be "circulation-ready" if it leans on a great premise. All winners and runners-up will go through in-house development with Script Pipeline execs prior to circulation, if necessary. We want promising writers with big, fresh ideas. Those who we can work with now and in the future.
DO I RETAIN THE RIGHTS TO MY SCRIPT?
Yes. All rights to the material remain with the writer, regardless of whether they place.
CAN INTERNATIONAL WRITERS ENTER?
Yes, applicants outside the US are welcome to enter ANY Script Pipeline contest.
ARE NOTES INCLUDED?
Written feedback is not included on entries, but entrants may add general notes (appx. one page of feedback) during registration, for a reduced rate. Feedback is kept separate from judging—meaning you'll have a different executive reviewing your contest entry, and the notes have no bearing on the judging process.
Turnaround time will vary throughout the year, please ask our coordinator for current turnarounds.
Alternatively, full notes from one of our development execs can be requested through the Workshop.
CAN I SUBMIT TO OTHER CONTESTS OR COMPANIES AFTER ENTERING?
Yes. There are no restrictions on submitting to other writing contests, programs, etc., or sending your script to industry while in competition.
WILL YOU ACCEPT SHORT SCRIPTS OR PITCHES?
Only full-length feature and TV scripts are accepted. Pitches may be submitted to our Pitch Competition. Short scripts may be submitted to Film Pipeline.
Contact our contest coordinator with any other questions.