Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest
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About
The 16th Script Pipeline TV Writing Competition is searching for extraordinary television writers and original pilots for exposure to production companies, managers, and agencies.
Together with the Screenwriting Competition, we cultivate relationships with the industry's leading executives, focused specifically on finding writers representation, supporting diverse voices, championing ambitious storytelling, and pushing original projects into production.
The company’s unique process—consisting of long-term writer development, promotion, and circulation of material—gives finalists proper one-on-one guidance to advance their careers.
Over $8 million in screenplays and pilots have been sold by Script Pipeline writers as well as numerous scripts produced since 1999, such as studio releases Stuber by Tripper Clancy and Snow White and the Huntsman by Evan Daugherty. Pipeline Screenwriting finalist Bring Me Back by Crosby Selander sold to Legendary for seven figures—one of the biggest spec sales in years. And Helen Gaughran's winning script Visitation began production in 2023, starring Olivia Cooke (House of the Dragon) and Isla Johnston (The Queen’s Gambit). Several Pipeline writers have made The Black List, with Cauliflower by Daniel Jackson (2021) and Pure by Catherine Schetina (2022), both landing at the #1 spot. While winners Daniel Jackson (Screenwriting), Elad Ziv (First Look Project), and Brian T. Arnold (First Look Project) landed at Bellevue over the past couple seasons, many others have signed at UTA, Kaplan/Perrone, Alibi Management, and more after Script Pipeline introductions. View notable success stories.
- - $25,000 to winner, $2,500 to runner-up
- - Introductions to managers, producers, agents, directors, and others searching for screenplays
- - Development assistance from Script Pipeline's senior execs
- - Additional script reviews and consideration of other material for industry exposure
- - Long-term script circulation to industry and continual guidance connecting with companies
- - Invitations to private events and Symposium panels hosted by Pipeline
Up to 50 Quarterfinalists and 30 Semifinalists will receive general feedback on their work from Script Pipeline's development execs, plus consideration for industry circulation.
NOTE: due to the current WGA strike, industry circulation in August for the winner and finalists will be delayed if the strike has not yet concluded
Benefits
Following the quarterfinalist and semifinalist judging rounds, 10 finalists are chosen by August 1st, 2023.
From those 10, we select one Grand Prize Winner and one Runner-up.
Announcement dates and monetary awards:
Grand Prize Winner (1) - $25,000: August 12th, 2023
Runner-up (1) - $2,500: August 12th, 2023
Finalists (10): August 1st, 2023
Semifinalists (up to top 30): July 20th, 2023
Quarterfinalists (up to top 50): July 10th, 2023
Brief, general feedback will be provided for Quarterfinalists and Semifinalists, in addition to consideration for industry circulation and longer-term assistance from Pipeline's team.
The Grand Prize Winner, Runner-up, and Finalists receive the following:
- - Introductions to managers, producers, agents, directors, and others searching for screenplays
- - Development assistance from Script Pipeline's senior execs
- - Additional script reviews and consideration of other material for industry exposure
- - Long-term script circulation to industry and continual guidance connecting with companies
- - Invitations to private events and Symposium panels hosted by Pipeline
*top 10 finalists are also awarded a copy of Final Draft 12 software, from our partners at Final Draft
INDUSTRY REVIEWING
NOTE: due to the current WGA strike, industry circulation in August for the winner and finalists will be delayed if the strike has not yet concluded
Script Pipeline has cultivated relationships with over 250 production companies, managers, agents, directors, independent producers, networks, and other executives over the past two decades, leading to multiple writers signed and specs sold.
Some of the industry reviewing 2023 Finalists include:
- QC Entertainment - Get Out, Antebellum
- Liz Destro (producer) - Swimming with Sharks
- Bellevue Productions - Infinite
- Divide/Conquer - M3GAN, Adopt a Highway
- Hungry Man
- Alibi Management
- APA
- Assemble Media - The Forgiven
- Paramount TV - Yellowstone, 1883
- Grandview Management
Writer Success
Announcements
Rules
Basic guidelines:
- - Cover page should include the title, but remove any contact information (name, email address, etc.). Logline and genre on the title page as well is preferred.
- - Co-writers are allowed. List each writer's name when registering your script.
- - PDF required. All software should have a convert to PDF function, including Final Draft, Celtx, and others.
- - Script should be an original pilot. We will not be accepting spec scripts of existing shows.
- - All genres are allowed, and there are no length requirements. If it's a multi-part series, send only the first part.
- - Script Pipeline Screenwriting or TV Writing winners, runners-up, and finalists since 2013 are ineligible.
- - No limit on the number of entries. Each entry is a separate fee.
- - Simultaneous submissions are allowed (i.e., you can enter other TV contests with the same script).
- - All rights to the material remain with the entrant, whether they place as a finalist or not.
- - The script entered must not have been produced in its full form. Shorts based on the script are a-ok.
- - Electronic submissions only.
- - Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of entry.
