Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest
Enter Now
About
Winner Receives:
$20,000 | industry circulation | long-term script development
The 17th Annual Script Pipeline TV Writing Competition is searching for extraordinary television writers with traditional pilots or indie series scripts for exposure to production companies and managers. Together with the Screenwriting Competition, we focus specifically on finding writers representation, supporting diverse voices, championing ambitious storytelling, and pushing original projects closer to production.
The company’s unique process—consisting of long-term, 1-on-1 development, extensive promotion, mentorship, and circulation of material—gives our selected writers proper 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, 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
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Dec 27th
Pre-Register
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Mar 5th
Early
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May 1st
Regular
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May 15th
Late
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May 31st
Extended (FINAL)
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TV Pilot Entry
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$45.00
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$55.00
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$65.00
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$70.00
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$75.00
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TV Pilot Entry + Feedback
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$140.00
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$150.00
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$160.00
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$165.00
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$170.00
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Benefits
There are four rounds of selections: Quarterfinalists, Semifinalists, Finalists, and from the top 5 Finalists, one Grand Prize Winner.
- Monetary Awards -
Grand Prize Winner - $20,000
Finalists (remaining 4) - $1,000 each
General feedback is provided for Quarterfinalists and Semifinalists following the end of the season, plus consideration for industry circulation and longer-term assistance from Pipeline.
The Grand Prize Winner and four remaining Finalists also receive the following:
- - Introductions to managers, producers, agents, directors, and other execs searching for TV material
- - Development assistance and mentoring from Script Pipeline's team
- - Additional script reviews and consideration of other projects
- - Long-term script circulation to industry and continual guidance connecting with companies
- - Invitations to private events and Symposium panels hosted by Pipeline
*finalists are also awarded a copy of Final Draft 13 software, from our partners at Final Draft
Writer Success
Announcements
Rules
Basic guidelines:
- - The cover page should include the title, but you can remove any contact information (name, email address, etc.). Your entry won't be disqualified if you submit a cover page that includes contact info. Logline and genre on the cover page is preferred, but not required.
- - Co-writers are allowed.
- - PDF only. All software should have a convert to PDF function, including Final Draft, Celtx, and others.
- - Original pilots only, no specs of existing shows. Any genre.
- - Script Pipeline Screenwriting or TV Writing winners, runners-up, and finalists since 2021 are not eligible.
- - No limit on the number of entries. Each entry is a separate fee.
- - 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.
- - Produced short films based on the script are okay.
- - Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of entry.
Criteria:
Judging is based primarily on the overall quality of the script, including storytelling ability and fundamental components (e.g. dialogue, plot, structure, and character). Concept marketability/producibility, originality, and writing style are also weighed to various degrees.
Our best piece of advice is to submit material that highlights your distinct voice—what separates your script from the norm? Although we're strict on judging and only work with a select group of writers annually, all types of genres and styles are fair game. In the past, finalist and winning scripts have ranged from microbudget indies, to true stories, big-budget sci-fi, straight genre pieces, low-concept, high-concept, and everything in-between.
Being selected as a Quarterfinalist or higher means that we feel the script has potential, the writing is above average, and it's a project we're confident in helping further develop and potentially promote to industry.
