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

Unlike Script Pipeline's Screenwriting and TV writing contests, 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.

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.

Screenplay Winners (4):

• $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

Screenplay Winners and Runners-up (4) 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

TV Pilot Winners (2):

• $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

TV Pilot Winners and Runners-up (2) 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

Winners/runners-up also receive exclusive invitations to private events hosted by Symposium.

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 contest introduces the winners and runners-up to these and other companies.

Screenplay

• Action & Sci-Fi - Bellevue Productions
• Comedy - Alibi Management
• Drama - STX Entertainment
• Horror & Thriller – Divide & Conquer

TV Pilot

• Half-hour and Hourlong – Epicenter LA

After the initial round of circulation, winners and finalists go out wide to Pipeline's broader industry network of over 200 managers, agents, production companies, and other execs.

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.

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 contests, 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.