The 15th 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 might 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. Ideally, we want first look at the next buzzworthy specs before hitting the market.

Screenplay Winners (4):

• $10,000 total. $2,500 to the winner of each genre category (Action & Sci-Fi, Comedy, Drama, Horror & Thriller).

TV Pilot Winners (2):

• $5,000 total. $2,500 to the winner of each category (Hour and Half-Hour).

All winners receive:

• Long-term circulation to Script Pipeline's industry network of producers, managers, agents, directors, and others seeking TV material
• 1-on-1 development assistance from Script Pipeline's execs
• Additional script reviews and consideration of other material
• Career guidance and mentorship from Pipeline execs and industry partners

Winners also receive exclusive invitations to private events hosted by Symposium.

Script Pipeline has cultivated relationships with numerous production companies, managers, agents, directors, independent producers, networks, financiers, and other executives, leading to multiple writers signed, specs sold, and films produced.

A small selection of industry reviewing Pipeline selections:

• Alibi Management
• Bellevue Productions
• Big Moody Curve Productions
• Destro Films
• Hungry Man
• LBI Entertainment
• STX Entertainment
• V42

Screenplays - must be a feature-length script.

If your specific genre isn't listed as a category, you may submit to the one closest to it. For example, Fantasy, Western, or 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, off-the-wall genre hybrids ...

Other criteria:

• 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, you're still eligible).
• The same script cannot compete in multiple categories. Genre hybrids (i.e. an Action/Comedy) can be whatever category the writer chooses.
• 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.