The 17th Annual Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest is searching for extraordinary television writers with traditional pilots or indie series scripts for exposure to production companies and managers. Together with the Screenwriting Contest, we focus specifically on finding writers representation, supporting diverse voices, championing ambitious storytelling, helping finance independent projects, and pushing original projects into 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.

Script Pipeline selects five (5) finalists and, from that group, one winner to receive:

• $20,000 to winner; $1,000 to each finalist
• Introductions to managers, producers, agents, directors, and other execs searching for screenplays
• Development assistance and mentoring from Script Pipeline's team
• Additional script reviews and consideration of other material
• Long-term script circulation to industry and continual guidance connecting with companies
• Supplemental mentorship from partners, including the team at Cinestory
• Final Draft 13 software, from our friends at Final Draft

For Quarterfinalists (selecting up to 50, or appx. 1% of entries) and Semifinalists (selecting up to 25):

• Additional feedback (no cost) on their screenplay from Script Pipeline's development execs
• Consideration for industry circulation

All finalists also receive exclusive invitations to private events hosted by Symposium.

Script Pipeline has cultivated relationships with over 250 production companies, managers, agents, directors, independent producers, networks, and other executives, leading to multiple writers signed, scripts making the Black List, specs sold, and films produced.

A small selection of industry reviewing Finalists:

• Bellevue Productions
• Divide/Conquer
• Liz Destro
• STX Entertainment
• Hungry Man
• Alibi Management
• LBI Entertainment
• Epicenter Management
• Mar Vista

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 promote to industry.

All contest judges are comprised of our in-house Script Pipeline development execs and senior-level staff. We do NOT use unpaid interns, volunteers, or "seasonal" readers ...

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. Features can be submitted to the Screenwriting Contest.
• Script Pipeline Screenwriting or TV Writing winners, runners-up, and finalists since 2022 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.