Premium Screenplay is an innovative worldwide screenwriting platform that connects aspiring writers with big studios through revolutionary contests led by a seasoned team of story analysts boasting over eight decades of combined experience at esteemed production companies like HBO, Warner Brothers, Focus Features, or Netflix, Premium Screenplay takes a significant stride toward empowering writers. 

For this inaugural competition, TV Pilot, we're on the lookout for the best show ideas and stories. The winner will have the opportunity of having a DOUBLE 1to1 Mentorship with the Co-Creator of the Emmy Award-winning NETFLIX series, MARCELLA, Nicola Larder; and and Farida Zahran, Co-Writer of the acclaimed A24 series RAMY.

Additionally, every contest entry will be eligible for our exclusive script marketplace, where we'll connect top-tier screenplays with the best production companies.

- $1,000 Cash Prize for the winner, and a $500 prize awarded to the second-place contestant! This is your real chance to have your script read by the right eyes—producers and agents who can make things happen!
- DOUBLE 1-to-1 MENTORSHIP with Farida Zahran, co-writer of A24's acclaimed series RAMY, and Nicola Larder, co-writer of the Emmy award-winning Netflix series MARCELLA and current Executive Producer at Pulse Films.
- Each of the 15 semifinalists will receive a SIGNIFICANT and EXCLUSIVE token filled with delightful surprises!
- Quarterfinalists, Semifinalists, an Finalists will be published on our Instagram and all our other social media accounts. 
The scripts of the top finalists will be reviewed by our Literary Managers at CIRCLE OF CONFUSION and HOUSEFIRE MANAGEMENT, potentially leading to representation opportunities.
 

OUR JUDGES & MENTORS INCLUDE:

NICOLA LARDER -  Co-Creator of the Emmy Award-winning Netflix series MARCELLA, and the visionary behind the concept that inspired the SKY ONE TV drama COBRA. Current Executive Producer at Pulse Films.

FARIDA ZAHRAN - Co-Writer for the A24's acclaimed TV Series RAMY

ZACH COX - Literary Manager at Circles of Confusion one of the leading agencies in LA, representing top TV writers.

JON HERSH - Literary Manager at Housefire Managements. Associated with prominent projects in collaboration with industry leaders such as Universal, Netflix, and Disney.

Submissions

a. Submissions are accepted via electronic submission only (PDF).
b. Entry fees are as listed on the site and checkout form. No couponor discount is applicable on a previous entry.
c. Optional feedback from a professional reader may be requested at the time of entry
d. Only TV Pilots screenplays are eligible for submission.
e. Feature screenplays must be a minimum of 20 pages and a maximum of 70 pages.
f. Submissions exceeding 70 pages without feedback will incur a $0.50 per page overage fee. Submissions with feedback will incur a $1 per page overage fee.
g. There is no limit to the number of projects you may submit. h. Entries must be received on or before the deadline dates by 11:59 PM GMT.
i. Submission fee payment must be made in full at the time of submission
All entry fees are non-refundable.

 

Eligibility

a. All submitted material must be owned by the writer(s), although them a trial may be based on other works not owned by the writer(s).
b. All writers who are at least 18 years of age are eligible to participate.
c. Material must be submitted by the writer. If a writing team is involved, them a trial must be submitted by one of the writers with the consent of the other(s).
d. If a writing team is chosen as a winner, prizes will be given to the person who submits the project. Each team is responsible for dividing or sharing any prizes awarded as they deem fair, regardless of whether there is a cash value or not.
e. Participants from all countries are welcome to enter the competition.
f. All submitted material must be in English. Occasional dialogue in other languages is acceptable, provided subtitle translation is provided.

 

Requirements

a. All material submitted to other competitions or contests is eligible for this contest.
b. There are no restrictions on when the material was written.
c. Material should be submitted in standard screenplay format, including font, spacing, and margin.
d. The title and name of the writer should be included on the titlepage. Additional content is not required.
e. Submissions must be in electronic format as a PDF. Broken files or non-PDF files may be accepted, but if the file cannot be read, it will not be judged.

 

Ownership & Plagiarism

a. Scripts or projects based on underlying material not owned by the writer are accepted as samples, provided that the script itself is indisputably written by the submitting writer and does not contain any plagiarism.

 

Rule Amendments

a. Premium Screenplay reserves the right to amend these rules at any time. Please ensure that you carefully review and adhere to these rules when submitting your screenplay.

 

Additional Terms

Please ensure that you carefully review and adhere to these rules when submitting your screenplay.

1. COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP: Premium Screenplay, its partners, employees, and agents acknowledge no ownership or first right of option to any original screenplay submitted to this contest. The original rights holders retain all ownership and rights to the submitted scripts unless alternative agreements are made.

2. PUBLICITY: Participation in the contest implies consent for Premium Screenplay, its agents, and contest sponsors to use entrants' names, likenesses, photographs, and/or personal information for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration, except where prohibited by law. All use of entrants' information complies with our Privacy Policy.

3. REFUND POLICY: Please note that all entries are non-refundable.

4. SITE TERMS OF SERVICE: By entering this competition, users agree to ad here to all Premium Screenplay Terms of Service in addition to the contest rules and eligibility criteria outlined.

5. ENTRY CONDITIONS AND RELEASE: By entering the contest, participants acknowledge reading and agreeing to the specified conditions. They release and hold harmless Premium Screenplay, subsidiaries, parent and affiliated companies, prize contributors, judges, screenplay readers, sponsors, and other organizations involved in administering, advertising, or promoting the contest, as well as their respective members, directors, employees, agents, and representatives (the "Released Parties") from any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities. This includes damages, negligence to property and persons, invasion of privacy, defamation, slander, libel, violation of the right of publicity, copyright infringement, or trademark infringement related to a participant's entry, contest participation, and/or acceptance or use or misuse of the prize. This release does not apply to any commercial exploitation of the script by a Released Party in violation of the participant's rights under applicable copyright law. Participants also agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Premium Screenplay, its sponsor, agents, and employees from any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities(including reasonable attorney's fees) arising from their participation in the contest and/or use or misuse of the prize. Employees of Premium Screenplay and their immediate families are ineligible to participate, and any submission from them will be immediately disqualified. Entry to this contest is void where prohibited or restricted by federal, state, or local law. Voided entries will be refunded. Recipients' eligibility will be verified before the grant is awarded, and winners may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility. By entering the contest, participants authorize the use of trusted third-party online and cloud-based services and databases for hosting, managing, and/or transmitting their submission file(s).