The Script Pipeline Screenwriting & TV Writing Competitions connect talented writers with production companies, agencies, and managers. As one of the longest-running (since 2003) and most successful writing contests, 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, and circulation of material—gives our selected writers proper guidance to advance their careers.

For Screenwriting and TV Writing, Script Pipeline selects five finalists and one winner, who receive the following:

- $20,000 to each winner; $1,000 for each finalist

- Introductions to managers, producers, agents, directors, and other execs searching for scripts

- Development assistance 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

- Invitations to private events and Symposium panels hosted by Pipeline

Plus: all Quarterfinalists and Semifinalists receive general feedback on their work from Script Pipeline's development execs and consideration for industry circulation post-contest.

"I was about to give up on this script and stick it in a drawer ... then I placed as a finalist in Script Pipeline, and that all changed. More has happened for my career in the month after placing than in all the months preceding it."- Crosby Selander, Screenwriting Finalist (sold Bring Me Back to Legendary for seven figures)

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 and Snow White and the Huntsman by Evan Daugherty. 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 script Visitation was produced in 2023, starring Olivia Cooke (House of the Dragon) and Isla Johnston (The Queen’s Gambit). Several Pipeline writers have made The Black List recently, such as Elad Ziv's Court 17, Cauliflower by Daniel Jackson, and Pure by Catherine Schetina, the latter two securing the #1 spot. And writers have signed with multiple top managers and agents over the years, landing with reps at Bellevue, UTA, Kaplan/Perrone, Alibi Management, and more following Script Pipeline development and introductions.

View notable success stories: https://scriptpipeline.com/success-stories

Awards & Prizes

- $40,000 to winners; $1,000 for each finalist

- Introductions to managers, producers, agents, directors, and other execs searching for scripts

- Development assistance 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

- Invitations to private events and Symposium panels hosted by Pipeline (symposium.pipelineartists.com)

Plus: all Quarterfinalists and Semifinalists receive general feedback on their work from Script Pipeline's development execs and consideration for industry circulation post-contest.

Rules & Terms

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, it should be noted, use unpaid interns or volunteers, or seasonal readers ...

Basic guidelines:

- The cover page should include the title, but 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 for us, but not required.

- Co-writers are allowed.

- PDF strongly preferred. All software should have a convert to PDF function, including Final Draft, Celtx, and others.

- Script should be a feature-length screenplay or original TV pilot. All genres are allowed, and there are no maximum length requirements.

- Script Pipeline Screenwriting or TV Writing winners, runners-up, and finalists since 2020 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 a-ok.

- Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of entry.

For full rules: scriptpipeline.com/screenwriting-tv-writing-rules-2024
4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Paul Horan

    Excellent experience, from the effort they put into the sheer quantity of their reading, to the opportunities they actively work to provide for writers.

    August 2021
    Helpful
  • Sommer Rusinski

    Script Pipeline is an incredible organization absolutely devoted to growing the network of young writers. I was a finalist in their TV Writing competition last year, and Matt and the gang have stayed in constant communication with me since. One of the good ones...definitely worth the cost of admission! Best of luck!

    May 2019
    Helpful
  • Margarita Rozenbaoum

    This was a game changer for me— it was the first bigger competition I entered, and to be chosen as a Top Ten Finalist opened up a lot of opportunities. I ended up getting meetings with a couple top networks (SP sends out your logline if you’re Top Ten.) From there, I ultimately networked my way to an agent, and actually made some really good friends too (from peer networking opportunities offered by SP). The Script Pipeline staff is also very communicative— we still keep in touch a year later. This is a great competition to enter if you want to feel like you’re more than just a number.

    May 2019
    Helpful
  • Adrienne Dawes

    This is my second year to apply to a Script Pipeline competition and I didn't feel like the experience is worth the cost of submission. Best of luck to everyone!

    August 2017
    Helpful