The Script Pipeline Screenwriting & TV Writing Competitions connect talented writers with leading industry execs, including managers, production companies, and financiers.

Now in its 24th year, we focus foremost on finding writers representation, supporting diverse voices, championing ambitious storytelling, and pushing original projects into production.

We're currently the only competition offering an intensive, personalized process to our Quarterfinalists and higher: 1-on-1 development, long-term mentorship, career guidance, and circulation to only the leading industry execs. This has resulted in over $8 million in spec sales to studios, multiple films produced, and hundreds of emerging writers introduced to reps.

Script Pipeline selects five (5) finalists for both Screenwriting and TV Writing and, from that group, one winner in each 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

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

- Additional feedback on their screenplay from Script Pipeline's development execs

- Re-review of a final draft

- Consideration for industry circulation

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

*note: entry fees are lower if submitting direct via the Script Pipeline site

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 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

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

- Supplemental mentorship from partners, including the team at Cinestory

General feedback is provided for Quarterfinalists and Semifinalists following the end of the season, plus consideration for industry circulation and longer-term assistance from Pipeline.

Rules & Terms

Judging is based primarily on the overall quality of the writing, 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 potentially 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, because that doesn't make sense and no one should do it ...

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, but not required.

- Co-writers are allowed.

- PDF strongly preferred. All software should have a convert to PDF function.

- Script should be a feature-length screenplay or original TV pilot. All genres are allowed.

- Script Pipeline Screenwriting or TV Writing winners, runners-up, and finalists since 2024 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.

For full rules visit the scriptpipeline.com site.
4 Reviews
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  • 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