The Storytellers Initiative aims to discover and celebrate bold new series with a strong point of view and bold characters from the next generation of storytellers. This Initiative cultivates lasting relationships between emerging creatives and industry executives, focused specifically on supporting diverse voices, championing marketable, unique storytelling, and pushing independent projects into production.

Writers are invited to submit their pilot script for a chance to participate in a writers workshop, a live read of their script with professional actors, and a year-long development deal.

For Season 11, SeriesFest is partnering with Pacific Electric Pictures to discover episodic content featuring uplifting and heartwarming comedies. The script competition provides artists the opportunity to share diverse ideas through visual media and create groundbreaking television. The winning artist(s) will receive the opportunity for a development deal with Pacific Electric Picture Co.

About SeriesFest
SeriesFest is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the art of episodic storytelling. With year-round initiatives and professional development opportunities focused on diverse and under-served voices, education programs for students, and an annual festival, which gives emerging artists a platform and place for discovery, SeriesFest is where new voices and storytellers have found a home.

About Pacific Electric Picture Co.
Founded by Ed Helms and Mike Falbo in 2012, Pacific Electric Picture Co. is a production company with a first look deal at Universal Television. They most recently produced two seasons of RUTHERFORD FALLS, created by Helms, Sierra Ornelas, and Mike Schur for Peacock & UTV. Also for Peacock, they released TRUE STORY WITH ED & RANDALL, co-hosted by Helms and Randall Park, to rave reviews. Before that, they produced the critically acclaimed sketch show AUNTY DONNA’S BIG OL’ HOUSE OF FUN for Netflix in 2020. In 2018, Pacific Electric won a WGA Award for their Comedy Central special THE FAKE NEWS WITH TED NELMS, a subversive, a-political news show satire, hosted by a guy who kind of looks like Ed Helms. On the feature side, they produced COFFEE AND KAREEM for Netflix, directed by Michael Dowse and starring Ed Helms, Taraji P Henson, Betty Gilpin, and David Alan Grier, and CORPORATE ANIMALS, written by Sam Bain, directed by Patrick Brice and starring Demi Moore, Jessica Williams, and Karan Soni, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival. They currently have shows and films in development at networks and studios around town. In addition to their TV and film slates, they recently released season two of the hit podcast SNAFU WITH ED HELMS and are currently producing a third season in partnership with FilmNation for iHeart. Besides SNAFU, they also released the podcast BROOMGATE, about the biggest scandal to hit the sport of curling, to wide acclaim.

Awards & Prizes

Three Finalists will take part in a two-day virtual creative workshop with industry experts, which includes sessions on 'how to pitch' and mini writers rooms for all 3 scripts. The goal of this workshop is to further get to know the creators and their skill levels as well as determine the Season Eleven Winner! This workshop will take place virtually the week of March 17, 2025.

The winning artist(s) will receive an exclusive development deal with the presenting partner. The winner will also be flown out to Denver, CO for SeriesFest: Season Eleven (April 30- May 4, 2025) , and participate in a Storytellers Initiative Live Read Presentation of their script with professional actors.

Rules & Terms

Eligibility:
Must be 21+ years of age.
Applicants should to be based in the United States.

Required Materials:
Pilot scripts with episodes running between 20-30 minutes (Not to exceed 40 pages in length)
Must also include a Series Format Deck to be uploaded to the application page under “Files & Attachments” . The Series Format Deck is a 2-15 page document that includes a logline, series regular and recurring character descriptions, and Season One story arch or future episode descriptions. (See Full Guidelines Below)

The Series Format Deck must be submitted in English.

The Series Format Deck should be no longer than 15 pages and include the following:
Log Line
Pilot Synopsis
Season One Outline
Main Character Descriptions (Up to 5)
For unscripted pilots, key onscreen subjects/talent
Tone of your series (can include no more than 2 comparisons)
Producing Team
Key Creatives
Goals for your Series
A Creator Statement which includes Why This Idea, Why Me, and Why Now?

Please note, entry materials will not be returned

FINDING OUT
We will contact you via e-mail during the month of February 2025. Please make sure that the e-mail address you provided on your application will be operational at that time. If your e-mail address changes after you’ve filled out the application, please log into your account and update it. We will not be held responsible for any failed delivery of notification. If you haven’t heard from us by March 20, 2025 please contact us at info@seriesfest.com for an official notification.

Please make sure to add info@seriesfest.com to your SPAM account settings as SAFE SENDER LIST.

FINAL SELECTIONS
If your work is selected, you must fulfill the following requirements by the date(s) designated by the SeriesFest:
(1) You must execute a release agreement wherein you:
Indemnify and hold harmless SeriesFest, LLC, its parent company, its affiliates, and subsidiaries and any of their respective directors, officers, employees, and representatives against any claim arising out of exhibition of your film at SeriesFest.

(2) Agree to participate in a reasonable number of customary promotional and publicity activities [including press junkets, telephone interviews, sending press packages, and public appearances to promote the SeriesFest

(3) You own the project IP and have the rights to any affiliated source material

JUDGING
The official judging panel, consisting of individuals selected by the SeriesFest, at its sole discretion, will make a number of official selections (the “Official Selections”) from all eligible entries received. The judging will be based on the following criteria:

Originality and creativity

Overall quality of all elements & aspects of the production of each entry, including, without limitation, writing, acting, directing, editing, etc. Adherence to and appropriateness for a particular format or type of program