Script Pipeline TV Writing Competition
Contest · 2026Prestige 65/100Feedback included
19th annual TV writing competition. $20,000 to the winner, $1,000 to each finalist, ongoing mentorship and industry circulation.
Deadlines & fees
Closed for this cycle
Entries for 2026 have closed. Finalists are announced on 3 August and the winner on 9 August 2026.
Dates and fees checked against the official site 14 Jul 2026.
Key facts
- Formats
- TV Pilot
- Genres
- Action, Adventure, Animation, Biography, Comedy, Crime, Documentary, Drama, Family, Fantasy, History, Horror, Music, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, Sport, Thriller, War, Western
- Required materials
- PDF of the TV pilot script
Entrants must be 18 or older. Original television pilots only; no specs of existing shows. Scripts must not have been produced in full form. Previously selected winners and finalists from the past two years are not eligible. Discounted rates available for verified students and Script Pipeline Gold Members.
Prizes
Grand Prize Winner: $20,000 cash, ongoing one-to-one development, long-term mentorship, career guidance, and circulation to Script Pipeline's industry roster of executives, managers, and production companies. Finalists (5 total): $1,000 cash each, additional feedback, and consideration for industry circulation. Quarterfinalists: additional feedback and exclusive invitations to Symposium conferences.
Judging
Multi-round judging. Five finalists are selected, with one Grand Prize Winner named from that group. All finalists and quarterfinalists receive additional written feedback. Winners and finalists are introduced to Script Pipeline's industry roster.
The PreList verdict
The TV sibling of Script Pipeline's feature contest, with the same core promise: the win is the start of a relationship, not the end of one. The winner takes US$20,000 and ongoing development and circulation, and the company's track record of turning winners into working writers is the reason to pick this over cheaper pilot contests.
The honest part: original pilots and unproduced independent series only, no specs of existing shows, so this is a test of your own voice and format discipline. As with the feature contest, the meaningful value goes to one winner and four finalists, standard entries get no feedback, and fees are only visible inside the entry window.
Enter if your pilot is distinctive enough to be somebody's writing sample and commercial enough to be somebody's pitch. Skip it if what you really need is notes. The 2026 competition closed on 31 May; finalists are announced on 3 August and the winner on 9 August.
Dylian Salvatore, Founder of The PreList · Updated 14 Jul 2026
Frequently asked questions
Can I enter a spec episode of an existing show?
No. The competition accepts original pilots and unproduced independent series only.
Is the 2026 TV Writing Competition still open?
No. Entries closed on 31 May 2026. Finalists are announced on 3 August and the winner on 9 August 2026.
What does the winner receive?
US$20,000 plus ongoing development support and industry circulation. Four finalist runners-up receive US$1,000 each.
Is your script right for Script Pipeline TV Writing Competition?
Upload your screenplay and The PreList scores how well it fits this contest: genre, format, eligibility and readiness, before you spend anything.
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