ABFF® TURNER TV WRITING CONTEST
American Black Film Festival
INFO: ABFF is excited to announce the launch of the 2018 American Black Film Festival Turner TV Writing Contest designed to shine a spotlight on diverse writers who are invited to submit an original pilot script in comedy or drama categories.
Together, Turner and ABFF will select five comedy finalists and five drama finalists, and one winner in each category will receive a trip for themselves and a guest to the 2018 American Black Film Festival in Miami from June 13-17, 2018, where they will receive an award before the festival audience which will include a cash prize of $500, and the opportunity to meet with Turner Original Programming executives.
Please review general submission guidelines below, along with the official rules.
DEADLINE: April 2, 2018
abff.com/turner-tv-writing-contest/
NHMC TV WRITERS PROGRAM
National Hispanic Media Coalition
INFO: The NHMC Television Writers Program is an intensive scriptwriters workshop to prepare and place Latinos in writing jobs for the major television networks. The program was created in accordance with NHMC’s mission to improve the image of American Latinos as portrayed by the media, and increase the number of American Latinos employed in all facets of the media industry and with the idea that if there are more diverse writers present at the writer’s table, more diversity will be reflected on TV.
The television scriptwriters workshop is designed to familiarize participants with the format, characters and storyline structure of specific shows that are currently on the air. The five-week, total immersion workshop is mentored and guided by former NBC V.P of Script Development, Geoff Harris and is conducted in Burbank, CA. A total of 10 writers are accepted nationwide from an established network of non-profit agencies, schools, universities, guilds and media organizations. The program normally takes place in the Fall of each year, wrapping up before Thanksgiving.
Participants must be willing to take a leave of absence from work or school, as the program is a full time commitment (Monday-Friday).
The NHMC Television Writers Program is for seasoned writers who are capable of writing at least a one half-hour comedy or a one-hour dramatic television script in English within a five-week period of time. Each selected participant is expected to complete at least one script by the end of the five-week session, which will then be read by network executives. Those writers whose scripts show promise will be interviewed and mentored by the network executives with the objective of placing them on a show.
AWARD: $250 per week (plus Southwest Airline vouchers, housing, and meals will be provided to accepted participants who hail from out of state).
SUBMISSION DATES: April 9 - August 5, 2018
DIVERSE VOICES SCREENPLAY CONTEST
WeScreenplay
INFO: WeScreenplay’s contest is focused on promoting and encouraging diverse voices and stories. The contest encourages stories that are told from perspectives – through the author and/or characters (ethnic minorities, women, women over 40, LGBTQ members, senior citizens, faith-driven characters, etc.) – that are often underrepresented in Hollywood today. The contest accepts Features, TV Pilots, Web Series, and Shorts.
PRIZES:
- Grand Prize - $1,000 cash prize and 3-months of development via WeScreenplay. Plus, distribution to WeScreenplay's relationships with managers and producers.
- First Prize in Each Category - 3-months of development via WeScreenplay and distribution to WeScreenplay's relationships with managers and producers.
- Finalists - Free entry to another WeScreenplay contest.
DEADLINE: April 15th, 2018
wescreenplay.com/contests/diverse-voices
CBS WRITER’S MENTORING PROGRAM
The CBS Diversity Institute
INFO: CBS’ Diversity Institute has launched a six-month writers program to provide access and opportunities for talented and motivated diverse writers. The focus of the program is on opening doors: providing opportunities to build relationships with network executives and show runners; to support new and emerging writers in their efforts to improve their craft; and to develop the interpersonal skills necessary to break in and succeed. Each participant will be teamed with a mentor (a CBS network or studio executive) with whom they will meet on a regular basis, to discuss their work, get creative feedback on their material and get advice and support in furthering their career. In addition, participants will be invited to attend a small workshop-style meeting once a week with various CBS show runners and other industry professionals and will be given the opportunity to spend time observing in a writing room, as well as in the CBS current and development departments.
DEADLINE: May 1, 2018
cbscorporation.com/diversity/diversity-institute/writers-mentoring-program/
2016 SCRIPT PIPELINE TV WRITING CONTEST
INFO: The 11th Script Pipeline TV Writing Competition is searching for extraordinary television writers and fresh, compelling pilots for exposure to production companies, agencies, and managers. Launched in 2008 as a response to the growing demand for new episodic content, the competition has established its role as a go-to outlet for emerging writers looking to develop their TV material or get staffed on shows. Together with the Screenwriting Competition, Script Pipeline cultivates relationships with the industry's top executives, focused specifically on finding writers representation, supporting diverse voices, championing marketable, unique storytelling, and pushing more original projects into production.
The company’s distinctive long-term facilitation process helps contest selections gain elite representation and crucial introductions to Hollywood, with $6 million in screenplays and pilots sold by competition finalists and "Recommend" writers since 2010 alone.
Finalists receive immediate circulation to Script Pipeline partners, in addition to the following:
- $25,000 to winner, $1,000 to runner-up
- Personal introductions to managers, producers, agents, directors, and others searching for TV writers
- Development assistance with Script Pipeline execs
- Additional script reviews for potential circulation
- Long-term circulation to industry
- Exclusive invitations to writer/industry events hosted by Pipeline Media Group
SUBMISSION FEE: $60
DEADLINE: May 1, 2018
scriptpipeline.com/shop/tv-writing-contest