Competition United States

2027 TV Writing Contest (20th Annual Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest)

For original pilots and unproduced indie series, this contest reaches its 20th edition in 2027 and turns away specs of shows already on air. Every round is read by Script Pipeline staff. Beyond the USD 20,000 prize, the winner and finalists are introduced to managers and producers and helped with further drafts.

Pre-register deadline Dec 30, 2026 (closes in 71 days)

Dates

DeadlineDateFee
Special entrySep 25, 2026 passedUSD 45
Pre-registerDec 30, 2026USD 50
EarlyMar 5, 2027USD 60
RegularMay 1, 2027USD 65
LateMay 15, 2027USD 70
ExtendedMay 31, 2027USD 75

Deadlines are as the organizer states them. Check the time zone on the official page.

At a glance

Entry fee
From $50Pre-register tier, until December 30, 2026
Formats
TV pilot, Series
Language
English
Where
United States (enter online)
Who can apply
Writers 18 or older. Original pilots, or scripts for an independent series that has not been produced, in any genre. Specs of existing shows are refused, and features belong in the separate screenwriting contest. Anyone who has won, placed second or reached the finals of a Pipeline screenwriting or TV contest from 2025 on is barred.
Prizes
USD 20,000 to the winner and USD 1,000 to each of five finalists.

What to send

File
PDF
Title page
Title on the cover; name and contact details may be removed but do not disqualify; logline and genre optional
Your name on the script
Allowed
Also asked for
Unlimited entries, one fee per script

Need your pages in standard screenplay format first? The free screenplay formatter lays them out and saves a PDF.

What it gives besides money

Winner and finalists get introductions to managers, agents and producers, development help, more script reviews and long-term circulation. Quarterfinalists and semifinalists get extra notes and a re-read of a later draft.

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