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Program Description

Have you written the next This is Us, Insecure, Atlanta, Westworld, Veep, Game of Thrones or even an animation like Bojack Horseman? Or have you written something unlike anything we've seen before? We want to read it all!

We're seeking 10 incredible 1/2 hour and 1 hour Pilots in all genres! Each Finalist will receive $500 and go on to be considered for Grand Prize to win $3,000, representation consideration and industry exposure to our contacts.

 

Deadlines and Fees

Isa Exclusive
Apr. 07, 2023
Early
Apr. 20, 2023
Regular
May 16, 2023
Final
June 15, 2023
Extended
June 27, 2023
Television
Standard Fee
$19
$39
$49
$69
$79
$19
$39
$44
$64
$74

Program Benefits

Finalists - Top 10

Ten outstanding writers will be selected to receive:

  • $500 Cash
  • A Pitch Class with Jess Hinds, Creator of "Meditative Writing"
  • Consideration for the Grand Prize

Grand Prize

The Grand Prize Winner will receive: 

  • $3,000 Cash (includes $500 from Finalist category)
  • Consideration for an option by Creative Screenwriter Productions
  • Consideration for representation by Culture Creative Entertainment
  • a 60 Minute Pitch Consultation with Jess Hinds ($400 value)
  • A featured article on Creative Screenwriting
  • Promotion to industry partners looking to produce unique work.

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SUBMIT YOUR BEST

Half-hour and one-hour Pilots in all genres are accepted.

Some of our partner mandates include but are not limited to:

Hour-Long Drama

Hour-Long Family

Edgy Half-Hour Live Action

Adult Animation Comedy

Family and Workplace Animation Comedy

Half-Hour Kids and Family Animation

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MEET OUR JUDGES

Maia Glikman: Producer

Maia Glikman is a Los Angeles based producer whose body of work spans numerous areas of the entertainment industry. She has held key positions from development to production at networks, studios and some of the world's leading production companies. Maia has developed both major television and feature projects, in addition to major properties in the podcast (CEO of GoKidGo) and unscripted space. Highlights as an executive include several years at ABC Network, Lucasfilm (under Kathleen Kennedy) and Sony Pictures Television (development and current). Most recently, Maia was the Head of Scripted for MSM/Tollin Productions. Previous to that she was the Head of Development at Amore & Vita Productions (overall deal at WBTV/developed the Fox show THE CLEANING LADY). As a creative producer, Maia's mandate is the production of high-quality content that resonates with today's audience, most especially those that champion female and underrepresented voices. 

Shaun O'Banion: Writer/Producer - Ravenwood Films

Over the course of his nearly thirty years in the industry, Shaun O'Banion has worked for and with filmmakers including Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, Judd Apatow and Joe Wright among many others. He began producing in 2007, joined the Producers Guild of America in 2010 and won an IFP Gotham Award in 2011. As a writer, he has written features and television and is repped by Zero Gravity Management. He also runs Ravenwood Consulting, a successful script consulting business, co-hosts the Character podcast and frequently teaches at film schools in the U.S. and abroad. 

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How is Creative Screenwriting impacted by the WGA Writers Strike?

Creative Screenwriting is not a WGA signatory, but we support the strike and all writers. We are in full compliance with strike rules and will not share projects with struck companies until it is permissible to do so. We encourage you to continue to work on your career during this time and submit to contests and fellowships that will benefit you and your goals.

Success Stories

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Creative Screenwriting Pilot Competition Grand Prize Winner

Coli Sylla - Screenwriter
Coli Sylla took the grand prize in the Creative Screenwriting Pilot Competition for his pilot PORTER and later signed a shopping deal with CSP Productions.

Option Consideration

The Grand Prize Winner Receives Option Consideration by Creative Screenwriter Productions

Creative Screenwriter is a writer-first development company. With the belief that stories can change the world, we find award-winning, exceptional screenwriters with original voices, who create commercial, entertaining, and socially relevant material across all genres. 

Consideration for Representation

The Grand Prize Winner Also Receives Consideration for Representation by Culture Creative Entertainment

Culture Creative Entertainment is a talent agency representing writers and directors in television and film. The Founders have been in the industry for decades and have established industry-wide relationships and business practices that adopt persistence and professionalism. The most important aspect to our business, however, is our clients.

Feedback Options

Script Notes

$39

1st 20 Pages Notes

ISAConnect $29

Snapshot of Your Script at a Glance

$69

Full Script Notes

ISAConnect $59

Improve Your Characters & Dialogue

$99

Deep Dive Notes

ISAConnect $89

Detailed Analysis of Your Script

Development Evaluations

$199

General Evaluation

ISAConnect $149

Elevate to a Production-Ready Script

$599

Marketability Evaluation

ISAConnect $499

Approve Your Pitch and Presentation

$599

Executive Level Evaluation

ISAConnect $499

Appeal to Studio Execs & Showrunners

*Feedback is provided by the ISA and does not affect program judging.

Announcement Dates

Quarter-Finalists

July 20, 2023

Semi-Finalists

Aug. 02, 2023

Finalists

Aug. 24, 2023

Grand Prize

Sept. 20, 2023

Sponsors and Associations

Meditative Screenwriting Creative Screenwriter Productions, LLC Culture Creative Entertainment

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are the notification dates?
A: 
Quarter-Finalists: July 20, 2023, Semi-Finalists: August 2, 2023, Finalists - Top 10: August 24, 2023, Grand Prize: September 13, 2023

Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A:  We accept PayPal, and Credit/Debit Card payments.

Q: Do you accept check or money order by mail.
A: No; all payments must be made through our site payment portal or through PayPal.

Q:  I would like to mail you a hardcopy of my script. How can I do that?
A: In an effort to maintain a green company, we only accept PDF versions of your screenplays and Pilots through our website or one of our partner websites (the ISA and FilmFreeway).

Q: Should I include my contact information on my title page?
A: No. please do not include your name and contact info. You should list the Title only.

Q: Who will be reading my screenplay/judging the contest?
A: The final panel of judges will be comprised of screenwriting and other industry professionals, including but not limited to producers, managers and established writers.

Q: Can I enter my Short script as a Pilot?
A: It is not recommended. Series generally last 5 seasons. If you have not planned for your work to be a long running series, please do not submit it as a Pilot.

Q: Do I maintain the rights to my screenplay?
A: YES, you retain all the rights to your screenplay. Creative Screenwriting seeks to support and empower writers, rather than claim their hard work for ourselves.

Q: Do I need to submit a Synopsis?
A: Synopses are not required and are not considered during the judging process.

Q: Can I submit a screenplay under a pen name?
A: Yes, you may use whatever name you wish, understanding that this is the name Creative Screenwriting will use to promote your script, should you win.

Q: Does my screenplay have to be registered with the Writers’ Guild or another organization?
A: No, but we do recommend registering your work with the WGA West, the Library of Congress Copyright office or other similar organization in your country. It’s really easy and a VERY smart thing to do.

Q: Is an adaptation of a published novel or other work written by someone else eligible?
A: You must have the legal rights to adapt the book to enter your screenplay. Either the original work must be in the public domain, or you must have the author’s permission to adapt it. Spec scripts without written permission will not be considered.

Q: Can I send you a revised copy of my script or make edits to my genre or logline?
A: Once we have received your entry, you have 24 hours to contact us about any replacements you need to make. After the 24-hour period is through, NO script revisions will be accepted FOR ANY REASON. If you would like to enter a revised version of your screenplay, you may do so as a new entry.

Q: What stops you from taking my idea and developing it yourself?
A: Our panel of judges is comprised of respected industry professionals, and they have no intention of stealing your material.

Q: Do you accept Features, Shorts and Web Series?
A: Only Pilots are accepted for this competition. 

Q: What’s the minimum/maximum required page length?
A: Guidelines for suggested page lengths:

  • Pilots: Up to 70 Pages

Q: My Pilot is over 70 Pages. Will I be disqualified?
A: Scripts that run over suggested page lengths will not be disqualified; however, extra pages can affect everything from pacing to structure to marketability, so we would advise you to get your script as close as possible to where the industry expects it to be.

Q: Will I be charged more if I go over 70 pages?
A: The entry fee does not change. However, if you purchase feedback, we will need to invoice you $2 per page above 70 for the reader.

Q: Can I enter multiple scripts?
A: You may enter as many scripts as you like to this competition, but the submission process is limited to one script per transaction on the ISA.

Q: Can I submit an episode from my series besides the Pilot for consideration?
A: We would advise against this, as our judges consider all 
episodes as if they are the first in the series. No one would read a film script that starts on page 20.

Q: What genres do you accept?
A: We accept all genres. We understand scripts can be categorized in many genres.  You are welcome to enter in more than one genre, but another entry fee is required.

Q: Can multiple scripts from one writer place in the Semi-Finalists, Finalists and Grand Prize list?
A: Yes, some writers may have more than one script reach any level. We’re looking for the absolute best scripts we can find.

Rules

• All writers from all countries are welcome to enter the competition; however, all scripts must be submitted in English, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars.

• Scripts must be the original work of the author(s) and may not be encumbered by any third party.

• Scripts that have been sold, produced for a profit, or are currently under option are not eligible.

• Novels, short stories, stage plays, treatments, synopses, reality show concepts, and/or spec scripts for existing series are not eligible. Your script must be an original screenplay.

• Screenplays adapted from your own self-published books, plays, or other source material are eligible if you have retained all rights to your work.

• Adaptations from other works are permissible provided you have the writer’s written permission to adapt the work.

• Adaptations of works in the public domain are permissible.

• Scripts are accepted via the site or other 3rd party platforms in PDF form only. No printed materials are accepted.

• Collaborative work is eligible; the writers are responsible for the distribution of the competition prize(s).

• The writer understands that a script analysis can take up to 90-days turn-around time and may not be received before the end of the contest.

• Promotions must be used at the time of submission and will not be added to previous submissions.

• Multiple entries are permissible.

• Once a script has been entered into the competition, we will only accept substitutions of new drafts or corrected pages if you contact us within 24 hours. After that, under no circumstances will we accept changes. If you wish to submit a revised draft of your script, you must enter it as a new submission and pay the appropriate entry fee.

• Writers under the age of 18 years old must have parent or legal guardian’s permission to participate.

• Competition applicants must accept without reservation the decisions rendered by the judges.

• Writer understands that it is his/her sole responsibility to register Material with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or with the Writer’s Guild of America or the appropriate agency in his/her country.

• Payments to be accepted via Paypal or Credit/Debit on our site. Most major credit cards are accepted.

• By entering this competition, and in the event you are declared a finalist, you understand and accept that Creative Screenwriting will be free to use your name and likeness for advertising or promotional purposes without additional consideration.

• Contestants are under no obligation to participate therein.

• Contestants may submit their screenplay to any other person, competition, producer, agent, publisher, and/or organization and will retain all rights to their screenplay.

• No agreement for compensation, other than the prizes, has been implied.

• Prizes may be distributed in the rate of 1 package per person based on the highest placement and not per winning screenplay, depending on the request of the sponsor.

• The cash prizes will be distributed within 90 days of winner notification.

• Decisions of the Judges are final and may not be disputed. The Judges will adhere to our competition guidelines; however, the competition and its administrators may not be held responsible for any errors or omissions on the part of the Judges.

• Length requirements are as follows: Pilots up to 70 pages.

• If you order feedback you may be charged separately $2 for each page over 70 pages, or the reader may only read the first 70 pages.

• Please do not enclose synopses, casting suggestions, letters, resumes or photos with your submission. They will not be forwarded to the Judges.

• You understand that your logline and screenplay will be reviewed by our staff and/or our panel of Industry Judges for evaluation. You also understand that any one of the staff or judges may have been or may be exploring ideas similar to yours, and you hereby waive any claim that Creative Screenwriting Magazine or Creative Screenwriter LLC, its staff or judges may have misappropriated any ideas or portions of your submission logline or screenplay.

• The writer understands and accepts without reservation that he/she is an independent contractor and that Competition Administrators are not responsible for withholding any taxes or payments to any government agency, at any level, be it state, local or federal.

• Except where prohibited by law, participation in the contest constitutes each entrant’s consent to Creative Screenwriting and its agents’ and contest sponsor’s use of entrants’ names, likenesses, photographs, and/or personal information for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration. All uses of a entrants’ information are in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

• BY ENTERING THE CONTEST YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE CONDITIONS. You agree to release and hold harmless Creative Screenwriting and Creative Screenwriter LLC. its subsidiary, parent and affiliated companies, Prize contributors, judges, screenplay readers, Sponsors, and any other organizations responsible for administering, advertising or promoting the Contest, and every one of their respective members, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) past and present from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to damages and negligence to property and persons, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, copyright, infringement of trademark or other intellectual property rights relating to a participant’s Entry, participation in the Contest and/or acceptance or use or misuse of Prize; provided however, that such release will not apply to any commercial exploitation of the script by a Released Party in violation of your rights under applicable copyright law; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Creative Screenwriting and its Sponsor, agents and employees from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys fees) relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest and/or entrant’s use or misuse of Prize. Employees of Creative Screenwriting and their immediate families are ineligible to participate in this contest. Any such submission will be immediately disqualified. ENTRY TO THIS CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED or restricted by any Federal, State or Local law. Voided entries will be refunded. Recipients’ eligibility will be verified before cash is awarded and the winner may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility. By entering the contest, you authorize us to use any trusted third-party online and cloud-based services and databases for hosting, managing and/or transmitting your submission file(s).

• To enter the Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices Screenplay Competition you must agree to the Rules.

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