The 8th Annual Film Pipeline Short Film Contest seeks remarkable directors and diverse, engaging content—the type of work defined by forward-thinking perspectives, wildly innovative creators, and unconventional yet universally appealing stories.

Significantly different from a traditional film festival, selected entrants are given 1-on-1 collaboration with Pipeline execs to develop additional short scripts, consideration of unproduced features or pilots for circulation, and extended promotion of their film to our broader audience, in addition to customized support depending on the filmmakers' career journey. 

Grand Prize Winner

• $5,000

Finalists (up to 5)

The Grand Prize Winner and Finalists all receive the following:

• Development assistance on the selected short
• Promotion of the short and the filmmakers’ future work
• Long-term development of other projects
• Financing consideration for additional shorts

All finalists also receive exclusive invitations to private events hosted by Symposium.

Pipeline Media Group has cultivated relationships with over 200 production companies, managers, agents, directors, independent producers, networks/streamers, and other executives over the past two decades, leading to multiple writers signed and specs sold. 

Some of the companies in Pipeline's network include:

• Bellevue Productions
• Divide/Conquer
• Liz Destro
• STX Entertainment
• Hungry Man
• Alibi Management
• LBI Entertainment
• Epicenter Management
• Mar Vista

Submission must be a standalone scripted short film or proof-of-concept. No limit on runtime, but the entry should be considered a "short."

Any genre accepted, including non-narrative or experimental shorts. But must be for a scripted film. No documentaries, reality shows, trailers, or director's reels.

If submitting a proof-of-concept intended to be a feature, entrants may also send supplemental info, such as a pitch, series outline, or full treatment of the story. Full screenplays are not accepted but may be submitted to Script Pipeline.

Basic Guidelines:

• Films co-written or co-directed are allowed. Only one person on the filmmaking team needs to register, be it the writer, director, or producer.
• Non-exclusive: It's fine if the film has been screened or entered into festivals prior to or after entry! There are no restrictions if there was prior distribution. In other words, dusting off an "old" film that already made a fest run is encouraged, as our process is more centered on development of other material and circulation to industry.
• No limit on the number of entries. Each entry is a separate fee.