2025 Short Script Competition

Pre-Register Deadline:
January 30th

SUBMIT HERE

Winner Receives:
$5,000 | script development | industry circulation

The 8th Annual Film Pipeline Short Script Competition is for writers and writer-directors looking to get a project financed and produced, or seeking development on a proof of concept for a feature. Our executives collaborate 1-on-1 with the finalists and winner, supporting their efforts on their selected script as well as future material.

All genres accepted—from traditional genre scripts, to "experimental" stories, to live-action and animation. Writers worldwide may enter.

"Since my win, the Pipeline team has provided me with unwavering support. Their guidance, mentorship, and encouragement for my winning short script and subsequent screenplays have made Film Pipeline an essential part of my story and growth as a writer."
- Michael Bina, Short Script Winner (Bahar, Born at Night)

With over 25 years of experience discovering new screenwriters through Script Pipeline, we've cultivated a dynamic, hands-on process of development and industry facilitation for filmmakers. This allows both emerging and seasoned writers and directors to receive personalized assistance in all facets of their creative process from a knowledgeable team. And, most importantly for us, we look to spotlight and support selected talent with the intent of fostering their careers over the long-term.

Winner and finalists awarded:

  • $5,000 to winner
  • Extensive development from Script Pipeline's executive team, including feature script or pilot development
  • Industry circulation to specific management and producing partners
  • Additional long-term development of other film and TV scripts
  • Financing consideration for future short scripts
  • Access to exclusive writer events via Pipeline Artists' Symposium

UPCOMING DEADLINES

Opening: January 30th - $25
Special Entry: March 25th - $30
Early: June 5th - $40
Regular: September 10th - $50
Late: September 25th - $55

Submissions also accepted on:

   

- ABOUT FILM PIPELINE -

Launched in 2018, Film Pipeline searches for extraordinary directors, produced shorts, unproduced scripts, and other content from a growing field of talent worldwide. Filmmakers and writers discovered through Pipeline receive circulation assistance to managers and executives on the lookout for the next wave of artists, with a sharp emphasis on diverse storytelling and stylistic originality.

Unlike a traditional one-and-done festival, we champion individual writers and directors, playing a central role in getting projects developed, financed, and promoting creators over the long-term.

Over $8 million in screenplays and pilots have been sold by Pipeline writers as well as numerous scripts produced since 1999, a notable list that includes studio films Stuber by Tripper Clancy (Fox) and Snow White and the Huntsman by Evan Daugherty (Universal). Pipeline Screenwriting finalist Bring Me Back by Crosby Selander sold to Legendary in 2020 for seven figures—one of the all-time biggest spec sales by an unproduced writer. Helen Gaughran's winning horror script Visitation was produced, starring Olivia Cooke (House of the Dragon) and Isla Johnston (The Queen’s Gambit), releasing soon. Several Pipeline writers have made The Black List in recent years, such as Court 17 by Elad Ziv, Cauliflower by Daniel Jackson, and Pure by Catherine Schetina, with the latter two securing the #1 spot. And over the past 25 years, writers have signed with multiple top managers and agents, landing with reps at Bellevue, UTA, Kaplan/Perrone, XYZ Management, IAG, Alibi Management, and more following Script Pipeline development and introductions. View notable success stories.

In total, across Film, Book, and Script Pipeline, approximately 20,000 pieces of creative material are reviewed annually, with ~2,000 entries submitted to Film Pipeline in 2024.

Learn more about Script Pipeline and Pipeline Media Group, as well as Symposium and Pipeline Artists, a platform designed to educate and uplift creatives in the arts.

Grand Prize Winner - announced December 10th, 2025

  • $5,000
  • Pre-production support to get the film produced (varies by project)

Finalists (up to 5) - announced December 5th, 2025

The Grand Prize Winner and Finalists all receive the following:

  • Extensive development from Script Pipeline's executive team, including feature script or pilot development
  • Industry circulation to specific management and producing partners
  • Additional long-term development of other film and TV scripts
  • Financing consideration for future short scripts
  • Access to exclusive writer events via Pipeline Artists' Symposium

GUIDELINES

- All genres accepted, including non-narrative or experimental shorts, proofs-of-concept, and teasers.

- We don’t have length requirements, but the submission must be intended as a short film. Anything from one to (roughly) 30 pages. Feature-length scripts and TV pilots may be submitted to Script Pipeline.

- Script must be unproduced at the time of entry. Produced short films are allowed only in the Short Film Competition. If the film is produced any time after entry into the competition, it will still be eligible for awards.

- Only completed scripts are allowed. Pitches may be submitted to Script Pipeline.

- If submitting a proof-of-concept script, supplemental info on the project, such as the synopsis for a feature, is more than welcome. We'll review a full package, pitch deck, or other type of proposal in addition to the short script.

RULES

  • Must send as a PDF file (Final Draft and other screenwriting software all have an "export as PDF" function).
  • Logline and genre on the title page is preferred but not required.
  • No limit on the number of entries. Each entry is a separate fee.
  • All rights to the material remain with the entrant, whether they place as a finalist or not.

View complete rules and guidelines

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:

*Industry: request to review Film Pipeline winners and finalists here.

WHAT ARE THE DEADLINE DATES?

Opening: January 30th - $25
Special Entry: March 25th - $30
Early: June 5th - $40
Regular: September 10th - $45
Late: September 25th - $50

CAN I UPDATE THE SCRIPT AFTER ENTERING?

Yes, we’ll accept updated drafts any time, at no extra fee. We would need to receive the script by the contest’s final deadline.

As such, it's HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to register as early as possible and take advantage of a lower entry fee.

DO YOU ACCEPT INTERNATIONAL ENTRIES?

Of course! Proud to say, many of our former winners and finalists have come from the UK, Australia, Japan ... across the globe. Writers worldwide are welcome to participate in this and any Film Pipeline, Script Pipeline, or Book Pipeline competition.

IF MY SHORT SCRIPT IS ALREADY PRODUCED, CAN I SUBMIT?

The contest only accepts short scripts that have not been produced at the time of entry. Anything that has already been produced and circulated in any capacity would not qualify. However, scripts produced after the date of entry are still eligible for awards and may remain in competition.

Finished films may be submitted to the Short Film competition.

WHAT KINDS OF SHORT SCRIPTS ARE ALLOWED?

Any genre, including stories based on true events and experimental work. We’re looking primarily for great storytelling and diverse, fresh concepts. Worth noting: "weird stuff with emotion and heart" is absolutely fine (and encouraged!).

CAN I SUBMIT ADDITIONAL MATERIALS WITH THE SCRIPT?

Yes, writers can include supplemental materials (such as a synopsis, an outline for a feature version, etc.) along with their short script. You can email those materials direct to our coordinator. There’s no formatting requirement for supplemental materials, but we’d prefer they be sent as a PDF.

DO I GET FEEDBACK?

Feedback for the Film Pipeline competitions is kept internal. However, for script notes, writers may request the short script notes service via the Script Pipeline Workshop.

DO I RETAIN THE RIGHTS TO MY SCRIPT?

All rights remain with the entrant, regardless of the final contest results. For circulation, scripts aren’t sent to anyone outside of Film Pipeline without the writer’s consent.

Contact our contest coordinator with any other questions.

SUBMIT HERE