For those trying to break into screenwriting as a career, there’s a lot to be said for trying your hand at writing a few original pilot teleplays — especially for 1 Hour Dramedies (That wonderful hybrid of drama AND comedy). Breaking in is still hard, but getting your work read by industry professionals is possible through a select group of respected competitions and programs that continue to accept TV pilot submissions in 2026.
Of course, it’s not that easy to break in. There’s countless writers on line ahead of you. But getting your work read by studios and potential agents IS possible if you can win or place high enough in some of these yearly COMPETITIONS and STUDIO WORKSHOP PROGRAMS opportunities:
COMPETITIONS
Scriptapalooza TV Competition
Top selectees have their scripts read by producers and agents in the television industry. The program offers multiple categories, including original pilots, and remains a long-running TV writing contest.
Entry fee: $45 early bird; $50 regular; $55 late; $60 final; $65 last minute
Deadline: December 1, 2025; January 5, 2026; February 2, 2026; March 2, 2026; April 6, 2026
Info: http://scriptapaloozatv.com/
Austin Film Festival Film/TV Writing Competition
The Teleplay Competition includes both drama and comedy categories and remains one of the most established annual contests for original TV writing.
Entry fee: $50 early bird for short screenplay and teleplay; other 2026 fees not fully verified here
Deadline: Early Bird deadline March 27, 2026
Info: http://austinfilmfestival.com/comp_about
Slamdance Teleplay Competition – Pilots Only
The Slamdance Screenplay Competition includes a TV Pilot category up to 80 pages and continues to position itself as a venue for emerging writers.
Entry fee: $50 to $55 early; $60 to $65 regular; $65 to $75 late; $70 to $85 final, depending on pilot length
Deadline: May 4, 2026; June 22, 2026; July 20, 2026; August 3, 2026
Info: http://slamdance.com/screenplay-submit/
Ready to Stop Circling and Start Rewriting?
If you've got a draft and a diagnostic full of red flags, you don't need more coffee and willpower. You need a plan, a structure, and a room full of writers doing the work alongside you.
The Screenplay & TV Pilot Rewrite Workshop runs July 11 through September 26, 2026 — twelve Saturdays, 2:00 PM ET, live on Zoom. Small group. Real feedback on your actual pages, every week. A six-phase framework that moves from structural diagnosis all the way through line-level polish.
You'll leave with a rewritten script. Not a half-finished revision. A rewritten script. Registration is now open.
Ready to Build Dialogue That Actually Works?
All of this is easier said than done. (Yes, pun intended.) Which is why we do it together, live, with your actual characters.
Build-A-Dialogue is a free three-hour workshop — Saturday, June 6th, 2:00–5:00 PM ET, live on Zoom. No theory lectures. No homework. Just writing.
Hour 1: Voice. Hour 2: Subtext. Hour 3: Conflict. You'll leave with completed exercises, a Character Voice Sheet you can reference for your entire manuscript, and a Subtext Diagnostic for testing any scene in your current work. Registration now open.
BlueCat TV Writing Competition
BlueCat’s TV Writing Competition remains a current option and continues to emphasize written feedback and industry attention for pilot scripts.
Entry fee: $50 opening/early; $60 regular; $70 final; $80 late; resubmission fees vary by draft
Deadline: January 6, 2026; February 3, 2026; March 3, 2026; April 7, 2026; May 7, 2026; June 2, 2026
Info: https://tvwritingcompetition.com/
Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest
Big Break remains a major annual contest with TV pilot categories, strong industry visibility, and a long track record of helping winners land reps and staffing opportunities.
Entry fee: $45 early bird; $65 regular; $75 extended; $85 last chance for standard entry, with higher-priced feedback tiers also offered
Deadline: April 15, 2024 listed in the terms page I found, so this needs a current 2026 refresh before using it for submissions
Info: http://finaldraft.com/big-break-screenwriting-contest/
Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest
Script Pipeline’s TV Writing Contest is currently open for original television pilots or unproduced indie series scripts, with a regular deadline of May 1, 2026 and later options through May 31, 2026.
Entry fee: $40 special entry; $50 pre-register; $60 early; $65 regular; $70 late; $75 extended
Deadline: September 25, 2025; December 30, 2025; March 5, 2026; May 1, 2026; May 15, 2026; May 31, 2026
Info: http://scriptpipeline.com/contest/tv-writing-contest
ScreenCraft TV Pilot Competition
ScreenCraft continues to be a widely recognized TV pilot contest, with a reputation for finalist and winner placements leading to representation and staffing opportunities.
Entry fee: Check website
Deadline: Check website
Info: http://screencraft.org/pilot/
PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
PAGE remains a reputable competition that accepts TV pilots by category and is currently listed among active 2026 contests.
Entry fee: $49 early; $59 regular; $69 late; $79 last minute; final entry listed at $89 on the current rules page
Deadline: January 15, 2026; February 15, 2026; March 15, 2026; April 15, 2026; May 8, 2026
Info: http://pageawards.com/the-contest/
Golden Script Competition
The Golden Script Competition is a current international contest that accepts TV pilot scripts and is recognized by MovieBytes among notable screenplay contests.
Entry fee: Check website
Deadline: Check website
Info: http://goldenscript.net/
North Fork TV Festival
North Fork TV Festival is a TV-focused event that judges pilots with industry professionals and is a useful additional avenue for standout television writing.
Entry fee: Check website
Deadline: Check website
Info: http://northforktvfestival.com/
Cinequest Screenwriting Competition
Cinequest continues to accept both 30-minute and hour-long pilots and remains a respected competition with networking and pitching opportunities.
Entry fee: Check website
Deadline: Check website
Info: http://filmfreeway.com/cinequestscreenwritingcompetition
ADDITIONAL WRITING WORKSHOPS & PROGRAMS:
Warner Bros. Television Workshop
A selective training program for emerging writers, designed to build skills and industry access.
Entry fee: Check website
Deadline: Check website
Info: http://televisionworkshop.warnerbros.com/writers-workshop/
Nickelodeon Writing Program
A competitive program for new writers interested in live-action or animated television, with general and preschool tracks.
Entry fee: Check website
Deadline: July 1, 2026 to August 1, 2026
Info: http://nickanimation.com/programs/writing-program/
Disney General Entertainment Writing Program
A highly selective annual staffing program for emerging television writers from underrepresented backgrounds.
Entry fee: Free
Deadline: Check website
Info: https://sites.disney.com/ctdi/writingprogram/
Paramount Mentoring Program
An active 2026 TV writers program that asks for an original pilot and supporting materials.
Entry fee: Check website
Deadline: May 1, 2026
Info: http://paramount.com/writers-mentoring-program
ADDITIONAL WRITING WORKSHOPS & COMPETITIONS:
http://moviebytes.com/best-screenwriting-contests.cfm