FOX Announces Comedy Script Contest

Fox Broadcasting Company joined with the New York Television Festival (NYTVF) today to announce the launch of the FOX-NYTVF Comedy Script Contest.  This contest invites aspiring television writers to enter their original comedy TV pilots for the opportunity to win $25,000 and a development deal with Fox Broadcasting Company.  The scripts must present an original idea for a potential half-hour comedy series.  The opening date for script submissions is June 2, 2008.

“The New York Television Festival is proud to embark upon our fourth year with the support of FOX,” said NYTVF founder Terence Gray.  “The mission of the NYTVF is to give talented producers and storytellers a platform to be noticed by the TV industry.  The FOX-NYTVF Comedy Script Contest extends the opportunity to up-and-coming comedy writers with innovative ideas and fresh voices.”

“FOX is proud to continue to support the NYTVF,” said Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment for the network.  “And this contest will not only expand that mission, but will also give us an opportunity to discover fresh new writing talent and invigorate the network’s comedy development process by reaching out to a wider artistic community.”

The contest is open to US Residents 18 and over who do not have any contractual commitments preventing them from entering into an exclusive development deal with FOX.  All scripts not currently under development at a network, studio or major production company and meeting all other criteria in the Official Rules located at  http://nytvf.com/2008_fox_info.htm are eligible for the competition.  Scripts must be between 25 and 35 pages in a proper screenwriting format to be eligible.

Writers can enter by submitting a copy of their script online to the New York Television Festival.  Scripts must be saved in a PDF file format and uploaded to the official contest website located at http://nytvf.com/2008_contests_script.  The deadline for submissions is June 13, 2008, or when 1,500 submissions are received, whichever comes first.

A screening committee of NYTVF officials will narrow the pool of entrants down to 25 finalists.  These finalists will be presented to FOX development executives, who will select one winner.  The winner will receive $25,000 and a development deal from the network.  Fox Broadcasting Company will have the ability to develop the project further and potentially take it to the pilot and/or series stage.  Additionally, FOX may elect to enter into development agreements with the remaining finalists.

The NYTVF debuted in 2005 as the industry’s first showcase for independent television.  Television pilots that premiered at the Festival have been sold to major networks, including the scripted comedy “Split the Difference” to NBC Universal Television Studios and the improv comedy pilot “Criss-Cross” to A&E Television Networks.  Additionally, the reality series “Off the Hook” was purchased and developed as a series in 2006 by Versus. The fourth annual NYTVF will be held in Midtown Manhattan September 12-17, 2008.

The 2007 NYTVF was supported by Signature Sponsors MSN, Xbox and Procter & Gamble Productions.  TV Guide and the William Morris Agency were Official Supporting Sponsors.  Official Network Sponsors for the 2007 NYTVF included FOX, NBC Universal, ABC, A&E, Bravo and E!.  The NYTVF works in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of New York City.

For more information, please visit www.newyorktelevisionfestival.com .