Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) and the New York Television Festival (NYTVF) today announced the third annual FOX-NYTVF Comedy Script Contest. The contest once again invites aspiring television writers to enter their scripts for original half-hour comedy TV pilots for the opportunity to win $25,000 and a development deal with FOX. Scripts must present an original idea for a potential half-hour comedy series. The opening date for script submissions is Tuesday, June 1.
“The New York Television Festival is proud to give emerging writers the opportunity to be heard by the industry,” said NYTVF founder Terence Gray. “We are honored to continue our relationship with FOX to discover talented new comedy voices.”
“The FOX-NYTYVF script contest has proven to offer a truly unique opportunity for up and coming talent to gain visibility,” said Kevin Reilly, President, Entertainment for Fox Broadcasting Company. “So many writers are looking for a door into the television industry, and we benefit by helping to open that door.”
The script contest is open to U.S. residents age 18 and over who do not have any contractual commitments preventing them from entering into an exclusive development deal with FOX. 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/2010_fox_rules.htm are eligible for the competition. Scripts must be between 25 and 35 pages in length 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 Web site located at http://nytvf.com/2010_fox_contest.htm. The NYTVF will begin accepting uploaded scripts at 12:00 PM ET on June 1, 2010. The deadline for submissions is 12:00 PM ET on June 15, 2010, 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. One winner will be selected by FOX, and he/she will receive $25,000 and a development deal with the network. 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. The sixth annual NYTVF will be held in Midtown Manhattan September 20-25, 2010.
The 2009 NYTVF was supported by sponsors such as Procter & Gamble Productions, MSN, Zune, the Hollywood Reporter, NYCTV, the People’s Choice Awards and William Morris Endeavor. Official Network Sponsors for the 2009 NYTVF included FOX, NBC Universal, ABC, CBS, ION, A&E, History, Lifetime, MTV Networks, Rainbow Networks, and E!. The NYTVF works in conjunction with the Mayor’s Office of New York City.
