Pitch Competition & Program

Each submission consists of two parts:

1) A ninety (90) second video pitch of your great idea for an original scripted series. All genres welcome and encouraged – half hour or hour, comedy to drama, cable, streaming, broadcast, and any format. The only two (2) requirements are that your pitch must be for an original scripted (non-reality) series, and your video cannot exceed ninety (90) seconds. (We’re checking!)

2) The first ten (10) pages of the pilot script for the series you are pitching. This is your chance to show that you not only have a great idea, but you have the chops to write it too!

Round 1: Open submissions! Anyone with an idea for a new scripted TV series and the first ten (10) pages of your pilot may submit. Official screeners for ATX TV Festival will screen all submissions, and select up to twenty-five (25) from our open submissions to advance to Round 2.

Round 2 (Semi-finals): The top up to twenty-five (25) submissions from Round 1 (open submissions) will be screened and read by our Pitch Program Mentors. The Mentors will be announced in April 2027 and are made up of industry professionals who work in development at our studio, network, and production company partners, are managers or agents, or working TV writers. Semi-finalists will be emailed a Questionnaire to be filled out and returned by March 18, 2027 to supplement their initial pitch and script submissions. The top ten (10) submissions will move on to be Finalists.

Round 3 (Live Finals): The Live Pitch Finale! This is where the magic happens. The ten (10) Finalists will compete LIVE at ATX TV Festival Season 16 between June 3 - 6, 2027, with four (4) full minutes to pitch their ideas. Each finalist will also be able to project accompanying visuals on the screen for the judges and audience to see. Once all Finalists have pitched, our panel of Judges (showrunners, producers & executives) will choose a runner-up and a first place winner.

1) Have an idea for an original scripted television series? Great! You’re ready to get started!

2) Film your ninety (90) second pitch, and then upload it as an unlisted video on YouTube (See – What is an unlisted YouTube video). This can be as simple as recording yourself on your phone, or as elaborate and high production value as you want to go. It’s your call — just make sure it’s no more than ninety (90) seconds. Any submissions over ninety (90) seconds will be disqualified and submission fees are non-refundable.

3) Write the first ten (10) pages of your pilot! Remember, the script sample must match the pitch submitted. Title pages do NOT count towards your page count, and all samples must be submitted as a .PDF and titled First Name Last Name - Pitch Title.

4) Pay your Submission Fee:

• • Click the "Pay Submission Fee" Button.
• • Submission fee is $45 if your pitch is submitted on or before October 5, 2026 at 8 AM (Early Submission Deadline), $65 if submitted between October 5 after 8 AM CT and November 23, 2026 before 8 AM CT (Regular Submission Deadline), and $85 if submitted between November 23 after 8 AM and December 14, 2026 before 8 AM.
• • If you would like to be considered for a waiver of the Pitch Competition Submission Fee, please complete our Request Form HERE. All waiver requests must be submitted before November 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT.
• • We also offer a student discount of 15% off submission fees. Please complete the Student Discount Request Form HERE. All discount requests must be submitted before November 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM CT.

5) Complete your Pitch Submission Form:

• • Once you've paid your Submission Fee, you will be emailed the link to the Pitch Submission Form. There you will submit the names of all pitch participants, your pitch title, unlisted Youtube link, and writing sample.
• • You MUST complete the Pitch Submission Form within 24 hours of paying your Submission Fee for your Pitch to be submitted. Failure to complete the form within the 24 hour window will disqualify your Pitch, and all submission fees are non-refundable.

6) That’s it! Well done, you did it! If you are selected for Round 2 of The Pitch Competition, you will be notified via email by March 2, 2027. As part of Round 2, all Semi-Finalists will be emailed a Questionnaire to be filled out by March 18, 2027 as a supplement to their original pitch and pilot script submission.

Good luck, y'all!

The Pitch Competition’s live finale will be judged by a panel of TV writers, showrunners, and/or executives, which will be announced closer to the festival. For reference, Finale Judges from the Season 15 Competition (2026) included:

• • Madison Jones (Olive Bridge Entertainment)

• • Brent Miller (A House on Brame Productions)

• • Maya Perez (writer/producer, Screenwriting Area Head at University of Texas at Austin)

• • Dan Shorr (YMH Studios)

SEMI-FINALISTS

Each Semi-Finalist that is not selected to be a Finalist will be entitled to receive:

1. One (1) GP Badge to ATX TV Festival, Season 16 (June 3 - 6, 2027)
   1. Option to Upgrade to Camp Badge for $200 by Friday, May 14, 2027

FINALISTS

Our ten (10) Finalists will pitch live at ATX TV Festival, Season 16 before a panel of industry judges (June 3 - 6, 2027, exact day/time to be announced at a later date)! Individuals or teams will have four (4) minutes to convince judges that they have the best TV show idea in the room.

The ten (10) finalists will each receive:

1. One (1) Camp Badge to ATX TV Festival, Season 16 (June 3 - 6, 2027)
   1. Includes invitation to a hosted Reception for Finalists
   2. Invitation to Opening Night Party (June 3, 2027)
2. Two (2) pre-festival virtual Roundtables including:
   1. “Art of the Pitch” presentation
   2. Q&A with Showrunner or Executive Producer discussing the key elements of a pitch.

3. One (1) General Meeting with ATX TV Pitch Judge or Panelist

4. A year long enrollment in ATX TV Pitch & Mentorship Program (Details Below)

5. One (1) Annual Subscription to ATX TV Membership Program

6. One (1) month of free hosting on The Black List for their script

RUNNER-UP

Maximum one (1) runner-up will receive in addition to Finalist Prizes:

1. Minimum two (2) General Meetings with ATX TV Pitch Judges or ATX TV Panelist for feedback

2. Two (2) months of hosting on The Black List for their script

3. One (1) script evaluation on The Black List

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

The first place winner will receive in addition to Finalist Prizes:

1. Script Read and General Meeting with minimum three (3) ATX TV Pitch Judges or ATX TV Panelists for feedback

2. Pitch Mentorship with Showrunner or Executive (three (3) virtual meetings) to help hone and edit the pitch to prepare winner for meetings

3. Three (3) General Pitch Meetings* with Studio, Network, or Production Company

4. Three (3) months of hosting on The Black List

5. Two (2) script evaluations on The Black List to help fine-tune their pilot script

6. One (1) Credential to ATX TV Festival, Season 17 (2028)

*No specific studio or network is guaranteed to hear pitch.

The ATX TV Pitch & Mentorship Program, in partnership with More Better Productions, is the year long program for the ten (10) Pitch Competition Finalists that lasts from June 2027 - May 2028. 

The Program was developed to form a network of support around the Top 10 Finalists, guide them through the process of fully developing a pilot and pitch for their series, and help them get to the next stage of their career, whether that’s a support staff or a staff writing job, getting their material in front of producers, meeting with agents and managers, and/or expanding their network.

It includes:

• • A one-year long mentorship with lower/mid-level industry professionals, including: 

  • 1. An individualized pairing with an industry professional to build a year long relationship, to work with on developing a full series pitch and pilot, and seek guidance about navigating the entertainment industry and building a network.

  • 2. Past Mentors have included individuals from these companies: More Better (Rob Mac), LuckyChap (Margot Robbie), Doozer (Bill Lawrence), Unicorn Island (Lilly Singh), Jigsaw (Alex Gibney), Good Karma (Kunal Nayyar), Okay Goodnight (Marta Kauffman), CAA, UTA, WME, Gersh, Authentic, Fourth Wall, HBO, and writers from shows like,Velma, Acapulco, The Good Doctor, and more.

• • Monthly virtual round table discussions and panels with Special Guests (showrunners, executives, managers, agents, etc.) intended to give all finalists an open forum to ask any questions about the industry or guest’s career.

• • Workshops focused on developing full 15-20 minute pitch, including practice sessions and feedback with industry professionals, ie. “mock pitches.”

• • Preparation and practice meetings with showrunners, executives, managers & agents in preparation for general and staffing Meetings.

• • General Meetings with ATX TV Pitch Judges.

• • Writers Room 101 Workshop with showrunner and staff writer(s) discussing various protocols in the writers room, including staffing levels, the overall do’s and don’t (that can vary greatly from room to room). 

• • Publication of your logline and information in the ATX TV List once your material is complete to be sent to industry partners.

The ATX TV Pitch Program is designed to help emerging writers develop a compelling TV series package while building the skills, relationships, and confidence needed to take the next step in their careers.

In order to make the most of the Program and to gain full access to all of the Pitch & Mentorship Program offerings, Finalists will be given a curriculum to follow, knowing adjustments can be made as needed depending on the status of the project.

Sample Curriculum (from 2026-2027 Program):

SUMMER/FALL 2026 — Build Your Series Package

The first half of the program focuses on developing a polished pitch and pilot, with each informing and strengthening the other.

June-July: Orientation & Goal Setting
Meet one-on-one with the ATX TV team, establish goals, meet your mentor, and create a roadmap for the year.

July-September: Build Your Pitch
Develop your series concept, characters, world, tone, and season arc through workshops, mentor meetings, peer feedback, and multiple rounds of revisions.

September-November: From Pitch to Pilot
Turn your series vision into a pilot script. Story workshops, mentor feedback, and peer swaps help strengthen structure, character, and the emotional engine of your pilot.

November-December: Strengthen Your Series Package
Revise your pitch and pilot together to create a cohesive, polished package. The fall culminates with a revised pitch and pilot, along with an individual check-in to identify next steps.

By the end of December, mentees will have:

• • A polished 20-minute verbal pitch

• • A revised pilot draft

• • A stronger understanding of their series and long-term story

• • A roadmap for future revisions

SPRING 2027 — Take It to the Next Level

January: Practice, Practice, Practice
Finalize pitch materials and pilot scripts while practicing pitches and receiving feedback from mentors and peers.

February: Expand Your Industry Network
Connect with mentors and industry professionals through general meetings, pitch practice, and pilot feedback.

March: Career 101
Build your professional network, refine your resume, and identify goals for the next stage of your career.

April: Senior Year
Participants that have completed the full curriculum will have a chance to Pitch to producers, showrunners and executives. Mentees also participate in a Mock Writers Room led by an ATX TV showrunner.

May: Graduation
Celebrate nearly a year of writing, development, mentorship, and professional growth—and leave with a stronger project, expanded network, and clearer path forward.

The ATX TV Mentorship Program is co-facilitated by Emily Gipson (Co-President, ATX TV) and Rika Dharmesh Bhakta (Development Executive / Producer). It is a year-long mentorship program that includes one-on-one individualized mentorships with lower and mid-level executives, agents, managers, and writers in the industry. These mentors support and uplift the Finalists on further developing their project and pitches, expanding their networks, and giving guidance on the next steps in their careers.

The 2026-2027 mentors include:

• Molly Arkin, VP, Okay Goodnight
• Rika Dharmesh Bhakta, Development Executive/Producer
• Mitchell Bendersky, Manager & Owner, Expectation Management
• Laura Johnson, Director of Development, Doozer Productions
• Sara Karimipour, Emmy Nominated Writer
• Logan Kovarick, VP, Good Karma Productions
• Disha Manocha, Writer
• Shruti Marathe, Director of Development, Unicorn Island
• Ashley Mathew, Independent Producer and Consultant (Graphic India)
• Emilio Mazariegos, Creative Executive, Yoruba Saxon
• Lyra Tan, Manager/Producer
• Aaron Van Pelt, Manager, Comedy Development, Sony Pictures Television

Pitch Competition Terms and Conditions can be viewed HERE.

Please reach out to pitch@atxfestival.com if you have any questions.