Attending SeriesFest? View Festival FAQs here.
For full Rules and Terms, select “Rules” on the submission page on FilmFreeway.
How do I submit a pilot?
All submissions are required to go through FilmFreeway (Independent Pilot Competitions—Comedy, Drama, and Unscripted; Digital Short Series Competition; Late Night Competition; Pilots in Progress; Pitch-A-Thon!; and Storytellers Initiative)
What is a Series Format Deck?
An effective Series Format Deck introduces your project in a visually exciting and emotionally powerful way. It captures the reader’s imagination, allowing them to see the full scope of the series and embrace the characters.
The Series Format Deck should be no longer than 15 pages and include the following:
- Log Line
- Pilot Synopsis
- Season One Outline
- Main Character Descriptions (Up to 5)
- Tone of your series (can including no more than 2 comparisons)
- Producing Team
- Key Creatives
- Goals for your Series
- A Creator Statement which includes answers to the following: Why This Idea, Why Me, and Why Now?
Which competitions require me to submit a Series Format Deck?
All competitions require submitting a Series Format Deck.
How do I include a Series Format Deck in my submission?
On FilmFreeway, while editing under the Project File tab, you should upload your Series Pitch Deck under “Files & Attachments.”
My pilot is a work-in-progress. Can I submit the unfinished version?
Unfinished versions of the pilot with incomplete or temporary sound, no credits or titles, unfinished effects, etc. can be submitted; however, they need to be complete enough for us to be able to make a decision. Whenever possible, you should provide an on-screen description of missing elements as placeholders within the continuity of the pilot. Temp tracks, scratch music, and temp scores are perfectly fine for your submission, but please include a list of missing or temporary elements directly on-screen before the pilot begins. If your pilot is selected, you must send us a complete, final exhibition copy before we screen it, as we do no exhibit works-in-progress at the festival.
How will I be notified if my pilot is selected?
We will contact you via e-mail during the month of March. Please make sure that the e-mail address you provided on your application will be operational at that time. If your e-mail address changes after you’ve filled out the application, please log into your account and update it. We will not be held responsible for any failed delivery of notification. If you haven’t heard from us by April 1, please contact us at info@seriesfest.com for an official notification. Please make sure to add info@seriesfest.com to your contacts to ensure you can receive emails from us.
I’m under the age of 18. Can I submit my work?
We encourage content creators of all ages to submit their work. All submitted pilots will compete against each other. If you are under the age of 18 and your pilot is accepted, we will require signed, written permission from your parent or legal guardian before we are able to screen your pilot.
How many pilots can I submit?
You may submit as many pilots as you’d like, but you only need to create one account. Upon doing so, you will fill out individual applications for multiple pilots. We do not offer reduced rates in fees for multiple submissions.
How are the winners selected?
The official judging panel consists of individuals selected by the SeriesFest team. At its sole discretion, SeriesFest’s official judging panel will make a number of “Official Selections” from all eligible entries. The judging will be based on the following criteria:
- Originality and creativity
- Overall quality of all elements and aspects of the production of each entry, including, without limitation, writing, acting, directing, editing, etc.
- Adherence to and appropriateness for a particular format or type of program
- The ability to develop story through a first season and thorough drafting of the arc
I was just notified that my pilot was selected. What are the next steps?
Congratulations! If your work is selected, you must fulfill the following requirements by the date(s) designated by the Festival:
(1) You must execute a release agreement wherein you:
- Accept responsibility for obtaining any and all clearances necessary to exhibit your film at SeriesFest
- Warrant that you have the rights necessary to exhibit your pilot at SeriesFest
Indemnify and hold harmless SeriesFest, Inc., its parent company, its affiliates, and subsidiaries and any of their respective directors, officers, employees, and representatives against any claim arising out of exhibition of your film at SeriesFest. - Agree to participate in a reasonable number of customary promotional and publicity activities [including press junkets, telephone interviews, sending press packages, and public appearances to promote the SeriesFest].
(2) You must deliver to the address designated by the Festival two exhibition copies of your invited work
(3) You must provide a properly completed and signed official SeriesFest “Information Form” including all press and publication assets as specified in the “Materials Checklist”
Can I submit a pilot without clearing copyrighted materials?
At the time of submission, you are not yet required to obtain all rights and clearances. If your pilot is selected, you must clear all copyrighted materials before it can be publicly screened. It is the sole responsibility of the entity submitting the project to secure permission from the copyright holder of the material in question, whether it is music, stock footage, or any other elements that could violate an existing copyright. Quite often, rights holders offer reduced rates for festivals, so you should contact them directly to avoid any potential rights infringements. You will be required to sign a release stating that materials used in the pilot do not violate any existing copyright.
Pilots and scripts must be uploaded and payment submitted no later than the deadline for which you have registered.
We handle all submissions identically, regardless of which deadline you choose. We encourage you to submit as early as possible.
Ready to submit?
