Attending SeriesFest? View Festival FAQs here.
Rules & Regulations
APPLICATION
All submissions are required to go through FilmFreeway
Unsubmitted entries will not be viewed! If you are having trouble with the online form, please e-mail us at info@seriesfest.com and we will be glad to help guide you through the process.
COMPLETION DATE ELIGIBILITY
Any submitted produced pilot must have completed production no earlier than December 2024.
SERIES FORMAT DECK
All submissions must Series Format Deck to be uploaded to the application page under “Files & Attachments”.
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 is the crucial to the review process as we look to showcase
The Series Format Deck must be submitted in English.
The Series Format Deck should be no longer than 15 pages and include the following:
Logline
Pilot Synopsis
Season One Outline
Main Character Descriptions (Up to 5)
For unscripted pilots, key onscreen subjects/talent
Tone of your series (can include no more than 2 comparisons)
Producing Team
Key Creatives
Goals for your Series
A Creator Statement which includes Why This Idea, Why Me, and Why Now?
**If your submission is selected for final programming you will be required to submit more information regarding your pilot, cast, and crew so SeriesFest can maximize your experience with executives at the Festival in May. Full details will be sent to submissions selected for SeriesFest: Season 12 in an acceptance email by March 2026.
PILOT FORMATS
All pilots must be submitted via FilmFreeways’s Secure Online Screener system. We cannot accept any other digital download or streaming links at this time. Submissions are welcome from around the world, but submissions must be in English or include English subtitles.
PREMIERE STATUS
World Premiere status is preferred, however, pilots selected do not need to retain any sort of premiere status. Programmers do consider premiere status, previous festival screenings, and awards when deciding on official competition selections. If your pilot or series has been released via any home video outlet, broadcast on television, publicly available to stream, or had a ticketed public theatrical exhibition anywhere in the USA, it is not eligible for this festival.
AGE
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.
NUMBER OF PILOTS ELIGIBLE
You may submit as many pilots as you would like. You must fill out individual applications for multiple pilots. We do not offer reduced rates in fees for multiple submissions.
WORK-IN-PROGRESS
Unfinished versions of the pilot with incomplete or temporary sound, no credits or titles, unfinished effects, etc. can be submitted for Independent Pilot, Digital Short Series, and Late Night Competitions. However, it does 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 at the festival, as we only exhibit work in progress pilots at the festival through the Pilots in Progress competition.
RIGHTS AND CLEARANCES FOR MUSIC OR OTHER COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL
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 before the festival exhibition.
SELECTION NOTIFICATIONS
We will contact you via email by early April 2026. 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 8th, please contact us at info@seriesfest.com for an official notification.
Please make sure to add info@seriesfest.com to your SPAM account settings as SAFE SENDER LIST.
FESTIVAL SELECTIONS
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, LLC, 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) If selected for exhibition at SeriesFest, you will receive a letter with deliverable requirements of your media.
(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”
EXHIBITION
Independent Pilots, Digital Short Series, Late Night, and Pilots in Progress official selections will be screened once in Denver during SeriesFest: Season 12 (May 6–10, 2026) at the Sie FilmCenter.
JUDGING
The official judging panel, consisting of individuals selected by SeriesFest, at its sole discretion, will make a number of official selections (the “Official Selections”) from all eligible entries received. The judging will be based on the following criteria:
Originality and creativity
Overall quality of all elements & 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.
The following awards for the Independent Pilot, Digital Short Series, and Late Night competitions awards are determined by juries composed of television executives and celebrities.
Independent Pilot Competition, Unscripted Series, Digital Short Series, and Late Night:
Best Pilot Award for Drama, Comedy, and Unscripted category
Best Performance*
Best Director *
Best Writer *
Best of Late Night Award
Best of Digital Short Series Award
Audience Choice Award for Independent Pilot, Digital Short Series, and Late Night competitions
Pitch-A-Thon! Winner
Winner is decided by a panel of experts following the live event.
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?
