SeriesFest is partnering with Janelle Monáe and Wondaland Productions to discover episodic content featuring radical and rebellious stories. The script competition provides artists the opportunity to share diverse ideas through visual media and create groundbreaking television. The winning artist(s) will receive the opportunity for a development deal with Wondaland Productions.
“Storytelling is at the center of who I am, and Wondaland Pictures and I are devoted to expanding the database of writers and talent who receive funding so the next generation of storytellers can be representative of the audiences that consume them. We are excited to partner with Seriesfest on this script competition that highlights radical and rebellious stories, with the hope to create groundbreaking television together in the future.”
Janelle Monáe
SUBMISSIONS
Submissions are currently closed.
The Wondaland Pictures team is looking for radical & rebellious stories that feel disruptive + sticky + buzzy. Stories that are elevated and fun, odd/left of center, and culturally relevant. Compelling characters from marginalized POVs. We see a pressing need to tell stories that center on Black and Queer people and explore race, class, and gender in fresh ways. Shifts how people see each other and the whole world around them. Thematically it should be saying something timely; medicine we aren’t hand-fed. — The pill inside the apple sauce. Grounded Afro-futurism. Elevated true crime. Elevated comedy. Most importantly, does it spark joy?
FINALISTS
Once submissions are closed, our team of experienced producers, writers, programmers, and filmmakers carefully reviews each application and reads each script looking for bold characters, exceptional story structure, and series potential. SeriesFest and Wondaland Pictures work together to identify three finalists for the workshop opportunity and to be in final consideration for the grand prize. Finalists will be notified in April 2023 to participate in a 2-day virtual workshop.
WORKSHOP
The three final scripts and teams will take part in a two-day creative workshop with industry experts, which includes sessions on ‘how to pitch’ and mini writers’ rooms for all three scripts. The goal of this workshop is to further get to know the creators and their skill levels as well as determine the Season 9 Storytellers Initiative winner, which will be announced as soon as possible following the workshop.
WINNER(S) & AWARDS
The winning artist(s) will have the opportunity for an exclusive development deal with Wondaland Pictures and a live read of the script at SeriesFest: Season 9 in Denver, Colorado.
RULES
Submissions are currently closed.
To be eligible for the contest, entrants must be aged 18 years or older. Limit one entry per person. Each entry must include only one (1) script. Entries must be written in English. Scripts must not be encumbered by any obligation to, or option held by a third party.
Unregistered submissions will not be reviewed! 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.
KEY DATES & FEES
NOV 03, 2022 | JAN 10, 2023 | |
| Standard |
ENTRY MATERIALS
Pilot Script
Pilot Script for an episodic story (not to exceed 80 pages in length). We accept 30-minute or hour-long pilot scripts
Series Format Deck
Must also include a Series Format Deck to be uploaded to the application page under “Files & Attachments.” The Series Format Deck is a 2-15 page document that includes a logline, series regular and recurring character descriptions, and Season One story arch or future episode descriptions.
Sponsored by Wondaland Pictures
Wondaland is a multimedia company founded by revolutionary musician, actress, and activist Janelle Monáe and her long-time creative partners, Nate Wonder and Chuck Lightning, along with the Wondaland managing partner, Mikael Moore. It is a community of creatives who believe art and media should be fantastic— full of big ideas, bold images, rich colors, epic stories, and timeless melodies. Wondaland’s services include film/TV production, artist development and management, book publishing, music publishing, music production, and a music label.
Wondaland produces stories that center and humanize marginalized communities with a focus on women and communities of color and LGBTQ+. The company has a slate of radical and rebellious TV and film projects that focus on socially-relevant elevated genres, afro-futurist epics, and culture-shifting cult classics. These projects are set up at their home studio UTV as well as a host of others including Amazon, Peacock, A24, and more.
Need more information? Questions?
