In partnership with the Cherokee Nation Film Office and Green Pastures Studios
For this season of The Storytellers Initiative, SeriesFest is searching for remarkable writers to give voice to the Native American experience in the next best TV pilot competition!
The Storytellers Initiative TV pilot competition seeks unproduced 30-minute sitcoms that have at least one Native American character and/or writer, represent an authentic Native American voice, and are accurate in Native American portrayals; scripts must be void of stereotypes traditionally associated with Native American peoples.
Check out what Storytellers Initiative alum Josh Brown had to say about his experience and how it impacted his career:
SUBMISSIONS
Submissions are currently closed.
The Storytellers Initiative TV pilot competition seeks unproduced 30-minute sitcoms that have at least one Native American character and/or writer, represent an authentic Native American voice, and are accurate in Native American portrayals; scripts must be void of stereotypes traditionally associated with Native American peoples.
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, The Cherokee Nation Film Office, and Green Pastures Studios work together to identify three finalists for the workshop opportunity and to be in final consideration for the grand prize.
WORKSHOP
The three finalists 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 allow the teams at Green Pastures Studios, Cherokee Nation Film Office, and SeriesFest to further get to know the creators and their skill levels as well as determine the Storytellers Initiative winner.
WINNER(S) & AWARDS
The winning artist(s) will have the opportunity for an exclusive development deal and commitment from Green Pastures Studios to finance and produce the pilot episode in Oklahoma.
KEY DATES & FEES
JUL 15, 2022 | AUG 19, 2022 | ||
| Standard |
ENTRY MATERIALS
Accepted Genres
Seeking 30 minute sitcoms! Submissions must be written by or contain at least one Indigeneous character that’s authentically represented.
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.
Pilot Script
Scripts must be tv pilot, approximately 30 minutes long
Sponsored by Cherokee Nation Film Office
The Cherokee Nation Film Office assists filmmakers worldwide who are both looking to film within the Cherokee Nation and to accurately portray the lives of Native Americans in film and television. They are driven to expand the presence of Natives in the film and television industries both in front of and behind the camera. CNFO offers the first ever Native Crew & Talent Directories and a unique Cultural Consultants Directory who will all work to help you get the story right. They also partner with the Tulsa Office of Film, Music, Arts & Culture and the Oklahoma Film & Music Office. Learn more about them at their website.
Sponsored by Green Pastures Studio
Green Pastures Studio sits on a 12-acre campus located 18 minutes east of downtown Oklahoma City. Their campus includes a 5,500 sqft soundstage with acoustically constructed walls and ceiling complete with a 16x16ft elephant door and 27ft ceilings, a 3,000 sqft VFX soundstage with greenscreen, and a 20,000 sq ft standing sets stage which includes a hospital, school, an interior house, and a bar. We have full production suites that can accommodate multiple large film and TV production office needs, all the way down to 2-person offices. For art departments, our facility is home to a 2,000 sqft drive-in construction room, props, and art department stores, together with a full grip and electric package and full catering on site. Outside, the facility boasts fields, forests, and a small lake that can be used by productions. With plenty of locations within 15 minutes from the studio the only limit to what you can shoot is your imagination. Learn more about them at their website.
Need more information? Questions?
