• by Fern Siegel , April 28, 2009

The lucky winner gets $25,000 and a development deal with Fox. The comedy script contest, an alliance between Fox Broadcasting, Procter & Gamble Productions and the New York Television Festival, is an invitation to tweak the TV pilot world. Submissions begin June 1. 

Given the world of Web comedies, online videos and humor blogs, there should be ample interest. In an ever-changing media landscape, the contest offers "opportunities for new and talented voices to be heard by the TV industry," says NYTVF founder Terence Gray. He adds that the project represents an "unprecedented alternative to the existing network television development model."

Procter & Gamble Productions will evaluate the winning script for possible future production. Scripts must be between 25 and 35 pages and submitted in an appropriate screenwriting format.

Kevin Reilly, president of entertainment for Fox, says in a statement that the contest "shakes up the comedy development process. We are currently in pre-production on a pilot to be produced by Ben Stiller and written by Kevin Napier, a NYTVF Fellowship recipient."

A screening committee of NYTVF officials will select 25 finalists; their work will be presented to Fox and PGP development executives. Only one winner receives the cash award and development deal, but the network may offer development agreements to other finalists.

Writers can submit a copy of their script online to the New York Television Festival site. The deadline is June 15, 2009, or when 1,500 submissions are received, whichever comes first.

The next NYTVF festival will be held in midtown Manhattan Sept. 21-26.