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SUBMIT CONTENT

Catalyst champions storytellers of all levels as they develop their stories and advance their careers. There are three ways to become a part of the Catalyst community:

  • Catalyst festivals (Duluth, Lake Placid and Nashvilleshowcase selected pitches, scripts, and videos for award consideration. You can submit in as many festivals as you want. View details below.

  • Our year-round Storieroad Institute is open to everyone and does not require submitting content. There is no selection process or awards. Explore the institute here.

  • The Catalyst Student Awards showcase the best high school and collegiate content.

Categories & Types of Content
  • Narrative/episodic/serialized content of any genre

  • Comedy, drama, thriller, scripted, unscripted, documentary, social media, short series, anthology, limited series, podcast, reality, animation, kids, etc.

  • Select categories allow students to submit and compete against each other.

  • We do not accept feature films

  • You can submit your project as a pitch, a script, or a video (or any combination) in most categories, see category listings below

  • We do not have any premiere requirements

  • Works in progress are welcome

  • For video submissions, we only accept one singular video file. Shows with multiple episodes must be merged into one file for submitting.

Category

CONTENT CATEGORIES

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DRAMA

A scripted, fictional series or limited series. Submit as a pitch deck, completed script, produced video or all three!

PITCH 7-15 pages

SCRIPT 20-65 pages/episode

VIDEO 5-60 min/episode

Separate awards are given for each category. 

Includes a Student category.

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COMEDY

A scripted, fictional series or limited series. Submit as a pitch deck, completed script, produced video or all three!

PITCH 7-15 pages

SCRIPT 20-65 pages/episode

VIDEO 5-60 min/episode

Separate awards are given for each category. 

Includes a Student category.

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thriller/Horror*

A scripted, fictional series or limited series. Submit as a pitch deck, completed script, produced video or all three!

PITCH 7-15 pages

SCRIPT 20-65 pages/episode

VIDEO 5-60 min/episode

Separate awards are given for each category. 

*As with all other categories, thriller/horror submissions will be judged based on writing, acting, concept, originality and creativity, and production. Gore-heavy submissions will not be selected.

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DOCUMENTARY

A non-fiction series or limited series. Submit documentaries as a pitch deck, produced video or both!

PITCH 7-15 pages

SCRIPT Not applicable

VIDEO 15-60 min/episode

Separate awards are given for each category. 

Includes a Student category.

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ANIMATION

A scripted, fictional animated series. Submit as a pitch deck, completed script, produced video or all three!

PITCH 7-15 pages

SCRIPT 20-65 pages/episode

VIDEO 5-60 min/episode

Separate awards are given for each category. 

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REALITY

A non-fiction, unscripted reality TV series. Submit as either a pitch deck, a produced video, or both. Scripts not accepted.

PITCH 7-15 pages

SCRIPT Not applicable

VIDEO 15-60 min/episode

Separate awards are given for each category. 

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KIDS

A scripted, fictional series for audiences under 14. Submit as a pitch deck, completed script, produced video or all three!

PITCH 7-15 pages

SCRIPT 20-65 pages/episode

VIDEO 5-60 min/episode

Separate awards are given for each category. 

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PODCAST

Produced audio of a scripted, fictional series (comedy & drama), a documentary series, or an unscripted reality series.

PITCH Not accepted

SCRIPT Not accepted

AUDIO 15-60 mins/episode

Includes a Student category.

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Sports

A scripted, unscripted, or limited series. Submit as a produced video!

PITCH Not accepted

SCRIPT Not accepted

VIDEO 3-22 mins/episode

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Science fiction /fantasy

A scripted, fictional series or limited series. Submit as a pitch deck, completed script, produced video or all three!

PITCH 7-15 pages

SCRIPT 20-65 pages/episode

VIDEO 5-60 min/episode

Separate awards are given for each category. 

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Short form /experimental

Produced scripted or unscripted short form OR experimental content (interactive, VR, etc.)

PITCH Not accepted

SCRIPT Not accepted

VIDEO 5-15 mins/episode

Pencil

Enhanced

This category provides creators with the opportunity to submit their video submissions to be reviewed and given feedback on how they can improve. Creators will then have the opportunity to make changes and resubmit to their intended category.

PITCH Must follow the guidelines for the intended category

SCRIPT Must follow the guidelines for the intended category

VIDEO Must follow the guidelines for the intended category.

A fee waiver code will be provided to creators when they receive their feedback to resubmit their edited version. Resubmissions must be complete by the regular submission period deadline.

Includes a Student category.

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LITERARY

Written literary works of most categories and genres. Short form and long form accepted.

Awards will be given for each category for which there are official selections made.

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