From First Flights and Vortex - Vertically
The Vertical Pilot Fund
Write the script that gets produced.
The winning project gets their 10-episode pilot produced and pitched to major studios and platforms.
One pilot gets made
10 episodes. 60-90 seconds each. One winning script produced.Vertical series are scripted shows told in 60-90 second episodes, framed 9:16 and watched on phones. The fund exists to put production money behind new vertical writing. This is a script competition, not a directing competition. You keep your IP. The winning script is brought to life by leading UK vertical director Dan Lowenstein, whose background covers award-winning short films, independent features and commissions for major platforms including the BBC, and who now works at the front line of how 9:16 storytelling is written, shot and cut. If you're a writer-director looking to break into vertical, you'll be on set throughout, collaborating with the director and producers as your pilot gets made. The pilot budget is £15,000.
What to submit
- Logline - one or two sentences that sell the series- Synopsis - the shape of the whole story- First six episodes - in scripted format, roughly 60 seconds each, about six minutes of script total
Genres: comedy, romance, drama/thriller, fantasy, horror.
Scripts accepted in English.
Dates and entry
Submission dates
- July 10 - Submissions open
- July 24 - Early deadline, entry £20
- July 31 - Final deadline, entry £30
- August - Reading period, every script read
- Early September - Winners announced
The prize
Your pilot gets produced and pitched to major studios and platforms as part of a slate. Pilots not picked up by a platform still go out on socials - previous pilots have reached hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube alone.
Ready to write for the frame everyone's watching?
Entry is £20 until July 24, £30 until the final deadline on July 31.
Frequently asked questions
What is The Vertical Pilot Fund?
A production fund competition for scripted vertical series, run by First Flights and Vortex - Vertically. The winning writer gets their 10-episode vertical pilot produced by us and pitched to major studios and platforms as part of a slate.
What is a vertical series?
A scripted show framed 9:16 for phones, told in episodes of 60 to 90 seconds. Same craft as traditional storytelling, different frame and pace.
What do I submit?
Three things: a logline (one or two sentences that sell the series), a synopsis covering the full story arc from beginning to end, and the first ten episodes in scripted format. Each episode runs roughly 60 seconds, so that's about ten minutes of script in total.
What genres and languages are accepted?
Comedy, romance, drama/thriller, fantasy and horror. Scripts are in English. The application form itself is completed in English.
How much does it cost to enter, and when are the deadlines?
£20 per entry until 24 July. £30 from then until the final deadline of 31 July at 23:59 UK time. Entry fees are non-refundable.
When will I hear back?
Every script is read during August. If you're shortlisted, we'll contact you personally and invite you to a short remote interview (about 15 minutes) to discuss your entry with the judging panel. Because of the volume of entries, we can't contact everyone who isn't shortlisted, but the shortlist and winners are published on the website in early September, so you'll always be able to see the outcome.
Can I enter with a co-writer?
Yes. Writing teams are welcome. One of you submits as the lead entrant and names all co-writers on the entry form; everyone on the team must meet the eligibility requirements.
Can I enter more than one series?
Yes, as many as you like. Each entry needs its own fee and is judged independently.
Do I keep the rights to my script?
Yes. You retain ownership of your IP. If you win, you grant us the rights to produce the pilot, distribute it (including on social platforms), and pitch it to studios and platforms - the details are set out in a production agreement signed before production starts.
What happens if my pilot gets picked up or makes money?
Commercial terms are agreed with each winner in the production agreement before production begins. You keep your IP and share in your pilot's success.
Who directs the pilot?
An experienced vertical director, attached by the production. This is a script competition rather than a directing competition, so final script approval and creative control on the shoot sit with the production team - but if you're a writer-director, you're welcome on set in a learning capacity, and there's a box on the entry form to tell us if you've directed vertical before. We consider that case by case.
What if my pilot isn't picked up by a platform?
It still gets released on social channels. Previous pilots from this kind of process have reached hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube alone. Either way, your work gets made and seen.
Who's behind this?
First Flights, the Oscar and BAFTA-winning short film fund, and Vortex - Vertically, the vertical-first production company co-founded by producer Emma Louise Smith. The full terms and conditions are on the entry page.