The CineStory Foundation believes in helping writers find their voice. We’re entering a world in which the ways to tell stories are limitless. Those stories always begin with a blank page. Our goal with the Television Retreat is to educate writers about the unique world of TV storytelling, from the collaborative nature of writing for networks or streaming channels to the independent realm of creating and shooting series for the web.
The CineStory Television Retreat takes place yearly over five days in the beautiful mountains of Idyllwild, California. Attendees receive three one-on-one, one and a half hour sessions with CineStory mentors. During these sessions, mentors will give attendees feedback on improving the craft of the script(s) they submitted in advance. Writers also experience what it’s like to sit in a professional writers room run by an experienced mentor.
When not meeting in one-on-one sessions or participating in mock writers rooms, attendees participate in mentor-led panel discussions and group writing exercises. The discussions educate writers about various aspects of the craft and business of TV writing to help writers improve their craft as well as better understand TV writers’ various roles in the entertainment industry. The writing exercises are designed to help writers with everything from writing visually, generating new ideas, and pitching like a pro. In addition, mentors and writers will gather for meals, drinks, games, and other special events.
TV Retreat & Fellowship Contest
To earn the opportunity to attend the TV Retreat, writers must submit an original pilot episode teleplay in one of the TV divisions of the TV Retreat & Fellowship Contest. The division winners and finalists are invited to the attend the retreat for an additional fee. Any remaining spots are offered to category semifinalists and quarterfinalists.
TV Divisions
- Original Drama – 1 hour series
- Original Comedy – 30 minute series
- Original Sci Fi/Fantasy – 1 hour series
Pilots only. For division details, please visit our TV Submissions page.
TV Grand Prize Fellowship
The Grand Prize for the competition is the CineStory TV Fellowship, which includes a $3,000 cash prize and a 12-month educational mentorship program during which the TV Fellow works with 2 Hollywood professionals hand-picked to educate the Fellow about the craft and business of TV writing so the Fellow better understands the various roles TV writers play in the entertainment industry. The TV Fellow also receives free tuition and housing for the retreat and supplemental mentorship with the team at Script Pipeline.
An integral part of the TV Fellowship is becoming part of the CineStory community. Consequently, the winner of the TV Fellowship must attend the Television Retreat in order to receive the cash award and to benefit from all other aspects of the Fellowship.
TV Dates, Deadlines & Divisions
RETREAT DATES
-
May 1 – 5, 2026
DEADLINES & SUBMISSION FEES
-
Early Deadline – July 20, 2025 ($60)
-
Regular Deadline – August 24, 2025 ($70)
-
Late Deadline – September 21, 2025 ($80)
-
Extended Late Deadline – October 26, 2025 ($90)
- Final Deadline – November 30, 2025 ($95)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Quarterfinalists – Early January
- Semifinalists – Mid February
- Finalists – Early March
- Division Winners – Early April
- Fellowship Winner – Mid April
RETREAT FEE
- The retreat fee for the 2025 TV Retreat is $2,700 for individual participants and $4,200 for teams (who participate in most retreat events as a team).
- The retreat fee covers 3 meals per day (a light breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and all retreat events, including mock writers’ rooms, mentor-led panel discussions and writing exercises, one-on-one meetings, social gatherings (cocktail parties, etc.).
- Click here for scholarship opportunities.
CineStory is solely a nonprofit educational organization. It is not a talent representation service of any kind. It does not, nor does it seek to, manage and/or direct the development of writers’ careers in any way. Additionally, it does not, nor does it seek to, procure representation and/or employment of any kind for writers. Its sole purpose is to educate emerging writers about the craft and business of writing for the screen.