Paprika Studios and RTL Hungary return with Hypewriter, the most popular international TV series concept competition and pitch forum in Central and Eastern Europe, the two companies announced yesterday.

In its sixth year, the competition, launched this time with revised entry criteria, is once again looking for brand new scripted TV series ideas. The winner will receive €10.000 in prize money and will a chance to develop a script and a get a pilot episode produced to be broadcast by RTL Hungary.

This year, the organizers have introduced a number of new features in the application process: the scripted series concepts should reflect current trends in commercial television in Central and Eastern Europe, the stories should be set in the present day and belong to a television genre - such as crime, drama, comedy, dramedy - that is likely to appeal to wider audiences, and the packages submitted by the applicants shall also include character descriptions.

The selection process will take place in two rounds: In the first round, Paprika Studios and RTL will select the 15 best entries, whose creators will take part in an online workshop and a semi-final, while in the second round, 8-10 people will be selected to present their ideas to the jury at a live pitch forum in Budapest in October 2024.

The final pitch forum, which will be held in English, is a great opportunity for the participants to present their pitches in front of invited experts, professionals from the television industry and the international press.

As in previous years, participants from all over the world can apply. The prize money of €10.000 and the opportunity to produce and present the idea as a fully financed pilot film will be provided by Paprika Studios and RTL Hungary.

The application deadline for the Hypewriter 2024 is July 30.

Application and detailed conditions: www.hypewriter.tv

Launched in 2018, Hypewriter has become one of the most important international forums for creators of new scripted TV ideas. Every year, hundreds of applications are received from all over the world.