MSN and NY TV Fest launch US$75k shortform content contest

The New York TV Festival and web portal MSN are launching the Short Form Storyteller Challenge, with a production budget of US$75,000 going to the winner.

The NYTVF runs various development initiatives, but this is the first time it will be accepting submissions from international, as well as domestic, producers and creatives.

The Challenge tasks creatives with making a twelve-episode scripted series that has episodes of two minutes or less. The winner will be decided at a pitching event taking place at the Festival in October.

The winner will receive US$75,000 to work up their project, which will be shown on MSN.

“Shortform is an under-appreciated art form on the web. We are excited to work with the New York Television Festival to discover video storytellers who know how to delight MSN audiences in two minutes or less,” said Adam Berliant, editor in chief, MSN Video and Entertainment.

Entrants must submit two two-minute episodes and a series treatment. Entries must be submitted between June 24 and August 9.