The Greenlight Awards

Got a hit Web series? Got an idea for a hit Web series? Then check out The Greenlight Awards.

ON Networks (ON) in partnership with South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival (SXSW) will recognize the best in digital entertainment with The Greenlight Awards, a competition aimed at discovering the next great, original and episodic Digital Series.

What is an original and episodic Digital Series? A Digital Series is a new type of TV show that varies in length and the number of episodes, and is made available to consumers anywhere and anytime via any network — whether it’s the Web, mobile devices, gaming consoles, IPTV, traditional TV channels and cable systems. Digital Series give advertisers, writers, talent, and producers global access to potential audiences and a new revenue channel.

Finalists will be judged by a panel of prominent industry and new media judges including actor Luke Wilson and writer/director Richard Linklater. Because we believe that talented writers and people with great ideas deserve exposure, we will honor both the Best Series Concept as well as the Best Series Production. Submissions from all genres (e.g. comedy, drama, animation, entertainment, informative) will be accepted.

The winners of the Greenlight Awards will be announced during SXSW 2008. The Best Series Production winner will receive $10,000 cash and the Best Series Concept winner will receive $2,000 cash. Both have the opportunity to develop and distribute their series with ON.

Submissions are free; no entry fee is required to enter this competition. Only submissions received by February 15, 2008 will be eligible.

Sure, real Web hits grow organically and not through contests. Sure, video podcasts don’t need some studio to “green light” them. Sure, Luke Wilson and Richard Linklater might not know anything about what makes a hit Web series. Nevertheless, $10,000 makes good pocket change.