Tubi Partners Up with The Black List and Will Start Developing Films on The List of Best Unproduced Screenplays

Tubi announced that it will partner up with Black List on the “To Be Commissioned” Initiative and it will provide emerging and established writers with the opportunity to submit their screenplays intended to be developed, produced, and distributed by Tubi.

The Black List began in 2005 and was an annual survey of the "most-liked" motion picture screenplays that have not been produced. It has since become a platform for writers to showcase their features, pilots, and plays for industry professionals and get high-quality evaluations from vetted professionals.

It’s reported that Tubi is “commissioning five scripts that speak to young, diverse audiences that fit into one of the following genres: Sci-Fi, Faith, Comedy, Romance and Wild Card (any genre) which allows for the inclusion of a great script that may not fall within the other specified genres.”

Writers can actually submit their entries here and the submission program will run through March 15, 2024. Writers over the age of 18 are welcome to submit their work, but all submitted scripts must be in English. Any script that is hosted on the Black List and has received at least one evaluation is eligible for submission. Writers are also welcome to upload new projects for consideration in this program.

This is actually really cool! It’s awesome that Tubi is going to bring some of these great stories to life and give these writers a shot to develop their work.

Adam Lewinson, Chief Content Officer at Tubi, said in a statement: “Tubi is dedicated to telling all the world’s stories, and that starts with the art and craft of screenwriting. We’re honored to partner with Franklin Leonard and his team at the Black List who are pioneers at nurturing writers, and together we’re thrilled to discover five diverse stories that deserve to be told.”

Franklin Leonard, founder of the Black List, added: “The best business plan has always been a great screenplay, and we’re excited to help Tubi find five to make into films for their large and growing audience to enjoy. Tubi has done a particularly savvy thing with the kinds of movies they’re targeting and supporting 200 writers in getting access to the Black List site at no cost to them.”

The Black List will be executive producing all five films and will be collaborating closely with Tubi throughout the entirety of the program.

Tubi will also be providing fee waivers for one evaluation and one month of hosting for 200 writers from traditionally underrepresented communities. All fee waivers will be distributed at the discretion of Tubi and the Black List.

After submissions close, a committee of Tubi content executives will come together to review all of the scripts and announce those that will be moving forward with development. Viewers can expect to see these Tubi Original Movies starting to hit Tubi as early as 2025.

Source: Deadline