The Buckle-Up! Challenge

What is the Buckle Up! Challenge?

The Buckle Up Challenge is a free, open call competition for writers and creatives of all backgrounds. Every season, we release a new writing prompt and simple production guidelines to help you craft a story that can realistically be brought to life on film.

Once submissions close, all entries are presented to our Patreon Architects, who vote to determine the finalists (the number of finalists may vary based on total submissions). Then the finalists will be brought to our community on live stream, where our Twitch Subscribers will be able to vote for their favorite.

The winning story is then produced live on stream — from first read to final cut — showing every step of the film-making process in real time.

Everyone is welcome. Every story has a shot. Buckle up and start writing.

Previous Winner: 

EllenK14 for her Winning script, “Why Am I Here”

Next Challenge:

❄️ Winter Buckle-Up Challenge Submission Guidelines ❄️ - PILOT EDITION

Welcome to the official submission form for MamaBuckle’s Seasonal Story Competition!

This Winter Challenge is focused on creating the pilot episode of an ongoing series. We're looking for stories that feel like the beginning of something larger. Conflicts, worlds & characters that can grow over time. 

The winning story will be produced LIVE on stream and receive full IMDb writing credit, a featured shout-out, and the coveted Discord role: Script Champion.

WINTER'S PROMPT: Vampire goes to retire in his coffin, but can't sleep...

📝Accepted formats include:

  • Full screenplay

  • Beat Sheet

  • Prose/short story format

  • Hybrid formats

📺 OPTIONAL DELIVERABLE: Series Bible (upload with story)

  • Where you see the story going through end of Season 1

  • Potential future seasons or long-term arcs

  • Episode/character ideas or rough outlines

  • Tones, themes, genre

  • MAY ALSO INCLUDE: Comparable TV shows or Pilots that inspired you; Writer's Approach Notes (how you'd direct it)

👉 We care about the STORY, not the format.

✍️ All levels welcome. If you’re unsure how to approach a pilot or series concept, this resource offers a great overview and examples to point you in the right direction:
👉 https://www.studiobinder.com/tv-show-treatment-examples/

Educational resources and pilot-writing guides will be shared in the community — you are also encouraged to reach out, collaborate, or workshop with others before submitting.

📝 Submission Requirements:

  • Length: 15 - 20 pages in standard screenplay format (Or roughly 4,500 words in prose/novel format — accepted with clear scene/character formatting)

  • Characters: 1–6 

  • Locations: MAX 3 Locations [scripts using unavailable or high-cost locations will be disqualified]

  • Budget-Friendly: No VFX or stunts

  • Original Content Only: No AI-written scripts or copyrighted material

  • Filename Format: PromptTitle _TwitchUsername.pdf

  • Format: PDF only

  • You must submit this form to be eligible.

Submit here

February 1st

before Midnight.

See your story come to life

Make It

Winners of the Buckle Up Challenge

  • EllemK14

    “Why Am I Here?”

    Work in progress

    Filming March 2026

  • Cypher Robinson

    “One Thousand Steps”

    Filmed January 2026

    Est. Release April 2026

  • Anastasia Ellis

    “Fractures”

    Est. Release March 2026

  • Cypher Robinson

    “Dead Air”

    Releasing February 1st 2026

  • MookieMC

    “Echoes of Us”

    Released November 1, 2025

    Watch NOW on YouTube

  • T.X. Tuttle

    “Resin”

    Released August 22, 2025

    Watch NOW on YouTube