Timeline

Below is a breakdown of key dates for The Pitch process, from submitting your entry to making the winning film.

The Pitch is open for applications from 7 June 2024. Early bird entry is free, but to stagger entries – and support the Fund – there are charges for later submission dates. All fees go into supporting filmmakers through The Pitch.

Deadline

  • Early Bird – Free: 12 noon UK time, Monday 8 July 2024
  • Standard – £30: 12 noon UK time, Tuesday 27 August 2024
  • Late (Final submission deadline) – £65: 12 noon UK time, Friday 27 September 2024


In Consideration List
The pitches that are in consideration will be live on this site from Friday 11 October 2024. 

Finalists
The top ten entrants who will advance to the finalists’ weekend will be announced on Friday 8 November 2024.

 

Story masterclass, recording
Once you have created an account you will have access to a recording of a workshop on short story outlining, from our friends at The Script Factory. When you make your submission, you will be asked to outline your idea's beginning, middle and end. You might like to take a look at this example from The Script Factory. 


Entrants’ masterclass, date TBC. 
All entrants can attend this optional masterclass, which provides a chance to learn about skills including creating Pitch Decks, perfecting your film’s synopsis and thinking about film finance. 


Feedback sessions
Entrants who do not make it to the final ten can attend these sessions to meet with The Pitch team for feedback on their entry.


The residential course, Sunday 1 December to Tuesday 3 December 2024. 
The top ten attend this three-day training residential with The Pitch team, to further develop their pitches and meet fellow finalists. It is hosted at the luxury Low Wood Bay Hotel, Windermere (and everyone wants to go, cos it’s lush). The residential helps us to ensure you have the best chance of pitching successfully to the panel. 

During the residential you will pitch your idea to the group and get feedback on your idea from one of The Pitch’s story consultants. At the end of the residential, the judges will receive an update about how your idea has changed since your original pitch.


Finalists’ weekend, Saturday 18 January to Sunday 19 January 2025.
The top ten will pitch in person to a panel of industry judges, before selecting the top four to return for further discussions. After the judges’ deliberation, the awards will be announced. This year the finals are being held at the BFI, 21 Stephen Street, London W1T 1LN. 

The winning pitches will be announced on Monday 20 January 2025 and The Pitch team will then work with the filmmakers to produce their shorts.

The early stages will involve working with a writer (if the winner is not a writer themselves), story consultants and Pitch production partners Reel Issues Films to develop the script.

Although the writing and production schedule will be tailored to each particular project, we aim to shoot each film by the summer.

The aim is to premiere the film at the next Pitch finals, the following January, and to be ready to submit to film festivals worldwide.