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 June. Early bird entry is free, but to stagger entries – and support the fund – there are charges for later dates. All fees go into supporting filmmakers through The Pitch.
The 40 pitches that are In Consideration will be live on this site from Monday 19 October.
The 20-pitch Shortlist will be announced on Monday 2 November. These entrants will take part in the Shortlisters’ Day on Saturday 14 November.
The top ten who will advance to the Finalists’ Weekend will be announced on Monday 18 November.
If you make the shortlist you can attend this masterclass on the art of adaptation which has proved hugely popular with participants.
Entrants who do not make it to the final ten can attend this day to meet with project director Luke Walton and other industry experts for feedback on their entry.
The top ten attend this four-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 here wants to go, cos it’s lush).
The top ten pitch in person to a panel of industry judges, before the top three are selected to return for further discussions and development the following day and a winner is chosen.
The winning pitch will be announced on Sunday 17 January and the Pitch team will then work with the filmmaker to produce their short.
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.
Once the film is completed the winner can undertake a career development trip, usually in the autumn. Previous winners have chosen to go to Los Angeles, to meet producers and executives, or attend a film festival closer to home, to help with UK industry contacts. The value of this trip – in cash and in kind – is approximately £2,000 and the format is agreed after discussion with The Pitch team.