Developing a feature project? Looking for advice and pointers on developing your big idea? Pitching Sessions are a chance to get your project in front of key decision makers from the UK’s leading production companies. This year, we’re offering filmmakers the opportunity to meet one-to-one with Development Executives from the likes of Film4, Goldfinch First Flights, BBC Films, Guardian Documentaries and Doc Society.
Pitching Sessions are a key opportunity to receive invaluable feedback on your work and learn how to develop your voice. Successful applicants will be invited to a 15-minute, 1-on-1, Pitching Session with a representative from one of our guest organisations.
All pitching events will take place in person at National Centre for Early Music.
You must purchase an ASFF 2021 festival pass in order to apply for pitching sessions. You can submit one pitching application per pass.
Documentary Feature Proposals With Charlie Phillips NCEM | Tuesday 2 November
Guardian Documentaries is a home for independent filmmaking talent, commissioning and supporting creatives to tell the untold stories of real people from all over the world. Projects include Ed Perkins’ Oscar-Nominated Black Sheep and Roxy Rezvany’s Little Pyongyang. The commission looks for filmmakers with bold, daring and innovative ideas for access driven stories.
Narrative Feature Proposals With Sammy Wong & Dionne Farrell NCEM | Tuesday 2 – Thursday 4 November
BBC Film is at the forefront of independent filmmaking in the UK, developing feature-length productions. Committed to developing new talent, it collaborates with the foremost writers and directors, with new releases including Ken Loach’s Sorry We Missed You and Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir. BBC Film was awarded the BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema.
Narrative Feature Proposals With Nick Sadler NCEM | Wednesday 3 – Thursday 4 November
First Flights is an incubator for first time feature film directors and producers, supporting individuals to create financially successful films and launch their international profiles. The First Flights team is adept at spotting emerging creative talent, working with individuals to produce first features. Goldfinch has worked with Gary Oldman, Anjelica Houston, Bill Nighy & Sam Riley.
Narrative Feature Proposals With Max Park NCEM | Thursday 4 November
Film4 is Channel 4 Television’s feature film division, developing and co-financing projects from distinctive talents in UK and international filmmaking. Academy Award-winners include Martin McDonagh’s Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave and Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire. Recent releases include Andrea Arnold’s American Honey.
VR Proposals With Sheffield Hallam University NCEM | Thursday 4 November
The Talent Decade is a joint pitching opportunity devised between Sheffield Hallam University and Aesthetica Short Film Festival and is launching for the first time at this year’s 2021 festival! This initiative will involve young people (16-25) who are eligible to apply for a grant of £500 towards a VR project. There will be live pitch sessions that will take place in order to choose the best project.
Documentary Feature Proposals With Noé Mendelle, Scottish Documentary Institute NCEM | Friday 5 November
Scottish Documentary Institute specialises in documentary training, production and distribution, supporting filmmakers through its diverse programme of high quality training. It has produced over 100 films, screening in 60 countries, garnering recognition as being at the cutting edge of the documentary sector. Bridging art and industry, it is committed to film driven by emotion.
Narrative Feature Proposals With Jessica Loveland NCEM | Friday 5 November
Jessica Loveland is Head of New Writing at BBC, overseeing all talent writing initiatives. As an experienced development executive and project manager, she has an interest in finding and nurturing exciting new and emerging writers, directors and producers. Loveland has great deal of experience working with writers, developing short and feature projects and delivering training.
Narrative Feature Proposals With Anna Hintzen, Studiocanal NCEM | Friday 5 – Saturday 6 November
STUDIOCANAL is Europe’s leader in production, distribution and international sales of feature films and TV series. STUDIOCANAL has fully financed box office hits Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, Paddington 1 and 2, and Shaun the Sheep Movie. Upcoming films include Will Sharpe’s The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy, and A Boy called Christmas.
Documentary Feature Proposals With Hannah Bailey, Doc Society NCEM | Friday 5 – Saturday 6 November
The BFI Doc Society Fund works to support and develop UK storytellers, backing feature and short creative documentaries with bold cultural and social ambitions. Founded in 2005, it is committed to enabling great documentary films and connecting them to audiences globally. Hannah Bush Bailey works across the funds feature slate and Made of Truth Short Scheme.
Narrative Feature Proposals With Jude Lister NCEM | Saturday 6 November
Ffilm Cymru Wales is the development agency for Welsh film, dedicated to advancing and sustaining a strong film industry for Wales. It does this by providing funding and training to emerging and established Welsh filmmakers, offering exciting cinematic experiences to audiences across Wales, engaging people of all ages and abilities in creative learning and developing new skills and careers.
