Philomena | Produced by Baby Cow

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind | Produced by BBC Films

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri | Produced by Film4

Waiting for Anya | Produced by Goldfinch

God's Own Country | Produced by iFeatures

Only My Voice | Produced by Scottish Documentary Institute

Pitch your Project at Aesthetica Film Festival

ASFF is offering a selection of filmmakers the chance to pitch their film projects to industry professionals from some of the UK's biggest production companies, including Film 4, BBC, Baby Cow and Guardian. This is a key opportunity to present, discuss and question, receiving invaluable feedback to help you develop your work.

Successful applicants will be invited to a 15-minute, 1-on-1, pitching session with a representative from one of our guest organisations. Places are limited so we encourage you to apply early. Narrative and Documentary feature film proposals will be considered for pitching sessions – please see the relevant organisations below.

All applications must include a logline and short synopsis. It should be indicated whether the project is a narrative or documentary feature.

Pitching submissions are now closed. Successful applicants will be informed shortly.

Narrative Feature Pitches

Goldfinch First Flights

Thursday 7 November
York St John University

Narrative Feature Pitch

First Flights is an incubator for first time feature film directors and producers, supporting them to create financially successful features and launch their international profiles. The First Flights team are adept at spotting and developing emerging creative talent, working with individuals to produce their first feature. A highly successful studio in its own right, Goldfinch has worked with renowned acting talent such as Gary Oldman, Anjelica Houston, Bill Nighy and Sam Riley.

Baby Cow

Friday 8 November
York St John University

Narrative Feature Pitch

Baby Cow Productions was co-founded by Oscar-nominated, Emmy and BAFTA award-winning actor, writer, comedian and producer Steve Coogan. Baby Cow develops and produces bold, high-quality scripted entertainment across all genres for television, film and radio, including the much-loved Alan Partridge, The Mighty Boosh, Red Dwarf and Gavin & Stacey. Feature film output includes the four-time Oscar-nominated Philomena, starring Judi Dench.

Scottish Documentary Institute

Friday 8 November
York St John University

Documentary Feature Pitch

Scottish Documentary Institute specialises in documentary training, production and distribution, supporting filmmakers through its diverse programme of international activities and high quality training programmes. It has produced over 100 films, screening in 60 countries worldwide, garnering international recognition as being at the cutting edge of the documentary sector. Bridging art and industry, it is committed to film driven by content and emotional experience

Film4

Saturday 9 November
York St John University

Narrative Feature Pitch

Film4 is Channel 4 Television’s feature film division, developing and co-financing projects from the most 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, with recent releases including Andrea Arnold’s American Honey, Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Favourite and Pawel Pawlikowski’s Cold War.

BBC Films

Saturday 9 November
York St John University

Narrative Feature Pitch

BBC Films is at the forefront of independent filmmaking in the UK, developing and co-producing feature-length productions. Committed to finding and developing new talent, it collaborates with some of the foremost writers and directors in the industry, with new releases including Ken Loach’s Sorry We Missed You and Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir. BBC Films was awarded the BAFTA for Outstanding British Contribution to Cinema.

 

iFeatures

Saturday 9 November
York St John University

Narrative Feature Pitch

Features is a premier UK filmmaking programme driving the development of low-budget, high-quality debut features from the most outstanding, daring and distinctive emerging storytellers. The programme is run by Creative England and supported by the BFI, awarding funds from the National Lottery, BBC Films and the ScreenSkills Film Skills Fund with contributions from UK film productions. iFeatures productions include God’s Own Country, Pin Cushion and Apostasy.

Guardian Documentaries

Saturday 9 November
York St John University

Documentary Feature Pitch

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, shedding light on underrepresented and unheard communities.

How To Enter

Pitching submissions are now closed. Successful applicants will be informed shortly.

If you have purchased a a reference number but have not yet submitted your pitching proposal, please complete the form below by 30 October.

You must have purchased a pitching submission to be eligible for the pitching sessions.