For the fifth year, FEST - New Directors | New Films Festival is proud to host FEST - Pitching Forum.
Project submissions are now open! REGISTER HERE!
FEST Pitching Forum is a unique opportunity for upcoming filmmakers to pitch their projects to top industry producers, financiers, fund managers and investors.
In past years we've had over 60 projects being pitched, from all over the world. We had participants coming in from coming Hong Kong and Índia, from the United Kingdom and Italy, from Belgium and Germany, from the United States and Romania, and, of course, from Portugal. Among many other countries.
In a 5 minute pitch, each participant will have the chance to unravel their project, in whatever way seems more appropriate. Each pitch will be followed by a 10 minute feedback window. This will be constructive feedback that will help you to significantly improve your project, and will stay with you for the coming years.
There will be 4 independent and thematic pitching sessions covering the following types of projects:
- Feature Film
- Short Film
- Documentary
- TV Series
7 projects will be selected in each category in a total of 28 projects.
The selected scriptwriters, writer-directors and producers will also be able to participate in a 3-day training-program in preparation to the main event.
FEST New Directors | New Films Festival also host one-on-one meetings with our speakers and experts at our Industry Meetings.
FEST Pitching Forum is really the chance of a lifetime and can open many doors.
Each of the pitching sessions will have immediate awards. The most valued projects will have the opportunity to be mentored and helped develop by one of the experts, who will surely help the project get to a new level, otherwise hard to achieve.
The list of awards is the following:
- 1st Place – 3 months mentoring and project development by an expert
- 2nd Place – A weekend training for a FEST FILM LAB Workshop of their choosing
Our experts panel, will feature a large number of internationally acclaimed producers, such as:
Gareth Wiley
Gareth Wiley began his professional life in Finance. In 1993 he began his career as a film producer, and fully dedicates to this new activity in 2002. In the 13 years since he has worked, amongst others, with two Oscar winning directors: Woody Allen and Alex Gibney.
The working relationship with Woody Allen proved very fruitful, producing a Golden Globe nomination with Matchpoint, and a Golden Globe award for Best Motion Picture with Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
Tim Corrie
Talent agent with over 40 years of experience. In 2007 he founded United Agents, one of the most significant talent agencies in Europe, with clients like Ricky Gervais, Keira Knightley, Tom Hardy, Mike Leigh, James McAvoy and Sienna Miller.
In 2010 he became the 40th director of the BAFTAs (British Academy of Film and Television Arts). Tim Corrie works to take the BAFTAs presence beyond award ceremonies, through its Learning & Events Programme.
Paul Miller
Paul Miller is an independent producer working in the United States, Europe and the Middle East.
Miller was Head of Film Production at Crossroads Films, where he produced Snow Angels, written and directed by David Gordon Green. Previous films include John Sayles’ feature The Secret of Roan Inish, the Academy Award nominated Lone Star and Golden Globe nominated Men with Guns. Miller also produced Prozac Nation, directed by Erik Skjoldbaerg (Insomnia).
Gonçalo Galvão Teles
Gonçalo Galvão Teles is a portuguese film producer, director and scriptwriter. He wrote the multiple awarded animated short film The Suspect. He wrote and directed the acclaimed shorts Antes de Amanhã and Senhor X.
He's also a producer for Fado Filmes, one of the biggest production companies in Portugal, where he works with Luís Galvão Teles. He wrote the feature Dot.com, and more recently he wrote and co-directed Gelo.
How to register?
To register for FEST Pitching Forum 2016, you must apply via our online form.
Regular Submissions will be open from October 28th 2015 until March 21st 2016.
Submissions are subject to a fee of 60 Euros per project. However, if the project is submitted by a registered participant of FEST – Training Ground the fee is only 25 Euros.
Until December 31st 2015 you may also enjoy the special Early Bird Price of 50 Euros.
Out of all the submitted projects, 28 will be chosen to be part of FEST Pitching Forum, and will feature in the event’s Book of Projects.
