Signing Up
How many Pitch Slots are available?
There are 11 Sessions with 16 Pitch Slots in each Session.
How do I get a Pitch Ticket?
During the year, Pitch Tickets can be purchased as an add-on of $25 along with your badge. There is a limit of one Pitch Ticket per badge. You may not purchase a Pitch Ticket without a badge. Only Weekend, Conference and Producers Badges are eligible.
Is there a Wait List and how does it work?
WE WILL POST ON THE WEBSITE WHEN ALL PITCH TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT.
After pitch tickets sell out, a wait list will be started. If a Pitch Slot is important to you, get on the Wait List as soon as possible after all the Pitch Tickets have been sold out by calling 512-478-4795 and asking to speak with our Registration Director. The wait list will be saved in order of date and time of call.
To get on the Wait List you must have already purchased a Badge (Weekend, Conference or Producers only). Be prepared with all your information. A credit card information will be required to hold your spot, and your card will be charged immediately if a spot opens up.
If I’m on the Wait List do I really have a chance to Pitch?
Yes. Many changes occur closer to and during the Conference.
Would any Pitch Tickets be available when I check in at Registration?
WE WILL POST ON THE WEBSITE ONCE ALL TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT.
While we cannot guarantee that any tickets will be available, cancellations always occur at the last minute. Contact our Registration Director, by phone at 512-478-4795 to be added to the Wait List.
How do I choose my Pitch Slot time preference?
The full Conference Schedule is posted on our website by October. We suggest you make a tentative schedule of which panels you would like to attend and choose your preferred pitch sessions from the time slots you have left. Many people select a Pitch Slot time based on the Judges over the time slot. Consider reading the bios, if this is important to you. (*Note Judges sometimes make last minute schedule changes. Even if this occurs, all of our Judges are outstanding and you will benefit from pitching to them.) Once all the Pitch Slots are filled, you will be contacted with the confirmation of your Pitch Slot times.
If I have a Pitch Ticket and I can’t use it, can I get a refund or give it to someone else?
No. All purchases are final, nonrefundable, and non-transferable. But, we would appreciate knowing so someone else from the Wait List can Pitch.
Preparing to Pitch
What should I pitch?
Participants may pitch an original idea, concept for a screenplay or teleplay, completed screenplay, teleplay, or film of your own imagination. No adaptations are allowed unless the original idea is your own in another form, i.e. book, play, short story, article, etc. or you are a co-writer. If you’re a Second Rounder, Semifinalist or Finalist in our competition, or any other competition, you may want to mention it to the Judges.
Can I Pitch with a partner? Does my partner need a separate Pitch Ticket or share mine?
Yes you may pitch with your partner/co-writer. However, each partner must purchase a separate Pitch Ticket even for the same Pitch Slot. Partners do not share a Pitch Ticket. If you have a partner/co-writer both writers don’t have to Pitch. Partnerships have done well every year at the Pitch Competition.
Can someone else I know pitch my idea?
No, unless he/she is your co-writer.
Can two different people pitch the same idea?
Only if two different people come up with an original “idea” that they individually believe is their own original idea, but it is actually the same. Or, co-writers can choose to pitch the same idea separately.
How do the Pitch Sessions work?
Please arrive early to your confirmed Pitch Session. At check in we will take your signed Pitch Release Form and tell you your place in line to Pitch. Our Pitch Competition is relaxed and run differently from most of the national Pitch competitions. Once the Pitch Session begins the door will be locked to avoid distraction to those pitching. After the Judges are introduced, we begin the Pitches without interruption. Your name will be called. Your Pitch is given. The Judges give feedback after each Pitch and you may ask a few brief questions, time permitting. At the end of the Session, the two Winners of the Session are announced and given instructions for the Pitch Finale. If time, there will be a general Q & A for the Judges.
Can I bring visual aids or props?
No props, no theatrics, no screenplays, no teleplays, no business cards, no handouts and no recordings. If you wish to share business cards, please do so at a different time, not during the Pitch Session. We thank you for respecting this request.
Do I introduce myself before the Pitch or am I called by name?
You may introduce yourself by name and give the title and genre of your project. You do not have to, but it will help the Judges to know what type of project you are pitching.
What do I wear?
No costumes are allowed. Otherwise there is no dress code. The atmosphere is casual.
The Event Itself
Do I need a Pitch Ticket to watch Pitch?
Individual pitch tickets are required to pitch. They are not admittance tickets to pitch sessions. Only entrants of the Pitch Competition are allowed to attend preliminary pitch session. To pitch, you must purchase a Pitch ticket in advance with a badge. Limit 1 per badge. All badgeholders get in to the Pitch Finale Party on Saturday.
Do I need a separate Pitch Ticket for the Pitch Finale Party?
No. Any badge will gain you admittance.
Can my spouse come to hear me pitch if they don't have a badge?
No.
If I buy a Weekend badge when do I Pitch?
Only in the sessions on Saturday during the Conference (first four days of the Festival)
What if I need to make a last minute change to my Pitch Slot?
It is highly unlikely we can get you a different Pitch Slot because all will be filled. Contact the Pitch Competition Coordinator at pitch@austinfilmfestival.com to alert them if you cannot use it so someone from the Wait List can take your place.
When are the Pitch Sessions?
The Pitch sessions start on Thursday, October 27 and conclude on Saturday, October 29.
PITCH FINALE PARTY – Sat. Oct 29, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM
They are also posted on our website and in the Program if you need quick reference
Where are the Pitch Sessions?
Please check back closer to the Festival for the locations of Pitch sessions.
What is the size of the room?
An average sized high school classroom seating approximately 50 people.
Is there a microphone?
No microphones for the regular Pitch Sessions. Yes for the Pitch Finale Party.
Do I stand to give my pitch?
Most people stand and face the Judges seated at a table, but you may sit if you prefer.
How do you select the order of Pitch participants in a Pitch Session?
Names will be randomly called out throughout each session. No one will know in advance when they will be specifically called up to pitch. We ask that everyone arrive on time and stay for the full duration of their designated session.
Is there interaction with the Pitch Judges?
Yes. The Judges will offer feedback on your Pitch and time permitting you may ask them questions. The time for questions will be brief. If we complete the Pitch schedule ahead of time, we will offer a general Q & A.
Who are the Judges?
There are two top industry professionals from the film and television industries for the ten Pitch Sessions. There will be three top industry professionals from the film and television industries for the Pitch Finale Party. They participate in our Pitch Competition because they are the best and want to give their time and expertise to help you succeed.
Does the audience vote on my Pitch?
No. The audience has no input, only the Judges. The audience is silent.
How are the pitches timed?
You are not timed until after your introduction, name and type of project, then you are timed 90 seconds on your Pitch. Feedback and questions are separate.
Do I have to sign a Pitch Release Form?
Yes. Once your Pitch Slot is confirmed, you will receive a Pitch Release Form. It will be in your Registration Packet and is your Pitch Ticket. It must be signed to participate in the Pitch Competition.
What if I win the Pitch Competition?
There are two finalists from each of the regular Pitch Sessions that advance to the Pitch Finale. The Winner of the Pitch Finale receives a Producers Badge for the following year’s Austin Film Festival and Conference.