Join us for Austin Film Festival’s first-ever Virtual Pitch Competition!
As the first organization of its kind to focus on the writer’s contribution to film and television, we’re committed to providing new opportunities to help writers build a bridge from craft to career. While a great script is the necessary foundation for launching your career in Hollywood, the ability to sell yourself and your work is more than half the battle. To help you develop and improve your skills in the room, we’re launching a VIRTUAL version of our popular Pitch Competition!
We want to hear what you’ve got—wherever you are. And who knows? This might just lead to your big break…
Who can pitch
Entrants may submit a pitch for the 2020 film or script competition category in which they entered.
- For script entrants, your pitch must be about the feature script submitted.
- For film entrants, your pitch must be for a separate unproduced but completed feature-length script. This script is not for consideration in the script competition, only the Virtual Pitch Competition. Our finalist judges will not consider a pitch if the script has not been completed.
How do I get my Virtual Pitch Competition ticket?
If you have not yet submitted to our 2020 Competitions, you will be given the option to add on a Virtual Pitch ticket to the script and film submission forms on our website. Your script or film submission receipt (sent via email) will provide additional instructions on how to upload your video pitch.
All virtual pitch tickets are $15.
The following competition categories will allow you to purchase a virtual pitch ticket. Categories outside of these are not eligible.
FILM COMPETITION
Narrative Feature
Narrative Short
Narrative Student Short
Animated Short
Documentary Feature
Documentary Short
Dark Matters Feature
Comedy Vanguard Feature
Produced Digital Series
SCRIPT COMPETITION
Drama Feature
Comedy Feature
Family Feature
I’ve already submitted a feature script or film
how do I participate?
If you’ve already submitted a feature script or film to this year’s Competition, please fill out the form found here (for script entrants) or here (for film entrants). After the form is completed, we’ll send you a $15 PayPal invoice within 1-2 days, via email, to purchase your virtual pitch ticket. Once the invoice is paid, you’ll receive a second email with instructions on how to upload your video pitch.
Here’s how the Virtual Pitch Competition works:
Create and record a 90-second video pitch. For the script entrants, this pitch should be about the script you’ve submitted. For film entrants, the pitch should be about a finished, unproduced feature-length script. Pitch video submissions that exceed 90 seconds will be disqualified without refund.
Videos must be in .mp4 or .MOV format and less than 300 MB.
Once you’re satisfied with your video, save it as your Entry ID Number. If you’re unsure how to find your Entry ID Number, please follow the instructions below on how to find it:
- For script entrants, your Entry ID Number is located in the subject line of your submission confirmation email. It will be either a four- or five-digit number.
- For film entrants, please email programming@austinfilmfestival.com
*Please note: if you haven’t yet submitted a feature script or film, you’ll need to submit before receiving an ID number.
Deadlines
The following are deadlines to purchase your Virtual Pitch ticket and submit your video:
Script Competition: June 1
Film Competition: June 26
The Evaluation Process
Our panel of first-round jurors will watch and score to identify the most compelling pitches. Bonus: They’ll even provide feedback!
The FInals
If you make it to the Finals you’ll pitch live (virtually) in front of three Industry judges (in the past, judges have ranged from managers and development executives, to producers and professional screenwriters). They will be crowning at least six winners. Each winner will receive a one-on-one video conferencing call with one of the judges to further discuss their project and script. The Finals will be held this year in mid-July.
After the Virtual Pitch Competition Finals, all those who submitted will receive their feedback from the first-round judges via email by no later than September 1, 2020.
If you have any questions, please email screenplay@austinfilmfestival.com or call us at 512-478-4795 for more assistance.