Join us for Austin Film Festival’s Second Annual 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, submit to our Virtual 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 2021 script competition category in which they entered. Entrant pitches must be about the feature or pilot script submitted.
How do I get my Virtual Pitch Competition ticket?
If you have not yet submitted to our 2021 Script Competition, you will be given the option to add on a Virtual Pitch ticket to the script submission form on our website. Your script 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.
Script Competition
Drama Feature Screenplay
Comedy Feature Screenplay
Drama Teleplay Pilot
Comedy Teleplay Pilot
FAQ
When is the deadline to purchase Virtual Pitch tickets and submit my pitch video?
We encourage you to upload your video soon after you submit your script, but the final deadline to upload your video is May 21 11:59 PM PST deadline. You can purchase your Virtual Pitch Competition ticket with your script submission on our form, found here. All entrants must have a VPC ticket before they can upload their video.
Here’s how the Virtual Pitch Competition works:
Create and record a 90-second video pitch. This pitch should be about the script you’ve submitted. 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. They must be in English and editing the video should be kept to a minimum. The delivery should be as if one is pitching in person.
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:
- 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.
Deadlines
May 21, 2021 is the deadline to purchase your Virtual Pitch ticket and submit your video.
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 summer.
After the Virtual Pitch Competition Finals, all entrants will receive their feedback from the first-round judges via email.
If you have any questions, please email screenplay@austinfilmfestival.com or call us at 512-478-4795 for more assistance.