Mike Cowap, Carly Heaton, Lee Naimo and Shay Spencer.
The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) has launched a national pitching competition to unearth scripted series for television and the web.
A shortlist of up to eight finalists will be selected to participate in the final AACTA PITCH event in August in Sydney, where they will screen their trailer/proof of concept and pitch their series in front of a live audience and judging panel.
Participants will be pitching for the chance to win a $5,000 cash prize as well as feedback and mentorship opportunities from AACTA, participating production companies, development executives and screen craft practitioners.
The AACTA PITCH winner will also receive post-production support from Spectrum Films to the value of $5,000 and tickets to the 8th AACTA Awards.
This year’s judges will include Princess Pictures senior producer scripted and unscripted Mike Cowap, Foxtel drama development executive Carly Heaton, Screen Australia online investment manager Lee Naimo and Jungle Entertainment drama development manager Shay Spencer.
“With more and more original and innovative content becoming widely available through streaming, online and traditional television broadcasting, this is an exciting time for our emerging Australian creatives, many of whom have ideas for great series waiting to be discovered,” said AFI | AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella.
“We are excited to provide these new Australian voices with a platform to shine through AACTA PITCH. This is an incredible opportunity for these creatives to present their ideas to some of our industry’s key content commissioners and producers, network build and hone their vitally important pitching skills.”
AACTA PITCH entries are now open until July 20, and an entry fee of $50 applies.
Finalists from interstate will be provided with flights and accommodation to attend and participate in the AACTA PITCH event, and all shortlisted finalists will receive a year’s AFI | AACTA membership.