#Pitchfest 3.0 Competition

What Can I Pitch?

Anything goes, but… There are a few things that make your concept more likely to succeed:

• Multimedia Flare – JAM is an audio/video based company and is more likely to back pitches that have a strong video/sound element. Marble sculptures probably won’t make the cut, but you’re welcome to try.
• Local Interest – The stronger relation to the Upper Valley the more likely it is to be picked up. Local talent, locations, topics of interest, are all good selling points.
• Feasibility – We don’t want to fund something that won’t come to fruition. How much time are you expecting to spend making your project? Are there costs besides the hours you’ll be spending on it? (We expect you to be paid for your time.)
• Presentation – You might have a thrilling concept, but can you explain it in a succinct and exciting way? What sort of feeling do you want it to leave your audience with? Do you have any visual aids to assist your explanation? Make us feel like we can’t live without seeing your pitch come to life.

Know your audience

The Pitch Fest judges have different backgrounds and different tastes. What might seem like a shoe-in for one may be a no-go for another. Can you find a middle ground that’ll they’ll all agree is worth green-lighting? More judges TBA!

• Chico Eastridge (he/him)– I’ve worked at JAM for several years and have participated in a whole bunch of local film productions. I like things that are bizarre and unexpected but that don’t overstay their welcome. I love to laugh, especially at the expense of tropes. I’d really enjoy seeing an ongoing series whether it be a sitcom, talk show, vlog, game show, or whatever.
• Jordyn Fitch (they/them)– I’m the production manager here at JAM and I only kind of know what I am doing! I have a film and media background and am incredibly interested in the intersections between different forms of media, art, and installation. I have a penchant for all things silly and a deep love for absurd, authentic art that pushes boundaries and elevates marginalized voices.
• Kiersten White (she/her)– Kiersten White’s passion is to be equitable and representational in making impactful and informative visual entertainment. She has directed and produced films independently and with production companies for the last 8 years. The last documentary she produced, “Dennis E. Thomas: Center Stage”, won a 2023 Silver Telly Award. Kiersten’s independently-produced short, “A Differently-Curated World”, won Best Story at the Los Angeles LGBTQ+ Film Festival. Kiersten currently lives in Southern Vermont where she teaches film at the Putney School for their acclaimed summer arts program. She has guest-lectured for Professor Zeinabu Davis’s University of California, San Diego “Intro Audio-Vis Media Practice”. Kiersten was a winner of #PitchFest 2.0, with her series Black Girls Kissing.

Award Money

Pitchers can be awarded anywhere from $100 to $1500 to fund their projects. Be thoughtful when crafting your pitch and the amount of money you ask for to enact your vision. If you have other streams of funding that can go towards your project, share that with us! We will take it all into account in our decision making. In addition to money, JAM staff producers will be present at PitchFest and may decide to donate their time and expertise to your project!

Sign up!

Space is limited so sign up today. Deadline for registration is February 3, or until all slots are filled. Once registered, keep an eye out in your inboxes during the week of the 10th for a form to sign up for a specific time-slot to deliver your pitch. If none of the time-slots work for you, or if you have any questions or concerns, please email jordyn@uvjam.org.