#PITCHFEST WINNERS

  • Tier 2: $500 – Casey Carney (she/they/he) Ghosty Lives! A semi-autobiographical short film about a ghost searching for their skin in order to fully enter the world. Themes of identity, imagination as means for trauma recovery, and claiming one’s true voice are explored in this film that alternates between animation and filmed segments.
  • Tier 3: $1000 – Loren Howard (he/they) Custodian: A feature film about a homeless musician named Travis, who has to find a job after he breaks his favorite keyboard at an open mic. He ends up stumbling his way into a custodial position at a renowned studio, where he is hired to clean up after ungrateful music producers and bands. When Travis is forced to switch his shifts to overnight, he finds himself secretly recording an album.
  • Tier 4 Youth Media: $150 – Nikki McCrory (she/her) Cis-Jacket: a short film exploring what it’s like to be trans that compares dysphoria and pretending to be cisgendered to being in a straight jacket.

Congratulations to our winners and everyone who pitched! What an incredible event.

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?

  • IMG 6491Chico 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 new to JAM and eager to diversify our content. I have a film and media background and am incredibly interested in the intersections between different forms of media, art, and installation. I enjoy things that are weird, authentic, and push boundaries and am a sucker for content that elevates marginalized voices.
  • Rogelio Fojo (he/him) – I am interested solely in fiction, but authenticity and originality above all (I am biased from Rogelio Fojo Time Travelermy years selecting short-films for the Sundance Film Festival and my post-production job subtitling the latest films and series for Universal, HBO, Netflix, Amazon, Disney, etc). I do especially love sci-fi stories, but if you manage to surprise me with something I haven’t seen before, you’ve got my vote regardless of the genre! My own pitching experience consists of three pitches I was invited to make based on strong written proposals, resulting in: 1) a successful pitch to Universal Studios for “Cantinflas: The Movie” 2) a disastrous presentation in Buenos Aires to Fox Latin America of my “Un Millón de Veces” full TV series (a pitch session unexpectedly set as some sort of “Argentina’s Got Talent” reality show!); and finally, 3) a confident, experienced and perfectly delivered pitch to VIACOM of “Un Millón de Veces” in Mexico that generated lots of enthusiasm… and ended up in unexplained radio silence. NOTE: All this to say that I’m just like you; I truly understand the position you’re in right now and where you’re coming from. So, be bold and good luck!

 

TIERS:

Contestants will choose a tier to pitch for, and communicate that to the judges upon beginning their pitch. Think carefully when deciding which tier to pitch to, as it could affect your chances at securing the funding you need! There is no guarantee that every tier will be awarded.

  • TIER 1: $250 – Think short, quick turn around projects (up to 2 winners)
  • TIER 2: $500 – Good for something that requires a bit more setup or research, but still is fairly small in scope (up to 1 winner)
  • TIER 3: $1000 – We’d like to see this go to something with a bit more polish, longevity, or collaboration. A new series, a short film, a live production with a crew, etc. (up to 1 winner)
  • TIER 4: $150 –  Youth Media Category (Must be under 18)

 

Is that it?

As if! In addition to showing up to deliver your pitch, you are invited to join us for a mini festival screening of fresh, local films that will precede the #PitchFest Award Ceremony that evening. Official film line-up TBA. 

Sign up!

Space is limited so pick a tier and sign up today. Deadline for registration is January 23rd. Once registered, keep an eye out in your inboxes during the week of the 23rd 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.

Register Today!

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