PITCH FOR SUCCESS - PITCHING OPPORTUNITIES

The BANFF 2001 schedule contains more chances to pitch than ever before. And the benefits of participating are enormous.

BANFF 2001 pitching sessions are most importantly chances to win development funding prize money for your project. However, they also give you, your company, and your project valuable exposure to broadcasters, potential co-production partners, the media and others . . . exposure that money can't buy! And they can potentially lead to deals that pave the way to getting your show on television and computer screens around the world.

Here is a brief outline of how and where you can pitch at BANFF 2001.

PITCHES REQUIRING ADVANCE APPLICATIONS

CTV Canadian DOCUMART - The Richest Pitch in the World Entry Deadline: Closed | Details | Finalists | | en français |

CTV Inc. has donated $100,000 in development funding to be awarded at BANFF 2001 to the top three popular mainstream documentary pitches as follows: $50,000 for first place, $30,000 and $20,000 for the two runners-up. This pitching opportunity is open to Canadian independent producers and international independent producers who have a Canadian partner and are pitching a project that will qualify as Canadian content under prevailing Government of Canada regulations or international co-production treaties. Project ideas must be submitted in advance using the on-line Entry Form. An independent panel of judges will review eligible submissions and select six finalists to pitch in person at the Festival. These six finalists will each have 10 minutes to make their pitch to an assembly of commissioning editors who will select the winners at the completion of the session.

Telefilm Canada Presents Banff Centre New Media Focus:
CYBERPITCH

$10,000 in development funding courtesy of Bell Broadcast and New Media Fund will be awarded to a new media project that pushes the boundaries of interactivity using two to three delivery platforms and media such as wireless, television, and the Internet. Projects must be submitted in advance using the on-line Entry Form. The CyberPitch jury will choose three or four projects from these submissions to be pitched in person at the Festival.

HDTV Pitch

A total of $15,000 US will be awarded by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation) and Discovery Networks, USA, to an innovative program or series idea that will use the advantages of High Definition television to enhance content. Projects must be submitted in advance using the on-line Entry Form. The HDTV jury will choose three or four projects from these submissions to be pitched in person at the Festival.

17th Annual Banff International MARKET SIMULATION - BANFF's Signature Event!

Independent producers have an opportunity to pitch their projects to a world market of programmers, financiers, and buyers. Festival President & CEO Pat Ferns and Executive Vice-President Jacques Bensimon will host this session, calling upon commissioning editors and programmers in attendance to explore the financing and production opportunities of each pitch. Projects must be submitted in advance using the on-line Entry Form. Three or four projects will be chosen from these submissions to be pitched in person at the Festival.

New Players Pitch

Emerging producers will have the opportunity to pitch projects to broadcasters and commissioning editors who, in turn, may choose to question the producer further during a private meeting. An emerging producer is someone who has no more than one producer credit to his or her professional career. Projects must be submitted in advance and an on-line form will be made available by mid-February, 2001. Up to 20 projects will be chosen from these submissions to be pitched in person at the Festival.

PITCHES REQUIRING ON-SITE APPLICATIONS

TWO IN A ROOM

This is a two-part event offering Festival delegates the opportunity to secure development funding for a television project. The first part is a must-attend session on Monday where two Commissioning Editors negotiate the terms of a tender for a program proposal. Delegates will then be able to submit their own one-page proposals by deadline on Wednesday. Commissioning Editors will choose three or four proposals to be pitched in person on Friday.