20 | 3 | 2024
Calling All Queer Filmmakers – Pitch, Pleez! Returns for Another Year
Melbourne Queer Film Festival (MQFF), Australia’s largest and oldest celebration of queer film has officially opened the annual Pitch, Pleez! competition for 2024. Each year, MQFF calls upon queer filmmakers to submit their short film proposals, with a cash prize of $10,000 for the winning pitch to produce their film.
Pitch, Pleez! is proudly supported by VicScreen and offers queer filmmakers the chance to pitch their ideas for short fiction, documentary, or web series pilot. The winning pitch receives a $10,000 cash prize to help fund the project and an All-In-Pass to the annual Melbourne Queer Film Festival. Furthermore, the winning Pitch, Pleez! film will premiere at the festival’s Opening Night event in November 2024.
Applications are now open and close Friday 19 April 2024. Successful applicants will be invited to pitch their idea at a live “Pitch Off” event in front of a panel of industry experts.
Chief Executive Officer of MQFF, David Martin Harris, says “Supporting the next generation of Australian queer storytellers is a vital part of MQFF’s role in the film ecology. Through our industry days, awards, and programs like Pitch, Pleez! we’re proud to be able to provide funding and a platform for LGBTQIA+ voices and stories. We receive fascinating and diverse submissions to the program each year with folks flying interstate for the live ‘pitch-off’ – it’s a whole lot of fun for everyone involved. Added to this, Pitch, Pleez! is an incredible opportunity to get your film in front of the MQFF opening night audience.”
Now in its sixth year, Pitch, Pleez! has awarded over $50,000 in cash and prizes to emerging queer filmmakers. Sophie Saville, last year’s winner, expresses gratitude, saying, “We were up against so many other fantastic films and talented filmmakers in this competition. A massive thank you to Melbourne Queer Film Festival and VicScreen for the $10,000 prize money to fund our new short”.
VicScreen CEO, Caroline Pitcher, says “VicScreen is excited to support the return of Pitch, Pleez! – a powerful initiative that amplifies the next generation of queer filmmakers. Last year’s winner, Sophie Saville, demonstrates the formidable talent this initiative continues to unearth six years on. Pitch, Pleez! really is a game changer for getting your short films off the ground – so we encourage everyone to polish your pitch decks and apply!”
For more information and application criteria, visit mqff.com.au/pitchpleez
