Pitch, Pleez!

2024 APPLICATIONS HAVE CLOSED

All applicants will be contacted with an outcome of their submission by Friday 26 April.

 

Since 1991, MQFF has proudly supported local queer filmmakers through its various awards and prizes.

In 2019, we launched an exciting initiative; our pitch competition called Pitch, Pleez!

This prize offers Australian LGBTIQ+ filmmakers the opportunity to create original content by assisting the production of a short fiction, documentary or web series pilot. The winning pitch will address MQFF’s central values of celebrating and showcasing proudly different queer stories in an Australian context.

Applications for Pitch, Pleez! 2024 have closed! The selected individual or team will then be required to participate in an open session pitch-off event to be held in front of a jury of industry experts and a live audience on Thursday, 9 May*.

 

*Subject to change.

 

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Winners of Pitch, Pleez!

YEAR	WINNER
2019	Hook Up by Laura Nagy & Sarah Christie http://lauranagy.com/hook-up
2020	A Big Life by Ana Brownfield & How to be Queer by Clare Cavanagh & Alexandra Morgan
2021	We’re Doing Well by Andrew Mills https://vimeo.com/643755058
2022	Graveyard Shift by Morgan Flint & Jamie Tram
2023	Pineapple by Sophie Saville
2024	While We Still Have Time by Ava Grimshaw-Hall & Jasper Caverly

 

 

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Prize

The winning team or individual will be awarded the following:

 

• • $10,000 cash prize to help fund the project
• • Premiere status at the Opening Night of MQFF34
• • All-In-Pass to the 2024 Melbourne Queer Film Festival (Nov 14–24)

 

Proudly supported by

 

 

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Application Criteria

Your completed application form must address the following requirements:

 

1. 1. Types of projects being considered – short fiction film, documentary or web series pilot
2. 2. Project length 15 mins maximum
3. 3. The project must have relevant LGBTQIA+ themes and subject matter
4. 4. Must identify LGBTIQA+ people working on the project
5. 5. The applicant or applicants must be over 18 and Australian residents to apply
6. 6. A current draft of the script formatted to industry standards
7. 7. A synopsis (200 words or fewer)
8. 8. Applicants must own the rights to the story they are pitching
9. 9. A detailed budget breakdown (if the project exceeds $10,000, evidence of where the additional funds or in kind support will come from)
10. 10. Screener links to any of the director’s or key team member’s previous projects
11. 11. Relevant CVs for all the applicants
12. 12. Agreement to MQFFs terms and conditions

 

MQFF strongly encourages diversity in front of and behind the camera, so please keep this in mind when creating your pitch.

 

 

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View the terms and conditions for Pitch, Pleez! competition here

Terms & Conditions