Pitch, Pleez!
Melbourne Queer Film Festival is back with another FREE ‘Pitch Off’ event, showcasing our 2026 finalists of Pitch, Pleez!.
THE DETAILS
- Date: Monday 25 May 2026.
- Time: Starting at 6pm and running until 8pm.
- Location: Victorian Pride Centre, 79-81 Fitzroy St, St Kilda VIC 3182.
- Cost: FREE.
Meet your Pitch, Pleez! finalists
The finalists for Pitch, Pleez! 2026 have been chosen and will now pitch their short-film ideas infront of a panel of industry judges and a live audience, for their chance to win $10,000 towards bringing their film to life.
This year, each of our finalists will be given an alloted amount of time to pitch their proposed short-film, answer any questions from industry judges and meet their competition. At the end of the evening, the judges will deliberate and a winner will be announced. As well as a $10,000 cash prize to help fund their project, the winner will also recieve an All-In-Pass to MQFF 2026, the opportunity to screen their film at this years’ MQFF Opening night and the GLORY of being MQFF 2026 Pitch, Pleez! winners.
Secure your FREE audience ticket now!
Winners of Pitch, Pleez!
YEAR |
WINNER |
| 2019 | Hook Up
by Laura Nagy & Sarah Christie |
| 2020 |
A Big Life by Ana Brownfield & How to be Queer by Clare Cavanagh & Alexandra Morgan |
| 2021 |
We’re Doing Well by Andrew Mills |
| 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 |
| 2025 |
Flight Risk by Mohammad Awad |
2026 submissions are now closed!
We are excited to announce Pitch, Pleez! is back for 2026, however submissions are now closed. You can support this years’ finalists by attending the FREE Pitch, Pleez! Live Pitch Off as an audience member. Book your tickets below!
Book your audience member spot
What is Pitch, Pleez!?
Pitch, Pleez! is for queer Australian Filmmakers who have a short-film idea they’d like to bring to life.
Running since 2019, each year MQFF invites filmmakers to submit their short film idea, with a selection of finalists competing in a live ‘Pitch Off’ in front of an audience and panel of industry judges. Since the prize’s inception MQFF has awarded $75,000 to Australian LGBTQIA+ filmmakers to create short fiction films, documentaries or web series pilots.
The winner of Pitch, Pleez! 2026 will premiere at MQFF 2026’s opening night in November. Full details of what to include to be eligible to submit your pitch is listed in the Application Criteria section below.
If you’re a Filmmaker who would like to apply next year, keep an eye out for updates. We can’t wait to hear your ideas.
Submissions for 2026 are now closed.
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 the 2026 Melbourne Queer Film Festival
* All-In-Pass to the 2026 Melbourne Queer Film Festival (November 2026)
Key dates
* Thursday 02 April 2026 – Submissions open
* Sunday 26 April 2026 – Submissions close
* Monday 11 May 2026 – Finalists notified
* Monday 25 May 2026 – Pitch, Pleez! event
* November 2026 – MQFF Opening Ceremony screening
Application Criteria
Your completed application form must address the following requirements:
- Types of projects being considered: short fiction film, documentary or web series pilot
- Project length 15 mins maximum
- The project must have relevant LGBTQIA+ themes and subject matter
- Must identify LGBTQIA+ people working on the project
- The applicant or applicants must be over 18 and Australian residents to apply
- A current draft of the script formatted to industry standards
- A synopsis (200 words or fewer)
- Applicants must own the rights to the story they are pitching
- A detailed budget breakdown (if the project exceeds $10,000, evidence of where the additional funds or in kind support will come from)
- Screener links to any of the director’s or key team member’s previous projects
- Relevant CVs for all the applicants
- Agreement to MQFFs’ terms and conditions (downloadable below)
Applications for 2026 are now closed.
MQFF strongly encourages diversity in front of and behind the camera, so please keep this in mind when creating your pitch.
View the terms and conditions for Pitch, Pleez! competition here