Pitch, Pleez!
2025 APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!
Application deadline: Monday 7 April 2025.
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 LGBTQIA+ 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! 2025 are open now! Applications close Monday, 7 April 2025 at 6PM (AEDT) and successful finalists will be notified by Monday, 21 April 2025. 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 in early May*.
Keep scrolling for application criteria and full terms and conditions.
APPLY NOW
*Venue, time and date TBC.
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 |
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 2025 Melbourne Queer Film Festival
- • All-In-Pass to the 2025 Melbourne Queer Film Festival (Nov 13–23)
Application Criteria
Your completed application form must address the following requirements:
- 1. Types of projects being considered: short fiction film, documentary or web series pilot
- 2. Project length 15 mins maximum
- 3. The project must have relevant LGBTQIA+ themes and subject matter
- 4. Must identify LGBTQIA+ people working on the project
- 5. The applicant or applicants must be over 18 and Australian residents to apply
- 6. A current draft of the script formatted to industry standards
- 7. A synopsis (200 words or fewer)
- 8. Applicants must own the rights to the story they are pitching
- 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. Screener links to any of the director’s or key team member’s previous projects
- 11. Relevant CVs for all the applicants
- 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.
View the terms and conditions for Pitch, Pleez! competition here
