Galway Film Fleadh Pitching Competition

Among the returning in-person events at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh will be it’s long running Pitching Competition, in which ten finalists pitch their film project to industry stakeholders and a live audience.

The Pitching Competition at the Film Fleadh has provided many screenwriters with an opportunity to get their first toe-hold in the industry. All that is required to enter is a 500-word written pitch (from beginning to end – no cliff-hangers!). Writers applying can be at any stage of their career. No experience is required. Any genre of feature drama, documentary or animation will be considered. Finalists will be selected to pitch their idea as an ‘Elevator Pitch’ of 90 seconds, in front of an audience and a panel of industry judges on the closing day of the Galway Film Fleadh. Show More

Among the returning in-person events at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh will be it’s long running Pitching Competition, in which ten finalists pitch their film project to industry stakeholders and a live audience.

The Pitching Competition at the Film Fleadh has provided many screenwriters with an opportunity to get their first toe-hold in the industry. All that is required to enter is a 500-word written pitch (from beginning to end – no cliff-hangers!). Writers applying can be at any stage of their career. No experience is required. Any genre of feature drama, documentary or animation will be considered. Finalists will be selected to pitch their idea as an ‘Elevator Pitch’ of 90 seconds, in front of an audience and a panel of industry judges on the closing day of the Galway Film Fleadh. The winner will be announced at the Film Fleadh Awards Ceremony and will receive a cash prize of €3000.

In addition to the prize money, and the opportunity to pitch to industry professionals, the real benefits of being selected for the Pitching Competition are multifarious. Previous participants have cited opening the door to producers, having their project optioned, invitations on mentorship schemes, bolstering their confidence, and providing the first opportunity for them to win over an audience. As for the winner, the prize can allow them the time to develop and expand their pitch into a full feature film script.

Both the 2019 winner Roisin Jones and 2020’S winner Alice McDowell have received development funding through Screen Ireland for their respective projects.

“Winning was unbelievable and very humbling…. I used some of the winnings to pay for a script editor which has been invaluable. The Fleadh folks have been really helpful and encouraging, checking in on my progress and connecting me with the industry. I’ve had some encouraging conversations with producers and agents. Everything is still in the early stages but the goal is to keep the momentum up and eventually debut the film at the Fleadh”

The regular deadline for entry to the Pitching Competition is Friday May 27th, 2022 at 5p.m. G.M.T. and the entry fee is €40. The late deadline is Friday June 3rd, 2022 at 5p.m. G.M.T. and the fee is €50.

For further information or to submit a pitch, visit www.galwayfilmfleadh.com/industry-the-galway-film-fair/pitching-competition/