The Pitching Competition at the Film Fleadh, now known as the Wild Atlantic Pitching Competition, has provided many screenwriters with an opportunity to get their first toehold 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.
Miriam Allen, CEO of the Galway Film Fleadh, is delighted to welcome Wild Atlantic Pictures on board.
Speaking about the new collaboration, Miriam said,
“We are extremely delighted to have Wild Atlantic Pictures sponsor our annual Pitching Competition. Their commitment to supporting talent, creating high end film and TV content for worldwide audiences is reflected in their extensive slate and many successes to date (Evil Dead Rise, Black 47, The Green Knight, Foundation). We look forward to working closely with Wild Atlantic Pictures to offer screenwriters at all stages of their career the chance to pitch their work in front of industry professionals and a live audience.”
Macdara Kelleher, CEO of Wild Atlantic Pictures, said,
“The Galway Film Fleadh has supported and helped launch the careers of some of Ireland’s most talented filmmakers and we are very proud to be working with them in sponsoring this award”
Previous winners of the Pitching Competition have gone on to have their films produced, securing a theatrical release and TV broadcast (2017’s winner Deadly Cuts).
Recent winners have received Screen Ireland development funding (2019’s winner Roisin Jones and 2020’s winner Alice McDowell) for their respective projects.
2022’s winner Maureen O’Connell’s film Haven won Best Actress at the Toronto Women’s International Film Festival 2023, screened at Catalyst International Film Festival, the Toronto Irish Film Festival, Humboldt International Film Festival and the Palace International Film Festival in Bulgaria in June.
Deadlines: The regular deadline for entry to the Pitching Competition is Friday May 26th, 2023, at 11.59pm. and the entry fee is €40. The late deadline is Tuesday 6th June 2023 at 5p.m. and the fee is €50.
For further information or to submit a pitch, click here.