Call for Entries: AACTA Pitch: Elevate

TV executives and producers from Foxtel, Fremantle, Hoodlum and Matchbox Pictures will judge entries for new high-concept scripted projects in the AACTA Pitch: Elevate initiative.

The winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize as well as guidance on the development of a pilot screenplay from partnering production companies.

“From international juggernauts like Game of Thrones, Westworld and The Handmaids Tale, to the locally produced Glitch and Cleverman all making a strong impact with viewers worldwide, it’s clear that audiences are hungry for elevated genre stories,” said AFI | AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella.

“After seeing the sheer creativity and innovation of the concepts pitched at AACTA Pitch events in 2018 and earlier this year, we are looking forward to seeing what high-concept ideas Australian creatives come up with for AACTA Pitch: Elevate.”

Entries are now open for AACTA Pitch: Elevate, a national pitching competition aiming to discover the most original and exciting ideas for globally-focused, high-concept scripted series.

AACTA are looking for series ideas which are original, unique and have the potential for mass audience appeal. Elevated concepts begin with a simple premise and an unusual set of circumstances, but hold the potential for endless possibilities within the world of the series.

The popularity of elevated genre series is at an all-time high, with international series’ such as Game of Thrones and The Handmaid’s Tale breaking ratings and streaming records around the world.

Australian high-concept series including AACTA Award-winning productions Glitch and Cleverman are also finding dedicated international audiences on Netflix and SundanceTV after drawing in millions of viewers on ABC and ABC iview.

The rise of streaming services and online viewing platforms also marks an exciting time for Australian content creators who have more opportunities than ever to find global audiences. Most recently, Australians Luke Davies and David Michôd’s satirical, absurdist dark comedy Catch-22, gained audiences around the world after being produced by SVOD service Hulu.

The winner of AACTA Pitch: Elevate will receive a $5,000 cash prize as well as invaluable feedback from the judging panel and guidance on the development of a pilot screenplay through script coverage from partnering production companies. The winner will also receive support from Spectrum Films to the value of $2,500, and tickets to the 2019 AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel Industry Luncheon and Awards Ceremony and associated networking opportunities

The winner will be determined at the AACTA Pitch: Elevate Live Final in Sydney in late August. Up to eight finalists will be selected to participate in the event where they will have the opportunity to pitch their idea in front of a live audience, including the AACTA Pitch judging panel.

The AACTA Pitch: Elevate judging panel includes:
• Carly Heaton, Drama Development Executive at Foxtel;
• Stephen Corvini, Drama Development Executive and Producer at Matchbox Pictures and Producer
of SBS series Hungry Ghosts;
• Tracey Robertson, CEO of Emmy and BAFTA Award-winning company Hoodlum Entertainment;
• Billy Bowring, Development Manager at FremantleMedia Australia.

Entry is $55 for non-AFI | AACTA members and $30 for AFI | AACTA members and AWG members. Entrants are required to submit a production summary and a 2-5 page treatment of their series. AACTA welcomes everyone with an idea for a big and bold series to enter, and encourages entries from creators and teams from diverse and under-represented backgrounds.

Entries close on Monday 22 July 2019 at 5pm AEST.

TV Tonight is a partner of the AACTA Awards.