Call for Entries: Pitch to Pilot
Film Victoria and SBS team up for a drama initiative aimed at Victorian writers and producers.
- Published by David Knox
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Hungry Ghosts
Film Victoria and SBS have announced Pitch to Pilot, a joint development initiative focused on developing compelling new television drama series that celebrate our diverse and multicultural society.
Announced by Film Victoria CEO Caroline Pitcher today at the opening of the Screen Forever conference, the initiative will offer up to $40,000 to Victorian writers and producers to take bold, vivid and pressing ideas and create a 4 x 1 hour television drama series for SBS platforms.
“For a vibrant screen culture, it’s vital to hear from a wide range of voices. We’re excited to be partnering with SBS to offer new opportunities to Victorian content creators and bring stories that surprise audiences and provoke conversations one step closer to our screens,” said Pitcher.
Marshall Heald, SBS Director of TV and Online Content, added: “SBS continues to champion a more inclusive screen sector by providing tangible opportunities for creative talent from diverse and underrepresented communities. We’re proud to strengthen this commitment through this new initiative with Film Victoria, to share more innovative storytelling that explores and celebrates modern Australia.”
Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley said: “Victoria is a proudly diverse state – but we know that there is still a way to go to ensure this diversity is reflected on Australian screens. This initiative is one way we are working to overcome barriers in the screen industry and support diverse voices to tell their stories and share their perspectives.”
Open to both new voices and established content creators, Pitch to Pilot has a two-stage development process. From the applications received, four projects will receive up to $20,000 for further development, with teams then given the opportunity to pitch their ideas to SBS. The successful team will receive an additional $20,000 to write a pilot script.
The initiative builds on Film Victoria’s relationships with key market partners to create high-end television for Victoria – and the world – and comes after a record year of production for the Victorian screen industry.
In 2018/19 Film Victoria’s investment in 70 screen projects created 8,347 employment opportunities and generated $251 million for the Victorian economy – the first time production expenditure in the state has surpassed $250 million.
Applications close 9 January 2020.