BY AUSTIN BURBRIDGE. AMERICAN FILM MARKET, SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA (CINEMA MINIMA) — Movie business professionals who attend the American Film Market have an opportunity to pitch their movie ideas to producers, distributors — and the audience for an American television awards show, “The People’s Choice Awards.”
“The AFM is about the business of film — everyone is selling something — so it’s the perfect venue for a Favorite Film Pitch contest,” says AFM Managing Director Jonathan Wolf. “Imagine the winner telling a producer, The public voted my project the film they most wanted to see get made. That’s powerful.”
Pitches will be recorded live, in person, November 7–10 from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM in the AFM Filmmakers Lounge at Le Merigot Hotel, 1740 Ocean Avenue in Santa Monica. A filmmaker can just show up, fill out the Entry Form & Release, and wait for her turn to record her pitch. An AFM badge will not be needed, but if there’s a line, priority will go to participants with an AFM badge or an AFM Seminar Ticket.
Only one film idea may be pitched. A pitch may not exceed two-and-a-half minutes. One retake, but no edits or pauses. Participants may not review the video afterwards.
Afterward, the AFM will assemble a group of industry leaders to select five finalists. Their pitches will be posted on the PCA Web site following the broadcast of “The 2010 People’s Choice Awards” show on the American television network CBS in early January 2010, allowing fans to choose the ultimate winner: the film they would most like to see get made.
In addition to receiving the Favorite Film Pitch award, the winner will also receive an AFM 2010 package that includes full access for two to the AFM, including seminars and conferences; airfare for two to Los Angeles; hotel for five nights in Santa Monica; and scheduled meetings with producers and distributors. Contest guidelines.
