Carmel International Film Festival's Pitch Panel

Pitch Panel

CIFF Partners with Hightail to Award Winning Project $5,000

The CIFF Pitch Panel provides filmmakers an opportunity to compete for a $5000 award sponsored by Hightail Spaces, make connections, and gain valuable insight into the pitch process. The forum is designed to provide up to 30 semi-finalists the chance to present to 3 sets of qualified executives, honing their skill with feedback from each presentation. Between 8-10 of the top scoring pitches will be selected to present to a panel of industry and investment executives, with the winner walking away with the $5000 Hightail Award. The semi-finalists are also invited to participate in a “How to Pitch” workshop with Sander/Moses Productions.

The program works — through connections established at last year’s pitch panel, one of our finalists found funding that helped her finish her film!

WINNER RECEIVES:

$5000 Hightail Award sponsored by Hightail Spaces
1:1 with Sander/Moses Productions after the competition to work on the pitch
FINALISTS RECEIVE:

Invitation to present to production, investment, and entertainment executives
Scheduled panelists include: Variety, Honest Engine Films, Sander/Moses Productions
SEMI-FINALISTS RECEIVE:

2 Complimentary Filmmaker credentials which provide access to all films and many networking and social events
Invitation to “How to Pitch” workshop by Sander/Moses Productions
PROGRAM DETAILS AND PROCEDURES:

Submissions:

Open submissions through October 10
There is no fee to submit
Formats for submission: Feature Film, Documentary Film, and Original Content for web or TV
Procedure:

All submissions are managed through Hightail Spaces.
Create a free account at www.hightailspaces.com
Click on “Create A Space” and upload the following information:
A Word Doc or PDF with a brief synopsis of the project (under 50 words)
The status of film (marketing, production, distribution, etc)
OPTIONAL: stills, trailer or promotional video (mov or mp4)
Please do not include financing goals.
Click the SHARE button and enter the email the link to [email protected] to send your project.
SELECTION PROCESS:

Up to 30 filmmakers will be selected from applications in advance of the Speed Round.

Friday, October 23 –Speed Round

Each semi-finalist will present their project 3 times at a rapid pace to investors and industry judges. The presentation will be 2 minutes, with 2 minutes for questions and input from the judge. Format can be any combination of film clip and presentation, but please do not include financing goals.
Filmmakers will be rated on subject matter, quality of content, and marketability of the project. You may read from notes. Scores will be tallied and highest scores will advance to the second day presentation.
8-10 filmmakers will be selected to present to the Pitch Panel.
Saturday, October 24 – Pitch Panel for Juried Finalists

Up to 6-minute pitch (including film clip) followed by 4 min Q&A by panel. Presentations will be held in a public forum with a live audience. You may read from notes.
Winner will be announced at the conclusion of presentations.
NOTICES:

Travel and lodging are the responsibility of the semi-finalist.
No guarantee of funding beyond the $5,000 Hightail Award.
In order to comply with securities law restrictions, please do not discuss the amount you are raising or the security being offered. You can follow up privately with the panel regarding the terms of any specific investment.
About Hightail

Hightail pioneered the cloud file sharing service used by more than 45 million professionals around the world. Founded in 2004 as YouSendIt, the service originally provided a simple way to send large files. Hightail has since expanded into solutions for creative collaboration with Hightail Spaces, powering the creative process from concept to completion. Based in Campbell, CA, the company has approximately 100 employees and, in 2014, reported revenues of more than $50 million. Learn more at www.hightail.com.