Pitching 2

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Subject guarantor

Alice RŮŽIČKOVÁ

Name of lecturer(s)

Tomáš POTOČNÝ, Alice RŮŽIČKOVÁ

Department

The subject provides Department of Documentary Film

Contents

Every filmmaker, particularly those without the resources to produce their films independently, is inevitably faced with the necessity of presenting ideas to other people. Understanding how to articulate your vision compellingly and professionally can be the key to unlocking funding, partnerships, and critical industry connections.

This seminar is designed to empower documentary film students with the essential knowledge and skills needed to navigate the competitive landscape of international pitching forums, while remaining true to their artistic essence and the essence of their subjects. Over the course of five sessions, students will learn theoretical knowledge and get a short practical training in the art of crafting and presenting their pitches. They will gain insight into the unique contexts of these events, from both the presenter's and the expert panel's viewpoints to understand the benefits and drawbacks of participating in pitching forums. Additionally, they'll have the opportunity to observe and learn from filmmakers presenting at the East Doc Platform, drawing strategies from their experiences.

Session Breakdown:

Session 1: Introduction to Documentary Pitching (18. 2. 2026, 16:30-18:55 in room 211)

•Overview of documentary pitching: its importance and role in the documentary filmmaking process.

•Pros and cons of participating in pitching forums like: access to funding, networking opportunities, industry exposure versus potential impact on creative process, timing challenges and extra costs.

•Introduction to various pitching forums and their specific requirements.

•Analysis of recordings of real-life pitches

Session 2: Practicing Film Presentations – part 1 (18. 3. 2026, 16:30-18:55 in room 211)

•Turning an idea into a pitchable story:

• understanding your audience and tailoring your pitch accordingly
• presentation skills: voice, body language, and visual aids
• writing effective loglines and synopses
• preparation of video materials - demos and trailers
• handling questions and feedback effectively, follow-up strategies.

Session 3: Visit to the East Doc Platform (24. 3. 2026, 9:00-16:00, Cinema 35)

•Observation of live pitching sessions at EDP Forum.

•Meeting with professionals, gaining insights.

•Reflective discussion on the experience.

Session 4: Practicing Film Presentations (1. 4. 2026, 16:30-18:55 in room 211)

•Students will practice presenting their film projects in diverse formats (e.g., elevator pitches, formal forum presentations).

•Initial peer-to-peer feedback sessions focusing on identifying each presentation's strengths.

Session 5: Pitching Forum Simulation and Feedback (15. 4. 2026, 16:30-18:55 in room 211)

•Students present their pitches in a simulated environment.

•Feedback from a guest (industry professional).

•Review and discussion on pitches, focusing on strengths and areas for improvement.

Learning outcomes

•Familiarity with European Documentary Pitching Forums: Students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the map of documentary pitching forums, recognizing the vast opportunities that international presentation of a film offers.

•Critical Thinking Regarding Expectations and International Contexts: Students will be equipped to critically analyze their expectations and the context of international film events, understanding how these factors can influence their documentary projects. Students will also improve the ability to assess the international potential of their film projects.

•Articulating Artistic Vision and Film Topic: Students will improve their skills in conveying their artistic vision and the subject of their film. This objective focuses on guiding them through the essentials of structured presentations, including the effective showcasing of material excerpts (scenes or trailers, but also logline, synopsis, treatment, film budget).

•Gaining Practical Pitching Experience and Observational Insights: Students will engage in creating and presenting documentary pitches, using constructive feedback from industry professionals and peers, along with observing real-world pitching scenarios, to gain practical insights and understand industry norms.

Prerequisites and other requirements

This course is a continuation of the multi-departmental course 305P1 „Pitching 1 - KP“.ˇ

Students should come prepared with a documentary project/idea (in development or production stage) they are passionate about, which they will develop into a pitch over the course of the seminar.

Literature

KURZ, Sibylle. Pitch it! NAMU, 2013. ISBN 978-80-7331-284-8.

https://www.dok-leipzig.de/en/dok-industry

https://www.idfa.nl/en/info/idfa-forum

https://sheffdocfest.com/view/meetmarket

https://dokweb.net/activities/east-doc-platform/2023/east-doc-forum

https://dokweb.net/events/detail/17

http://doclab.pl/en_GB/program/cedoc-market-koprodukcyjny/

Evaluation methods and criteria

100% participation and activity at the seminar. Evaluation will be based on the final pitch presentation, improvement over the course, and participation in discussions and peer feedback.

Note

•Collaboration with Producers: Although this seminar is primarily designed for documentary film students, it is highly recommended that they invite their fellow producers with whom they are currently collaborating on a film project. Given that pitching, much like filmmaking, is often a collaborative effort, having producers involved can enrich the pitching process.

•Registration for East Doc Platform: Students and their producer colleagues must register for the East Doc Platform. This will enable them to participate in the pitching sessions and take advantage of networking opportunities and other resources. Registration details will be provided at the first seminar.

•Guests: Industry professionals, including experienced documentary filmmakers and representatives from pitching forums, will provide valuable insights and feedback. One of them will be invited to participate in the final pitching forum simulation.

Proficiency in the English language is required.

Schedule for winter semester 2025/2026:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2025/2026:

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The subject is a part of the following study plans

• Documentary Film - Bachelor_2020 (Required subjects)