BIG APPLE FILM FESTIVAL & SCREENPLAY COMPETITION:
AGENTS & MANAGERS PITCH LAB (Virtual)
You have a project. Now it’s time to get it in front of the people who can actually move your career forward.
The Big Apple Film Festival’s AGENTS & MANAGERS PITCH LAB is an intensive 8-week program, taking place VIRTUALLY, built for writers and filmmakers who are ready to stop developing in isolation and start pitching with purpose.
In this is a hands-on, small-group lab where you will work directly with agents and managers to shape your pitch, refine your materials, and prepare to present your project at a professional level.
SPOTS ARE LIMITED. SELECTION IS COMPETITIVE.
WHAT YOU’LL DO
Over 8 weeks, selected participants will:
Work closely with agents and managers in small, focused mentorship groups
Build and refine a compelling, industry-ready pitch
Develop a professional pitch deck with direct feedback
Gain real insight into what representatives are looking for right now
You won’t just learn—you’ll leave with a pitch that’s been tested, challenged, and sharpened.
THE FINAL PITCH
The program culminates in a live pitch session where participants present their projects directly to a panel of agents and managers.
WHO THIS IS FOR
This lab is designed for writers with a completed or near-complete screenplay or pilot,
filmmakers with a clearly defined project ready to pitch and/or creators who are actively pursuing representation or industry partnerships
If you’re still in early development, this program may not be the right fit. This lab is for those actively working to move their projects forward.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Duration: 8 weeks
Format: Virtual, small-group mentorship
Cohort: Limited to ensure meaningful access and interaction
Final Event: Live virtual pitch to industry professionals
APPLICATION & TUITION
Applicants are selected based on the strength of their material and readiness to pitch at a professional level.
Tuition: $1,499 (due upon acceptance)
DISCLAIMER:
This program provides access, mentorship, and opportunity—but does not guarantee representation or collaboration with an agent, manager, producer or any other industry representative. The decision to continue to work with a participant after the lab program has concluded is at the sole discretion of the industry representative.
If you’re ready to stop waiting and start pitching—apply now.
Spots are limited, and the strongest projects will be selected.
ABOUT THE BIG APPLE FILM FESTIVAL & SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
🎞️ Big Apple Film Festival & Screenplay Competition is proud to have a long history of presenting highly acclaimed films from award-winning filmmakers:
Previous official selections and alumni films have included:
● The Singers (Netflix) - Academy Award Winner, Best Live Action Short
● I'm Not a Robot – Academy Award Winner, Best Live Action Short
● Feeling Through - Academy Award Nominee, Live Action Short
● Until - directed by and starring Golden Globe Award winners Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick
● Sweetwater – Released by Universal Pictures, starring Golden Globe Award winner Jeremy Piven and Academy Award winner Richard Dreyfuss
● The Living Wake – Starring Academy Award nominee Jesse Eisenberg and Emmy Award winner Jim Gaffigan
● Last Ride - Executive Produced by Oscar® winner SPIKE LEE, distributed by Quiver Distribution
● Killing Mary Sue - distributed by Samuel Goldwyn Films, starring SAG Award nominee Dermot Mulroney
● Taste the Revolution - starring Academy Award winner Mahershala Ali (Moonlight, Green Book, House of Cards, The Hunger Games, True Detective)
● Thirsty - (Apple TV, Prime Video), starring Jamie Neumann (HBO's The Deuce), Image Award nominee Tyler Lepley (Harlem, Tyler Perry's Duplicity), Golden Globe Award winner Kyra Sedgwick, Golden Globe Award nominee Thora Birch
● The One Note Man - Shortlisted for Best Live Action at the 96th Academy Awards, Narrated by Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award winner Ian McKellen.
● The Herricanes – SXSW Audience Award Winner
● Amerikatsi – Armenian Oscar submission, NYC and LA theatrical release
● The Shepherd – Academy Award Shortlist, distributed by Disney+, produced by Academy Award winner Alfonso Cuarón, starring Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award winner John Travolta
● "Bad Survivor" (Oscars Shortlist, Short Film Live Action Category)
● "Deadly Vows", starring Shiva Negar, SAG Award nominee Billy Zane (Titanic), Shane West (A Walk to Remember), Academy Award nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo, distributed by Quiver Distribution, streaming on Prime Video and Apple TV
● And many more...
📝 SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
Throughout the years, the BAFF Screenplay Competition has received submissions from both emerging talent and established professionals. Participants have included:
● Douglas Raine (Line Producer "Reigns of Fire" starring Academy Award winners Matthew McConaughey and Christian Bale)
● Amy Kolquist (Writer of "Border Run" starring Academy Award nominee Sharon Stone and Billy Zane, distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment and Paramount Pictures)
● Stephanie Drapeau (Writer and Producer of Wish Wizard starring Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman)
● Maia Henkin – signed with A3 Artists Agency; held meetings with Lionsgate, Starz, Anonymous Content
● Shia LaBeouf (Critics Choice Award and People's Choice Award nominee)
● Ron Friedman - Emmy nominee and WGA Award winner
● Elizabeth Reichelt - (writer, Bridgerton NETFLIX, writer's assistant, Inventing Anna NETFLIX, Co-wrote/co-produced Full Picture, executive produced by Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Rachel Bloom. Writer for the CBS Diversity Showcase)
● Caytha Jentis - written/directed/produced projects for HBO, Warner Bros., Amazon
● Kent Moran - Feature films have been released by Warner Brothers, Netflix, Showtime, Paramount+, Starz, Apple, Hulu, Amazon, Hallmark, Lifetime, LMN, Regal Cinemas
● Elizabeth Page - Six time Emmy Award and three time WGA Award winning writer and playwright (ABC, CBS, TBS)
● Matt Giacheri - produced projects for NETFLIX and Amazon
● Janet J. Lawler – finalist recognition helped place her on Coverfly’s Red List; later signed by a literary manager
● Stuart Feldman (BAFF Screenplay Competition winner) - WGA writer, has written for the NBC drama LAW & ORDER, the USA series ROYAL PAINS, and his teleplay for LAW & ORDER: SVU ("Justice Denied") ranked #21 on the TV Guide list of "Best Episodes".
🤝 YEAR-ROUND INDUSTRY ACCESS
👉 See upcoming events:
https://bigapplefilmfestivalindustrynetworkingevents.eventive.org/schedule
🌟 NOTABLE GUESTS & HONOREES
Over the years, BAFF has welcomed acclaimed actors, filmmakers, screenwriters and industry leaders, including:
● Jesse Eisenberg (Academy Award, Golden Globe and SAG Award nominee)
● Kevin Bacon (Golden Globe and SAG award winner)
● Kyra Sedgwick (Golden Globe and SAG award winner)
● Cuba Gooding Jr. (Academy Award winner)
● Sawyer Spielberg
● Kathleen Turner (Academy Award nominee & Golden Globe Award winner)
● Amy Stiller
● James Sunshine (producer, FOX's "Hell's Kitchen" CBS' "Big Brother", "Project Runway", NETFLIX/HULU)
● Kathleen Turner (Academy Award nominee and Golden Globe Award winner)
● Morgan Spurlock (Academy Award nominee, WGA Award winner)
● Olympia Dukakis (Academy Award and Golden Globe Award winner)
● Jeremy Piven (Emmy Award and Golden Globe Winner)
● Krushan Naik (Oscar-nominated producer)
● Bill Plympton (Oscar-nominated animator)
● Alan Cumming (Tony Award and Independent Spirit Award winner)
● Kwame Parker (Academy Award nominated producer)
…and many more.
🗽 ABOUT BAFF
Now in its 23rd year, Big Apple Film Festival & Screenplay Competition remains dedicated to amplifying the voices of independent filmmakers and screenwriters. From live screenings and pitch opportunities to year-round virtual access, BAFF offers a unique platform to showcase your work and grow your career.
Selected projects will be invited to participate in the Agents & Managers Pitch Lab.
