DOC NYC PRO's Pitch Day

SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Filmmakers must submit a video work sample and a max two-page project description, including a narrative budget summary and a one-page budget top sheet. Detailed requirements for each are below. Please read all guidelines carefully, as incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

VIDEO SAMPLE
A video work sample is required. Samples should be at least 2 minutes and should not exceed 5 minutes. Video samples may include a trailer, a teaser reel, scene selects, or a combination of all, as long as the total run time does not exceed 5 minutes.
We recommend sending whatever video sample best represents your project and provides a sense of your technical and storytelling proficiency, including your voice and creative approach. If you do not yet have footage from your project, you may send a work sample from a previous project, but please make sure you clearly indicate this in your project description.
Video work samples must be submitted as Vimeo links or FilmFreeway online screeners only; DOC NYC does not accept .mov or mp4 files, DVDs, or Blu-rays.

WRITTEN DESCRIPTION
Your description should follow this format:
1. The film’s title
2. Followed by the appropriate stage: either EARLY STAGE or ADVANCED
STAGE
Project descriptions should be submitted via FilmFreeway as PDFs and should be single-spaced. Any application exceeding two pages will be excluded.

Each project description should include:
+ A logline and a short synopsis of the intended project (one paragraph)

+ A narrative description of the project’s timeline, including any anticipated benchmarks for finalizing development, production, post-production, etc. Estimated benchmarks are fine (one paragraph)

+ Short answers to these two questions:
1. What is one surprising truth your film reveals? It might be something you discovered while making it, or something your audience won’t see coming. (75 words)
2. Who is this film for, and what do you hope they think, feel, or do differently after watching? (75 words)

+ A brief, narrative budget summary describing, in prose, your total anticipated budget for the project, and the amount, in both dollars and percentage, of funding you have secured thus far. Please bold all numbers. You may also list sources of current or potential support, investment, or philanthropy (one paragraph).

+ An authorship / positionality statement describing why your particular team is well-suited to execute this project, any unique access you have to the film's story or protagonists, and the creative vision you have for its execution. For example, you may include your intentions regarding storytelling style, form, cinematography, and/or approach to character (one paragraph).

BUDGET TOP SHEET
A one-page budget top sheet that outlines the overall budget categories, with expenses.

Your project description and budget must be uploaded to FilmFreeway as part of your submission (in the Files & Attachments section).

To access Files & Attachments: Go to "My Projects" > "View." The Files & Attachments tool is located in the lower right side of your Project Page.

CONFIRMATION OF SUBMISSION
The confirmation of your submission is provided by FilmFreeway at the time of entry; DOC NYC does not send any additional receipt for submissions or materials received.
When completing your application, list the final intended running time of your finished film, not the running time of your sample.

LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
If your project is in a language other than English, your submission video work sample must be subtitled or dubbed in English, and the remaining submission materials, description and budget, must be in English.

Applicants may submit more than one project to DOC NYC's PITCH, but each project must be accompanied by its own entry form and entry fee.

The entry fee is non-refundable.

NOTIFICATION STATUS:
All entrants will be notified of their status by September 15, 2026.

Please keep us informed of any changes regarding your contact information by emailing malikkah@docnyc.net

FEEDBACK:
Due to the number of submissions received, DOC NYC unfortunately cannot provide feedback on any entries.

TERMS & CONDITIONS:
By submitting this documentary film project (the "Project"), I understand that I am agreeing to the following:

I have the legal right to represent and to submit this Project to DOC NYC Film Festival (the "Festival") and IFC Theatres LLC (“IFC”) all statements on this document are true:

There is no action, suit, claim or proceeding pending, affecting or, to the best of my knowledge, threatened against this Project or its producers, participants, or crew in connection with this Project or otherwise;

Music and any other third party material clearances and all copyright clearances are my sole responsibility and, if selected for the Festival I agree that material presented as part of the Project at the Festival will be fully cleared prior to the Project's participation at the Festival and no part of the presentation of the Project will violate or infringe upon the rights of any third party. The Festival will not be held responsible for any legal disputes regarding the presentation of the Project. Noncompliance may affect, delay, and/or disqualify my entry.

If the Project is selected for participation in the Festival, I grant the Festival the right for the Project to participate.

I fully indemnify and hold the Festival, IFC, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, affiliates, sponsors, licensees and assigns harmless from and against any and all claims, damages, liabilities, costs and expenses in connection with the Project, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other expenses of defense arising from or in connection with any breach of any of the foregoing agreements, representations or warranties or from or in connection with any litigation or any claim or proceeding commenced by a third party alleging or arising from libel, slander, defamation, invasion of privacy, infringement, unauthorized use or any other right of such third party or wrongful conduct; and any claims which may arise in connection with the Project.

Note: The Festival has the right to change any information contained in this document (including Festival dates, venues, format, events, awards, and eligibility requirements) without further notice.