Presented online by the California Film Institute as part of DocLands Documentary Film Festival from August 13 - 20, 2020, DOCPITCH is an invitation for filmmakers to submit their unfinished FEATURE (70 + minutes) documentary projects currently in early to late stages of completion.

Eight (8) filmmaking teams with feature documentary projects have been selected by a jury to present a verbal pitch, three- to five-minute trailer and participate in Q&As, all presented online where the audience, comprised of invited funders, organization representatives, distributors, broadcasters, and the general public will be able to view and consider the projects.

DocLands is a non-competitive, inclusive festival dedicated to building connections and partnerships and works to invigorate the business and art of nonfiction filmmaking. Through public screenings, engaged conversations and grassroots networking events, DocLands aims to build an active, involved and fully supportive community around documentary film. It showcases documentary film in a variety of genres and with a diversity of content, within three main programming sections (Art of Impact, The Great Outdoors, and WonderLands) while highlighting films that transcend the traditional definition of the documentary.

Awards & Prizes

Each year, we typically present an Audience Choice award to one pitching team, but in 2020, we received a 1-year commitment to the total of $125,000 in awards. Viewers will vote for the $25,000 Audience Choice award, with an Industry jury also presenting the pitching teams with an additional $100,000 in awards.

• $25,000 Audience Choice Award
• $40,000 Industry Grand Award
• $20,000 Industry Award
• $20,000 Industry Award
• $5,000 x 5 Awards

Rules & Terms

To be eligible, applicants MUST submit the following project elements/information. Please also submit brief key crew member bios (director/ producer) under Credits.

• Title of the project
• Logline
• Synopsis/Proposal
• Final budget amount and fund required to complete the project
• Approximate runtime of finished feature film
• Initial trailer or teaser
• Production stills that can be used for online promotional purposes
• Brief key crew bios (director/producer)
• What stage you expect to be at in August 2020 and your desired completion date

**If you have unique aspects or access to share or wish to explain in more depth, please include those in a Cover Letter. If you have a website, please also include that.

If your project is chosen to participate in the pitch you will be required to:
• Submit your final materials that include a video pitch presentation and 3-5 minute trailer by Wednesday, August 10, 2020. These two elements together should not exceed 10 minutes in duration.

***IMPORTANT: If you are unable to make these commitments, you are NOT eligible to enter the DocPitch competition.

The shortlisted filmmakers will be notified by July 1, 2020 with a deadline of August 10 to submit final trailers.

Filmmakers will be DISQUALIFIED if they fail to submit their video pitch presentation and FINAL 3-5 minute trailer by the deadline.

DocPitch will launch on Thursday, August 13 with voting to end on Thursday, August 19, 2020 at midnight -- all awards will be presented online on Friday, August 21.