Started in 2004 FILMER FORGE is the industry program of IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival which includes: educational modules, industry meetings, short film market, pitching training and pitching sessions, an interdisciplinary conference, and a range of opportunities for formal and informal networking.

The platform brings together emerging and established filmmakers, producers, distributors, agents, broadcasters, exhibitors, festival programmers, representatives of funding bodies, etc. to find collaborators for their current and upcoming projects.

FILMER FORGE PITCH is an international session for public presentation of short film projects in any stage of development. The initiative provides the participants opportunities to find new collaborators and/or compete for financial grant in a support of their projects. FILMER FORGE PITCH programme is running for 3 days and includes pitching training, national and international pitching sessions, one-to-one meetings and networking opportunities.

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STRUCTURE

FILMER FORGE PITCH is running in 3 days and consists of the following activities:
• Pitching training for selected participants

Pitching trainings are usually held few days before the pitching sessions. International tutors - active film industry professionals - are invited to share their experience in film projects public presentations and to navigate participants how to improve their pitching skills.

• Pitching session in 2 phases:

1. National projects
Bulgarian filmmakers, writers and producers who seek producing, co-producing, funding, and development opportunities for their current or upcoming short film are invited to apply. Up to 20 national projects, selected on the basis of their application, will be invited to pitch to a national panel in front of an international jury assigned. The 10 most promising projects will have the opportunity to take part in the International Projects Pitch the next day.

The rest 10 not selected projects` representatives will be invited to continue their experience as FILMER FORGE PITCH`s professional audience. They will be able to take part and benefit from the other networking initiatives of the programme.

2. International projects
International filmmakers, writers and producers who seek producing, co-producing, funding, and development opportunities for their current or upcoming short film are invited to apply. Selected projects will be invited to present their work to an international panel in front an international jury assigned and professional audience of film industry professionals.

The Pitch
On both pitching panels, each project team/representative will have a fixed time - 7 min - to present their project and more 7 min to answer questions raised by the panel only. The competition focus will be on the originality of the concept, the artistic and production potential of the project, and on how convincing was the pitch itself.

• One-to-one meetings in 2 phases:

1. Speed dating with pitching panelists

To ensure that all projects receive feedback, the programme is initiating “speed dating” meetings between pitched projects` representatives and the panel members (pitching jury members).

2. One-to-one meetings with potentially interested collaborators.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY

Who can apply:

Film professionals who seek producing, co-producing, funding, and development opportunities for their current or upcoming short film.

Eligible participants must have gained an educational degree in any subject in filmmaking (Film Directing, Producing, Script Writing, etc.) and/or have at least 2 completed short films released to festivals and been programmed in official selection of international film festivals.

Participants from all countries are eligible to submit a short film project.

Only producers or other project rights holders can submit film projects.

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Short film projects criteria:

Short film projects in any stage of development (incl. concept/idea) are accepted.

Maximum estimated duration of the accepted short film projects must not exceed 30 min.

Short film projects in fiction, documentary, animation, experimental genre and mixture of them are eligible to apply.

Secured funding by third parties is not an obligatory condition to submit a project.

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TAKE PART

You just need to do 2 simple steps:

STEP 1. Submit your project via FilmFreeway platform before the deadline.

STEP 2. Please, provide us a link to a zipped folder titled by the name of the short film project and containing the following materials:

1. Synopsis, treatment, and script.
2. Short biography, photo of director/writer and contacts (phone number and email).
3. Director's statement of artistic choices (image, sound, music, cast, etc.).
4. Production company: profile and selected filmography (if applicable).
5. Short biography and photo of producer and contacts (phone number and email).
6. Producer's statement and strategy for producing this film.
7. Confirmation of secured funding (letter of intent, positive notice, grant, etc.) - if applicable.
8. Confirmation of educational degree completed and/or official festival selection of 2 previous short films.
9. Any visuals (storyboard, locations, rough cut, animatic, etc.) that will support the application.

Please send the materials requested to filmerforge@inthepalace.com

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Film projects will be taken into a consideration only if in compliance with the following:

1. Answer to eligible criteria

2. Submitted and application in FilmFreeway platform

3. Provided all requested information and materials

Any applicant submitting a project to FILMER FORGE PITCH commits to attend the event in person in case of selection.

FILMER FORGE PITCH accepts the attendance of up to 2 representatives per a project.

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FEES
1. Entry Fee - 20 EUR
(project to be considered by selection committee)

2. Participation Fee - 200 euro
(in case of selection there is a participation fee per participant settled)

Participation fee covers costs for:

Tutors/mentors;

Accommodation in shared rooms (icl. the period of pitching training and pitching event);

Full accreditation for IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival;

Invitations for all industry events and receptions during IN THE PALACE International Short Film Festival and FILMER FORGE PITCH.

Please note:

Transport costs are not included in participation fee.

Many local/national bodies in different countries support training and/or travel costs. We highly recommend participants to check for such opportunities in their communities, film centers, funds, etc.