1) The Pitch
Five shortlisted filmmakers will be invited to take part in a live presentation pitch at Kendal Mountain Festival. This is a presentation-only opportunity — no film is required or expected to be made for the event.
Each participant will present their project idea in front of a live Festival audience as part of a celebratory pitching session showcasing emerging creative talent in documentary and factual storytelling.
All five selected filmmakers are required to deliver a five-minute presentation on stage at the Kendal Mountain Festival, followed by a five-minute Q&A session with the panel.
The focus of the session is on the strength of the idea, the clarity of the vision, and the filmmaker’s ability to communicate a compelling narrative for the screen. A selection panel of industry experts will determine the winning pitch based on creative merit, originality, and potential for development.
The event will take place in person at Kendal Mountain Festival. Please note that filmmakers should be able to attend in person as part of the shortlisted selection process.
2) Attendance & Support
In-person attendance is expected for all shortlisted filmmakers. To support participation, Kendal Mountain Festival will provide:
- UK travel bursary (up to £80)
- One night’s accommodation (single occupancy, Saturday 21st November)
- A filmmaker pass granting access to Festival events and activities worth £150
3) Important Dates
Submissions Open: June 1, 2026
Submission Deadline: August 1, 2026
Filmmaker Notifications: October 1, 2026
Live Pitch Showcase in Kendal: November 21, 2026
4) Application Requirements
Applicants are required to carefully review the submission rules and eligibility criteria prior to applying. Only fully completed applications submitted via FilmFreeway will be considered.
Each application must include the following materials:
- Project proposal video: Maximum duration of 5 minutes. Must be in English, or include English subtitles for non-English submissions.
- Previous work samples: Maximum duration of 2 minutes per sample (add to end of 5 min video).
- Project outline / letter of intent: Must outline the concept, proposed cast, and key creative team members (maximum 300 words - add to 'Cover Letter').
- Project synopsis: Maximum 200 words (add to 'Cover Letter').
- Budget: A completed budget template must be submitted (add to 'Cover Letter').
- Project timeline: Including current stage of development and proposed production schedule (add to 'Cover Letter).
- CV / résumé: Including relevant experience, training, and professional background (add to 'Cover Letter').
- Applications generated in whole or in part using artificial intelligence will not be accepted.
5) Eligible Projects:
- Film length: All submissions must be short film projects with a maximum duration of 15 minutes.
- Project stage: Eligible projects must be in development, pre-production, or production at the time of submission.
- Funding requirements: Projects must demonstrate a clear and defined budget, with outstanding funding needs of at least £10,000 at the time of submission.
- Completion timeline: Successful applicants must present a clear and realistic development plan, with final film delivery expected within a year of the pitch session, and no later than November 2027.
- Genre eligibility: Projects must sit within outdoor culture, adventure, mountain sports, exploration, nature or environmental storytelling. Projects should be suitable for inclusion and aligned with Kendal Mountain Festival programming.
- Ineligible formats: AR/VR and interactive projects are not eligible for submission.
- Project requirements: Entrants must be able to clearly demonstrate the concept, intended cast, creative team, and full budget breakdown.
- Originality and rights: All submissions must be original works and must not infringe upon any existing copyrights or intellectual property.
- Language: Submissions may be in any language; however, films or supporting materials not in English must include English subtitles.
- Subtitling: All films including English language films will require subtitles.
- Exclusivity: Kendal Mountain Festival reserves the right to premiere the film winning film.
- Kendal Mountain Player: Selected works may be considered for inclusion on the Kendal Mountain Player, subject to a separate agreement with the filmmaker
6) Filmmaker Eligibility Guidance:
For the purpose of the competition, Kendal Mountain Festival defines an emerging filmmaker as an individual who has a verifiable credit as a key creative (director, lead producer, or screenwriter) on at least one completed film which has been presented in a film festival, broadcast, theatrical, streaming, or commercial context. This will also be an individual who has worked as a key creative (director, lead producer, or screenwriter) on a maximum of either one (1) film over 45 minutes, OR three (3) films under 45 minutes.
In addition to this, the individual is:
- The key creative(s) (director, lead producer, or screenwriter) of the project and retains creative control and decision-making authority over the project from application through completion.
- Will remain in a key creative role through the duration of the project. Any material change to this role must be disclosed to and approved in writing by Kendal Mountain Festival.
- Is available to attend the Kendal Mountain Festival for the in-person pitch session on November 21st, 2026, if selected as a finalist.
7) Conditions:
- If the Entrant is selected by the jury as an award winner, the Entrant will be required to enter into a formal agreement with Kendal Mountain Festival before any funds are released. The agreement between the Entrant and Kendal Mountain Festival will further articulate these prize conditions, and in the event of a conflict between these terms and the final agreement, the final agreement will take precedence.
- Grand prize will be provided in instalments as the project progresses: 40% upon winning the pitch competition; 40% upon completion of the first draft, and the final 20% on submission of the final report and completion of the project
- If the Entrant is selected as the winner: Kendal Mountain Festival will have the option to show the world premiere following the film’s completion. The Entrant will acknowledge Kendal Mountain Festival and Beyond Boundaries Films for financial support wherever possible in the film’s credits and every public mention in relation to the film in electronic, print, audio and visual medium.
- Submit a final report and accurate project expenses at project completion.
- Any unused/surplus funding must be returned to Kendal Mountain Festival.
- Unissued funding will be forfeited if the project proposed cannot be completed.
8) Project Assessment
Projects will be evaluated on originality, storytelling strength, artistic vision, and overall creative potential. The Festival team and jury will also assess the viability of the project, the filmmaker’s ability to clearly communicate their idea, and relevant filmmaking experience.
