Submit a project

Our call for projects for this 2023 edition of FEST — Pitching Forum is now open and will close on the 7th of April 2023! It will take place from the 19th to the 26th of June 2023.

This is a unique opportunity for filmmakers to develop and pitch their latest projects to top industry producers, distributors, fund managers, and investors. Through the past ten editions, we've had over 250 projects being pitched worldwide.

Read more.

DATES

The Pitching Forum will be split into two main parts:

  • The training sessions will be held between the 20th and 22nd of June, 2023, in Espinho, Portugal (only for representatives of selected projects);
  • The final pitch sessions will be held on the 23rd and 24th of June, 2023, in Espinho, Portugal

The final presentations will be preceded by a three-day training focused on pitch development, headed by two renowned experts who will help the finalists to prepare their presentation, so they can make the most of it.

 

WHAT ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Pitching Forum accepts film projects in the following categories:

  • FEATURE GEMS — Feature film projects (min. runtime of 55 minutes) in early stages of development, looking for financing or international co-productions;
  • WORK IN PROGRESS — Feature film projects (min. runtime of 55 minutes) in post-production looking for financing or post-production services;
  • MAKE IT SHORT — Short film projects (max. runtime of 55 minutes) in any development phase, from concept to post-production, looking for financing, international co-productions or post-production services;
  • SERIES - Series projects in any development phase, from concept to post-production, looking for financing, international co-productions or post-production services.

The production stages are set as:

  • Early development — project concept, script phase or pre-production;
  • Advanced development — ready for shooting, editing or post-production.

The film projects can be of all genres and filmmaking techniques, including animation and experimental films. The main selection criteria will be the artistic merit of the project, its estimated potential for success, and its capacity to attract the necessary funding.

 

WHO CAN APPLY?

The event is open to both experienced and emerging artists. There is no age limitation.

 

APPLICATION FEES AND DEADLINES

Application fees and deadlines are as follows:

  • 50,00 € Early Bird — 2nd of January to 2nd of February, 2023
  • 60,00 € Regular Fee — 3rd of February to 31st of March, 2023
  • 80,00 € Late Fee — 1st of April to 7th of April, 2023

 

Applications will only be considered complete and valid after we receive the confirmation of the payment of the mentioned fee.

Partner Institutions can benefit from a discount on the application fee. For more information about Film Professional Institutions please email us at industry@fest.pt or for students/alumni from Academic Institutions please email us at students@fest.pt.

The final deadline for submissions is the 7th of April 2023, at 23:59 (UTC).

 

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Project applications are only accepted when submitted via one of the following options:

2. Fill in the above-mentioned form with all the information required and proceed with the respective payment.

3. After the payment it’s processed you will receive an email with the confirmation.

 

CLICK TO SUBMIT BY FEST FORM

 

 

OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION

All materials must be in English. Alongside the obligatory information, we strongly encourage the applicants to upload additional materials like a business plan, visual book/mood board or professional portfolio.

We highly recommend reading the Rules and Regulations before submitting a project.

If you have any doubts, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at pitching@fest.pt and we'll get back to you as soon as possible.