AACTA PITCH: FOCUS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SONY RETURNS FOR 2024

Calling all student filmmakers! Entries are now open for AACTA Pitch: Focus in partnership with Sony.

Now in its fourth year, the national short film development and production initiative invites students to team up and pitch an original production to an esteemed panel of accomplished filmmakers. 

AACTA Pitch: Focus aims to encourage future filmmakers and is a great way for emerging creatives to break into the industry and form meaningful networks through the mentorship opportunities offered throughout the development and production process. 

Teams can include directors, writers, producers, editors and/or cinematographers, with at least one team member currently engaging in film or screen studies. Teams are invited to submit their creative ideas for a short film between 4 - 10 minutes, and will then be provided the opportunity to develop these ideas into real-world pitch materials in subsequent rounds. 

The top five teams this year will receive state-of-the-art Sony equipment kit on loan, valued at over $2,500, to shoot a short proof of concept, with the recipient of AACTA Pitch: Focus this year to receive a $15,000 production fund and $20,000 of exceptional Sony camera equipment on loan.

AACTA Pitch: Focus continues to provide a platform for the next generation of screen creatives, with 2021 AACTA Pitch: Focus winning film, JIA, receiving Best Direction and Best Actor in an Australian Short Film at Flickerfest 2023 as well as a nomination for Best Short Film at the 2023 AACTA Awards.

Sony Australia Community and Corporate Partnerships Manager, Nick Rowe said “Sony is excited to once again partner with the Australian Academy Cinema Television Arts to offer this incredible initiative to currently enrolled students studying the craft of filmmaking. AACTA Pitch: Focus is a truly unique opportunity for studying and emerging filmmakers to realise their first major film project, and through this initiative Sony is excited to support the next generation of film storytellers”.

AACTA Pitch: Focus are looking for projects that feature the following:

• New, creative and unique ways to engage audiences;

• Strong characters that resonate with audiences;

• Ideas that bend genres and break new ground.

Round one invites teams to create a three-minute video pitch outlining their short film concept. The judging panel of leading short film industry figures and representatives of Sony and AACTA will then determine a longlist of 10 projects who will be asked to submit additional pitching materials to support their project. The five finalists will be selected by the panel, and they will then be provided with Sony equipment and given four weeks to shoot a proof of concept short. These finalists will be invited to present their films in front of the judging panel to determine the recipient. 

AACTA Awards and Industry Development Manager, Ivan Vukusic said “This is a wonderful opportunity for students to fast track the production of their short film and to forge meaningful connections to the industry. Our thanks as always to Sony for their ongoing support and supply of incredible equipment. The initial entry requirements are quite simple so I encourage screen students to assemble a team and get to work. All you need is focus”.

AACTA welcomes all new, emerging and student filmmakers and content creators to enter AACTA Pitch: Focus, and encourages concepts from teams from diverse and under-represented backgrounds. Entry fees remain the same, and is $50 for teams with at least one AACTA member and $90 for teams comprised of non-members. For more information on AACTA membership, click here.

Initial entry requirements include: Title, logline, 500 word synopsis, 3 minute pitch video, and résumés of the team members.  

Round one entries close 9:00AM AEST Monday August 26, 2024. For full eligibility requirements and to enter, click here.