Win $10,000 in Development Funds towards a Feature Film with AACTA Pitch: Isolation in partnership with Monster Pictures

1 JULY, 2020

Do you have an idea for a genre film that is original and breaks new ground? Entries are now open for Australia’s ultimate horror and genre film development initiative; AACTA Pitch: Isolation in partnership with Monster Pictures.

The theme for the latest AACTA Pitch initiative draws on isolation – one of the most powerful tools for horror and genre movies to build atmosphere and tension from iconic contemporary horror films like THE BABADOOK to gripping WOLF CREEK, to the dystopian world of I AM MOTHER and recent box office hit THE INVISIBLE MAN.

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts(AACTA) in partnership with Monster Pictures are inviting writers, directors and writer/director teams to submit original feature film concepts that incorporate the theme of isolation – whether it be physical, societal or psychological – and work effectively with minimal locations, small casts and low costs.

"This new venture with AACTA is a truly unique and exciting project," said Director of Monster Pictures Grant Hardie. "We look forward to discovering a high quality, high concept, character-driven film that we can take to audiences around the world."

On offer to the winner is $10,000 in development funds and an Australian theatrical distribution agreement with Monster Pictures Distribution, as the first steps toward the project being fully financed and produced. The winner will also be invited to attend the 2020 AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel in Sydney, December 2020.

Projects that demonstrate the following are likely to be the most successful:

• New, creative and unique ways to engage audiences;
• Strong characters that resonate with audiences;
• Concise stories demonstrating clear, dramatic tension;
• Ideas that bend genres and break new ground.

A shortlist of twenty projects will be determined by a judging panel comprised of established producers, distributors and film financiers including Chris Brown (DAYBREAKERS, BAIT, THE RAILWAY MAN) as well as Toby Louie and Nicholas Levene from Fairvale Entertainment, and representatives from Monster Pictures and AACTA. The shortlisted projects will then be required to submit materials demonstrating their ability to develop the film and identify the market potential, while working within a defined budget.

From there, up to eight finalists will be selected to pitch their concept at a live event in Sydney during AACTA Awards festivities in early December 2020, with attendees including world-renowned filmmakers, producers, writers and the AACTA Pitch: Isolation in partnership with Monster Pictures judging panel.

"The challenges of the past few months have seen many Australians turn to their screens to stay connected, making original and engaging content more important than ever," said AACTA CEO Damian Trewhella. "When it comes to genre and horror, Australia excels in the films we produce and the talent behind them with renowned filmmakers such as Dr. George Miller, James Wan, Leigh Whannell, Jennifer Kent and Greg McLean, among many others, conquering screens globally. We are very pleased to be partnering with Monster Pictures, providing the opportunity for our emerging creators to develop and ideally produce a feature film. This initiative also allows entrants to present their fresh and exciting ideas to some of our industry’s key distributors and producers, learning how to effectively take their project to market while building a valuable network and honing vitally important pitching skills."

AACTA encourages new, emerging or experienced content creators to enter, particularly those from diverse and under-represented backgrounds. Entry is $70 for AACTA members; $95 for non-members. For more information on AACTA membership, visit aacta.org/membership.

Initial entry requirements include: Title, logline, 3-minute video pitch, 500 word synopsis and résumé of the writer/s and/or director/s. Round One entries close at 5pm AEST on Monday 3 August 2020.

The AACTA Awards are supported by the New South Wales Government through its tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.

AACTA PITCH ENTRY & ELIGIBILITY
For full eligibility requirements and entry details, please visit https://www.aacta.org/aacta-pitch/isolation-in-partnership-with-monster-pictures/.

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