An Intensive Pitch-Training and Storytelling-Strengthening Program for Documentarians
About the Documentary Pitch Program
The Athena Film Festival at Barnard College facilitates an annual AFF Documentary Pitch Program (formally named the Works in Progress) as part of our Creative Development Program to support filmmakers.
The program is an intensive pitch training and storytelling strengthening opportunity that takes place during the winter and will culminate with a live pitch event during the annual Athena Film Festival. Each filmmaking team works with Peabody Award-winning filmmaker/teacher/Co-Founder of Chicken & Egg Picture, Judith Helfand.
The program includes:
- Story Development and Pitch Training;
- Two months of honing, writing, and perfecting a pitch;
- Editing a trailer for presentation (3-5 minutes);
- Live pitch in front of a panel of esteemed industry representatives;
- Introductions to a network of potential supporters and partners;
- Mentorship from experienced professionals.
Each project receives a $500.00 honorarium.
Timelines
Submissions for the Documentary Pitch Program are now closed! Check back when submissions open again in the fall.
Program Participants
See below for the full list of filmmakers and projects from the 2024 AFF Documentary Pitch Program
2024 AFF WIP Program Doc
Rules and Eligibility
- This program is for documentary feature-length films and short films (over 25 minutes);
- Films must have a woman (girl) or women character(s) in a leadership role(s) or
- position(s) on screen;
- Projects from all genres are accepted, and stories about women from all racial, ethnic,
- socioeconomic, and cultural groups are encouraged to apply;
- Filmmakers who apply MUST NOT have completed more than THREE feature-length
- documentaries;
- Films need to be in production or at least have some footage shot to submit to the
- program. Projects that are in development without any footage are not eligible;
- Projects must have a producer attached to their film to be considered;
- Films that don’t focus on women’s leadership WILL NOT be considered.
For more information, check out our FAQ page or reach out to us at athenafilmfestival@gmail.com.
