Entering
the Pitch Competition
About the Pitch
The Sonscreen pitch competition is an opportunity for student filmmakers to receive funding for future projects. Interested students should first submit a pitch deck, written description of their pitch, and any supplementary materials. Five finalists will earn the opportunity to pitch in-person at the festival to a live panel of judges, and the three winners will get funding to bring their ideas to life. Please read the pitch guidelines carefully before you register, then click below to enter the competition. Scroll down for details and example pitch videos.
Dates & Deadlines
Pitch Entry Deadline:
03/04/25, 11:59 pm, PT
You must upload your pitch deck and a description of your pitch before the deadline in order to qualify. Please note that the judges will consider the scope of your project, and how a $750 - $3,500 award will be useful in that project. For this reason, a short film or pilot is more likely to succeed than a feature film or full series proposal. Whatever your project, the judges will want to know how the funds from winning would be used in your project.
March 4 - Final Deadline
Pitch deck and description of your pitch must be submitted before 11:59 pm PT
March 10 - Notification Day
We will announce the names of our five finalists. Finalists must purchase a festival pass.
April 3-5 - Pitch Competition
The final phase of the competition will be hosted live during the festival
Bringing Your Funding Home
Pitch Winners: How to Get Paid
Did you know some pitch finalists win funding, and then never recieve it? That's becuase we need a valid W9 from from all winners before we can pay - and some finalists never send it in. So take our advice: If you win, download this form, fill it out, and email it to us within 6 months of the festival. That's all it takes to follow through and get paid. You can do it! We believe in you.