ZIFF 2011 WORKSHOPS: THE ZIFF PITCH CONTEST

DOCUMENTARY PROJECT PROPOSALS

ZIFF 2011 is introducing the Documentary Pitching Tree Contest as an extension to our SokoFilam Program. Filmmakers from East Africa are invited to submit their projects to be included in our Pitching Contest. The sessions will be open only to East African documentary filmmakers.

Invited panel of trainers

NICK- BROOMFIELD- DIRECTING

DONALD RANVAUD- PRODUCING

DONAL MCCUSKER- LINE PRODUCING

PAUL MILLER- DIRECTING

SCOPE AND ORGANISATION

We are looking for projects in which filmmakers use innovative techniques to tell their stories.

The Documentary Pitch Contest is an event that creates opportunities for filmmakers to show off their creative skills and pitch their film ideas to producers and broadcasters.

10 entries will be selected for development and pitching to a panel of commissioning editors from TV houses in East Africa. The slate of Pitch Sessions will be announced 3 weeks ahead of the start of the Festival.

The selected filmmakers will be required to travel to Zanzibar for the duration of the Program. Accommodation and a modest per diem will be given to participants. Travel to Zanzibar is to be covered by the filmmaker.

A Panel of Specialists will select the Winning Documentary Pitch from among the finalists. No discussion will be entered to regarding the selection of the winning pitch, and the Panelists decision is final.

CALL FOR PITCHES

We call for Pitches for documentary films of maximum half hour TV slots. The Synopsis should be no more than 300 words in length and Treatments should be no more than 1000 words.

We strongly encourage development of the full documentary proposal to be handed over at the workshop site on arrival. For more information visit our site www.ziff.or.tz

For Producers and Directors:
You can submit your project in various stages of financing, development and production. We accept projects that have financing in place or not at all, or even those in the rough-cut phase.

Entry form and checklist

You can submit your project by sending your Proposal to: -

ZIFF- PITCHING TREE CONTEST
NGOME KONGWE
P.O. BOX 3032

ZANZIBAR

TANZANIA

Send both hard copy and soft copy to martin.mhando@ziff.or.tz and Lovinsa.kavuma@ziff.or.tz

There is no fee for project submissions. Deadline for submission is May 20, 2011.

Checklist for submitting a project:
Completed Entry Form to include

• A tagline (max. 25 words) and a synopsis (max. 400 words) in English.
• A project description (max. 1000 words) in English. A project description to include background information, key characters, the visual approach, and director’s statement, etc.
• Director’s or Producer’s bio (max. 350 words) in English.
• Please note if you have financing behind you. Financing should not include investments from your family or other persons. 'In kind' contributions do not count as financing. If you have pre-finance secured a letter to that effect would be appreciated.
• Please include the budget with the entry form (in US$).
• To be emailed: Two stills of the project (at least 300 DPI/1MB).
• To be emailed: Two passport-size photos of the person who will do the pitch: the director or producer of the project.
• To Link: A trailer (max. 2 min.) After completing the entry form, you can place a web-based link of your sample work (Youtube, Vimeo).
• To send: You can alsosend your trailer work by sending visual material (DVDs) by mail. Please include English subtitles where necessary.
  Please label your DVD with the project title as it appears on your application. Send the DVD in a slim case or plastic sleeve. We are unable to return DVDs.
  
  The DVD should be sent to:
  ZIFF- PITCHING TREE CONTEST
  NGOME KONGWE (This is the Physical Address)
  P.O. BOX 3032

ZANZIBAR

TANZANIA