“Elev8or Pitch Competition” coming to Knoxville in November
The inaugural event for local filmmakers will be held in conjunction with FILM FEST KNOX, a three-day celebration that runs November 10-12.
Do you have an inspiring idea for a feature film and have been looking for just the right opportunity to develop it further, perhaps initially as a short film?
If the answer is “yes,” then you’ll want to take note of the inaugural “Elev8or Pitch Competition” scheduled for November in conjunction with the inaugural FILM FEST KNOX three-day celebration that runs November 10-12. The latter event is being planned by Visit Knoxville and its Film Office in partnership with Regal.
For the region’s first-ever pitch competition for those in the film production industry, Visit Knoxville has partnered with KnoxMedia, a nonprofit organization that connects people in Knoxville’s ever-growing production industry and provides valuable educational, networking, and upskilling opportunities.
The two organizations have scheduled a kickoff party for 6 to 8 p.m. August 10 at Scruffy City Hall on Market Square in Downtown Knoxville where specific requirements for the “Elev8or Pitch” submissions will be revealed. That’s the day after teams must submit their applications (link here) for an Elev8tor Pitch Pass that costs $75 and the opportunity to participate through several stages of the competition.
As described in this news release from Visit Knoxville, FILM FEST KNOX will provide space for local filmmakers to share their craft and passion with a large audience, and the “Elev8or Pitch Competition” takes this a few steps further.
- Each competitor or team will submit a 60-second pitch to share the idea, as well as how and why they are ready to make it into a feature film.
- Filmmakers go beyond to create an up to eight-minute stand-alone short film as a proof-of-concept that establishes a foundation for a full-length feature film’s potential production.
- Each competitor will be supported by industry-specific pitch resources like deck templates, best practices, and production process strategies.
- A jury of film industry professionals will evaluate all team submissions.
From there, the competition heats up. The top 20 teams will have their films screened in a block during FILM FEST KNOX. That group will be reduced to the top eight finalists who will be asked to give a three-minute live pitch following their short film’s screening in front of a live audience and a panel of industry professionals. That event will take place on November 9 prior to the start of FILM FEST KNOX.
Three teams will be chosen as the winners of the “Elev8or Pitch Competition,” with one team’s project being awarded as Best Pitch. There will be cash prizes along with mentorship opportunities with established industry professionals. Additional awards available to the top 20 teams include Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Cinematography, Best Screenplay, Best Directing, and Best Music.
During FILM FEST KNOX, Visit Knoxville is hosting a group of producers and film professionals from industry hubs like Los Angeles, New York City, and Atlanta for the weekend, and the “Elev8or Pitch Competition” will be their personal introduction to the region’s most promising filmmakers.
“The Visit Knoxville Film Office is proud to partner with KnoxMedia, an organization that serves the professional production industry in Knoxville,” said Curt Willis, Director of the Visit Knoxville Film Office. “We’re excited about working together to produce the ‘Elev8or Pitch,’ which will bring additional opportunities to the film community in this area and beyond.”
“KnoxMedia is thrilled to contribute to the new FilmFest Knox, as it aligns perfectly with our vision for a better connected, resourced, and represented production community. Knoxville is an incredible place to make films and we’re excited to see what the community brings to the screen,” said Amelia Bartlett, a board member of KnoxMedia.
Like what you've read?
Forward to a friend!