Applications Now Open

The Galway Film Fleadh are delighted to partner once again with Wild Atlantic Pictures to present a €3000 cash award for the best pitch at this year’s Galway Film Fleadh Pitching Competition.

Since its inception in 2005, The Galway Film Fleadh Pitching Competition has emphasised that good writing is the backbone of the audio-visual sector and has provided many writers with an opportunity to take their first steps in the industry.

The Pitching Competition has provided many screenwriters with an opportunity to get their first toehold in the industry. All that is required to enter is a 500-word written pitch (from beginning to end – no cliff-hangers!). Writers applying can be at any stage of their career. No experience is required. Any genre of feature drama, documentary or animation will be considered. Ten finalists will be selected to pitch their idea as an ‘Elevator Pitch’ of 90 seconds, in front of an audience and a panel of industry judges on the closing day of the Galway Film Fleadh (July 14^th). The winner will be announced at the Galway Film Fleadh Awards Ceremony and will receive a cash prize of €3000.

In addition to the prize money, and the opportunity to pitch to industry professionals, the real benefits of being selected for the Film Fleadh Pitching Competition are multifarious. Previous participants have cited: opening the door to producers, having their project optioned by producers, being invited on mentorships to hone their craft, bolstering their confidence and providing the first opportunity for them to win over an audience. As for the winner, the prize can allow them the time to develop and expand their pitch into a full feature film script.

Speaking about the continued collaboration, Miriam Allen, CEO of the Galway Film Fleadh, said,

‘We are extremely delighted to have Wild Atlantic Pictures continue their sponsorship of our annual Pitching Competition. Their commitment to supporting talent, creating high end film and TV content for worldwide audiences is reflected in their extensive slate and many successes to date. We look forward to working closely with Wild Atlantic Pictures to offer screenwriters at all stages of their career the chance to pitch their work in front of industry professionals and a live audience.’

Macdara Kelleher, CEO of Wild Atlantic Pictures, said,

“The Galway Film Fleadh has supported and helped launch the careers of some of Ireland’s most talented filmmakers and we are very proud to be working with them in sponsoring this award”.

Previous winners of the Pitching Competition have gone on to have their films produced, securing a theatrical release and TV broadcast (2017’s winner Deadly Cuts). Recent winners have received Screen Ireland development funding (2019’s winner Roisin Jones and 2020’s winner Alice McDowell) for their respective projects. 2022’s winner Maureen O’Connell’s film Haven won Best Actress at the Toronto Women’s International Film Festival 2023, screened at Catalyst International Film Festival, the Toronto Irish Film Festival, Humboldt International Film Festival and the Palace International Film Festival in Bulgaria in June. 

The regular deadline for entry to the Pitching Competition is Friday 17^th May 2024, at 5pm and the entry fee is €40. The late deadline is Wednesday 29^th May 2024 at 5pm and the fee is €50.

Apply now via our platform Eventival here

For queries, please email pitching@filmfleadh.ie