SEMINAR: Pitching International Documentaries

A 2,5-day combined seminar/workshop for documentary film makers and producers who want to learn more about international co-productions and how to sell a project to a distinguished audience of decision makers – how to pitch it.

The session will be conducted by Paul Pauwels, director of the European Documentary Network (EDN) in partnership with Berlin-based Independent Producer Antje Boehmert (DOCDAYS Productions).

The seminar/workshop will be in English!

Is this for you?

This combined 2,5 seminar and workshop aims at anyone who wants to learn more about how to sell a project to a distinguished audience of decision makers – how to pitch a documentary to a panel of producers and/or commissioning editors. Today, pitching is one of the most essential skills needed by documentary filmmakers. At first glance, it is also one of the least considered worth training.

Day 1 will be an open seminar during which general information on pitching and the international market will be presente – no mandatory preparation, no restrictions for participation (max. 30 – 35 participants).

However, both the hands-on workshop on day 2 and the test pitch in front of the tutors on day 3 are restricted to a maximum of twelve projects. This restriction will provide an intimate space for participants to present and discuss their projects, while the limited number of projects to be analyzed and pitched allows for the tutors to take their time with each valuable film idea.

 Each project may be represented by more than one participant. If you join in alone, or bring your peers is up to you, just make sure to register every member of your crew.

How to apply

In order to apply for taking part in the workshop, please send a 0,5-page project description in English upon registration.

Confirmed participants have to send in a more elaborate project and cost/finance plan in advance, latest by January 10^th 2016.

The presentation must include:
- synopsis & treatment (2 pages)
- estimated budget sum & financing plan
- production plan and estimated time of delivery
- short introduction or CV of the involved partners; director, producer, company.
- We prefer getting submissions with visual material attached to it.

Schedule

Day 1 - 21.Januar 2015 - 10:00 to 18:00 

• Approaching international documentary markets: how to find international funding for your next documentary project? A general overview of the European (and international) market for co-production.
• How to make yourself noticed by the selection committees of the pitching events
• The do’s and don’ts of pitching
• The trailer: an essential selling instrument
• Pitching Case Study
• An overview of the best places to pitch in the world.
  
  

Day 2 -22. January 2016 - 10:00 to 18:00

• A hands-on workshop during which documentary projects will be analyzed and prepared for international pitching
• One-to-one coaching with the tutors for each project
• Meanwhile participants can set up camp at the venue and debrief the One on Ones, tweak their pitches and discuss and brain storm with the other pitching teams
• Joint lunch at the venue
  
  

 Day 3 - 23. January 2016 - 10:00 to 15:00

• Theory will be turned into practice during a test pitch!
• Like a real pitch each project will have the chance to pitch - 15 minutes for presentation and discussion!
  
  

Tutors

Paul Pauwels, director of the European Documentary Network

2013: becomes director of the European Documentary Network (www.edn.dk)
2011: founds production cy Congoo bvba
2006: becomes the director of the “european television and media management academy” in Strasbourg
2004: becomes Programme Manager at Flemish public broadcaster VRT
1985: establishes Periscope Productions NV, specializing in documentary production
1979: starts working as unit manager on feature films

Teaches Documentary Production at the MAD Faculty (Genk) and is regularly invited to act as tutor/expert and to moderate pitching sessions. Member of the selection committee for documentaries of the Flanders Audiovisual Fund.

Antje Boehmert, Producer, DOCDAYS Productions

Antje Boehmert has worked as researcher, director and producer, collaborating on a variety of documentary films and factual programs - most of them international co-productions for clients in North America and in Europe. She runs Berlin-based indie DOCDAYS Productions that specializes in topical docs from the fields of history, science and current-affairs. Antje recently served as Executive Producer on "We want you to live - Liberia’s Fight against Ebola“. -www.docdays.de

Where & when

21. January to 23. January 2016

Zunftwirtschaft in der Markthalle Berlin-Moabit
Arminiusstrasse 2
10551 Berlin
(U-Bahnhof "Turmstrasse")

Thursday, 21.January - Seminar – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, 22. January – Workshop – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, 23. January – Workshop – 10:00 to 15:00

Participation fee

For Day 1 - Seminar - ONLY:

• AG DOK Members:     EUR 80,00
• Students:                  EUR 100,00
• Non-Members:           EUR 150,00
   

For Day 1 to 3 – Seminar & Workshop:

• AG DOK Members:     EUR 250,00 (EUR 350,00 for a team of two)
• Students:                  EUR 300,00 (EUR 400,00 for a team of two)
• Non-Members:           EUR 400,00 (EUR 500,00 for a team of two)
  
  

For more information and registration please send an E-mail to Martina Kleinert at akademie@agdok.de