2026 Live Pitching Workshop & Mentorship Panel

Develop your pitch. Share your story.

Limited to 5 participants.

Do you have a project in the works and want to pitch it to some industry pros?

Have a film or television project you're ready to take to the next stage?

Digi60's Live Pitch Workshop & Mentorship Panel is an opportunity to strengthen your pitch, learn from experienced industry professionals, and build confidence presenting your work.

Five selected filmmakers will take part in two days of hands-on learning and mentorship during the 2026 Digi60 Filmmakers' Festival.

You'll work with a professional screenwriter to refine your pitch, then present your project to a panel of film and television producers for constructive feedback and practical advice.

Whether you're preparing to pitch your first project or looking to strengthen an existing one, this is a chance to learn, connect, and take the next step.

AT A GLANCE

Applications close: November 15, 2026

Selected participants notified: By November 22, 2026

Workshop: December 19, 2026 — DARC, The Loop

Live Pitch & Mentorship Panel: December 20, 2026 — Club SAW

Available spaces: Five participants

Selected participants must attend both in-person sessions and will receive a full festival pass for the 2026 Digi60 Filmmakers' Festival, December 18–20.

WHAT TO EXPECT

December 19 — Live Pitch Workshop

Location: DARC, The Loop

Before presenting your project to the panel, you'll take part in a three-hour workshop led by professional screenwriter and educator Teri Loretto.

Through hands-on exercises, group discussion, and constructive feedback, you'll work on communicating your story clearly, building a compelling pitch, and preparing to present your project.

You'll also have the opportunity to learn alongside other filmmakers, share ideas, and offer feedback in a supportive, collaborative environment.

December 20 — Live Pitch & Mentorship Panel

Location: Club SAW

Put what you've learned into practice by presenting your project to a panel of film and television producers.

You'll receive direct feedback on your pitch, hear different industry perspectives, and have the opportunity to ask questions about how producers evaluate and develop projects.

The session takes place in front of a live audience, giving you experience presenting your work in a professional setting.

This is a learning and mentorship opportunity, not a competition or a guarantee of production support. The goal is to leave with stronger pitching skills, practical feedback, and a clearer sense of your next steps.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Applications are open to writers, directors, and producers with an original film or television project in development.

Your project should be more than an initial idea. We're looking for applicants who have developed their concept, understand the story they want to tell, and have the materials needed to communicate it clearly.

You don't need previous professional pitching experience, but you should be ready to present your project, discuss its creative direction, and respond to constructive feedback.

Digi60 particularly encourages applications from emerging filmmakers and creators from communities historically underrepresented in film and television, including Indigenous, Black and racialized creators, women and gender-diverse people, 2SLGBTQIA+ creators, people with disabilities, newcomers, and refugees.

All selected participants must be available to attend both in-person sessions on December 19 and 20.

What YOU’LL NEED TO APPLY

We're looking for projects that have been developed enough to benefit from meaningful pitching feedback.

Your application must include the following:

• Logline: A short, one- or two-sentence description of your project.

• Synopsis: A summary of your story, including its main characters, central conflict, and overall direction.

• One-page project overview: An introduction to your project, its story, and what makes it compelling.

• Short biography: Tell us a little about yourself, your creative background, and your filmmaking experience.

• Headshot: A photo of yourself for festival and promotional materials.

Additional Project Materials

Depending on the type of project you're submitting, include the following supporting materials:

• Television or Web Series: A 3–6 page pitch document that includes your project overview, main character descriptions, overall series story arc, and potential episode summaries.

• Feature Film or Documentary: A two-page treatment describing your project's story, structure, and central narrative arc.

• Short Film: A completed script, where appropriate for the project.

• Animation: Concept designs, storyboards, and a 1–2 page description of your project, including its format and overall story or series arc.

A Note About Submission Materials

Please do not submit video materials or generative AI-created creative materials as part of your application.

Digi60 celebrates the creativity, originality, and vision that filmmakers bring to their work. Our programs prioritize human storytelling, creative collaboration, and the development of artists' own voices.

For more information, please read Digi60's Statement on AI* below.

*Digi60’s Statement on AI: Digi60 believes in supporting original, human-driven storytelling. The ideas, writing, and creative materials submitted to the Live Pitch program should reflect your own creative work, not content generated by AI.

Ready to Share Your Project?

If you've developed your idea, prepared your materials, and are ready to put your pitch into practice, we'd love to hear what you're working on.

Applications close November 15, 2026.

Selected participants will be contacted by November 22, with projects announced publicly on November 23.

Submission Form

MEET YOUR WORKSHOP MENTOR

Teri Loretto is a professional screenwriter and educator with decades of experience helping emerging writers develop their stories and strengthen their pitching skills.

As the former coordinator of Algonquin College's Scriptwriting program, she helped students prepare pitches for film, television, and documentary projects, including presentations to broadcasters and producers such as CBC, CTV, eOne, and Boat Rocker.

Through her workshop, Teri brings practical industry experience, constructive feedback, and a collaborative approach to helping filmmakers communicate their stories with clarity and confidence.

MEET THE PRODUCER MENTORSHIP PANEL

The Live Pitch & Mentorship Panel brings together film and television producers who will share their perspectives, provide feedback, and answer questions about developing and pitching projects.

Panelists will be announced closer to the festival dates.

The 2026 Live Pitch Workshop & Mentorship Panel is part of the Digi60 Filmmakers' Festival, taking place December 18–20, 2026.