Counting down to the deadline for submissions to the Edinburgh Pitch, we’re going to post one example every day of a successful project that was previously pitched in Edinburgh.
How to Re-establish a Vodka Empire
(Dartmouth Films/Optimistic Productions – UK)
Director: Daniel Edelstyn
Synopsis: How to Re-Establish a Vodka Empire weaves together a multitude of themes in two over arching time frames. In the first strand we meet film director Dan Edelstyn in the present day and follow his story as he attempts to trace and reconnect with his Jewish Ukrainian routes. The other time frame is that of Grandmother Maroussia’s experiences of becoming a young woman during the prolonged throes of the 1917 Russian Revolution, her activities during the ensuing civil war and turbulent journey out of Ukraine, across Europe and into exile.
Status: UK-wide theatrical release in spring 2012, getting 4 stars from The Times and Empire. More press here. Broadcast on Film 4.
Despite the Gods
(House of Gary – Norway/Australia)
Director: Penny Vozniak
Producer Karina Astrup:
“A great experience on both a personal and professional level! Not only did we get to present our project to a top quality panel, but we made long-lasting connections with other filmmakers and found ourselves part of a community. Leaving with lasting friendships, long-term professional connections and feeling so incredibly supported by the SDI staff, I can highly recommend this event.”
Synopsis: In 2008, Hollywood’s prodigal daughter, Jennifer Lynch, travels to India to direct Hisss, a creature-feature film about the vengeful snake goddess Nagin. But things go wrong very quickly. Perhaps there is a good reason why Hollywood and Bollywood have never blended like this before.
Status: Film went on to do well at festivals worldwide including Hot Docs, Sydney Film Festival, Chicago International Film Festval, Stockholm, Sitges and many more. Picked up by sales agents Cat & Docs and Apothecary Films.
The Punk Syndrome
(Mouka Filmi – Finland)
Directors: Jukka Kärkkäinen, J-P Passi
Synopsis: The Punk Syndrome is a film about Finland’s most kick-ass punk rock band, Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät. The band members, Pertti, Kari, Toni and Sami, are mentally handicapped and play their music with a lot of attitude and pride.
Status: Film went on to play at a massive mount of festivals including Sheffield Doc/Fest, Hot Docs, Silverdocs, Visions du Réel and more. Won audience awards at the One World Human Rights Film Festival and SxSW. Broadcast by SVT, YLE, NRK. International Sales handles by Autlook.
Black Out
(Odd Girl Out/Animal Monday/HSI London – UK)
Director: Eva Weber
Synopsis: Every day during exam season, as the sun sets over Conakry, Guinea, hundreds of school children begin a nightly pilgrimage to the airport, petrol stations and wealthier parts of the city, searching for light. A literal and metaphorical journey to enlightenment, this evocative documentary tells how children reconcile their lives in one of the world’s poorest countries with their desire to learn, in the face of the country’s own struggle for change.
Status: Picked up by international distributor Autlook Films following the world premiere at IDFA. Went on to screen at many festivals internationally including Full Frame, DOXA, LA Film Fest, East End Film Festival and more. Won Best Emerging UK Director at Open City Docs, Best Medium-Length Doc at Cinemabiente, and the Jury Award at Aljazeera Film Festival. Received finishing funds through a Liberty Grant from Chicken & Egg Pictures.
You’ve Been Trumped
(Montrose Pictures – Scotland)
Director: Anthony Baxter
Synopsis: In this David and Goliath story for the 21st century, a group of proud Scottish homeowners take on a celebrity tycoon. At stake is one of Britain’s very last stretches of wilderness.
Status: Won awards at a number of festivals in the UK (Sheffield, Edindocs, Take One Action) and in the US (Denver, Hamptons, Sedona, and Michael Moore’s Traverse City Film Festival), alongside being broadcast on BBC2. Sequel A Dangerous Game to premiere at Hot Docs 2014.
The Closer We Get
(Somewhere – UK)
Director Karen Guthrie:
“The Edinburgh Pitch was my first ‘public’ outing for a very personal film. It couldn’t have been a more supportive environment to take such an important (and nerve-wrecking) step in the film’s journey. The personal introductions to commissioners and distributors were exceptionally valuable.”
Synopsis: A bittersweet doc following the extraordinary story of an ordinary Scottish family – facing up to home truths and coming to terms with how stroke has changed them.
Status: Successfully raised £15k in a crowd-funding campaign. The film is currently in post-production.
Waiting for August
(Clin d’oeil films / A Private View – Belgium/Romania)
Director Teodora Mihai:
”My experience at the pitch was a great one. I gained confidence and knowledge in how to explain my project to people in the business, and I made valuable contacts who made it possible to further develop my first film. All along, I felt encouraged and very well guided by the pitch organisers and I came out feeling better prepared to make this project and future ones possible.”
Synopsis: Georgiana Halmac, eldest daughter of her family, is turning 15 this winter. She lives with her six siblings in a social housing condo on the outskirts of Bacau (Romania). Their mother Liliana, an economic migrant in Torino, will not be back till the summer.
Status: Premiering at Visions du Réel and Hot Docs this month.
The Auction House: A Tale of Two Brothers
(Native Voice Films – UK)
Director Ed Owles:
“The Edinburgh Pitch was a fantastic experience from start to end. It truly gave my film fresh energy and directly led to several tangible outcomes, including getting a sales agent for the film.”
Synopsis: The oldest auction house in India is fighting for survival in the age of eBay and a changing Calcutta. This film follows its owners, brothers Anwer and Arshad, as they struggle to save their family business and a piece of India’s heritage which still brings people from across Indian society through its doors today
Status: Picked up by World View and will be premiered at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.
The Edinburgh Pitch
HOW
- Online applications to the Edinburgh pitch can be found here.
- Please read our Guidelines and make sure you are eligible before applying!
- Deadline for submissions: Monday 14 April 2014 (midnight BST)
- Applications to pitch are free but if selected you will be asked to pay £150 (+VAT) for your workshop place, which includes lunch on 3 days. Any additional pitcher will be asked to pay £75 (+VAT)
WHEN
- Monday 16 June 2014: Pitching workshop and market overview for selected projects.
- Tuesday 17 June 2014: Pitching forum – panel & time slots to be announced.
- Wednesday 18 June 2014: One-to-one feedback sessions with members of the panel. Meetings will be coordinated depending on interest shown at the pitch.
WHERE
- The Edinburgh Pitch will take place at the Traverse Theatre.
- Workshop and one-to-one meetings will be held at the Edinburgh College of Art (University of Edinburgh), home of the Scottish Documentary Institute.
For more information on the Edinburgh Pitch, email Flore at flore@scottishdocinstitute.com
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