Pitch your project to industry professionals
Pitch the Producers is a practical, supportive opportunity for filmmakers to pitch their projects to industry professionals, receive valuable feedback, and strengthen their ability to communicate their vision.
Whether you’re developing your first short film or refining a larger project, Pitch the Producers is designed to help you grow in confidence, clarity, and industry understanding.
Helping filmmakers move from idea to action
Whether you're a writer or producer and have a concept or are looking to refine your pitch, this is for you.
Selected participants will present their idea to a panel of established industry professionals. You’ll receive direct feedback, valuable insight into what makes a pitch stand out, and the chance to win Best Pitch.
What you'll gain
Practice pitching in a real-world setting
Feedback from industry professionals
Insight into how producers assess projects
Greater confidence in communicating your ideas
Connections with other filmmakers
The opportunity to win Best Pitch
Why filmmakers keep coming back
Pamela Kaval has taken part in the Misty Flicks Film Festival’s Pitch to Producers workshop for the past few years, and says it's been an incredibly valuable experience for her.
"I find pitching extremely nerve-wracking, but Pitch the Producers creates a supportive environment while still challenging you to clearly articulate your vision.
It’s not only beneficial to present your own project and receive thoughtful feedback — it’s also valuable to watch other filmmakers pitch and hear the producers’ responses.
It’s a genuinely powerful learning opportunity that has helped me grow in confidence, and I highly recommend it."
Applications are now open
Got a project you'd like to pitch? Now's the time! Applications for Pitch the Producers are open. You've got until 15 June to submit your idea. Selected applicants invited to pitch live in August.
Who should apply?
This opportunity is designed for emerging and experienced filmmakers at different stages of their journey. You don't need to have everything figured out. What matters most is having a project you care about and being willing to develop your pitching skills.
Apply to Pitch the Producers
Here’s how to apply and what will happen.
Submit your project.
Fill out the application form (available from 1 June to 15 June).
We recommend keeping a copy of the information you submit.Pay the $25 entry fee.
Payment details will be sent to you once we’ve received your application form.Applications reviewed.
All applications will be reviewed, and you’ll be notified of whether or not you’ve been selected to pitch.Pitch live.
If selected, you’ll deliver a 5-minute in-person pitch on Sunday, 16 August, followed by questions and feedback from the panel.Best Pitch awarded.
One standout pitch will be awarded Best Pitch.
If you have any questions, email us at info@mistyflicks.co.nz
Who can apply?
Pitch the Producers is open to Aotearoa New Zealand-based filmmakers, writers, and producers who have a film project they would like to pitch and develop.
Do I need a completed script or project?
No. Projects can be at different stages of development. What matters is that you can clearly communicate your idea and vision.
What if I've never pitched before?
That's okay. Pitch the Producers is designed to be a supportive learning environment. Selected participants will attend a preparation session before pitch day to help them understand the process and prepare their pitch.
Do I need to attend in person?
Yes. Successful applicants must be available to attend Pitch the Producers in person at Lido Cinema, Hamilton, on 16 August 2026.
Is there a cost to participate?
Yes there is. The fee is $25 and once you've submitted your application, we'll send you payment details to complete your registration.
Meet our Pitch Facilitator
We're pleased to welcome Mark Westerby as the Pitch Facilitator for Pitch the Producers 2025.
Selected participants will work with Mark in the lead-up to the live event, strengthening their projects, refining their pitches, and preparing to present to our Pitch Panel. Mark will also facilitate the live pitch event.
Mark is an award-winning producer, screen marketer, and creative industry leader with extensive experience across film, television, documentaries, and live events.
Through his production company, Midnight Pictures, Mark develops and produces long-form screen content and is currently producing the feature film The Dog Show, scheduled to premiere in New Zealand cinemas in 2026. His producing credits include Pork Pie, Born Racer, We Need To Talk About A.I., Dawn Raid, and Whina.
His screen marketing work has supported productions including After The Party, Uproar, and Bad Behaviour, earning international recognition at both the Golden Trailer Awards and World Trailer Awards.
Mark is currently Head of Attraction at Screen Wellington, helping attract film, television, post-production, visual effects, animation, and games projects to the region.
We're excited to have Mark supporting participants as they prepare for Pitch the Producers and helping them make the most of the experience.
Meet the Pitch the Producers Panel
We're thrilled to welcome Alix Whittaker and Paula Jones back again as experts on our Pitch panel. And this year, they're joined by Ilai Amar.
Alix WhittakerAlix is an award-winning producer whose work spans feature films, short films, and music videos. Her first feature film as lead producer, Mum, I'm Alien Pregnant, premiered at Sundance in 2026. Before that, she produced more than 100 music videos and short films and worked across a wide range of screen projects, including Day One Shorts and feature films.
Ilai AmarIlai has produced short films, music videos, and commercial projects, and spent seven years working as a commercial film producer. He also helped bring The Outlook for Someday film project to life, which later evolved into Day One, and is passionate about supporting emerging creatives and sharing stories that reflect the human experience.
Paula JonesPaula is an award-winning producer, trainer, and mentor with more than 25 years of experience in the screen industry. She won the Moa Award for Best Feature Documentary for Hip Hop-eration and has spent decades helping develop projects and support emerging filmmakers through training, mentorship, and industry leadership.
Ready to pitch your project?
Applications are open 1 June and close 15 June.
If you've got a project you'd like to test, refine, and develop, we'd love to hear from you.