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£25,000 short film budget & trip to Hollywood on offer. Deadline 28th Sept

9 years, 10 months ago - Luke Walton

We're investing in emerging filmmakers by giving the best short film idea a budget of £25k, with full production support to make it happen. When the winner of our contest completes the film, we fly them to Hollywood and introduce them to producers over there!

The finalists also recieve massive prizes including a weekend at a 4 star resort attending film masterclasses, plus many other prizes AND the finals are held at the boardroom in Pinewood studios where the pitchers present to an industry panel of professionals. (Pinewood tour also happens)

Re-imagine a story from the Bible (NOTE: this is NOT a religious competition, we are after a great story) as a short film, in any genre and any way. Pitch it by 28th September on our website!

www.enterthepitch.com

Any questions?

Previous judges include David Oyelowo (Selma, Spooks), David Suchet (Poirot) and more.

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9 years, 10 months ago - Valeria Appel

Hi, I have a story inspired by the old testament. Is this within your selection criteria or are you looking for stories based in the new testament? Thank you.

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - Valeria Appel SHOW

9 years, 10 months ago - Luke Walton

Hi Valeria! Old Testament as well as new! Previous old testament winners include the book of Jonah, the David & Bathsheba story, and Samson.

I look forward to your entry!

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - Luke Walton SHOW

9 years, 10 months ago - Matt Jamie

Although the backing is from the Bible Society, the output isn't any more about indoctrination than "Noah" or "Exodus: Gods and Kings" were intended to be. Here's the winning film from 2010 for example: https://vimeo.com/41987053

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - Matt Jamie SHOW

9 years, 10 months ago - Luke Walton

Thanks for your response Matt, we hope to launch more like Rahab online soon.

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - Luke Walton SHOW

9 years, 10 months ago - Marlom Tander

I've written a short exploring the issues of consent by mid teen girls in subordinate power relationships and subsequent public spin doctoring. It's called The Annunciation. What do you reckon my chances might be? :-)

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - Marlom Tander SHOW

9 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

@Luke Walton £25k is a lot of money, but not nearly as much as it sounds, so stretching it artificially will affect quality. I'd be very inclined to let a story run for its natural length, even 5 minutes, but have it well made!

Let's face it, almost all short films are very much too long, so don't penalise an efficient writer ;-)

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW

9 years, 10 months ago - Luke Walton

Hi Marlom, the issue of power relationships constantly comes up in scripture (its an issue as old as humanity). I am not sure if your Title implies that you have drawn specifically on the account of the annunciation to Mary, which might not be the strongest fit but difficult to tell from two lines. You should pitch, and you can't win without doing so! Take a look at past pitches to gain some insights on the most effective ways to put the online pitch together.

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - Luke Walton SHOW

9 years, 10 months ago - Luke Walton

@Marlom Tander hi there, we suggest that the finished film might be 10-20 minutes long, but you can make a case for 5 and of course it would offer flexibility with production costs! If our T's & C's imply it must be at least 10 minutes that needs to be adjusted appropriately!

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - Luke Walton SHOW

9 years, 10 months ago - Marlom Tander

@Luke Walton
It is indeed her. However it will also be shorter than your minimum of ten mins as it's more in the style of a magazine program piece, about 5 mins, so won't qualify.

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - Marlom Tander SHOW

9 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

@Luke Walton I've worked with the Jenkins McShane ladies before, they're a good ally for anyone casting in helping broker terms.

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW

9 years, 10 months ago - Luke Walton

Hi Mandana, sorry to have taken time to get back to you. Paddy and Matt have both (completely independently) given some valid thoughts on your questions. I know it is hard to believe, but this competition is sponsored by a range of industry groups, as well as support from Bible Society. Offering a genuine £25K budget is hard to pull off, this really is about finding a cracking idea for a short story and as Paddy said "The Bible is chock full of great story archetypes to reimagine, even for the nonbelievers among us." Our finalists (and our judges) our winners and past pitchers have come from many different backgrounds and we treat every individual equally, and every submission on its merits. Please get in touch directly if you would like to talk to any of our previous participants about this.

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - Luke Walton SHOW

9 years, 10 months ago - Luke Walton

Hi Paddy, thanks for your reply and you are correct that the £25K is not a producer rate card, but a genuine budget. We also have sponsorship from Jenkins McShane Casting agents, and from Onsight for post work.

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - Luke Walton SHOW

9 years, 10 months ago - mandana mohit

Hi Luke, would it be fair to say 'this is not a religious competition' when The Bibel Society is behind it? With the amount of money that this competition offers, the subject matter and the extravagant offer of flying people to hollywood, it's hard to believe for it not to be a promotional attempt from a very wealthy religious establishment.

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - mandana mohit SHOW

9 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

It's their money, they get to choose! It won't suit everyone, but The Bible is chock full of great story archetypes to reimagine, even for the nonbelievers among us. I'm sure some of the universal themes can be translated into creative settings - if you want to stretch things, wasn't Jesus the original zombie, for instance? And all the story rights are public domain - how cool is that?! This will be ideal for somebody, and sounds like a better prize than the usual '£25k (worth of production assistance based on our rate cards and using our producer)' type of prize. Good luck anyone who enters :)

Response from 9 years, 10 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW