Agora Docs

Thessaloniki Pitching Forum: March 5-9, 2023

Thessaloniki Pitching Forum is the new co-producing and co-financing platform of the TDF for creative and TV documentaries, as well as for new media documentaries (virtual and enhanced reality). The participants will have the opportunity to discuss their projects, to receive feedback and advice during a two-day lab and prepare for pitching with the help of documentary professionals. Then, they pitch their projects to a panel of industry professionals and have one-on-one meetings with financiers, international decision makers and representatives of the international audiovisual sector.

Countries eligible to participate in the Thessaloniki Pitching Forum (as major production country or as a co-production country): Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Bosnia – Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Kosovo*, Lebanon, Libya, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Palestine, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Syria, Tunisia, Turkey, Ukraine.

The projects will be evaluated by an international selection committee.

We are looking for:

  • 14 original feature-length documentary projects from Southeastern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean countries and the Middle East that combine artistic ambition and high visual quality. Amongst those 14 projects, new media projects can be of shorter length.
  • Projects that are either produced or co-produced by a country within these regions or contain elements in the story that link them to these regions.
  • Projects that have a producer and a director attached and could be at all stages of development.
  • Projects by established as well as by emerging directors, who should have at least directed a short film.

 

Application Materials:

Please attach in the application form one singular PDF document in English

  • Synopsis (1/2 page)
  • Reflections on the narrative construction and the visual concept (up to 1 page)
  • Total budget sum
  • Financing Plan in Euro (Please indicate text, amount in EURO, % and status: confirmed, pending, in progress, to be applied, to be found).
  • Visual material either in form of a pitch pilot, selected scenes or trailer
  • Production details including length, time of delivery, contact info, etc.

 

Application procedure:

  • All submissions must be received by January 9th, 2023.
  • Application is free of charge.
  • Please make sure to complete the form thoroughly and IN ONE GO-there is no save button. Once you have completed the online form you cannot make changes.
  • All documents must be uploaded in the form so please prepare them beforehand.
  • Online application form Thessaloniki Pitching Forum will open November 2022.

 

Selection Criteria:

  • Our main focus in the selection procedure will be on projects that present a high possibility of being realized, combining this quality with artistic elements as well as its financial feasibility.
  • The project must have an international audience appeal.
  • The project is produced or co-produced by at least one of the above-mentioned countries. The project can also have elements in their story that link it to one or more mentioned countries.
  • Do you have a documentary that is not from the above-mentioned countries but you think Thessaloniki is a good launching platform for you? You are welcome to apply. The selection committee will evaluate all submitted projects.

 

What happens if my project is selected?

  • Once a project has been selected, both director and producer are expected to be present during the online preparation and project enhancement workshop on February, Monday 6th and Tuesday 7th.
  • You also agree that one or two representatives will attend the entire duration of the Thessaloniki Pitching Forum -if possible, otherwise you will be participating online- (arrival March 5th , departure March 9th / The Agora Awards ceremony takes place on March 8th, 2023) should the circumstances allow it.
  • The Thessaloniki Pitching Forum can reimburse up to 200€ for each project for accommodation and travel expenses (receipts are required).
  • Finished film projects sprung from the Thessaloniki Pitching Forum must display its logo in their credits. Preferably, the following sentence should be mentioned in the credit list: "[film title] has been presented at the Thessaloniki Pitching Forum of the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival". The logo will be sent to the filmmakers upon selection of the project.

 

Thessaloniki Pitching Forum awards are:

  • Thessaloniki Pitching Forum Award (2.000 euro)
  • ERT – Thessaloniki Pitching Forum Award (2,000 euro) to a Greek project.
  • Mediterranean Film Institute Award (MFI Script2Film Workshop), which offers a DocLab scholarship worth 2,000 euro, to an international project. (June – December 2023)
  • DAE Consultancy Sessions Award
  • DOK Leipzig Accelerator Award 2 Co-Pro Market Observer Passes and two festival accreditations (Co-Pro Market Observer entails participation in the Open Programme)
  • Aylon Productions Digital Services Award- Digital transfer of archival material up to 1 hour (2K)
  • Beldocs Award (Accommodation and Accreditation for the next International Documentary Festival Beldocs in May 2023)

 

Thessaloniki Pitching Forum - Applications Closed

 

For more information please contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence