Since its launch in 2016, Celtic Media Festival International Pitching Forum has promoted co-productions and International commissions for independent production companies, giving companies the opportunity to pitch projects to Commissioners from across the UK, Ireland, and Europe, as well as Australia, New Zealand and Canada. Our mission at Celtic Media Festival is to give production companies the opportunity to meet and pitch to International Broadcasters in one space. 

The Celtic Media Festival is delighted to announce that the International Pitching Forum’s development prize will return for this year, following on from its success in previous years.
 
The Proposal Pitching Round is now open, with this year’s focus on Factual Programming. The festival is welcoming pitches from producers who have until 5pm on Wednesday 27th of March 2024 to send their pitches to pitch@celticmediafestival.co.uk. The CMF International Pitching Forum will take place at the Celtic Media Festival in Cardiff, Wales from the 4th to the 6th of June 2024 which will feature a live pitching event.

Launched to encourage a culture of international commissioning amongst producers in the Celtic nations and regions, the International Pitching Forum has previously led to a range of successful TV and film productions, including Llanw/TIDE, which was first pitched by Welsh company Cwmni Da and Stornoway based Gaelic language producer MacTV at the 2017 International Pitching Forum. The pitch led to a collaboration between S4C, TG4, BBC Northern Ireland, MG Alba and LIC, the largest independent television production company in China and the series was broadcast to critical acclaim, achieved high ratings and was sold to 50 countries worldwide.

In 2019, Glasgow-based Indelible Telly won the prize for its project Finding Nessie, which became Loch Ness: They Created a Monster, premiered at Cannes Film Festival and was subsequently broadcast on the BBC in November 2023.

Speaking on their win, Director John McLaverty comments: “In 2019, I stood up at the Celtic Media Pitching forum and pitched the story of the men and women who went in search of Nessie. It was nerve-wracking, my taster was ropey - but the judges bought in.

Investing every penny,  we made a slicker sizzle, we attracted investment from BBC and Screen Scotland, and 4 years later I was proudly unveiling our feature doc -  Loch Ness: They Created a Monster  at Cannes Docs, an event at the Cannes Film Festival.”

Watch Loch Ness: They Created a Monster​ here.

The fund comes through the generous support of the festival’s core funders, including BBC Wales, BBC Scotland, BBC Northern Ireland, MG ALBA, S4C, RTÉ, Northern Ireland Screen - ILBF and TG4.
 

FAQ

What is the Forum?   
The Celtic Media Festival International Pitching Forum, is an exciting initiative from Celtic Media Festival, designed to widen the scale of commissioning opportunities for independent production companies.
 
Why?
To encourage a culture of international commissioning amongst producers in the Celtic countries, between the countries, but also globally.
 
Who can enter?                     
Any independent production company or individual can enter the first round to be in with a chance of pitching to an international panel of commissioner/decision makers.
 
How do you enter?    
Entries to Celtic Media Festival International Pitching Forum will open on the 14th of February. Companies/Individuals are invited to enter all relevant materials to pitch@celticmediafestival.co.uk.
 
What kind of programmes?  
This year the Pitching Forum is focussing on Factual Programmes. The duration and number of episodes should be suggested by the producer. International co-productions are preferred but not essential.
 
Who chooses who pitches?    
A neutral panel including the Festival Director of the Celtic Media Festival will choose the final eight.
 
What do I need to submit?
We would like to see a synopsis of the project you want to submit, as well as any other details you might have at this stage, for example confirmed contributors, budgets, funding already in place, production partners etc.
 
We would also like to hear about you, your production company, previous projects etc. This can all be emailed to pitch@celticmediafestival.co.uk.
 
What about the prize?
For the 2024 Festival, Celtic Media Festival is delighted to be able to offer up to £6,000 in development money to the "winning" pitch. We're delighted to be able to offer this prize to the winning pitch.
 
If I don't win, can I still get a commission?
Yes! Even if you don't win the main prize, you will still be pitching to broadcasters who are not precluded from commissioning your project, even if you don't win the prize money.
 
And that’s it?  
Yes, but we are happy to listen to your queries!

* Please note: Productions must achieve Albert certification or European/national equivalent and should be produced in a sustainable way.