Sheffield Doc/Fest offers extensive marketplace opportunities for all delegates. Hundreds of executives, distributors, commissioners and buyers attend the festival and it is the perfect place to meet potential production investors and production partners. Sheffield Doc/Fest offers the following pitching & marketplace events To apply to the MeetMarket, go here
International - networking and finance opportunities for both international & UK delegates
MeetMarket*
Videotheque
National – networking and finance opportunities for UK delegates
Channel 4 Pitch
Sky One development prize
Cross Platform Pitching Competitions
BBC Placement Competition (part of Newcomers Day)
The relaxed atmosphere at Sheffield Doc/Fest also provides a perfect forum to hold dozens of informal and formal meetings in the Showroom Bar, the Industry Delegate Centre or the many bars and cafes around the area.
A list of Buyers for 2008 that have confirmed so far, please click here.
* MeetMarket is based on an original initiative of the Australian Film Commission (AFC) and the Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC).
Who am I pitching to?
In 2007, 88 decision makers (buyers, commissioning editors, sales agents, broadcast executives and distributors) attended Doc/Fest. The best way to meet them in a structured and supported environment is to get your project selected to the MeetMarket. If selected you will be put in dedicated, scheduled one-on-one meetings with the buyers. Participating buyers view the selected projects' pitch trailers (via a protected website) in advance of attending and nominate which project teams they would like to meet with at the MeetMarket. That way, you are not "cold pitching" in the way you would in a Speed Dating or random pitch meeting.
Is my project eligible?
MeetMarket is open to all documentary makers, from any country. No prior credits are necessary.
Your project can be at any stage of development, production, post-production, or completed.
Interactive factual/documentary; broadband, web-based, mobile phone/mobile device content.
Cross-platform and convergent media projects are also eligible.
Your projects must have international appeal and take an innovative/fresh approach to either the content, the execution of the idea or both.
Your project may take any form or specialist focus, e.g. feature documentaries, television, series or specialised genres. Natural history, science, arts, cross-platform and new media projects are encouraged.
Projects do not need to have financing already in place.
What are the MeetMarket initiative terms and conditions?
There is no entry fee to apply.
The organisers accept no liability in the event that their publications reproduce inaccuracies that you provide in submitted materials.
Scheduling of meetings is at the discretion of the organisers.
If your application is successful, you agree to attend Sheffield Doc/Fest 2008 for the duration of the MeetMarket. Failure to do so may result in your project being withdrawn.
If your application is successful you must register for Doc/Fest and Early Bird Doc/Fest registration rates for one person per project even after the deadline of Early Bird registration. If you do not register for Doc/Fest, you will not be able to participate in the MeetMarket.
Your application and participation implies unconditional acceptance of these guidelines.
The selection committee decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into regarding the outcome. Feedback will not be given if your application is unsuccessful.
The organisers reserve the right to change the guidelines or processes at any time and without notification.
Recoupment: the organisers will not recoup costs associated with any component of this program nor take rights or liabilities in projects selected.
How do I apply?
All applications must be done online by close of business, Friday 12 September 2008. Late applications will not be accepted. Please do not submit more than is requested.
You need to submit:
-an online application form, including: a one-line logline (this will be used to entice executives to click on your pitch teaser)
-logline (maximum one sentence)
-a short synopsis (maximum 100 words)
-a one-minute pitch teaser - this can be a trailer for your film, including footage etc but if you have not got any material to create a one-minute pitch teaser, you MUST still upload a one minute video file - this can simply be a video of yourself talking to camera describing the project and a bit about yourself.
Applications without a one-minute trailer will not be accepted. No trailer will run longer than one minute - so please do not upload a longer trailer as it will be cut off at one minute.
What are the technical requirements for my pitch teaser?
You will be required to post your pitch teaser video to www.youtube.com or any other video hosting service you prefer. We've selected Youtube because it allows you to post video privately. Once you have successfully posted your video to Youtube, or another video service, you will need to get the EMBED code for your video (to place it into another website) and have it ready when you're submitting your project to our system.
