Pitching is a craft as vital to a filmmaker’s career as storytelling itself. It’s the key to opening doors, building partnerships and securing funding. However, few spaces exist where filmmakers can present their ideas to seasoned industry professionals and receive actionable feedback that can help take their projects to production and financing. The Pitching Pit provides an opportunity to refine the art. 

An initiative by the Africa Story Lab founders, film and cultural producers Maganthrie Pillay (Masala Films & The Graduate Film Hub) and Beathur Mgoza Baker (Madlozi Contemporary Film, founder of XPERIMENTA Africa), this live session takes young filmmakers and creatives into the arena with seasoned industry experts.

Aspirant film makers are invited to submit their pitch ideas for consideration and the selected pitches will be invited to present their winning story and pitch deck. Shortlisted applicants will present live to a panel of experienced filmmakers, educators and industry experts. Only two teams will emerge victorious, winning a place in Africa Story Lab’s immersive story development programme, including:

• Personalised coaching and mentoring
• Exclusive creative incubation
• Story refinement towards investor participation
• Access to funding opportunities with a polished, investor-ready pitch

Who Should Apply?

Visionary young storytellers or creative teams with a strong concept and clear development plan, a compelling pitch strategy and presentation deck and the supporting visuals (trailers, teasers or clips) to make it happen. 

Entrants are asked to send in a two hundred word motivation, two page proposal (including a synopsis), a budget summary, team bios and audio-visual support materials. There are two categories. A documentary and factual category and an experimental/moving image category. 

The deadline for entries is 22 August 2025 (midnight SAST) and should be emailed to afrostorylab@outlook.com. The finalists will be announced on 27 August 2025 and the live pitches will take place on 1 September 2025 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre during FAME Week Africa. Participants are responsible for their own accommodation, meals, and transport. All selections are final.

FAME Week Africa is the continent's leading gathering for the film, television, music and fashion industry, taking place from 1-6 September 2025. For more information visit www.fameweekafrica.com