PRESS RELEASE
Queer Screen invites aspiring Australian LGBTIQ+ filmmakers to participate in the annual Queer Screen Pitch Off, a prestigious opportunity to pitch short film projects for a chance to win $10,000 in production funding. Established in 2018, Queer Screen Pitch Off has been a pivotal platform for emerging filmmakers, supporting their creative endeavors and fostering diversity in storytelling within the LGBTIQ+ community.
Queer Screen is proud to continue the partnership with Screen Australia’s Gender Matters Taskforce, offering further opportunities for eligible female and gender-diverse practitioners. The returning initiatives are the Gender Matters Taskforce Screenwriting Prize, a $5,000 cash award for the best screenplay and the Gender Matters Taskforce Professional Development Prize, offering $5,000 towards self-directed professional development.
"Pitch Off remains an important fixture in the Queer Screen calendar, providing not only funding opportunities for LGBTIQ+ short films but also a training ground for emerging creatives to hone their pitching skills and network with industry figures," said Benson Wu, Queer Screen CEO. “We’re thrilled to continue our collaboration with Screen Australia’s Gender Matters Taskforce to provide female and gender-diverse filmmakers vital opportunities to showcase their work and develop their skills.”
“The Gender Matters Taskforce is thrilled to supplement Queer Screen’s valuable Pitch Off prize with an additional two prizes for female and gender-diverse filmmakers from the community,” says Screen Australia COO Grainne Brunsdon, “After a fabulously successful and high-calibre first year, we can’t wait to read the entries from the talented filmmakers in this second iteration of the partnership.”
Filmmakers will have the opportunity to showcase their passion and conviction as they present their film proposals to a panel of expert assessors. Six finalists will be selected following an initial assessment of eligible submissions, with each finalist allotted up to five minutes to pitch their project at the Pitch Off event.
The winner of Queer Screen Pitch Off will receive $10,000 in production funding to bring their short film vision to life. In addition to the main prize and the Gender Matters Taskforce initiatives, all finalists will have the chance for a complimentary Zoom script consultation with Matthew Dabner, a renowned script editor, writer, and producer, along with two Flexi 6 passes to Queer Screen Film Fest 2025.
Application Deadline:
For Non-Members: Monday 28th July, 2025
For Queer Screen Members: Monday 4th August, 2025
Successful candidates will be notified by Monday 18th August, 2025 and are strongly encouraged to present their pitches in person at the Pitch Off event on Sunday 31st August, 2025, at Event Cinemas George Street in Sydney, as part of the 12th Queer Screen Film Fest. Remote pitching options will be available to those unable to travel.
For detailed information, including eligibility criteria, terms and conditions, and submission guidelines, please visit https://queerscreen.org.au/pitch-your-film-at-pitch-off/.
Since its inception, Queer Screen Pitch Off has supported six emerging Australian LGBTIQ+ filmmakers, awarding $10,000 in funding annually and providing invaluable pitching experience to 42 filmmakers.
The full program for the 12th Queer Screen Film Fest will be revealed on 30th July. The festival will take place at Event Cinemas George Street from 27th-31st August.