OPEN CALL

12^TH DISFF PITCHING LAB
48^th Drama International Short Film Festival

The Drama International Short Film Festival, as part of the activities of the Short Film Hub, organizes DISFF PITCHING LAB for the twelfth consecutive year, aiming to train young film professionals in pitching techniques, present their projects to potential funders, and network with industry professionals.

DISFF PITCHING LAB is a five-day workshop that takes place during the Drama International Short Film Festival, which this year will be held between September 8-14, 2025.

Participation in the workshop is free of charge. Participants are offered accreditation, which provides them with free entry to screenings, masterclasses, and other activities of the Festival.

Physical presence in the city of Drama is mandatory throughout the duration of the workshop, as well as participation in two (2) online sessions that will take place before the Festival.

Deadline for applications:
April 30, 2025, 23:59 EET

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About DISFF PITCHING LAB

DISFF PITCHING LAB is an intensive workshop for presenting film projects (pitching), designed for directors, screenwriters, and producers who wish to develop and promote their projects both in the Greek and International market.

Participants receive specialized training in pitching techniques, as well as guidance for developing their film ideas. The workshop focuses on short fiction films, documentaries, and animation projects.

Upon completing DISFF PITCHING LAB, participants present their film projects to Greek and international industry professionals, such as producers, financiers, distributors, and festival programmers.

Additionally, cash prizes are awarded for at least two (2) of the participating projects.

Here you can watch four (4) educational videos discussing the art of pitching, and get introduced to the trainers of DRAMA PITCHING LAB, Barbara Dukas, Georgina Kakoudaki, and John Stephens.

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Submission Process & Required Documents

All project submissions must be completed by filling out and submitting this online form.

No other submission methods will be accepted.

Deadline for submissions: April 30, 2025, at 23:59 EET.

Required info/materials:

1. Logline (max. 40 words)
2. Synopsis (max. 200 words)
3. Director’s note (min. 300 words)
4. Director’s, producer’s and scriptwriter’s CV (max. 200 words each)
5. Director’s, producers and scriptwriter’s contact details (if applicable)
6. Genre, duration (approx.), production country/ies
7. *Script with max. duration 20’ (for fiction projects) or film treatment with max. duration 30’ (for documentaries). The script can be a first draft. Animation projects are accepted in both categories

*Scripts must be sent in a single PDF file, named after the project title. The attachment should not exceed 15MB in size.

Additional materials (if available):

1. Audiovisual material in support of the project (i.e. moodboard, teaser, shooting locations, cast etc.)
2. Links from director’s filmography

 The selection of the projects is made by the trainers of the workshop, with an emphasis on the following:

• Originality and narrative virtues of the script
• Artistic approach
• Feasibility of the project

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. Applications are accepted for short film projects with a duration of up to 20 minutes for fiction or 30 minutes for documentaries. Animation projects are accepted in both categories.
2. Applicants must have an excellent command of the English language, as the workshop is conducted entirely in English.
3. The deadline for submissions is April 30, 2025, at 23:59 EET. Late submissions will not be accepted.
4. Applicants are allowed to submit only one proposal. Proposals that have been resubmitted in previous years or different versions of them will not be accepted.
5. The Festival covers accommodation costs, and applicants are responsible for their own travel expenses.
6. Applicants must be the holders of the intellectual property rights for the proposal they submit. In case the submitted script is based on an existing source, they must have secured the relevant rights from the rights holder.
7. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
8. The names of the participants will be announced by May 31, 2025, on the DISFF website. The Festival may select up to ten (10) projects for participation in the LAB.
9. By submitting the application, applicants agree to the use of their names and any promotional material related to their project for publicity purposes.

The Festival reserves the right to alter the above terms if deemed absolutely necessary for the smooth running of the workshop.