Up to 24 finalists will have the chance to pitch their scripts and meet with Hollywood executives, producers, and agents at the Writing Climate: Pitchfest for Film and TV
Los Angeles, CA (2023) — The Hollywood Climate Summit, with NBC Universal and The Redford Center, announced their joint collaboration on the 2nd annual Pitchfest taking place at this year’s four-day Hollywood Climate Summit produced by YEA! Impact.
From now until April 27th, screenwriters wanting to make a positive impact on the climate crisis are invited to submit their climate-related TV and film scripts to an open call for Writing Climate: Pitchfest for Film and TV — a pitch event taking place on June 22 for in-person finalists and from June 18-21 for virtual finalists. Selected screenwriters will pitch their ideas one-on-one to Hollywood producers and executives.
With three of last year’s pitchfest projects successfully in development, this year’s Writing Climate: Pitchest for Film and TV is designed to celebrate the best unproduced climate-themed scripts in film and television, connecting the writers of those scripts to Hollywood executives, and promoting the inclusion of more intersectional, nuanced climate narratives in mainstream media. Leigh Medeiros, Co-Director of Pitchfest, elaborates that “Until recently the portrayal of climate issues in film and TV has been limited to disasters, apocalypse, and ‘Doom and Gloom’ narratives. Screenwriters are out there with fresh, often positive, takes. They’re ready to get us thinking more deeply about what’s already happening and what’s possible in the future. Our goal is to put these writers in a room with people who can help get their projects made.”
“Audiences want climate stories. They want a way into the climate conversation that’s reflective of the world today. They also want to feel hopeful about the future, to feel encouraged. The good news is that progress is all around, solutions exist, and frontline communities and leaders are showing the way forward,” said Jill Tidman, Executive Director of The Redford Center. “We’re thrilled to be engaging the imagination of screenwriters to bring these urgent climate stories to mainstream audiences and to continue to break down industry barriers.”
The 24 Pitchfest winners will receive four individually-curated one-on-one pitch meetings with Hollywood executives, producers, and agents; facilitated pitch practice sessions with an industry mentor; access to climate storytelling educational materials; and free tickets to the Hollywood Climate Summit’s in-person and digital events.
“NBCUniversal is thrilled to host the Hollywood Climate Summit Writers Pitchfest again this year. We recognize that the entertainment industry has a big opportunity to educate and inspire audiences through climate-driven content, and are excited to help paint a vision of a more sustainable future,” said Kimberly Burnick – Director, Sustainable Production & Content at NBCUniversal.
In an effort to increase access and opportunity for global climate storytellers, the Pitchfest has expanded to include 24 Finalists this year. 16 spots are allocated for screenwriters who will attend the event in person in Los Angeles. 8 spots are for screenwriters who will attend virtually. There is no difference in the application or review process, but writers will be required to select “in-person” or “virtual” at the time that they apply. In-person Finalists will pitch on June 22, 2023on the NBCUniversal Lot in Los Angeles, CA, USA. Virtual Finalists will have online pitch meetings between June 18-21.
To learn more about script requirements and criteria and how to apply, please visit our Film Freeway application at https://filmfreeway.com/WritingClimatePitchfest
ABOUT THE HOLLYWOOD CLIMATE SUMMIT
The Hollywood Climate Summit is an annual multi-day conference that creates
a cross-sector community space for thousands of entertainment and media professionals to take action on climate. We gather filmmakers, executives, artists, activists, climate organizations, scientists, and other experts for interactive programming and professional development opportunities. Our main conference is located in Los Angeles, and we’ll have hybrid workshops and virtual networking opportunities for international audiences. To learn more and get your tickets for this year’s Summit, June 21st-24th, visit https://www.hollywoodclimatesummit.com.
ABOUT THE REDFORD CENTER
Co-founded in 2005 by Robert Redford and his son James Redford, The Redford Center is a nonprofit organization that advances environmental solutions through the power of stories that move. Over the years, The Redford Center has produced three award-winning feature documentaries and more than 40 short films, supported more than 150 film and media projects with grants and other services, inspired the creation of more than 550 student films, and dispersed more than $12 million to environmental film projects. Redford Center films and impact campaigns have halted the construction of dirty coal plants, restored the Colorado River Delta, reconnected people to nature, and helped accelerate the clean energy revolution and clean transportation solutions in communities across America. For more information, visit redfordcenter.org.