Get tips and tools from the pitchers on how to polish your pitches. We will be hearing pitches from our 2021 Fast Track Fellows and three winners of the ISA Pitch Challenge.

PITCH CHALLENGE SUCCESS STORIES

Pitch Challenge Winner Crystal Harris was accepted onto the ISA Development Slate and is now managed by Matt Prater of Citizen Skull Productions after meeting him during the Pitch Panel. 
The three Season One Pitch Challenge Winners secured meetings with a top Literary Manager.
MGM Executive, Sandino Moya, requested materials from two of the Pitch Challenge winners.

PANELISTS

MITCHELL BENDERSKY - MGR - GRAMERCY PARK ENT

Bendersky is currently a Manager at Gramercy Park Entertainment, and worked at Marvel and WME prior to that. He was born and raised in Los Angeles to Belarussian immigrants and graduated from UCLA in 2016. Mitchell is counting down the days until he can safely dine at restaurants so he never has to worry about eating soggy take-out nachos again.

JULIA FRILEY - CREATIVE EXEC - WALDEN MEDIA

Friley is a Creative Executive at Walden Media where she works to create and develop both film and TV projects. After growing up in Canada and graduating from Boston University, she moved to Los Angeles and solidified her love for well told stories by working at an independent bookstore. She then transitioned into Sony's International Film Group and Columbia Pictures where she assisted in casting and development on a variety of projects including multiple Marvel properties, and subsequently onto Fox Family Films and then Paramount Animation, where she assisted in development and production on animated and hybrid features.

SCOTT HALLE - PRES - GRAMERCY PARK ENT

At Gramercy Park Entertainment we celebrate the trailblazers, the storytellers, and the artists who make an impact. That’s why we work hand-in-hand with all of our artists to execute their vision as we build their career, brick-by-brick, together.
In this vast ecosystem of content, we believe in creating personalized communities where each of our clients can collaborate and grow with a group of like-minded artists, executives and brands who not only help them realize their visions, but also champion their success. As we establish our client’s personal community, they are able to flourish within their creative targets while still tapping into our vast network.
Each of our clients has a unique voice and talent and that’s why each artist is personally attended to as they explore, discover, and thrive within their creative niche.

AMY SULLIVAN - WRITER ASST AT THE BOYS & FREELANCE SCREENWRITER

Sullivan is a film/TV writer and standup comedian. She has worked on shows such as THE BOYS, THIS IS US, WORK WIFE and BESTIES. She’s been hired to write screenplays for Rumble Riot Pictures as well as independent producers. Her first feature is being produced by Caliwood Pictures in 2022.

SPONSORS

FINAL DRAFT has published its screenwriting software for over 30 years. Used by elite creatives, the software is described as “the professional’s choice and the entertainment industry standard.” Developed by and for writers, Final Draft 12 offers a new level of flexibility to accommodate various styles of working. Its functions include “Focus Mode,” which allows users to eliminate distractions on screen, as they work, and “Track Changes,” which keeps a record of script edits. A key new feature is an oft-requested “PDF Import” function, which allows users to convert PDFS into fully-editable Final Draft files.

PAGE TURNER SCREENPLAYS: Regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, sexual orientation or economic background, Page-Turner is focused on finding and supporting great original stories with a strong voice that grip the reader from the first page to the last. Whether the story you tell is a genre film or an indie pic, a network procedural or an edgy cable drama, we want to find the most compelling, unique, page-turning scripts out there. We are looking for scripts that we CAN’T put down. Send us your best. We look forward to supporting and helping you grow as a writer.

CAPITAL FUND SCREENPLAY COMPETITION is where your scripts are read directly by investors who buy projects and fund films at the studio level - domestically and abroad. Investors or Funds may elect to option or purchase your script at any time regardless of whether or not your script places in the contest. All current and previous years winners and The Hot 100 Lists are showcased at investor meetings at the major film markets worldwide. Your summary and logline will get exposure year after year. Our entrants have been optioned and sold at AFM, Cannes, Berlin, Toronto and Shanghai film markets. Use this code for 15% OFF your entry through the final deadline of June 1: NEXT15

Our Partners at the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival empower writers and artists across the globe through inspiration, opportunity, recognition, and growth. Now, in the 17th year of the festival, Cinequest presents screenwriters with virtually countless networking opportunities, increased industry visibility, and the chance to win extraordinary acclaim and prizes. The Competition welcomes screenplays and teleplays of all genres and lengths and provides unique opportunities for writers to be discovered, have their work produced, win CASH prizes, and further inspire their creative fervor.