PITCHNY®
Promoting Diversity in Entertainment
PITCHNY® aims to cultivate New York State’s homegrown talent by expanding pathways for aspiring creators, strengthen diverse voices and showcase diverse communities through film, TV and other creative content. Since 2016 this workshop has allowed over 150 students and recent graduates from New York schools to learn from filmmakers, writers, directors, actors, and producers. Participants are given opportunities to network with their peers, hear from panels of experts and practice pitching their creative ideas one-on-one with entertainment industry representatives
New York State’s Office of Motion Picture & Television Development and NBCUniversal have hosted PITCHNY® since 2016. Previous partners have included National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts and Tribeca Film Institute.
PITCHNY® is focused on promoting diversity in the entertainment industry both by highlighting diverse content and increasing opportunity for content creators: filmmakers, producers, directors and writers. Over the years, themes of diversity reflected in participants’ work have included race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and more.
Click here to read about a a past PITCHNY® event.
How it Works:
Students apply by filling out a brief, free application online and submitting creative concepts that they will pitch at the workshop. The event includes informational panel discussions with industry professionals and creative leaders sharing insights and guidance. In the afternoon, there is a “speed pitching” opportunity in which participants “rotate tables” and simulate real-life pitching situations, giving students the opportunity to share their stories and enhance their pitching skills. The purpose of these pitch meetings is professional development and educational feedback and not to sell or produce a specific project.
How to Apply:
When the next next PITCHNY® event is scheduled, instructions on how to apply will be available here.