Elev8or Pitch Live Competition

November 9 · Regal Riviera · 6:00 p.m.

The top 8 teams from the Elev8or Pitch Competition will have their 5-to-8-minute proof-of-concept short films screened, followed by their feature concept pitch and a Q&A session with a panel of judges in front of a live audience.

FILM FEST KNOX provides space for local filmmakers to share their craft and passion with a large audience, and the Elev8or Pitch takes this a few steps further:

Each competitor submits a 60-second pitch to share their idea, as well as how and why they are ready to make it into a feature film.
Filmmakers go beyond an 8-minute stand-alone short film as a proof-of-concept to establish a foundation for a full-length feature film’s potential production.
Each competitor will be supported by industry-specific pitch resources like deck templates, best practices, and production process strategies.
A jury of film industry professionals will evaluate all team submissions.
The top 20 teams will have their films screened in a block during FILM FEST KNOX.
The top 8 Elev8or finalists will be asked to give a 3-minute live pitch following their short film’s screening in front of a live audience and a panel of industry professionals, preparing the judges to imagine the feature potential. This will take place on Thursday, November 9, prior to the start of FILM FEST KNOX.
Judges can ask questions following the screening, giving the filmmaker(s) the opportunity to speak to their capabilities, experience, and vision.
Three teams will be chosen as the winners of the Elev8or Pitch competition, with one team’s project being awarded as Best Pitch.

There will be cash prizes along with mentorship opportunities with established industry professionals. Additional awards available to the top 20 teams include best actor, best actress, best-supporting actor, best supporting actress, best cinematography, best screenplay, best directing, best music, and the top prize of best pitch.

This event will offer networking and collaboration opportunities for Knoxville area filmmakers to connect with their counterparts beyond East Tennessee. The VK Film Office is hosting a group of producers and film professionals from industry hubs like LA, NYC, and Atlanta all weekend long, and the Elev8or Pitch will be their personal introduction to the region’s most promising filmmakers.