Master's Pitch 2021

Through the Lockdown Looking Glass: Visions of new Documentary Horizons – 2021

Diese Veranstaltung wurde auf Englisch durchgeführt.

Already Pre-Pandemic, with digital platforms and new financial opportunities on the rise, conventional financing strategies were being challenged – and thus distribution strategies as well. When the world came to a standstill, the necessity of radical readjustment and creative reinvention of how we work individually and as a global community could no longer be ignored. It was the nick of time to get out of our respective Rabbit Holes.

What have we learned, what kind of perspective have we gained, not just from readjusting and reinventing, but also from standing still and having a moment to take stock of what is important and what maybe not? Are we maybe now better equipped to navigate the entangled landscape of platforms, rights and audiences without leaving our values, visions and voices behind? 

No filmmaker is an island, no distributor, exhibitor or spectator either – especially amidst these seismic shifts, reasserting ourselves and our ways of working together is more important than ever to ensure the height, depth & breadth of the documentary art form in a Post-Pandemic world. 

In the unique, interactive setting of the Masters’ Pitch, 9 new documentary projects heading into this transitioning market, were presented to international commissioners and experts. Feedback was also sought from the audience, including producers, directors, distributors and representatives of major broadcasters. Our jury members were in the spotlight as well to share their visions of the future potentials – and pitfalls – of this New Normal.

The event was moderated by renowned documentary consultant Karolina Lidin (Nordisk Film & TV Fund).

Jury 2021

Thomas Beyer, Commissioning Editor, MDR, Germany
Mandy Chang, Commissioning Editor, BBC Storyville, UK
Estelle De Araujo, Head of TV Sales, The Party Film Sales, France
Mark Edwards, Commissioning Editor, ARTE France, France
Timo Großpietsch, Commissioning Editor, NDR, Germany
Simon Kilmurry, Executive Director, IDA, USA
Grazyna Krupa, Executive in Charge of ARTS Programming | Unscripted Programming, CBC, Canada
Kelsey Koenig, Senior Director of Development, Impact Partners, USA
Jake Wiafe, Senior Content Editor, Little Dot Studios / Real Stories, UK