The Channel 4 First Cut Pitch is back for 2025!

Panel of people sat on chairs on stage with a woman stood at a lectern facing away from the camera in the foreground

Channel 4 First Cut Pitch at Sheffield DocFest is back! 

Five new directors will have the chance to pitch this June and one winner will walk away with a commission. 

Apply by Friday 4th April 2025.

 

The Prize

The successful director will receive the following:

  • A 1 x 60 minute First Cut commission offer in 2025/26

  • One month fully paid development and mentorship with an indie to further develop either your own idea OR the indie’s, paid for by Channel 4, which supports new talent and creative diversity.

  • One week’s NFTS training (plus wages for that week) paid for by the Channel 4, which supports new talent and creative diversity.

 

The Pitch

Five shortlisted directors will vie to prove that they are ready to take on the challenge of an hour-long, post watershed doc for Channel 4 by presenting a short film that answers an editorial brief set by Channel 4 for this event. These short docs will be a unique opportunity for the directors to showcase their ability to tell a captivating factual story, find and develop great contributors and work effectively in an edit.

The judging panel will consist of executive producers, established directors and Rita Daniels, Commissioning Editor for First Cut. Together they will decide – in front of the Sheffield audience - who they think is the most promising director and award the prize at the end of the pitch event.

In the interests of fairness, Channel 4 will support each shortlisted director with a £600 production budget and one day with an editor at a post-house of Channel 4’s choosing to polish their films. The brief will be announced along with the finalists on Friday 11th April 2025.

We anticipate this will be an in-person live pitching event at Sheffield DocFest, however in the unlikely event that an in-person is no longer possible, we reserve the right to cancel the pitching event.

 

The Entry Process

Applicants will need to submit an up-to-date CV, answer three questions about their career and their documentary influences and passions and, finally, pitch a First Cut doc idea that they could see broadcast on Channel 4.

Click here to apply

If you have any queries, please contact sheffieldpitch@channel4.co.uk

 

 

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