Pitchin’ Ain’t Easy

I recently attended a comedy pitch fest. The participating teams included a pair of filmmakers who previously pitched at BPM’s PitchBLACK Forum. The comedy pitch fest was very different from ours. Yet, I saw some of the best pitches I’ve ever seen at that event. As I watched, I was reminded that pitchin’ ain’t easy. 

We started PitchBLACK Forum & Awards program in 2018 to fill a gap. There was Good Pitch of course, the model on which we built PitchBLACK, but at the time, we knew of no other pitch competition focused exclusively on nonfiction Black story projects. 

To help our makers prepare for PitchBLACK, we launched our 360° Incubator Plus program. It provided media makers with networking opportunities, skill-building workshops, one-on-one mentorship with accomplished media makers, and pitch coaching. Over the years, that program evolved into our annual BPM Boot Camp.

A Casualty of Federal Funding Cuts

Federal cuts to public media forced us to suspend Boot Camp this year. Fortunately, most of this year’s PitchBLACK participants have either previously attended one of our pitch prep programs or have been mentors for one of our past pitching teams. They know how to prepare. Still, we know stepping onto that stage won’t be easy. However, knowing that the audience witnessing their pitches includes their peers, industry executives, prospective funders, and others who are genuinely rooting for them to complete their projects will make the pitching jitters more than worth enduring. Besides, awards of up to $150K in funding and distribution agreements will be presented to the winners.

These are tough times for independent media makers. Showing up for each other at free events such as PitchBLACK Forum is something we should all do when we can. If you haven’t already reserved your spot at PitchBLACK Forum, there’s still time. Click the button below to register for in-person or virtual tickets. If you’re eager to hear first-hand who won, buy tickets to the PitchBLACK Awards. Either way, you won’t be disappointed. Pitchin’ is never easy. But cheering on those who persevere  — despite formidable obstacles — to ensure Black stories get made and seen is a cinch. We look forward to having you join us.