Submissions are now open for the third edition of the Birmingham Film & TV Market!
A one day pitch and market event, the BFTM links emerging producers and filmmakers with top executives from some of the biggest production companies in the UK. The event will take place 27 October 2023 in the plush ballroom of Birmingham’s stunning Grand Hotel.
Limited to fifty filmmakers, each team receives one-to-one meetings with senior representatives from industry leading Film and TV companies such as MERMAN, BBC, ITV, Sky Original Film, Channel 4, Paramount +, Goldfinch, Curzon and many more.
Caroline Hollick, Head of Drama at Channel 4, wants to hear “stories which surprise” and calls the event “unique”. She said: “It is quite rare for me to take pitches so it has been a fresh experience to meet filmmakers face to face. You get a strong sense of the writer’s personality and get to hear about a lot of projects.
“Birmingham has so much creative talent. My reach into this part of the world has not been as strong as I would like so this event has been a chance to meet talent from this region. I have found a strong sense of identity. The uniqueness of this city and region really lends itself to powerful storytelling.”
Several ongoing relationships have been established during the past two events, with one of the teams signing a production deal in Dec 2022 for their feature film (announcement coming soon!). The film will be primarily shot in Birmingham, another great result for the region and for the BFTM.
The organisers believe the event will help build film industry investment in the Midlands and grow support for local talent to develop content for top producers.
There are also international connections to be made at the BFTM. In 2022, Ron Howard and Brian Grazer’s Oscar-winning IMAGINE ENTERTAINMENT took recorded pitches from twenty of the cohort, with one receiving a script request and ongoing conversations.
BFTM Co-Founder, Sophie Ivanova said: “We hope it will be the beginning of a meaningful relationship with both Imagine and other LA-based production companies. We want an international element to our market and have already begun talks with Screen Ireland and Series Mania in France.”
The BFTM was set up to give opportunities to filmmakers and writers to speak directly to commissioners.
BFTM Co-Founder, Louise Osbourne said: “A lot of new filmmakers and writers find they cannot make progress in the industry without an agent. The Birmingham Film & TV Market is an opportunity for people who aren’t represented to speak directly to commissioners and begin conversations about how to move forward. Conversations started at the BFTM have led to agents being secured for our delegates.
“Being only an hour and half from London, with incredible locations and rich, diverse voices we aren’t surprised that top commissioners and production companies are excited to attend our market and find their next big show or film project.”
BFTM Co-Founder, Mellissa Donello added: “The feedback has been amazing from all participants, with Execs hearing fresh stories from distinctive voices. Our filmmakers have told us that even if they’ve not secured further talks, they have received invaluable constructive feedback from the actual people who develop, finance and commission. Connections have also been made between the filmmakers, forming strong support networks.
“Our ultimate goal for BFTM is to build a world-class Film & TV sales, pitch and trade Expo, here in Birmingham, taking its place alongside Cannes and AFM on the global calendar.”
BFTM is a marketplace event that provides opportunities for filmmakers and investment and distribution bodies to connect and close production deals. Completed films and television projects, those in development or production stage, as well as film concepts – we want to give more stories the chance to be told in their best way possible.
To take part visit https://birminghamfilmmarket.co.uk
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