This event is an innovative step toward iFilm’s goals of discovering emerging talents and elevating the status of short films. We believe that short cinema is the birthplace of many cinematic innovations and creative ideas. By providing the right platform, we can witness the rise of remarkable works that are valuable and impactful both artistically and in their message.
“Pitching” is a process that combines art, intelligence, and skill, allowing creators to present their ideas, concepts, or even parts of their creative work in an engaging and convincing way to producers, investors, commissioners, and media executives. This event aims to promote this valuable skill among young and talented Iranian filmmakers, giving them a unique opportunity to be seen and to receive the support they need.
The iFilm Pitching Event is designed and implemented within this very framework:
1. Goals and Vision
Our vision is to draw a bright horizon for short films; one where:
Discovering and supporting short-film makers: Our main goal is to identify emerging talents and provide them with comprehensive support in turning their ideas into lasting screen productions. This support includes specialized training, facilitating the production process, and creating opportunities for their work to be seen.
Promoting cultural, artistic, and value-based approaches in productions: We aim to support works that reflect the cultural richness and the noble human and social values of Iranian society as well as diverse communities around the world. Priority will be given to projects that present fresh and profound perspectives on meaningful concepts.
Providing a platform for practical training in pitching and systematic project development: A significant part of the pitching process is learning how to present a project effectively. Our workshops help participants acquire the skills they need to show their projects in the best possible way.
Building a network among filmmakers, producers, and distributors: This event provides a valuable opportunity for professional connections between filmmakers, investors, producers, and media executives, helping to smooth the path for the production and distribution of works.
Producing works fit for wide screening on iFilm and at festivals: One of the most important outcomes of this event is the production of short films with high artistic and technical quality; works that can gain recognition both nationally and internationally, and ultimately reach wider audiences through the iFilm network.
2. Support
Selected participants in this event will benefit from comprehensive and specialized support, including:
Intensive professional training from renowned pitching experts: Chosen participants will attend practical, hands-on workshops led by experienced pitching professionals who have shown their work at prestigious international events, sharing their knowledge and expertise.
Opportunity to present projects in a live pitching session with investors, commissioners, buyers, and media executives: The best projects will have the chance to present their ideas in a formal, in-person session. This is a golden opportunity to attract financial supporters and build professional connections.
Financial support for short film production: Selected projects will receive funding tailored to their budget for the production of their short films. Filmmakers will also have access to step-by-step guidance and mentorship from experienced production experts.
Financial support for short film production: Selected projects will receive funding tailored to their budget for the production of their short films. Filmmakers will also have access to step-by-step guidance and mentorship from experienced production experts.
Broadcast of selected works on the iFilm network and feature in review programs: All selected and supported films will be broadcast on the iFilm network. In addition, these works will be introduced and reviewed in the network’s specialized programs, providing filmmakers and their films with greater visibility.
3. Six Steps of the Event:
· Step One: Call for entries and opening of the event website for submitting initial ideas and project proposals.
· Step Two: Review of the proposer’s background and experience (the proposer must demonstrate through their background that they have the capability to fully develop the submitted idea).
· Step Three: Educational program on how to pitch effectively and turn an idea into a formal pitching guidebook.
· Step Four: Pitching session (winners from previous steps will have a set time to present their projects to buyers, investors, commissioners, and media executives).
· Step Five: Support from the event organizer (iFilm) and other partners for the presented projects and the start of the production process.
· Step Six: Event celebration and award ceremony for winners, along with broadcasting of the films across iFilm’s global network channels.
4. Eligibility and Rules
To ensure a fair process and maintain the quality of submissions, the following conditions and rules have been established:
A – Qualifications and Experience
- Professional background – Short film production: Applicants are required to have a record of producing at least one short film longer than 5 minutes. If this work has been screened at a domestic or international festival, or broadcast through an official media outlet, the participant will receive additional points.
- Experience in a professional role: If the applicant has no experience directing a short film, but has worked in key roles on film projects (even as an intern or assistant)—such as screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor, or sound designer—they may participate in the event by providing relevant documentation.
Production Team:
- Key team introduction: Each project must have a production team that includes at least a director, producer, writer (or screenwriter/reviser), and editor. The professional and artistic backgrounds of all key team members must be provided.
- Written agreement on project ownership: Before submitting a project, all team members must provide written consent regarding the project’s concept, main idea, and their participation in it. An initial agreement on intellectual property and profit-sharing must be prepared and attached at the time of submission.
- Participant age: All participants (key members of the production team) must be at least 18 years old at the time of registration.
Intellectual Property
- Official registration with the Secretariat: Submitting a project to the event’s Secretariat constitutes official registration of the idea, ensuring the author’s rights are protected. The Secretariat is committed to maintaining the confidentiality of all submitted projects.
- Credit for registration with the House of Cinema: Applicants who have previously registered their project with the “House of Cinema” may attach the registration certificate. This will be considered a special merit during the evaluation process.
Financial Matters:
- Support limited to production: The financial support provided is strictly for the production costs of the selected short film and will be allocated according to the approved project budget. This budget covers part of the pre-production, production, and post-production expenses.
Attendance at Workshops and Live Pitching
- Mandatory presence of director or producer: The director or producer (or both) must attend all educational workshops and the live pitching session. Projects will be disqualified if these key members are absent.
Technical Production Compliance
- Broadcast standards: Produced works must meet television broadcast technical standards for both sound and picture quality. This includes minimum HD resolution, proper file format, stereo sound without noise, and correct color and lighting standards.
5. Stages and Timeline
- Call for entries and submission start: September 23, 2025
- Submission deadline: November 21, 2025
- Initial judging and announcement of results: December 6, 2025
- Online training workshops and submission of final projects by participants: December 7, 2025 – March 6, 2026
- Evaluation and selection of final projects: April 5 – April 20, 2026
- Live pitching sessions: April-May 2026 (concurrent with the Sobhe Media Festival)
- Start of production for selected pitching projects: May 22 – August 23, 2026
- Evaluation of produced works: August 23 – August 29, 2026
- Awards ceremony: August 2026, during the celebration of the Prophet Muhammad’s ﷺ birthday
Note: The above dates are approximate and may be subject to minor changes. Any updates to the schedule will be announced on the event’s official website.
6. Submission Guidelines
The submission process will be fully electronic and conducted through the event’s official website.
- Registration on the official website: Applicants must first visit the [official event website] and complete the registration form. After registration, they can upload their project in PDF format. The file should include the following:
- Title of the work: Exact title of the short film.
- Logline & Synopsis: One key sentence (logline) and a synopsis of the main story, up to 300 words.
- Character and location introduction: Brief description of the main characters and story setting.
- Estimated final runtime: Accurate estimate of the film’s duration based on the script.
- Proposed budget and funding sources: Preliminary estimate of production costs and potential funding sources.
- Director and production team résumé: Professional and artistic background of the director, producer, writer, and other key team members.
- Experience in short film production: Information or links to previous short films, if available.
- Project highlights: Notes on innovation, message, visual appeal, and other unique features of the project.
- Written agreement of the production team: If available.
📍 Contact Information – iFilm Pitching Event Secretariat
Address: Tehran, Sa’adat Abad, 24-Meter Boulevard, Second East Alley (Shahid Heydarnia), No. 4, First Floor. Secretariat of the iFilm Pitching Event.
Phone number: +98 21 23011620
Website: https://ifilmpitching.com
Email: info@ifilmpitching.com
Mojtaba Darabi - Mojtaba Darabi
