The call for applications for the 2009 MeetMarket at Sheffield Doc/Fest is open online until Friday September 4th here - http://www.sheffdocfest.com/meetmarket. MeetMarket* is Doc/Fest's pitching initiative designed to match documentary and cross-platform makers' most innovative project ideas with UK and international buyers. For more information on MeetMarket see here
"Absolutely fantastic. The best documentary market in Europe, without a doubt" - 2008 MeetMarket Participant
This year, we will select 50-60 projects to pitch, all of whom will have one-to-one meeting with key funders and decision-makers match-made and scheduled.
Projects can be at any stage from early development to rough cut, and don’t need to have financing secured. Producers can be from anywhere in the world and we welcome international submissions. Projects can also be in any genre of documentary/factual, from factual entertainment through to art/installation documentaries. We especially welcome cross-platform projects and this year will have even more devoted cross-platform decision-makers across the whole Doc/Fest marketplace
If you are selected you are offered the opportunity to request meetings with, and pitch to, a high number of decision makers – last year 117 in total, and this year with over 100 already confirmed. To see how much they enjoyed the MeetMarket experience last year watch this film - http://www.dailymotion.com/user/sheffielddocfest/video/x955l9_welcome-to-the-meetmarket_creation
This year we have confirmed participation already from over 100 funders and decision-makers including BBC, Channel 4, PBS International, SBS, DRTV, Cinetic Media, PBS Interactive, Cinereach, Wellcome Trust, Magnolia, Indiepix, National Geographic, ARTE, ARD/MDR, ITVS, Arte France, ZDF, YLE, Sky Arts, Tate Media, SVT, TRT, Sundance Institute, AVRO, NRK, Guardian Film and 4IP. To see the full list of who’s coming this year look here - http://www.sheffdocfest.com/view/buyerlist
MeetMarket generated £8.5m in negotiation in 2008, with the matchmaking personalised format meaning you can discuss your project creatively in detail.
The application process requires a synopsis, one-minute teaser, headline budget figures, and biographical information on participants. For full advice and tips on how to make your application the best, see our MeetMarket advice on http://www.sheffdocfest.com/view/meetmarket.
SUBMIT YOUR 2009 MEETMARKET APPLICATION ONLINE NOW AT http://www.sheffdocfest.com/meetmarket. Submissions close 4 September, 2009.
MeetMarket is kindly supported by the MEDIA programme of the European Union and Skillset’s Film Skills Fund
*MeetMarket is based on an original initiative of the Australian Film Commission (AFC) and The Australian International Documentary Conference (AIDC).