The Paley Center for Media Announces Call for Entries for Documentary Pitch Workshop
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
New York, NY—The Paley Center for Media (formerly The Museum of Television & Radio) today announced a call for entries for its celebrated Art of the Documentary Pitch Workshop. In this workshop/competition on October 26, 2008—now in its sixth year—a panel of television executives and producers discuss the process of developing a documentary and will hear and evaluate pitches from five preselected filmmakers who are hoping to sell either a nonfiction concept or a documentary work-in-progress. The winner of the pitch competition will receive a $5,000 grant, sponsored by the Documentary Channel (DOC), to be used towards the completion of their project.
Confirmed panelists at the workshop include: Diana Holtzberg, Vice President - Acquisitions, Project Development, Sales, USA Films Transit International; Lauren Lazin, Filmmaker and Executive Producer, MTV Networks; Cynthia Lopez, Vice President, American Documentary | P.O.V.; Cara Mertes, Director, Documentary Film Program, Sundance Institute; Tom Neff, CEO and Founder of The Documentary Channel; Molly Thompson, Programming Director, A&E IndieFilms; and Susan Werbe, Executive Producer, History.
Entries are now being accepted; complete submission guidelines and entry forms can be found at paleycenter.org. The deadline for entries is September 26, 2008.
The Art of the Documentary Pitch Workshop is part of PALEYDOCFEST, the Paley Center's annual Festival celebrating the documentary—featuring premieres, works-in-progress, classic docs, workshops, and special events, which will take place October 16 through 27, 2008. Further details, including a complete line-up of the festival, will be announced at a later date. Visit paleycenter.org for updates.
About The Paley Center for Media
The Paley Center for Media, with locations in New York and Los Angeles, leads the discussion about the cultural, creative, and social significance of television, radio, and emerging platforms for the professional community and media-interested public. Drawing upon its curatorial expertise, an international collection, and close relationships with the leaders of the media community, the Paley Center examines the intersections between media and society. The general public can access the collection and participate in programs that explore and celebrate the creativity, the innovations, the personalities, and the leaders who are shaping media. Through the global programs of its Media Council and International Council, the Paley Center also serves as a neutral setting where media professionals can engage in discussion and debate about the evolving media landscape. Previously known as The Museum of Television & Radio, the Paley Center was founded in 1976 by William S. Paley, a pioneering innovator in the industry. For more information, please visit www.paleycenter.org.
About Documentary Channel
Documentary Channel (DOC) is the USA's first 24-hour television network exclusively devoted to documentary films and is the Voice of the Independent Documentary Filmmaker. DOC seeks out and showcases independent, cutting-edge and international non-fiction programming rarely seen in the U.S., and often then only in film festivals or other special venues. Many of DOC's programs are U.S. or world premieres on television. DOC is the television viewer's round-the-clock opportunity to see fascinating, eclectic and award-winning documentary films of all lengths and genres, from classics to cutting-edge.
DOC has created partnerships and relationships with world-renowned organizations and festivals to bring the world's greatest documentaries to television, often for the first time. These organizations include The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, The International Documentary Association, The National Film Board of Canada, Los Angeles Festival, Nashville Film Festival, Hot Springs, HotDocs, Durango Film Festival, Reel Women, and many others. In addition, DOC has teamed up with distinguished educational institutions including USC School of Cinema and the Academy of Art in San Francisco, among others, to introduce young, future documentary filmmakers to the viewing public.
Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., with offices in New York and Los Angeles, Documentary Channel was founded by CEO, Oscar(r)-nominated and Emmy(r)-winning documentary filmmaker Tom Neff. DOC launched on DISH Network (Channel 197) in January 2006, and now reaches over 21 million homes nationwide. DOC is carried by several broadcast stations in major television markets including NYC TV (Channel 25) throughout the greater New York metropolitan area. DOC's Web site is located at www.documentarychannel.com. DOC was recognized after its first year as cowinner of the Emmy for Best Feature Documentary at the 28th Annual News & Documentary Emmy(r) Awards for the film, Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Romeo Dallaire.