Got a Film or Media Project in the Works? Apply for “Ready, Set, Pitch!” by Feb 3

After last year’s successful READY, SET, PITCH campaign, CAAM is excited to invite Asian American media producers and directors to submit applications for projects of all genres (documentary, narrative and multimedia) currently in development for the 2013 READY, SET, PITCH! – a live fundraising event at CAAMFEST 2013.

CAAM is seeking projects that are timely and compelling, incorporate a well thought out audience engagement strategy, and explore topics that are of interest to a wide audience including the Asian American community. Each fundraising campaign should incorporate as central themes innovation, engagement and community. At last year’s Ready, Set, Pitch! Four out of five media producers were able to raise their full crowdfunding campaign amounts, adding up to more than $80,000.

2013’s successful post-RSP group picture with pitch presenters: (Standing, second from left): Suha Araj, Leo Chiang, Ellie Lee, Kimberlee Bassford (fourth from right), and Lisa Katayama (not pictured); jury members: (seated from left) Claire Aguilar, Gina Kwon, & Phil Yu; facilitator: Wendy Levy (standing, center) ; and CAAM staff: (Standing far left) Sapana Sakya, (standing, third from right) Don Young, Kar Yin Tham & Ellen Park.

New for 2013 Ready, Set, Pitch: Audience Votes!

Facilitator Wendy Levy passes the mic to an audience member

This year CAAM is adding an audience engagement element in the selection of our pitch participants. We will initially select up to ten media producers (the finalists) and the audience will have an opportunity to vote for their favorite pitch via YouTube. The YouTube audience votes will help CAAM select the final 3 to 5 media producers who will have the chance to pitch their projects live at CAAMFEST 2013 (March 14-24).

CAAM will work with media producers to hone their pitches before festival, and to promote the pitch projects and crowdfunding campaigns leading up to the event, during and afterwards. In addition to highlighting exciting media producers and projects, the goal of READY, SET, PITCH! is to bring together media producers, foundations, and engagement strategists to provide feedback and dialogue around
new media and fundraising tools.

2012 winner: S. Leo Chiang’s “Out Run”

Pitch presenters are encouraged to showcase a lively and creative pitch after which the jury and audience will have an opportunity to provide constructive feedback. The winning pitch, selected by the jury with audience feedback, will receive a $5,000 CAAM award for research and development.

Each pitch should run between 5-10 minutes including 2 to 3 minutes of a trailer or sample media. A crowdfunding campaign (e.g. Kickstarter or IndieGoGo) should be in effect during the festival (March 14-24).

This year, CAAM will also be offering an additional fund (TBA) to the pitch project that either reaches it’s crowdfunding goal fastest or is able to fully raise the entire amount (whichever is appropriate for the situation).

Deadline to Apply: February 3rd.

To apply, go here: 2013 Ready, Set, Pitch! Application

Questions? E-mail: mediafund@caamedia.org

Here’s the playlist from last year’s event.

2012 winner S. Leo Chiang (Out Run documentary): “‘Ready, Set, Pitch!’ gave us invaluable pitching experience at a time when producers are expected more and more to present their works-in-progress in public. We were able to use our well-honed pitch in subsequent meetings with funders and industry professionals to great success. Wonderful experience.”

Congrats to Leo for receiving the 2013 Sundance Institute/Time Warner Foundation, Inc. Fellowship and a cash award of $12K in support of the development of Out Run!

Here’s a look at this year’s semi-finalists:

update: Feb 21

Congratulations to the finalists who will be moving on to the finals at CAAMFest 2013!

1. Facing the Mirror by Sarah Khaki
2. Eat WIth Me by David Au
3. Vimana by Faroukh Virani
4. The Real Mikado by Joyce Wu
5. The Solar Champion by Gerry Balasta