The American Film Market came and went last fall, but news continues to trickle out from the seaside bazaar.
The market’s backers announced that five nominees had been selected for its first "Favorite Film Pitch" award on Thursday. The nominees include Stephanie Bell ("The Devil of Appalachia"), Carlo Besasie ("All The Queen’s Men"), Mouncey Ferguson ("Forger"), Barry Kneller ("The Mechanics") and David Minnihan ("Father John").
The winner will receive a package that includes full access for two to the AFM, including seminars and conferences; airfare to Los Angeles; hotel for five nights in Santa Monica; and scheduled meetings with producers and distributors.
Final voting began during Wednesday night’s People’s Choice Awards, when fans were offered the chance to weigh in on what pitches they would most like to see get made into a film on the award show’s website. The five finalists were selected by a group of industry insiders.
AFM teamed with People’s Choice to create the new award contest, which the organization said is designed to provide an increased opportunity to get film pitches in front of producers and distributors.
Submissions for the contest were recorded live last November on a mini-set at the American Film Market. Each pitch was limited to two-and-a-half minutes.
