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19th edition
October 4-13, 2024

Pitch, Please!

Pitch, Please!" is a short animation film project competition open to Romanian and Moldovan authors, as well as those active in both countries. The competition aims to support animation filmmakers in developing their projects and establishing essential connections for integration into the international animation community.

The authors of the selected projects are guided by two experienced mentors, Cristian Pascariu (screenwriter, director) and Dan Panaitescu (animator, director). Over the course of the 5-day workshop, they provide participants with mentorship and consultancy for developing the script and visual aspects of their projects, as well as preparation for the final pitch in front of an informed international audience.

By participating in "Pitch, Please!", authors can win awards such as participation in international animated film development workshops, post-production services, or other types of grants to help them develop their projects.

Additionally, selected participants receive free access to all events included in the Animest Festival program.

In the five previous editions, over 40 projects were submitted, of which 18 were selected and participated in the Animest preparation program. Among the projects that materialized following their participation in the "Pitch,Please!" competition are the animations "Paradis murdar" (dir. Alina Gheorghe) and "Balázs Orbán the collector of legends" (dir. Szabolcs Fazakas, Hunor Bálint). Others, such as "Happy New Year" (dir. Radu Gaciu) and "Mr. Ladybug" (dir. Ioana Păsărin), are in production, benefiting from funding from the National Center of Cinematography, while "A Horse in a SwanSea" (dir. Maria Brudașcă), "The Shoebox" (dir. Cristina Pîrvu), and "Stejărelul" (dir: Nicoleta Miron, Liana Chiriță) are in development, facilitated by their participation in "Pitch, Please!".

Find out more about the current edition:

 

Mentors:

Cristian Pascariu (b. 1987) is a director and screenwriter. He graduated from the Faculty of Theatre and Film in Cluj-Napoca in 2010 and later pursued a master's degree in Art Therapy at UNATC. In 2024, he co-directed the documentary NASTY, which premiered in Seances Spéciales at the 77th Cannes Film Festival. His short films have received international recognition, being selected by over 70 international film festivals. In addition to directing, Pascariu has written film scripts for Romanian directors, including Paul Mureșan, Anton Octavian, Laura Pop, and Dan Panaitescu. He is currently working as a screenwriter on two feature film projects for Tudor Giurgiu.

 

Photo Credit: Rareș Helici

Dan Panaitescu is an animator and director with experience in 2D animation. He has held key roles in various productions, from TV commercials to animated feature films. Since 2010, he has had a fruitful collaboration with Anca Damian, serving as the lead animator and creative coordinator for the Romanian teams on the feature films that Anca Damian directed and produced. 

 

 

 

 

Previous editions :

 

 

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