Special Online Pitching Sessions 2021

First, there will be two intimate group sessions with top coaches, who will guide you in sharpening your presentation skills, that are part of the preparation.

In the third session, filmmakers will have the chance to present their project one-on-one to specially invited Industry professionals.

These workshops have been redesigned for the online setting of this edition.

Special Online Pitch Prep Workshop - 90 Minutes in the Art of Presenting

• Thursday, January 28 - 14:00 – 15:30
• Monday, February 1 - 10:00 – 11:30

You know what your film and project is about, but do you know how to get it across?

Do you come across effectively and create the impact you want to have?

How do you earn the right to someone’s attention?

One of the key skills required to get ahead in the film industry is that of communicating in the right way, never before so when personal connections have to be made necessary in a virtual online setting.

This prep-session has been specially designed to an online setting and will help you sharpen your skills on how to summarize your ideas and how to communicate these concisely.

In the workshop sessions, you will gain insight into the art of presenting yourself and your ideas effectively. You’ll have the opportunity to develop and enhance your pitch in a supportive and constructive environment. Discover how to ensure that your message comes across to whoever you’re talking to!

Pitching instructor Marjorie Bendeck will help you synthesize your content and how to communicate this clearly. Top coach Bonnie Williams will help you to gain the skills to adjust your pitch and to build your confidence.

Pitch Out! – Exclusive Online Feedback Edition

Wednesday, 3 February - 09:30 – 11:00

Pitch your project or finished film to funds, producers, buyers, sales agents, festivals & markets and receive constructive feedback on the content and its viability from top professionals in a supportive environment. 8 specially invited Industry professionals will give personal, one-on-one feedback to the participants of the Pitch workshops in this exclusive session.

This is your chance to connect and meet with Industry pro’s and talk about your project in a personal one-on-one meeting.

Moderated by Marjorie Bendeck and Bonnie Williams, with Industry guests to be announced.

Marjorie Bendeck

Originally from Honduras, holds a BA in communications and marketing, and an MA in organizational psychology, besides film production studies in Mexico and the EICTV in Cuba.

Based in Germany since 2003, where she headed the selection committee of Berlinale Talents until 2012, while also working for funds and training initiatives in Europe and Latin America. Her areas of expertise include evaluation of feature film projects as well as workshops for pitch, script and project development. Engaged as a regular consultant with organizations like the Mediterranean Film Institute, Locarno Open Doors, Guadalajara Talents, ACE Producers and the Berlinale World Cinema Fund. Since 2018, she is head of Connecting Cottbus, an East-West co-production market focused on the broader Eastern European region.

Expertise: Script and project development, co-production, festival strategies, pitching and presenting projects.

Territories: World

Bonnie Williams

Bonnie Williams is a Pitch & Public Speaking Coach for industry professionals.  She specializes in supporting international speakers in finding their own voice and speaking with impact. www.speakingwithimpact.nl

She coaches and advises on pitching, presenting and interview techniques for filmmakers and producers, writers and creatives, heads of industry, moderators, experts, etc.  A returning consultant at IFFR across various platforms including RotterdamLab, BoostNL, VR Pro, & IFFR ProHub; IDFA Forum and CEE Animation Forum. She has worked with B2B Docs, FilmarketHub Pitchbox, VondelCS, VersFilmFestival, etc. She is a senior TEDx speaker coach and coaches documentary filmmakers on their personal voiceovers.