Monte-Carlo TV Festival Introduces Factual Pitch Contest

The Monte-Carlo TV Festival has partnered with 1895 Films for the Tell Me a Story pitch contest, focused on factual storytelling.

The contest is now open for English-language submissions from young creators between the ages of 18 and 30 who are either affiliated with a film school or non-affiliated. Up to 20 storytellers will have their projects selected for the final round and will have the opportunity to showcase their original and non-commercial creations in pitch sessions during the Festival’s Business Content program.

The goal of the contest is to uncover unique and compelling story ideas offering untold narratives from a new generation of film creators and storytellers. During the Business Content pitching sessions, each finalist will have a maximum of five minutes to pitch their story, followed by a short Q&A in front of an audience and judging panel of international television industry and media executives. The storytellers will be judged on creativity and originality of the concept, storytelling strength and compelling narrative quality, plus commercial viability and market potential.

The winner will benefit from several exclusive prizes, including support from 1895 Films to develop their storyline, produce a sizzle reel and be introduced to potential buyers. They will also receive two tickets to the Golden Nymph Awards Ceremony and Gala Evening at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival.

The submission deadline is April 22. The finalists will be announced on the Festival website on May 27. The winner will be selected and announced at the close of the Business Content program on June 16.

“We are delighted to launch Tell Me a Story to provide young content creators and producers of tomorrow with an opportunity to showcase their creative ideas through the powerful medium of nonfiction storytelling,” said Cecile Menoni, executive director of the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. “Our esteemed Business Content segment welcomes influential television and entertainment executives alongside young creative talent in a professional but convivial setting, providing an ideal format to host the Pitch Contest. We are honored to be organizing Tell Me A Story in collaboration with the award-winning production company 1895 Films, headed by Tom Jennings, one of the industry’s most coveted executive producers in the genre of factual storytelling. We share a common goal to shine the spotlight on the next generation of storytellers through this inspiring initiative.”

“This Business Content series of conferences is an exciting opportunity for young storytellers to pitch their nonfiction ideas to industry professionals,” said Tom Jennings, CEO and executive producer at 1895 Films. “I’m thrilled to be collaborating again with the Monte-Carlo Television Festival. The Festival is one of my favorite gatherings on the planet to explore great things in the television world. I’m grateful to be part of such a prestigious, world-class event. Our young storytellers will be able to meet with industry professionals, have their ideas heard by some of the brightest lights in our industry and do it all in one of the most compelling venues in the world. I look forward to the moment when the first young creator steps up to the podium, and I say to them, ‘OK, tell me a story.’”