FÍS TV Pitching Competition 2025

Have a great idea for a TV show? Want to pitch it to a room full of industry professionals?

The NTA Film and TV Drama in collaboration with Ardán's FÍS TV Summit are delighted to invite aspiring creators to submit their innovative TV show ideas for a chance to pitch to a room of industry professionals at this year's TV Summit, taking place on Thursday 6th February 2025.

It’s an opportunity to get your ideas noticed by industry leaders and decision-makers, connect with professionals who can turn your vision into reality and could lead to development deals and production opportunities. 

Six participants will be selected to pitch at the TV Summit. They will take part in an intensive workshop on Zoom with Michael Zam on 16th & 17th January to develop their pitch, as well as a final in-person workshop & rehearsal pitch in Galway on 5th February.

They will then pitch at the FÍS TV Summit on 6th February. Participants will be provided with accommodation on 5th & 6thFeb in Galway should they require it.

The winning pitch as voted by industry experts will get a €1,000 prize.

Applicants interested in pitching at the TV Summit must be available on 16th & 17th January and 5th & 6th February 2025.

Prepare Your Pitch Webinar

To aid those interested in applying for the FÍS TV Summit Pitching Competition and to find out about the application process, the NTAFTV and Ardán will host a free online webinar with Michael Zam on Tuesday 5th November 12pm – 2pm.

In it, Michael will cover:

• What makes a good logline & synopsis
• What should be in a treatment & presentation
• Why this show now
• What to include in a 1 minute elevator pitch

This online workshop is not mandatory when applying for the FÍS TV Summit Pitching Competition.

We invite the wider industry to also attend, regardless of whether you are submitting to the FÍS TV Summit Pitching Competition or not.

Register for the ‘Prepare Your Pitch’ Online webinar HERE

Deadline to RSVP is 2pm on November 4th. Once RSVP’s, your place is confirmed, and you will receive a link at 10am on the morning of November 5th.

Dates/Duration of FÍS TV Pitching Competition and Workshops: 

• November 5th 2024 - Prepare Your Pitch info seminar online with Michael Zam from 12 - 2pm
• January 16th 2025 – Online Intensive Pitching Workshop 10am – 4pm 
• January 17th 2025 – Online Intensive Pitching Workshop 12pm – 2pm
• February 5th 2025 - In-person Pitching Workshop & Practice Pitch 2pm – 7pm (location in Galway City tbc)
• February 6th 2025 – Pitching at FÍS TV Summit

Who Can Apply for FÍS TV Pitching Competition:

Anyone or a team of two that are working on an idea for a live action television drama, TV single, miniseries, or short form/web series is eligible to enter the competition.

• Applicants must be;
• Over 18
• Out of education (full-time)
• Residing in Ireland
• Be available on the mentioned dates (16th & 17th Jan and 5th & 6th Feb 2025)

The Pitching Competition and Workshops are not recommended for entry/new talent, but entry/new talent are welcome to attend the 'Prepare Your Pitch' Webinar.

How To Apply: 

Applicants must apply by completing the application form link HERE. This application form will ask you to supply a download link to the following materials/documents.  Please have documents as separate PDF or MP4 files.

• Episode One Script in correct screenplay format for TV Show
• Logline & Synopsis for show
• Series Treatment for show
• Why this show now? (1 pager max)
• One minute long video elevator pitch
• Signed declaration of ownership of all materials. 
• CV, detailed work biography or a detailed summary of work and credits to date (up to 2 pages) for lead writer/applicant/applicants. 
• A Personal Statement detailing how this initiative will progress your career (up to 2 pages or filmed statement of up to 3 minutes) lead writer/applicant/applicants.

The application form with Guidelines for submission can be found here. 

Deadline for applications for the FÍS TV Summit Pitching Competition is November 29th 2024 at 5pm. Applications will not be accepted after that date. An incomplete application will not be taken into consideration.

For more information contact Kenny@ardan.ie   

Selection Process:

Six projects will be selected for the FÍS TV Summit Pitching Competition and will take part in the Workshops.

A project can be represented by an individual pitcher or by a team of maximum 2 people. Selected applicants will be notified approximately three weeks after application deadline.  The applications will be assessed by a panel including representatives of the National Talent Academy for Film & Television, Ardán and independent external assessors.

Applications will be judged on:

• Originality and Creativity
• Marketability
• Audience Appeal
• Feasibility

Further Information:

The most recent winner of the FÍS TV Summit Pitching Competition was Patricia Kelly with Humdrum, which told the story of a freelance court-transcriber, whose life is in the toilet, and interferes in the cases she types to find justice, but quickly loses sight of what’s right and what’s very wrong.

The 2020 FÍS TV Summit Pitching Competition was won by the team made up of Ray Lawlor, Oonagh Kearney & Paddy Hayes who pitched their show Obituary, about a small-town obituarist who resorts to murder when work dries up locally.  In the audience that year was Laurent Boissel (APC Studios) who loved the idea and signed on as executive producer alongside Paddy Hayes for the show which was shot in Donegal in 2023 and broadcast on RTÉ. It is now in production for its second season.  

For questions, please email kenny@ardan.ie

The NTA Film & TV reserves the right to make amendments to this initiative subject to funding, production landscape and health and safety requirements at the time of delivery.

The National Talent Academy Film and TV is an initiative of Screen Ireland, managed by Ardán.