2026 Commission:What does it mean to be human in the age of AI?

You must be aged 18 or over on the final submission date and be the writer (or co-writer), creator and rights-owner of your pitch. You must also be available for the required development work and attend the Writers’ Retreat in person if commissioned. Employees of The Pitch and their immediate families cannot apply.

The application fee is £20, payable at the end of the initial application process. You must pay the fee to submit your application. There is no additional fee for the second stage for shortlisted applicants. This fee helps cover some of the costs of running The Pitch. If it is genuinely a barrier to you participating, please contact us.

Yes, you can jointly develop and submit a pitch with a co-writer. Submit under the name of the person nominated to attend the Writers’ Retreat, as only one person per commissioned screenplay will be invited. Any writing fees are shared between co-writers, and both must agree to the Terms & Conditions.

You need a fully completed application form including the required written materials and video pitch elements. Follow the application form and briefing for the exact requirements. Incomplete applications will not be considered. You can view all the questions and materials required here.

Yes, previous applicants and funding recipients can apply. However, you cannot submit a pitch, or a near-identical pitch, previously entered by you or your former pitching partners.

Maximum word counts and video duration specified in the application form are a limit rather than an exact guide. It is fine to submit shorter answers. You will be unable to submit answers that exceed the word limits.

The written content of your application should be in English. Your video content can be in another language, but you must provide English subtitles.

Record a simple piece-to-camera using a phone or webcam. Editing, music, titles and graphics are unnecessary. Do not submit a sizzle reel or mood board assembled from third-party clips, images or other copyrighted material, as it will not be considered.

No. Your pitch and its underlying premise must not currently be under consideration by another production company, investor, development consortium or similar organisation. You must own the rights and must not have sold, assigned or granted any rights in the idea to someone else.

No, one idea only. Choose your best!

Application fees are non-refundable if you withdraw. Depending on your circumstances, you may be granted a waiver code for the following year’s commission, but this is not guaranteed.

If The Pitch decides to withdraw your application, any application fee you have paid will be refunded.

No. Pitches submitted after the final submission date (14th Dec 2026, 12pm GMT) will not be considered. Make sure your application is complete and submitted correctly before the deadline.

If your pitch is shortlisted, you will be asked for further materials, which may include additional written content, video elements and a writing sample. You will receive the requirements and deadline with your shortlist notification. You must submit these materials by that deadline to be considered for a writing commission.

Five writers will be commissioned to develop screenplays. Currently, for the 2026/2027 season, The Pitch expects to select one screenplay for production, with the decision anticipated in May 2027. Other production companies may be invited to consider those screenplays that are not selected. The timing and number of production commissions may change at The Pitch’s discretion.

Yes. If commissioned, you must attend the residential retreat in person, scheduled for 14-18 March 2027 in the Lake District. The five writers selected for commission will be given no less than 2 weeks notice of their participation (we encourage all applicants to pencil the dates in their diaries, just in case!). See full Terms & Conditions for further information. If the dates change, attendees will receive advance notice.

For the selected writers, The Pitch will meet the direct costs of accommodation and subsistence for the Writers’ Residential. Attendees are responsible for their own transport costs, though we can advise on potential travel grants. Non-UK residents are separately responsible for travel to the UK, and related accommodation costs, as well as any necessary visa arrangements.

You must have availability to write and develop your screenplay during March-July 2027, including the retreat and occasional development meetings or mentoring sessions. This commitment is non-exclusive, except during the Writers’ Residential. If your screenplay is selected for production, you must also be available to write further drafts and, if required, participate in making the film during the six months following the announcement of the selected screenplay. Such participation is subject to discussion with and at the discretion of The Pitch Team - see full Terms & Conditions for more information.

Each writing commission carries a £2,500 fee for developing and writing one or more screenplay drafts, paid in instalments under the Writer’s Commissioning Agreement. If your screenplay is selected for production, a further £1,000 is payable for additional drafts, including the shooting draft. If you submit as a writing pair/team these fees are shared rather than paid in full to each person.