The ability to pitch your idea is one of the most important skills you’ll need to develop in order to secure funding for your ideas and fulfil your potential.

Since its inception at Ffresh 2007, the Pitch to Win scheme has offered an invaluable insight into how to develop and sell your project, experience the thrill of pitching, and receive feedback from a distinguished panel of industry professionals.

Returning for its 3rd year as part of Ffresh 2009, Pitch to Win is accepting submissions for a ONE page outline of an original idea that must be suitable for multi-platform development (i.e. broadcast and interactive media) that promotes sustainable development. The deadline is Friday, February 6th.

What is multi platform development?
Multi-platform development involves a concept that works across more than one platform. It might be a TV programme which has an associated online community; it might start with a Podcast which then feeds into a TV programme. Additional platforms include mobile content, interactive games and other formats. All submitted briefs must be original concepts! Ideas or concepts geared toward innovative use of your chosen media will also increase your chances of selection.

…and sustainable development?
Sustainable development is one of the most challenging and pressing issues of our time, and will be for many years to come. In its most often-quoted definition sustainable development is development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." In this context, sustainable development is a very broad subject touching upon numerous environmental issues such as energy, food, mass production, etc, which should give you plenty of scope to come up with interesting projects to tackle some of today’s most challenging problems.

Here are a couple examples…

• You could create a website called ‘Grow your own meal’ which will teach the user how to grow basic vegetables for stews, casseroles and soups, and make the recipes available as downloads to mobiles or ipods, where the user is shown how to make the most of their harvest.

• Or how about an animated TV series where the main character encourages young children to conserve energy (electricity, food, etc) through a series of adventures, which are supported by a number of interactive games on the associated website.

• If you’re interested in retro clothes, create an online swap shop version of eBay where people can exchange retro clothes in the area and receive regular updates on their phone. The website could also act as a social networking device, which could also support local bands, host music, etc.

The possibilities are endless! So how does it work?
You must submit a ONE PAGE outline of an original idea than must be suitable for multi-platform development which promotes sustainable development to james@ffresh.com by Friday February 6th.

All the briefs will then be submitted to a panel of industry professionals. During the Pitch to Win Feedback Session on Friday, February 13th as part of Ffresh 2009, everyone who submits a one page brief will be guaranteed 5 minutes with each member of the Pitch to Win Panel who will give each student feedback of their idea.

After the session, the panel will choose three students (or student pairs – see rules and regulations) with the strongest ideas or concepts who will be invited to take part in the Pitch to Win Final where they pitch their idea to the panel and the festival audience. The winner will be announced during the Ffresh Awards Show on Friday evening and will receive:

• An interview for the Nesta Insight Out Course (where, if selected, you’ll get the chance to pitch for up to £5,000 worth of start-up support)

• One to one advice and mentoring from industry professionals

• £500 to spend on training courses of the winner’s choice (courtesy of Skillset Cymru)

• A bursary of £150 to attend a UK film festival of the winner’s choice (courtesy of  Skillset Screen Academy Wales)

• A place on one of the Handshake Productions 2009 expeditions worth £1500

Before submitting please ensure to read the conditions and regulations listed below.

For help writing your one page outline click here. 

To read an interview with previous winners click here.

To find out more information about the Insight Out scheme click here.

To read about this year's panel click here.

Conditions and Regulations:

• To be eligible all entrants must be able to attend the Pitch to Win Feedback Session held during the Ffresh festival on February 13th at the Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

• The brief must be no longer than ONE page and must be submitted electronically by Friday, February 6th to james@ffresh.com or posted to Ffresh, c/o The Festivals Company, Tŷ Cefn, Rectory Road, Cardiff, CF5 1QL. No entries will be accepted after this January 23rd.

• Concepts must be the sole creative property of the entrant.

• As a number of the panel do not speak Welsh, briefs must be submitted in English only.

• The three students selected to pitch their idea to the panel during the second session at Ffresh will be limited to five minutes each. The finalist's pitch presentations will be followed by a round of questions from the panel. The panel’s decision is final.

• Ideas may be submitted by individuals only or groups of no more than 2.

• Ffresh has the right to promote their involvement with the Pitching Session and will have limited access for promotional purposes to the concept or idea of the three finalists.

For further information about the above please write to Ffresh Festival Coordinator James Nee at james@ffresh.com