BREAKTHROUGH PITCHFEST 2025

Breakthrough Pitchfest is an offshoot of our Breakthrough Series, one of Filmshop’s signature events. It provides a forum for members to pitch their work and engage in discussions centered around development and distribution, as well as an opportunity to receive feedback from a panel of industry experts.

After each project is presented, there will be live feedback offered by industry advisors. Featured projects range from works in progress to fully produced narrative/documentary shorts, features, series, and feature screenplays. The event also functions as a meeting point and marketplace for filmmakers and industry guests to view these projects. The pitches will be followed by a reception in our main event space from 4:15–5:00 pm. There will also be space for holding one-on-one conversations in a private conference room.

PROGRAM GUIDE

MEET THE Panelists

Caitlin Boyle – Executive Director of the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival (MNFF) in Middlebury, Vermont; documentary film producer, and impact producer

Faridah Gbadamosi – Film curator, speaker, strategist, and writer

Livia Huang – Writer, director, and the Artist Initiatives Associate at Creative Capital

Huriyyah Muhammad – Award-winning director, writer, and producer

Breakthrough PITCHFEST FILMMAKERS

Twelve Filmshop members will present their narrative/fiction and documentary projects for feedback.

The participating projects:

• Paige Campbell, About The Author (Narrative/ Feature)

• Kyle Andrews, Odd Jobs (Narrative/ Feature)

• J.R. Hardman, Reenactress (Doc / Feature)

• Elizabeth Miller-Derstine, The Weight of Armor (Doc / Feature)

• Danica Jensen, Horror Lives Here! (Narrative/ Feature)

• Jiwon Choi, How to Become a Successful Boyband (Narrative/Feature)

• Megumi Nishikura, Kokuseikhou: The Fight to Change Japan's Nationality Law (Doc / Short)

• Claire Haughey, Soil and Clay (Doc / Feature)

• Samantha Evans. 30 under 30 (Narrative / Series)

• Tony Clemente Jr, Magnificent Creature (Narrative / Feature)

• Keiko Elizabeth, In Her Name (Doc / Feature)

• Katie Hawkins, Small Town Mountain Strong (Doc / Feature)