The 9th annual Pitch Fest & Panel went virtual this year! We adapted the traditional Pitch Fest competition to an online format to continue to serve and support our student filmmakers. Six North Carolina schools participated by recording 5 minute video pitches from home for our panel of expert judges to review. This year our panel was made up of 3 film industry professionals: Bri Castellini, David Fenster, and Rachel Raney. The judges convened virtually to deliberate and select first and second place winners. Winners receive cash prizes to help fund their projects, and all students receive constructive feedback and advice from the judges on how to improve their pitch in the future. Thanks to all the students who participated and adapted to this new format!

First Place: Yuqi Lu, The Documentary Film Program at Wake Forest University –
Painting Your Room in My Heart

Second Place: Madison Rea Reitz, UNCW –
Clickbait: Stop the Traffic

Watch the student filmmakers make their pitch here: https://riverrunfes.wpengine.com/film/pitch-fest-2020/

Pitch Fest is generously sponsored by Piedmont Federal Savings Bank