Get involved with Raindance Film Festival’s 125 word movie pitch competition

Raindance Film Festival has held its place as one of the longest-running and most respected stops on the independent circuit since its launch in 1992. The London-based event expanded over the years into Japan, Europe, the United States, and Canada, keeping its core program anchored in the UK capital while supporting filmmakers across multiple territories. Though the festival once hosted a 125-word movie pitch competition with free entry, that specific contest is no longer active. Aspiring writers now turn to Raindance’s ongoing script and live pitching programs for development and industry exposure.

Pitching as an art form

Pitching remains an essential skill across film, television, and digital projects. Writers refine their delivery by testing material on a small group first, gathering notes, and adjusting tone or clarity before facing executives. Raindance’s Live! Ammunition! competition extends this practice into a live setting where participants pitch directly to industry professionals and an audience, receiving immediate feedback on structure, performance, and market fit.

Elevator pitch, logline, or premise pitch

Different names (mentioned above) are used to describe the same idea, which is to define your story in one to three sentences making sure that those sentences encapsulate the premise of your story. Before you start writing your unique pitch, spend some time deciding what your story is really about; once you put all of that on paper, start editing and re-editing. Our suggestion is to start your pitch with the title, followed by the genre, and then the characters’ names. If you are pitching a documentary, instead of characters names use the subjects of your documentary. Don’t forget to research your story’s genre and check out how others used their premise pitch to sell their films and stories. This will help you to find inspiration or to see what mistakes to avoid. So if you’re interested in getting involved with Raindance’s 125 word movie pitch competition, follow this link and get pitching! The 125-word contest ran in 2020. Writers seeking current opportunities now look to the Script Competition, which accepts feature, TV pilot, and web series scripts with early, regular, and late deadlines.

Raindance Script Competition

The Script Competition runs on a three-tier deadline schedule that gives writers multiple entry points throughout the cycle. Early submissions close in December 2026, followed by the regular deadline in January 2027 and a late deadline in March 2027. Accepted scripts receive industry readings and consideration for awards presented during the festival. The program covers feature-length screenplays, television pilots, and web series, offering a direct route from page to development conversations.

Live Pitching Events at Raindance

Live! Ammunition! invites participants to present their projects on stage in front of executives and a festival audience. The format stresses clarity under pressure and the ability to answer questions in real time. Writers receive notes on both content and delivery, which helps them sharpen material before formal meetings or further drafts. Sessions often serve as a proving ground for ideas that later advance into the Script Competition or full festival programming.

Festival Timeline and Upcoming Editions

The 34th edition took place in June 2026, drawing screenings, panels, and market activity across multiple London venues. The 35th festival is scheduled for June 2027, with submissions already open and deadlines set for late 2026 and early 2027. Filmmakers and writers track these windows closely because accepted projects gain access to industry delegates, press, and potential distribution partners. Keeping an eye on both the Script Competition and Live! Ammunition! deadlines allows creators to align written materials with live pitching opportunities throughout the year.