Budding writers and filmmakers can pitch direct to top studios

HOLLYWOOD superstars Tom Cruise and Johnny Depp have both stayed at The Grand Hotel since its spectacular restoration.

Now anyone with a great idea for a film or TV series is being offered the chance to launch their career at the same venue.

The problem for talented writers and filmmakers with no contacts and no agent has always been how to bridge the gap and get their ideas in front of screen industry reps. Now the Birmingham Film & TV Market (BFTM) is looking to address that issue by creating the perfect platform for a meeting of minds.

Submissions are now open to give anyone who passes the initial selection process the chance to pitch their great idea to a top decision maker. There will even be the equivalent of a dress rehearsal day to give people a chance to settle their nerves the first time before going to the main event.

The market was first launched in 2021 by three Midlands-based filmmakers – Sophie Ivanova from Bulgaria, Mellissa Donello from Australia and Dublin-born Louise Osbourne. They wanted to find a way of making sure talented people could be recognised in their own region instead of following ‘the brain drain to London, Manchester, Bristol and Cardiff’.

Louise said: “A lot of new filmmakers and writers find they cannot make progress in the industry without an agent. The Birmingham Film & TV Market is an opportunity for people who aren’t represented to speak directly to commissioners and begin conversations about how to move forward.

“Once we saw the restored ballroom at The Grand Hotel, we knew that was the place to stage our first event. People could come up from London, arrive at New Street Station, walk through Birmingham Cathedral’s grounds and go straight into the Grand and realise what a brilliant place Birmingham is, perhaps even to think they could make a film here themselves.”

Independent film makers and people with ideas can apply to attend the Birmingham Film & TV Market. It is expected 50 will be chosen to make one-to-one submissions, with each able to pitch up to three projects to senior representatives from companies including BBC, ITV, Sky Original Film, Channel 4, Merman, Paramount +, Goldfinch, Curzon and more.

The £250 cost includes refreshments all day, lunch at the Grand Hotel, post-market networking, attendance at all

Q&A sessions and a pre-event “Match Fit Perfect Your Pitch” session earlier in the week.

Pitch day pass applications are open and a writers’ competition is being launched this month.

Submissions close July 31, with notifications from August 31.