It’s All in the Pitch
Our latest Screen Presence session, It’s All in the Pitch, shifted the focus from production logistics to the art of getting your project noticed.
To kick things off, Akhilesh Jain, Vivian Zhang, and Troy Kwon live-pitched their favourite films. They had the room laughing one moment and emotionally engaged the next, while our industry panel offered real-time feedback, telling them exactly what was working and what wasn't. It was the perfect entry point into exploring the mechanics of a successful pitch, reminding us that clarity, confidence, and knowing your audience are just as crucial as the story itself.
Here are the key takeaways from our panellists:
Drawing from her recent experiences, Naomi Mulholland stressed that stepping into the room is about finding long-term partnerships, not just securing an immediate sale. She also highlighted the importance of reading the room—noting that rigid time limits matter less when audience is genuinely engaged—and suggested bringing visual aids for those who prefer to "watch" rather than just listen. Crucially, Naomi reminded the audience that our voices matter deeply in the current political climate.
Christopher Kam offered a grounded reality check: you must be in this industry for the love of it, as simply making ends meet is the standard. When presenting, he advised jumping straight into the narrative and ensuring the energy you bring physically matches the genre of your script. To break through, you must know exactly who you are talking to, why you are pitching to them specifically, and be ready to answer the two most critical questions: "Why you?" and "Why now?"
As the winner of the 2025 MCBA Short Film Pitch Competition, Brendan Wan shared the practical mechanics behind a winning presentation. Drawing on tactics from his day job in sales, he recommended starting and bookending your pitch with a compelling question to hook the room. While you don't need to be a trained actor, Brendan noted that utilising basic performance skills can significantly elevate how your idea lands.
Throughout the night, the overarching message was clear: pitching isn't just about selling a script; it is about building authentic relationships and proving you are the right person to tell the story. You just have to keep making things until you break through.
Put that advice into practice at our next major event: 2026 MCBA CHINATOWN SCRIPT PITCH COMPETITION. We are calling all emerging diverse creators to pitch original short film scripts set in Melbourne’s vibrant Chinatown. We want fresh, innovative storytelling across any genre that celebrates the area's rich culture. ·
The Prize: $500 cash· The Judges: Marisa Nanakhorn Brown (The Spooky Files), Colin Cairnes (Late Night with the Devil), and Sam Voutas (Yesterday Island, screening at MIFF 2026).
Link to the ticket: https://www.trybooking.com/DMUIQ
