Perfecting the Pitch: Insights from the 2026 MCBA Script Competition
Our recent Screen Presence event saw emerging creators take the stage for the 2026 MCBA Chinatown Script Pitch Competition. Tasked with presenting original short films set in Melbourne's Chinatown that featured the colour red, the finalists delivered a night of highly engaging storytelling.
A massive congratulations to the talented shortlist who pitched their projects live to the room:
Akhilesh Jain – The Red Recipe
Chan Lee – Girl in the Well
Dechen Khadro – And Sons
James Wajura – Peking Fist
Jeremy Teh – How Could I Have Known?
Jess Murphy – Passing
Selma Papapavlou – The Reading
Troy Kwon – Chinatown Invasion
What stood out immediately was the breadth of the presentations. The pitches varied wildly in execution—some were highly performative and dynamic, while others were still, zen, and yet fiercely charismatic. Crucially, the narratives pushed beyond conventional ‘Asian Australian’ tropes, tapping into deeply universal human experiences.
Our expert judging panel offered sharp, real-time feedback that serves as a practical guide for any emerging writer:
Colin Cairnes noted that “while expansive, complex concepts (like the multiverse) are exciting, they are often too dense for a short film. A world can easily become too rich for an extremely concise format.”
Marisa Nanakhorn Brown reminded the room that a story's core drive must always be justifiable without over-explaining. Her advice on handling a bad pitch was equally vital: shake it off quickly and move on to the next one.
Sam Voutas advised creators, “ Lead with their personal connection to the story before diving into the plot ”. He also warned against assuming the audience shares your specific cultural or narrative context.
The crowd also had their say, awarding the Audience Choice to Chan Lee for Girl in the Well. Her beautifully intrinsic concept revealed immense potential, deeply moving the room.
Ultimately, the $500 grand prize went to James Wajura for Peking Fist. His project thematically and technically nailed the competition’s brief. James’s pitch was effortlessly punchy because he knew his material inside and out.
The overarching takeaway of the night? Don’t wait for perfection. You don’t need a flawless synopsis or a finished script to start pitching. The act of presenting your idea is how you refine it.
A massive thank you to our judges, volunteers, and sponsors—the Melbourne Chinatown Business Association, Museum of Chinese Australian History, CHANDON and Black Sheep Films—for making the night possible.
