AACTA Announces 2018 AACTA PITCH Finalists

AACTA are thrilled to announce this year’s AACTA PITCH finalists: BULLDOG’S ALLEY, EMERALD WAY, GOOD GRIEF, THE MIRAGE, MONSTER’S PLAYGROUND, PIXEL RAIDERS, TRADIES and VIRGIN IN A SEX STORE.

Launched earlier this year, AACTA PITCH is a national pitching competition that aims to discover Australia’s next world-class scripted series for web and television.

The eight finalists will participate in the final AACTA PITCH event in Sydney on Wednesday 22 August at Event Cinemas Bondi Junction, held as part of AACTA Shorts Fest.

At the event, each finalist will screen their teaser and pitch their series in front of a live audience, including a judging panel of esteemed industry figures from the worlds of television, online, production, development and commissioning. The winner will be announced live at the event following judges’ deliberations.

The AACTA PITCH event is complimentary to AFI and AACTA members and their guests. To attend, you must register your RSVP here.

Each finalist will be pitching for the chance to win:

• A $5,000 cash prize.
• Invaluable feedback and mentorship opportunities from AACTA, participating production companies, development executives and screen craft practitioners.
• Post-production support from Spectrum Films to the value of $5,000.
• Tickets to the 8th AACTA Awards presented by Foxtel Industry Luncheon and Awards Ceremony.
• All finalists will receive a year’s AFI | AACTA membership.

THE FINALISTS

BULLDOG’S ALLEY | Jessica Pearce, Sarah Hickey
The filmmakers behind multi-platform web-series DEE-BRIEF hold a mirror up to Australian culture with BULLDOG’S ALLEY. When a small town heist goes all kinds of wrong, and a local hero dies as a result, two women hold a bunch of socially and politically opposing characters hostage in the local bowling alley.

EMERALD WAY | Sean O’Keeffe, Ben Matei, Jennie Tkaz
Set in a Nursing Home, sex, drugs and euthanasia are the backdrop for this complex comedy series. The Perth-based multi award-winning filmmakers behind the series challenge and celebrate what we think and feel about old age, how we view life and when life truly begins and ends.

GOOD GRIEF | Amanda Reedy, Nicole Minchin, Amanda Jane, Natalie Harris, Jess Harris
From the minds behind AACTA-nominated series TWENTYSOMETHING and feature film THE WEDDING PARTY, GOOD GRIEF is based on comedian Natalie Harris’ sell-out stand-up show of the same name. The series follows Nat on her rollercoaster ride through the five stages of grief following the sudden death of her dad.

THE MIRAGE | Andrew Ryan
Two-time Sundance Sloan Fellowship finalist Andrew Ryan brings you THE MIRAGE, a magical motel where guests can request anything they want, from the simple to the surreal. But with two hapless employees at the helm it’s no surprise that, as they make their visitors dreams come true, each shift is riled with chaos and a severe lack of clean towels.

MONSTER’S PLAYGROUND | Darcy Prendergast, Seamus Spilsbury
With an AACTA-nominated pilot (for Best Short Animation), claymation series MONSTER’S PLAYGROUND follows the adventures of fun loving siblings Bro-Bro, Siswa and their pal MONSTER! With his rusty and unpredictable magic, a clap of Monster’s hands can conjure a bathtub rocketship, attract a flock of winged hedgehogs and more often than not, place Bro-Bro and Siswa in sticky situations.

PIXEL RAIDERS | Ben Shackleford, Stephanie Bendixsen, Gus Ronald
Based on the popular book series of the same name, PIXEL RAIDERS comes from the mind of Australian video game critic Stephanie Bendixsen (GOOD GAME). Trapped inside an un-tested video game, Riley and Mei-Lin must use their gamer knowledge to battle various foes and beat each unique game world within the digital realm or be stuck inside the game…forever!

TRADIES | Zack van Prooije, Matthew Davies, Johannes Beer, Rijen Laine
Having worked with Netflix, SBS, Foxtel and ABC, the Turnkey Productions team brings you TRADIES. The series follows the ups and downs of a small construction company on the brink of bankruptcy; lying, cheating and stealing their way out and back into debt while they struggle to stay afloat amidst sexual harassment cases, divorce and the dysfunctional tradies that drink work there.

VIRGIN IN A SEX STORE | Kaleb McKenna, Kristian Barron, Joshua Gilbert
From the creators of web-series FOUR QUARTERS, VIRGIN IN A SEX STORE follows 19-year-old Hugh who, desperately saving for a European holiday that he’s convinced will change his life, takes a job at Paula’s Pleasure Palace – his mum’s business. There’s just one problem; he’s a virgin.