Do you have a short film idea you're ready to take to the next stage?
At TUFF five filmmakers will have the opportunity to pitch their short film projects live to a panel of industry professionals on Friday 15 January 2027.
Selected filmmakers will also receive a dedicated SMASH pitch preparation session ahead of the live event to help shape and strengthen their pitches before stepping in front of the panel.
It's natural to feel that your project idea may not be ready to present in a pitch, but the only way to move forward is to take that leap and take the opportunity to get feedback from industry experts! As Ella Wills, one of TUFF's industry speakers, says, "Do it scared!"
It is free to submit your idea or project for the pitching session, but you must hold a TUFF delegate pass to take part. Festival accreditation is available here. Please include your accreditation confirmation with your pitch submission.
How to apply
1. Create your SMASH Snapshot
Create your free project pitch ("SMASH Snapshot") on the SMASH Media platform, TUFF's industry partner on this session. Please include where relevant the following:
- →Title
- →Writer
- →Banner picture
- →Logline
- →Format
- →Tags
- →Genre
- →Setting
- →Running time
- →Project status
- →Other docs
- →Comparable projects
- →Synopsis
- →Treatment or script
- →Creative team
- →Creative vision
You do not need to submit a script, treatment, cast, budget, finance plan or any visuals, although you are welcome to include these if you already have them.
2. Submit your SMASH Snapshot
Once your pitch is complete, email your SMASH Snapshot to a.mandis@qmul.ac.uk with PITCH 2027 in the subject line.
Deadline: 6pm, 10 December 2026
3. Project selection
Five projects will be selected for the pitch preparation workshop and the live industry pitch session. The five selected finalists will be contacted and announced on Monday 21 December 2026.
Selected filmmakers must be available for:
- Thursday 7 January 2027
Online introduction and briefing - Friday 15 January 2027, 12.30pm
In-person pitch preparation workshop with SMASH at Regent Street Cinema - Friday 15 January 2027, 3.15pm
TUFF live pitch to industry panel
- Thursday 7 January 2027
The Live Pitch
Each selected filmmaker will have five minutes to pitch their project to the industry panel.
No slides or visuals are required in the Live Pitch — just you and your story.
Confirmed industry panellists include:
- Misia Pawlowska — Development Producer, Dogwoof (Merkel, Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story)
- Simon Lupton — Managing Director, Seven Seas Films (The Show Must Go On: The Queen + Adam Lambert Story, The Trip)
- Paul Trijbits — CEO and Executive Producer, Magical Society UK (Saving Mr Banks, The Casual Vacancy)
- Ali McPhail — Producer (Borders, Uncle, The Mighty Boosh)
Who can apply?
Projects can be at any stage of development, but each project must have a representative available to attend the preparation sessions on 7 and 15 January and the Live Pitch on Friday 15 January at 3.15pm.
Applicants for this session must be aged 18 or over.
About TUFF
The Turn Up Film Festival and industry programme (TUFF) is a new London-wide festival bringing together film students, emerging practitioners, educators and screen industry professionals taking place in January 2027.
Across five days of screenings, panels, masterclasses, workshops, live pitching and networking, TUFF is creating a space where emerging talent can learn from and meet working professionals, understand how the industry works and begin building the relationships that can help move their careers forward.
12–16 January 2027
Venues: Regent Street Cinema and University of Westminster
Celebrating Talent. Opening Access. Connecting Education and Industry.