DOC NYC PRO's PITCH DAYS

DOC NYC PRO’s PITCH DAYS are a dynamic live pitch event for documentary filmmakers. Selected teams will showcase their works-in-progress for expert feedback and have a chance to win consulting services with renowned professionals and $6,000. The program aims to curate promising documentaries of the future for industry consideration and select projects from a competitive pool of online submissions.

Previously known as Industry Roundtables/Only in New York, the event features 18 projects pitched on stage to a panel of industry professionals and a live audience on Thursday, November 13 and Friday, November 15, 2025 in Manhattan.

Pitch teams will benefit from:

1. Pre-event pitch coaching by a seasoned professional.
2. On-stage feedback from various industry panelists.
3. Option for 1:1 consults with industry representatives.
4. Option to receive audience donations through your on-screen QR code during the pitch.
5. Two free DOC NYC Industry Pass passes for pitching teams (one additional Industry Pass is available for purchase at a discount if teams have a third member pitching).
6. Prizes of up to $6,000 - winner(s) to be select by AJH Films at their discretion.
7. Opportunity to apply for AJH Filmmakers Fund to receive mentorship, practical support, and investment.

DOC NYC PRO’s PITCH DAY offers a unique platform for filmmakers to engage directly with prominent figures in distribution, financing, publicity, marketing, social impact, and beyond.

In previous years, selected teams have pitched to industry figures from the fields of distribution, philanthropic funding, financing, PR, marketing, social impact, festival programming, and more.

Past industry representatives have included Amazon Studios, A&E, ABC News Studios, Black Public Media, Chicken & Egg Pictures, Cinephil, Cinetic Media, Conde Nast (The New Yorker), Disney+, Disney’s Onyx Collective, ESPN Films, Fifth Season (formerly Endeavor Content), Firelight Media, HBO, IFC Films, Hulu, Impact Partners, Imagine Entertainment, IDA, Kickstarter, MTV Documentary Films, National Geographic, Netflix, NBC News Studios, NEON, Paramount+, Participant, POV, Sony Pictures Classics, Story Syndicate, Submarine Entertainment, Sundance Institute, The New York Times, WME Agency, WNET, and others.

DOC NYC PRO’s PITCH DAY is open to all documentary filmmakers, regardless of their geographic location or that of their subjects or topics. Projects submitted must be works-in-progress; specific eligibility requirements are below.

Note that the program is not intended for films that are applying to make their public screening debut at DOC NYC in November 2025.

Requirements

Submissions are open to nonfiction works-in-progress features or series proposals in any genre or style. Submitted works-in-progress must have at least 30% of their budget already in place.

Projects will be selected based on their creative potential, ability to engage an audience, and potential for success in the marketplace. The representation, authorship, and positionality of the project’s lead creative team will also be considered.

To participate in DOC NYC PRO’s PITCH DAY, each participating member of accepted pitch teams must attend in person. Up to two pitch team members will receive a comped industry pass. A third discounted industry pass is available for purchase if teams have an additional member pitching. The pass offers rush access to DOC NYC’s 9 day in-person festival and conference and includes access to the filmmaker lounge.