FEATURE ACCELERATOR
Opening doors for emerging talent
Are you an emerging screenwriter with a powerful voice and a unique story to tell? We are thrilled to announce our brand-new Feature Accelerator, designed to elevate and spotlight talented writers like you! In this highly competitive virtual accelerator, 8 fellows will be selected from the applications to receive 3 weeks of training before pitching to major studios, production companies, reps and more. The entire accelerator, including training and pitching, will occur online.
Building on the success of our acclaimed Pilot Accelerator, we’re expanding our support to the world of feature films. Over the past three years, we’ve helped TV writers transform their pitches into industry-ready gems, securing one-on-one meetings with major players like HBO, Netflix, Hulu, and more. Now, we’re bringing that same opportunity to feature film writers!
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Want to learn more about the accelerator? Watch the replay of our virtual Q&A session. You can find more answers in our FAQ section.
WHO HEARS THE PITCHES
Connecting you to representation, investors, and producers
For every accelerator, we get over 20 studios and production companies on board to hear pitches. Fellows typically receive 6 to 10 requests for pitch meetings. These pitch meetings are all one-on-one, and 85% of the meetings end with a request to read the full script. Every week we'll be posting more companies that will be hearing pitches. Check back here for updates!
"It was a real pleasure not only to meet these talented women, but also to hear their exceptionally polished pitches. The level of detail, passion and intention these fellows were able to deliver in a 10 minute pitch is usually reserved for meetings double or triple the length. A testament to the mentorship and feedback they've received through Moonshot and a delight to experience the spoils of"
- Jasmine Russ, VP of development & production at Fabel Entertainment
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"All of the pitches from Moonshot have been super clear, focused and are honestly at the top of the list of the best pitches that I've ever heard."
- Megan Wolter, K Period Media
WHO READS THE SCRIPTS?
Semi-finalists' scripts will be read by an incredible group of judges, including screenwriters and producers. This panel of judges will help us select the finalists, who will then go through a virtual interview before the 8 fellows are selected. Even if you are not selected as a fellow, there is still a chance you might be contacted if one of these judges likes your script enough to interview or refer you for a writing position.
Before getting to the semi-finalist stage, all scripts are read at least twice by our internal team, volunteer readers, and former fellows.
We will update our list of judges every week so check back in to see the full list!
Important Dates
Sept. 10: Applications open
Sept. 27: Early Deadline
Oct. 8: Ask us Anything (free Q&A info session)
Oct. 11: Regular Deadline
Oct. 25: Late Deadline
Oct. 29 : Hit Submit Day
Nov. 15: Final Deadline
Scripts will be read and reviewed between Sept. 10 and January 15. If you are selected to move forward, you will be notified by email at the end of January. You will need to submit a 2-minute video to proceed.
March 4 or 5: Networking event for all semi-finalists (on Zoom)
March 14-21: Finalist interviews
Fellows will be selected and notified by the end of March.
April 22-May 9: Accelerator workshops
May 12-16: Pitch week
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Where do I register and pay for the course?After you click "Join," you will be prompted to create an account. The payment page will pop up as soon as you log in. You will also need to be signed in to request to join the waitlist for any of the courses that are not currently available.
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Who will be teaching the How to Pitch Your Pilot course?You’ll learn directly from Moonshot Initiative co-founders Katrina Medoff and Tracy Sayre, who have prepared Moonshot Pilot Accelerator (formerly WWFC’s Pilot Accelerator) fellows to pitch to major studios and production companies. They have sat in on more than 100 pitch meetings they set up for their fellows with companies including HBO, Netflix, Warner Bros., Hulu, Showtime, Comedy Central, and more. Execs have shared that the Moonshot fellows' pitches were exceptionally polished and that they were more prepared than many of the pitches they normally see. Now, they’re bringing their expertise gained from the Moonshot Pilot Accelerator to Moonshot’s “How to Pitch Your Pilot” course.
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What are the dates and times of the live virtual meetups?For our How to Pitch Your Project course in November 2023, these are the dates and times: Monday, Nov. 6, 5-6:30 p.m. Pacific / 8-9:30 p.m. Eastern Thursday, Nov. 16, 5-6:30 p.m. Pacific / 8-9:30 p.m. Eastern Monday, Nov. 20, 5-6:30 p.m. Pacific / 8-9:30 p.m. Eastern
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How do I sign up to receive instructor feedback on my pitch?To receive live instructor feedback on your pitch, sign up via our Calendly link (available in your course registration email or on moonshotinitiative.com/courses once you have registered and logged in). You must select a feedback date by Nov. 2 to guarantee your spot.
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Do I have to have a project to pitch to participate in the course? Is it required to sign up for an instructor feedback session?You are welcome to soak up everything there is to learn from the course and live sessions without pitching your work! Often, we learn the most from observing others, because it's easier to be objective about what is needed to improve a pitch. Come watch and learn!
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Will the live meetings be recorded?We will be recording portions of the live virtual meetups and posting them on the group discussion board at a later date. However, some of the time in the live meetup will be spent in breakout rooms, which of course will not be recorded. The only way to experience this part of the course will be to join live.
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What are the dates and times of the peer practice sessions?There are two peer practice sessions during the How to Pitch Your Pilot course in November 2023. This is your opportunity to receive feedback on your pitch from a classmate and to hone your ability to give feedback by assessing your partner’s pitch. There are two days for peer pitch practice: Thursday, Nov. 9 (choose your meeting time with your partner) Monday, Nov. 13 (choose your meeting time with your partner) Sign up for one or both practice sessions via our peer pitch practice sign-up form (available in your course registration email or on moonshotinitiative.com/courses).
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In the How to Pitch Your Project course, will I be preparing a pitch deck?The How to Pitch Your Project course focuses on the skill of verbal pitching, so we will not be preparing any visual aids or pitch decks. Given the limited class time, we will be prioritizing mastering the art of speaking about your work, your ideas, and yourself as a creative.
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What kinds of verbal pitches will I be preparing for the How to Pitch Your Project course?Course participants will be preparing both a 30-second elevator pitch and a longer version of the pitch. Please note that while in typical pitch meetings, pitches might be 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or even longer, you will be working on the skill of verbal pitching in a more condensed fashion. Our belief is that it is always easier to expand upon a pitch than to make it more concise; it’s important to be able to convey ideas succinctly when needed. Our course will help you hone your verbal pitching skills so that you are able to build a more in-depth pitch when need be.