Pitch Contest for the Monte Carlo Television Festival

Call for submissions now open, with finalists to Pitch during
 Business Content sessions at the 2025 Festival in June
 
"It will take a year out of your life to create your story, are you willing to do that?"
 
The Monte-Carlo Television Festival in collaboration with 1895 Films, today announced Tell Me A Story, a new Pitch Contest focused on factual (non-fiction) storytelling, with the goal to uncover unique and compelling story ideas offering untold narratives from a new generation of film creators and storytellers.
 
Tell Me A Story is now open for submissions in the English language from both affiliated film school and non-affiliated young creators between the ages of 18 to 30 years. Up to twenty storytellers whose projects are selected for the final round, will have the opportunity to showcase their original and non-commercial creations in quick-fire pitch sessions during the Festival's Business Content industry sessions, being held from June 14th - 16th 2025, in Monaco. Each storyteller finalist will have a maximum of five minutes to pitch their story, plus a short question time in front of an audience and judging panel of international television industry and media executives. Storytellers will be judged on creativity and originality of the concept, storytelling strength and compelling narrative quality, plus commercial viability and market potential.
                                                                                                                                              
"We are delighted to launch Tell Me A Story to provide young content creators and producers of tomorrow, with an opportunity to showcase their creative ideas through the powerful medium of non-fiction storytelling. Our esteemed Business Content segment welcomes influential television and entertainment executives, alongside young creative talent in a professional but convivial setting, providing an ideal format to host the Pitch Contest", announced Cecile Menoni, Executive Director, Monte-Carlo Television Festival.  "We are honored to be organizing Tell Me A Story in collaboration with the award-winning production company 1895 Films, headed by Tom Jennings, one of the industry's most coveted Executive Producers, in the genre of factual storytelling.  We share a common goal to shine the spotlight on the next generation of storytellers through this inspiring initiative", stated Menoni.
 
The Tell Me a Story winner will benefit from several exclusive prizes including support from 1895 Films to develop their winning storyline, help to produce a sizzle reel and introductions to potential buyers. As well as two tickets to attend the prestigious Golden Nymph Awards Ceremony and Gala Evening at the Monte-Carlo Television Festival.
 
"This Business Content series of conferences is an exciting opportunity for young storytellers to pitch their non-fiction ideas to industry professionals.  I'm thrilled to be collaborating again with the Monte-Carlo Television Festival.  The Festival is one of my favorite gatherings on the planet to explore great things in the television world" said Tom Jennings, CEO & Executive Producer, 1895 Films. "I'm grateful to be part of such a prestigious, world-class event.  Our young storytellers will be able to meet with industry professionals, have their ideas heard by some of the brightest lights in our industry, and do it all in one of the most compelling venues in the world.  I look forward to the moment when the first young creator steps up to the podium and I say to them, "Ok, tell me a story" continued Jennings.
 
Tell Me A Story timeline is as follows:
 
Submission deadline for entries:  April 22nd
Finalists announced on the Festival website and communication channels:  May 27th
Winner selected and announced at close of Business Content programme:  June 16th