RTÉ’s Format Farm is teaming up with Norwegian National Broadcaster NRK to offer €10,000 development funding for an impactful format which can be broadcast in both the Norwegian and Irish domestic markets. Five finalists will pitch at the Celtic Media Festival in Dungarvan, Co Waterford on 21 April 2016.
The winning entrant of the Format Farm Development Pitch has 10 weeks from the end of the Celtic Media Festival to deliver a “sizzle tape” and a worked up treatment and pitch it back to the relevant channel controllers at RTÉ and NRK.
RTE's Format Farm Development Pitch is open to any production company or format creative house or individual in any country with a track record in format development. The aim of the Format Farm development pitch is to support and inspire creativity and innovation.
RTÉ and NRK are looking for an original format which has not been previously commissioned/produced and exploited on any platform (linear or non–linear) and for which all worldwide rights are available. The format should be innovative, original, be able to travel, be returnable and creatively distinctive.
A panel comprising Adrian Lynch, Channel Controller, RTÉ One; Janet Frawley, Head of Formats RTÉ; Petter Wallace, Head of Commissioning NRK; and Unni Ødegård, Commissioning Editor Independents will decide a winner from five finalists. The panel is to be adjudicated by Michelle Spillane, Director of RTÉ Global.
Michelle said: “Global partnerships are essential in a world of ever increasing media fragmentation. The 10k Format Farm Pitch at the Celtic Media Festival further cements RTÉ and NRK's commitment to partnership in finding outstanding content for our channels and platforms.”
Petter Wallace, Head of Commissioning in NRK (Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation) said:: “We in NRK are thrilled to be working with RTÉ on the format competition. In the future, public service broadcasters, particularly in smaller countries, need to cooperate more to create great content. Hopefully we will develop ideas through this competition that enrich the output for audiences both in Norway and Ireland, perhaps open up opportunities for production companies in both countries to broaden the market for their ideas.”
Catriona Logan, Festival Director said: “Celtic Media Festival is a firm fixture in the industry calendar, and this innovative pitching initiative with NRK and RTÉ is a truly exciting addition to the festival programme for 2016. We're delighted to be a part of it.”
Go to http://www.celticmediafestival.co.uk/format-pitch for full details and information.
