REGULATIONS OF CAF PITCH

GENERAL TERMS

1. Pitching of film projects by Central Asian Films Pitch “CAF PITCH”  (hereinafter referred to as Pitching) is organized as part of the I Bishkek International Film Festival (hereinafter referred to as the Festival) in Bishkek, the Kyrgyz Republic, from June11 to June 15, 2025. Pitching is a public presentation of film projects under development from the countries of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan) on a competitive basis before the members of the Pitching Jury.
2. Organizers: Ministry of Culture, Information and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, Department of Cinematography of the Kyrgyz Republic and the City Hall of Bishkek.
3. Pitching is financed from the budget within the framework of the Festival.
4. Pitching is organized by the Festival Directorate, whose functions include: 

• creation and approval of Regulations on Pitching;
• approval of the responsible person – Pitching Program Coordinator;
• approval of the Selection Committee from the leading professionals of the film -industry of the countries of Central Asia;
• involvement and formation of the Pitching Jury from among foreign experts, -representatives of funds, festivals, other international film laboratories, 

Broadcasters, producers and distributors;

• attraction of interested partners;
• holding an event — pitching.

5. Preliminary selection of projects for Pitching is carried out by the Selection Committee, consisting of film industry professionals, whose functions include: consideration, evaluation and selection of projects submitted for Pitching;
6. Pitching projects, as well as accepting applications for Pitching will be carried out in English.
7. Participation in Pitching is full-time.
8. The main goal of Pitching is the integration of Central Asian cinema into the global film industry, the development of international co-production and film projects from the countries of Central Asia. Support for talented filmmakers, ensuring interconnection and expansion of international relations of local producers and authors with partners from all over the world interested in co-production with the countries of Central Asia. The priority of the event is the discovery of new talents and the support of young directors with debut projects.
9. Members of the Pitching Jury during the festival will hold a series of trainings, panel discussions, master classes and lectures on topical issues related to international film co-production.

CONDITIONS AND RULES OF PARTICIPATION

1. Projects are accepted only from citizens from Central Asian countries — Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan with strong potential for international distribution. 
2. The project is a full-length feature film with a duration of at least 75 minutes.
3. The project is at the stage of development and/or financing.
4. Filming of the project is planned in Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan) or the project has a close connection with this region.
5. You are looking for international co-production, sales, financing and/or distribution partners.
6. A director and producer from the countries allowed to participate is attached to the project. The director and producer cannot be the same person.
7. Both the director and the producer of the project can only be from the above countries, but not necessarily from the same country.
8. One producer/director/author can submit no more than 1 project for Pitching.
9. To participate, you must correctly fill out the CAF PITCH online application form in English.
10. Applications must include full details and requested materials, and information about presentations of the same project in other co-production markets or similar industry events (including training).
11. Submission of applications, as well as participation in Pitching is free.
12. The organizers provide accommodation and meals for the participants of the  Pitching during the event, transportation costs are paid by the participants themselves.
13. Selected projects must be presented by two (or one) representatives of the project (producer and director/author) in English, in person, publicly during the event.
14. By submitting applications, participants undertake to provide other additional materials and documents at the request of the Directorate of the Festival.
15. Representatives of selected projects also undertake to participate in individual and general consultations prior to Pitching.
16. Pitching participants guarantee that they have all the powers (possession of exclusive rights or the appropriate permission of the copyright holder) to provide materials for participation in Pitching. Responsibility for possible claims and lawsuits of third parties related to copyright and related rights lies with the Pitching participant who sent his application. In the event of claims from third parties regarding ownership of the rights to projects submitted for Pitching (scenarios and applications), the Festival Directorate reserves the right to remove the participant’s project from consideration until all circumstances are clarified.
17. By submitting an application, you fully agree to the terms of these Pitching Regulations.

DEADLINES FOR SUBMISSION AND SELECTION OF APPLICATIONS

1. The selection of applications begins from the moment of official publication and announcement of the start of accepting applications for Pitching.
2. Incorrectly completed applications and / or containing incomplete or inaccurate information will not be allowed to participate in the selection.
3. Application deadline: April 21, 2025 until 11:59 PM (local time).
4. Until May 10, 2025, the Selection Committee will form a preliminary list of up to 12 projects and request from representatives the following additional project materials:

1. Treatment 5 pages in PDF format.
2. Director’s Vision 1 page in PDF format containing information about references, style, shooting method, visual concept, general coloring, etc.;
3. Art Concept or visual presentation (MoodBoard) from 7 to 10 pages in PowerPoint or PDF format, containing such basic elements as: cover or approximate picture and logo of the future film, illustrations, frames, photos, paintings, examples of planned locations, casting, etc. reflecting the overall artistic visual range and mood of the film project.
4. Estimated Budget of the main items of expenditure 1 page in PDF format;
5. Financial Plan or Project Implementation Strategy 1 page draft PDF containing information on funding, partners already attached (please indicate in case of in-kind investment) etc. including status (confirmed, under negotiation, filed, filed).
6. Photos of the Producer and Director in JPEG format (300dpi)

5. Until May 10, 2025,, the Selection Committee will approve the final list of 7 to 10 projects based on the results of the submitted materials.
6. The Selection Committee and the Pitching Jury are not required to explain or comment on the inclusion or non-shortlisting of a project.
7. Within 3 (three) working days, the Festival Directorate contacts the representatives of the selected projects and informs about further actions.
8. Any changes in the status, as well as the process of considering the application, are accompanied by notification of the participant by e-mail specified during registration.

HOLDING THE EVENT

1. Project pitching will take place as part of the Festival on June 11-15, 2025.
2. The total duration of the presentation of each project is no more than 7 minutes. Discussion of the project and questions after the presentation after the presentation no more than 10-15 minutes.
3. The Coordinator determines the Pitching program and the order of the participants’ performances.
4. Based on the results of the performances, the Pitching Jury determines the best presentation of the project.

5. The main cash prize in the amount of 300,000 (three hundred thousand) soms is awarded to the producer of the awarded project during the closing ceremony of the Festival.
6. The Pitching Jury, Festival Directorate, Organizing Committee and Partners of the Festival can additionally award the most promising projects in the form of various prizes (including cash) and certificates in the field of cinematography.
7. All decisions of the Jury are final. Jury members are not obliged to explain and comment on the choice of the winner’s project, as well as other participants in the Pitching.
8. Pitching results are published on the Festival website and in the media.

ADDITIONAL TERMS

1. Producers/directors/authors of projects selected for participation in Pitching are required to post information about their participation in Pitching, as well as logos of the I Bishkek IFF and CAF PITCH in the final credits of the project when they are implemented.
2. The Festival Directorate reserves the right to use and publish all information, contacts, data and project materials provided by the Pitching participants, as well as to use the Pitching video recording in order to popularize the Pitching on the Internet and in the media.
3. The Festival Directorate reserves the right to present additional (non-competitive) projects within the framework of the Pitching (but not more than 1-2 projects).
4. The Directorate of the Festival also reserves the right, in agreement with the Organizing Committee of the Festival, to make the necessary changes to the rules of the Pitching.

ACCREDITATION FOR PITCHING

1. All other interested members of the film industry, media, business, and other areas are encouraged to apply for industry accreditation, which will enable them to participate and attend CAF Pitch events, including Pitching itself.
2. The deadline for submitting applications without a project for accreditation for Pitching is May 20, 2025.