Cut.Katha is a documentary pitching lab that trains women filmmakers to create powerful pitches for their short documentary film projects. For 2025, Cut.Katha is calling for short documentary film project entries from all Nepali filmmakers who identify as women.
You can apply to Cut.Katha here
What is in it for me?
- Create a powerful pitch deck that you can present to possible funders/investors of your films
- Learn skills needed for pitching that you can apply to your other film projects as well
- Get your stories noticed by pitching live at kimff 2025
- 5 filmmakers selected for the pitch event also get to meet and discuss their films with experienced film industry experts from South Asia
Eligibility
- To have directed or produced at least one short film (documentary/fiction).
- Must be a Nepali citizen over 18 years of age.
- Must apply with a short documentary film project (not exceeding 15 minutes in length).
- Visual materials from their on-going projects are preferable. Applicants in the early development stage with clear access to characters but no visual materials can still apply with footage/photographs they have sourced with permission.
- Must commit to engage in the workshop, mostly in-person, throughout April and May 2025.
- Submitted projects should complete production within December 2025. Winners of the pitch will be expected to complete their films by February 2026.
Selection Criteria
- A compelling storyline: Clarity in terms of storytelling – How are you going to tell the story through the film? How will you include the central conflict or journey in your film to engage your audience?
- Originality: Filmmakers who can present stories that reflect unique perspectives. Is the approach to the film innovative in its approach?
- Clarity of vision: A filmmaker’s strong and clear creative vision reflected in their intention to tell the story.
- Relevancy: Social, cultural, or political relevance of the films.
- Feasibility: Projects that can demonstrate realistic goals in terms of production plan and financing plan.
- Visual evidence: Strong sample footage that reflects intended style and tone of the documentary.
Important dates for 2025
January 10: Applications open
March 15: Applications close
March 15 to March 31: Review of applications
April 1 to April 10: Applicants to be called for virtual interviews
April 15: Announce selected participants
April 18 – 20: Pitch training workshop
April 20 – May 8: Submission of revised pitch materials by selected participants
May 10 – 5: Finalists announced
May 16-18: Virtual sessions for 5 finalists with industry experts
May 26: Final pitch submissions
May 31: Pitch event at kimff 2025
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who can apply?
Any Nepali citizen over 18 years of age can apply.
What qualifications do I require?
We do not have set qualifications on the education or professional background of the filmmaker. However, an ideal applicant should have proven experience in producing or directing at least one short documentary/fiction film.
Can I apply with feature length documentary projects?
No. For this edition of the pitch lab we are particularly emphasizing on short documentaries with a length up to 15 minutes. We understand some films may be longer in length based on the content.
Can I apply even if I don’t have an idea?
No. We strongly recommend applicants to apply with an idea with clear evidence of access to its central character(s). An applicant would preferably need to apply with some visual materials (footage) showcasing their subject matter. It is important for us to see that the filmmakers have clear access to their characters and subjects.
Can male filmmakers apply?
No, this is only open for filmmakers who identify as women.
What sort of visual materials should I submit?
To make the most out of the pitch lab, we encourage filmmakers to apply with a film they have been working on. This could include visuals, interviews, short clips you might have filmed during your research phase. In the visuals we need to see clear access to your central character(s). If the filmmaker is working with archives, then they will need to submit proof showing that required permission/consent for footage use has been sought.
Although we encourage visual materials, we understand that filmmakers might be financially restricted to do so. In such rare cases, filmmakers can submit visual material using stock videos/images that clearly demonstrates the filmmaker’s creative approach to the documentary.
What is in it for me?
You will go home with your own pitch deck for your film! In its third iteration Cut.Katha aims to create an encouraging safe space for filmmakers who identify as women to share, and discuss ideas about their films. We envision the lab as a series of knowledge sharing sessions from established documentary makers where selected participants can not only learn about pitching their projects but also freely interact with the mentors on their doubts and ideas.
How much time will I have to commit in April and May?
This depends on the applicants. The lab structure has a multi-day pitch training session in April. In May too – there are multi-day sessions where the filmmakers interact with industry mentors. All this will culminate into a 1-day pitch event during kimff. We expect each virtual session to be a maximum of two and a half hours mostly in the evenings, while participants will have to commit their entire day/s for the physical pitch training sessions. Participants are expected to attend all virtual sessions, and any “homework” prescribed out of the training or sessions is dependent on how the participants wish to spend their time developing their project.
What can I expect from the program?
This is not a full-fledged course on documentary making, but instead a place to network, question, and learn practical ideas on pitching your documentary project.
In the first phase, participants will learn the basics of pitching (including video and text pitches) from mentors. Participants will need to create pitches for their own projects as well. Depending on the pitches, five participants will be selected for next phases.
In phase two, the participants will attend group pitching sessions and sit for virtual one-on-one mentoring sessions with established documentary filmmakers.
The five participants will get a chance to pitch their projects with revised pitches in front of a live audience and a judging panel at kimff 2025.
Is any funding available?
Yes. From the eight selected participants, five with the best video and text pitches will get an opportunity to attend virtual mentoring sessions and pitch in front of a live audience and our judging panel at kimff 2025. Each participant will go home with a set pitch deck with their logline, synopsis, visual and verbal pitches which they can use in the future to approach funders/investors and secure funding for their films.
If you wish to review the questions in the applications, you can do so here.
