Closed on the 20^th September, GZDOC 2018 China Story International Pitching Session successfully has wrapped up with 212 submissions from 20 countries and regions. The quality and diversity of the submissions have impressed the semi-final juries. The final selection of pitches will be presented to GZDOC decision makers which include broadcasters, distributors, digital media representatives and investors from both China and abroad at the GZDOC this December. 

In the past 14 years since GZDOC first introduced the pitching session to the China documentary market, the festival has established a comprehensive platform for domestic/international documentary production companies, investors, distributors, and broadcasters to look for creative and promising new projects. Aiming at discovering and supporting emerging documentary filmmakers, the International Pitching Session is held each year to facilitate investments into developing documentary projects. To date, over 130 documentaries have successfully obtained international funds and supports at the GZDOC stage.

Below are some of the award-winning documentaries that stood out from the previous GZDOC International Pitching Session: 

China’s Van Goghs (2016)

Directed by Yu Haibo & Yu Tianqi

Awards & Nominations: Finalist of IDFA 2016

Tricks On The Dead (2015)

Directed by Jordan Paterson

Awards & Nominations:

2016 Canadian Screen Awards – Best Production Design in a Non-Fiction Program (winner)

2016 Canadian Screen Awards – Best Photography in a Documentary Program (winner)

2015 Leo Awards – Best Picture Editing in a Documentary Program (winner)

2015 Leo Awards – Best Cinematography in a Documentary Program (winner)

2015 Leo Awards – Best Short Documentary Program (winner)

The Verse of Us (2015)

Directed by Qin Xiaoyu & Wu Feiyue

Awards & Nominations:

2016 Shanghai International Film Festival Golden Jubilee Awards – Best Documentary

To sum up the submissions this year, Pat Ferns, creator and moderator of GZDOC’s Pitching Program overserved,

‘We have both well-established players and emerging talent competing for a place at China Pitch.

There  are  projects  covering  travel,  wildlife,  music,  underwater archeology,  education, sports, 

women and growing old – the full range of human activity.  I am looking forward to sharing these

stories with our delegates.’

The finalists of 2018 GZDOC China Story International Pitching Session will be announced in the mid November.