Supporting the hard work of making a regional feature film.
SPONSORED BY 
Carrying on a local tradition of team-based filmmaking competitions, Elev8or Pitch invites groups to complete a one-minute pitch for a feature film, along with an eight-minute proof-of-concept short.
The top eight submissions (selected by an independent committee) then participate in a screening, live-pitch session, and Q&A with a jury of industry professionals who award three top prizes.
The winners receive cash prizes, mentoring, script consultation, and workshops, all with the goal of helping the teams take the next steps toward a feature production.
By purchasing an Elev8or Pitch Pass, you agree to:
Assemble a team and produce an original proof-of-concept film, no longer than 8 minutes.
Record a one-minute Elev8or Pitch to be viewed by the screening committee prior to watching your film.
Participate in the live pitch session, if you’re one of the finalists.
Terms & Conditions
• No adaptations unless you own the source material.
• Documentaries will not be accepted.
• Must be 18 years or older to participate.
• Must be the producer of the pitched project.
• Cannot be an employee of (Visit Knoxville, any fiscal sponsor, etc)
• Finalists must pitch live if chosen.
• SCREENING PRIOR TO FFK: Public and/or PRIVATE screenings or other festival submissions prior to FFK will disqualify your Elev8or Pitch film from the competition.
SOCIAL MEDIA: Social media posts are limited to production stills and your film poster. Trailers posted before FFK will disqualify your Elev8or Pitch film from the competition.
If your film project is selected for the Elev8or Development Lab, the film’s representatives will acknowledge the support of Film Fest Knox/Elev8or within the credits of the completed feature film.
TERMS OF SUBMISSION: By submitting an Entry into this Project, Entrant hereby warrants and represents that Entrant owns and/or controls all rights to the Entry he/she is entering in this Project, including, without limitation, the content of all video or digital recording, including but not limited to the performances contained in each Entry, with the exception of any assets provided by Film Fest Knox for use by Entrant in connection with this Project. Entrant further warrants and represents that the Entrant has obtained permission from each person or other location or entity appearing in the Entry to grant the rights to the Film Fest Knox Management set forth in these Official Rules, and, upon request, will submit copies of such permissions to the Project Parties. By submitting an Entry, Entrant hereby acknowledges receipt of the Official Rules and accepts all of the Terms of Submission and other provisions contained therein, and further agrees to indemnify and hold Film Fest Knox management and their respective officers, agents, volunteers, sponsors and representatives and affiliated organizations harmless from any and all claims, damages, expenses, costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) and liabilities (including settlements), brought or asserted by any third party against Film Fest Knox Management due to or arising out of the Entrant’s Entry content and materials in this Project, or the Entrant’s conduct during and in connection with this Project, including but not limited to claims for infringement of trademark, copyright, or other intellectual property rights, right of publicity, right of privacy or defamation. Entrant further hereby agrees to release, indemnify, and hold harmless Film Fest Knox Management from any and all claims of infringement or prohibited use arising from advertising, presentation, web content or any other public exposure of content and material subsequently produced, presented, and/or prepared by or on behalf of the Film Fest Knox based upon Entrant’s work or the content and material contained in any Entry.
Each Entrant grants Film Fest Knox and its officers, agents, and affiliated organizations a non-exclusive right and license without fee or payment, to post online and/or screen the Entrant’s film in a public setting for a period of one calendar year after the close of the 2026 Film Fest Knox film festival. All proceeds of any paid admission or other revenue derived from any such use or screening shall be retained 100% by the Film Fest Knox film festival in support of its mission.
Film Fest Knox management reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any entry for any reason prior to the 2026 Film Fest Knox film festival and/or rescind, withdraw and/or revoke any awards, prizes or designations a film may have received as a result of entering the Elev8or Pitch competition.
LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY AND RELEASE: By participating in the Elev8or Pitch competition, Entrant hereby agrees to release, indemnify, and hold Film Fest Knox Management and its officers, agents, and affiliated organizations harmless from any and all claims, whether made by Entrant for disqualification, or whether made by any third party, for damages or liabilities arising from or relating to Entrant’s participation in the Project.