The California Film Institute fundraising initiative DocPitch is designed to aid filmmakers in completing a feature-length documentary project currently in development/production. Out of 130 submissions, five projects were selected by two committees of industry professionals to participate in DocPitch 2022.

The DocPitch 2022 Audience Award voting has concluded and the votes have been carefully verified and tallied — drum roll please!

We’re thrilled to announce that the $45,000 Audience Award went to director Alana Maiello for her project CHEWED GUM. Thank you all for your support of the filmmaking teams and your enthusiastic engagement throughout the voting process that took place April 29 – May 8, 2022.

We’re delighted to announce that the $40,000 Industry Award went to director Jalena Keane-Lee and team for their project STANDING ABOVE THE CLOUDS. The remaining three finalists each received $5,000.

The 2022 Industry Jury was comprised of Paola Mottura of the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Fund, Jeffrey Winter of The Film Collaborative, and Chi-hui Yang of Ford Foundation. They had the difficult task of selecting just one project to be presented the Industry Award. 

All funds go toward the continued development and production of the film projects.