The California Film Institute fundraising initiative DocPitch is designed to aid filmmakers in completing a feature-length documentary project currently in development/production. With over 100 worthy submissions this year, the juries had the most difficult task of winnowing that number down to five finalists for the Audience and Jury Awards. All funds go toward the continued development and production of the film projects.

The DocPitch 2023 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 Kevin Truong for his project MAI AMERICAN.

An industry jury comprised of Paola Mottura of the Sundance Institute Documentary Film Fund, Eric Johnson, SVP, Sound & Engagement Trailblazer Studios, and Annie Roney, Founder & CEO, of ROCO Films presented the $40,000 Industry Award to director Pallavi Somusetty for her project COACH EMILY.

The remaining three finalists each received $5,000.