NATPE Budapest International, the most prominent global TV Marketplace and Screenings focused on the EMEA, CEE region while reaching the global content marketplace, along with CEETV - the most comprehensive professional source on television in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), are preparing the 6th edition of PITCH & PLAY LIVE! following a two-year pause due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 5th edition in 2020 was organized online as part of NATPE Virtual Budapest.

The format pitching contest will be one of the main highlights of NATPE Budapest International continuing the tradition to find the best formats from the Eastern European Region with the biggest potential to travel internationally. Previous winners have successfully got their shows picked up globally.

Today, NATPE and CEETV are proud to announce the members of the Selection Committee which will choose the three finalists of PITCH & PLAY LIVE! These are:

Andrew Sime, Head of Format Sales at NEWEN; Dan Thunnel, Director, International Acquisitions, Distribution & Co-Productions at PROPAGATE; Nilufer Kuyel, CEO at LUCID DREAMS ENTERTAINMENT; JP Bommel, President and CEO at NATPE; and Georgi R. Chakarov, President and CEO at TVBIZZ Group which operates CEETV and TVBIZZ.

The Selection Committee will evaluate each format based on three criteria: originality (how original is the idea for the format); universality (does the format idea show flexibility for changes and development) and internationality (does the format have the potential to be sold internationally) and the three shows that collect the most points will take part in the PITCH & PLAY LIVE! Final, which will take place on June 28th in the Intercontinental Budapest.

This unique event showcases and recognizes original unscripted format ideas with international potential. Any non-scripted format created after Jan 1, 2020 can be submitted for consideration in the competition. Evaluation of the materials by the committee will start by June 10th. The finalists will be announced by June 16th.

The following CEE countries have submitted their entries Poland, Ukraine, Estonia, Bulgaria and Hungary. The content will be screened on pitchplay.tv.

For details and information on how to apply for participation, please see https://pitchplay.tv/pplive/rules