NATPE Budapest, the most prominent global TV market focused on the CEE and EMEA regions, taking place June 19 to 22 at the InterContinental Hotel and CEETV, the leading professional source on television in Central and Eastern Europe, are proud to announce the three finalists for the seventh edition of PITCH & PLAY LIVE! The format pitching contest is one of the main highlights of NATPE Budapest, continuing the tradition of finding the best formats from the CEE region with the biggest potential to travel internationally. Previous winners have successfully got their shows picked up globally.

Following a close vote, the 3 finalists of the competition showcasing the region’s best new original format concepts with international potential this year are: 15 QUESTIONS (Kanal 2, Estonia); SCARMAN (Heroes Formats, Ukraine) and CAMPER (TVP, Poland). The three formats will be presented live by their creators during the PITCH & PLAY LIVE! session on Tuesday, June 20 at 16:00 CET. The jury, consisting of Caroline Humurson, Head of Sales at Antenna Studios; Katie Pike, Director of European Formats at Paramount Global, and Pascal Dalton, Head of Brand Partnerships, North EMEA, Global Partnerships at ITV Studios will evaluate the presentations and the potential of the formats and vote for the winner of the competition.

This year PITCH & PLAY LIVE's Top 3 formats were selected among 8 new original developed formats from Estonia, Romania, Bulgaria, Poland and Ukraine: DREAM OR REALITY (TVR, Romania) with 52 (out of a maximum of 75) points; DANCE TO VICTORY (ETV, Estonia) – 40 points; CAMPER (TVP, Poland) – 58 points; 15 QUESTIONS (Kanal 2, Estonia) – 57 points; SCARMAN and SUPERMATCH (Heroes Formats, Ukraine) – 59 and 42 points; EAT A BOOK (Agitprop, Bulgaria) – 46 points, and MY SUPER FAMILY (1+1, Ukraine) – 47 points.

The international potential of the formats was evaluated by a selection committee which this year included: Damien Porte, Partner, Global Distribution & Operations at Can’t Stop Media; Agnes Mbye, Senior Sales Manager, Formats at Passion Distribution; Marta Csizmadia, International Sales Consultant at Rabbit Films (Finland) and M6 Formats (France); Claire McDonald, EP at NATPE and Brunico Communications and Georgi R. Chakarov, CEO and President, TVBIZZ Group.

Georgi R. Chakarov commented: "PITCH & PLAY LIVE! is back this year for its seventh edition. Our unique event showcases and recognizes original unscripted format ideas with international potential and NATPE Budapest is the perfect launch pad for new shows coming out of the region with 650+ delegates attending this year. We hope that both the finalists and the other participants in the contest will soon see their formats adapted in other markets."