Our monthly networking event
Round Trip Brewing Co. 1279 Seaboard Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA

Film Pitch ATL

Our Story

Film Pitch ATL is Atlanta’s best networking event for the film industry. Watch 3 filmmakers pitch their upcoming projects to our panel of film industry experts!

Panelists offer their feedback after each pitch and there is an audience Q&A after so you can ask these professionals your questions about the industry.

Join us for the evening if you’re a potential investor, actor, above or below the line crew, film business professional, film enthusiast, or just curious to learn more about the ATL film scene.

Scroll below to know more about our current panelists.

Want to pitch at an ipcoming event? Apply for free at the link below.

Submit your pitch

Join Us

Pitch Your Film

Attend

Join us every month for film pitching and networking at Round Trip Brewing, 1279 Seaboard Industrial Blvd NW, Atlanta, GA 30318. To find out about our upcoming dates, please click on the link below

6:30pm- Doors Open
7:00pm- Introduction with Cinema Life CEO Caroline King then Film Pitches with Q&A
8:30pm- Networking

Buy Tickets

Learn

Do you want to learn how to pitch your project? Even if you don’t have a finished script, you can still make your pitch deck. Click below for our start to finish guide on how to set up your pitch deck along with a free editable template and tips and trick on how to wow studios and networks with your pitch!

Buy E-book

Apply

Do you think you have what it takes to pitch your project at a future event? Apply for free! Don’t let imposter syndrome get the better of you, this is a place to learn and grow with your peers! Successful applications get 5 minutes to pitch their projects, so plan yours accordingly in advance.

Submit your pitch

Meet Niki Sterner, our newest panelist!

Niki Sterner

Niki Sterner is an actor, comedian, writer, and award-winning director known for her bubbly charm, raw vulnerability, and unfiltered humor. In 2024, she performed on over 50 stages, blending stand-up, storytelling, and improv while embarking on a Courage Quest—facing fears like holding snakes and riding motorcycles to prove that fear, when embraced, becomes fuel for growth. As creator of The Bigger Life Community, she helps ambitious creatives transform fear into a turbo boost for bold action, pushing creative boundaries both on stage and in life. Niki is currently writing The Confidence Shortcut, a book to share her proven system for helping performers use the power in fear to step into the spotlight. She is also releasing the Confidence Shortcut podcast in May of 2025, to have conversations that share tools and takeaways to live the life you were meant for.

OUR CURRENT PANELISTS

Leland Benford

Leland Benford is an established film editor with over 10 years of experience editing music videos, feature films, short-form content, and commercials. As a director, Leland has led several short film crews, releasing his first feature “Empathy”. A graduate of Full Sail University, Leland is the Co-Owner of Cupcake Rapture Studios with his wife Phaedra Benford, where they have collaborated on two international Pilots, “From Yard” and “Town(E).

Shellie Schmals

Shellie Schmals is the Director of Field Marketing at Allied Global Marketing, a global entertainment and lifestyle PR firm. She also runs VonSchmals Productions, fostering community and creativity. With over 15 years in the entertainment industry and 25 years in the non-profit sector, Shellie has held diverse roles, including Director of Community at Stage 32 and Senior Program Manager at the Atlanta Jewish Film Festival. She serves on the boards of Women in Film and Television Atlanta, Georgia Production Partnership, and Film Festival Alliance. Her creative passion lies in burlesque and pinup, producing comedy, film, fashion, and art shows in Atlanta since 2009.

Marti Young

Marti King Young is a writer, director, and producer whose work, including the award-winning “The Adventures of Wonderboy,” champions social activism. She’s opened doors for special needs individuals in major productions with MGM, FX, and Netflix. Marti’s collaborated with industry giants like James Wan and Sheryl Anderson, and her directing prowess has earned her accolades. As a mentor and teacher, she’s leaving an indelible mark on the industry.

Ronnel Parham

Ronnel is multi award winning actor in addition to being a multi award winning creator, writer and producer. He holds a BA in Liberal Arts from West Chester University of Pennsylvania and a MA in Criminology from Indiana University of PA. Ronnel’s mission is to change the landscape of Television and Film by creating and telling stories that represent the underrepresented.

Tune In

Listen to The Boom Podcast featuring Film Pitch ATL

Listen to our CEO and Founder, Caroline King sit with Kevin Rinker from the Boom Podcast to talk about Film Pitch ATL and the continuously growing independent film community in Georgia

Listen to the episode