Joy Bear wins the BIFF 2026 Pitch Award

Bournemouth International Film Festival (BIFF) is a fresh and ambitious addition to the UK’s cultural calendar, designed from the ground up to support and celebrate emerging filmmakers, first-time screenwriters, and independent voices in cinema.

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Joy Bear by Jordan Louis has won the Pitch Award at Bournemouth International Film Festival 2026, receiving a year’s Pro membership to My SMASH Media.

Held in partnership with BIFF industry partner My SMASH Media, the live pitch event brought four selected projects before a judging panel comprising Suki Singh, Tim Clague, Clare Cahill and Kathryn Carmichael.

The participating projects were Joy Bear by Jordan Louis, The Boy In The Window by Jo Southwell, Away From Home by Kudzi Synos and Cornfield Chronicles by Richard Stride.

Following the pitches and questions from the panel, Joy Bear was named the winner. Away From Home received a special mention as runner-up.

Congratulations to Jordan and Kudzi, and thank you to all four participants for sharing their projects. BIFF also thanks My SMASH Media and the judging panel for supporting the event and creating an opportunity for filmmakers to present their work and take their projects forward.

Links: My SMASH Media