The Podcast Pitch

The Podcast Pitch is a dedicated initiative by The Whickers, in collaboration with Sheffield DocFest, aimed at supporting original audio documentary work. This program diverges from The Whickers’ Film & TV Award by allowing applicants with previous experience, thus broadening the pool of eligible storytellers. The grant seeks to promote innovative and engaging podcast content and reflects a growing global interest in factual audio storytelling that caters to solo, episodic consumption. The competition offers significant financial support and access to industry expertise, making it a prominent opportunity for independent audio creators. The main objective of The Podcast Pitch is to fund and elevate creative audio documentaries with compelling narratives. The winning project receives a £15,000 production grant, while a runner-up is awarded £5,000. In addition to these cash awards, six finalists benefit from free passes to the Sheffield Documentary Festival in June 2026, three nights of accommodation, and up to £400 in travel support per project. These finalists also gain access to influential audio commissioners and professionals, enhancing their industry exposure and career opportunities. Projects are judged based on several key criteria. Applicants must produce content in English and demonstrate a distinctive flair for narrative structure. Strong interviewing skills, originality in technology use, and creative application of sound design, including stereo or binaural effects, are all highly valued. Submissions should not be additional seasons of existing series; they must be new, authored works. The evaluative framework also emphasizes curiosity, independence, fair-mindedness, and the ability to offer listeners something new and surprising about the world without promoting political agendas or campaigns. The application process requires several components: a teaser audio recording of up to four minutes, a still image to visually represent the project, and an executive producer or named mentor attached to the submission. Applicants must be able to attend the final pitching event in person at Sheffield DocFest in June 2026, where they will present their proposals to a panel of judges. The deadline for submissions is February 27, 2026, at 23:59 GMT, with applications having opened on December 3, 2025. Shortlisted projects will be announced in April 2026, followed by the live pitch and awards ceremony in June. Eligibility is open to independent podcast creators globally, provided the project is accessible in English. The grant funds will be disbursed either to a registered production company or directly to an individual applicant, depending on how they apply. The Whickers stress the importance of creativity, originality, and audience engagement in project proposals. The program welcomes playful and boundary-pushing storytelling, encouraging applicants to rethink how stories are delivered through sound. Additional guidance is provided through FAQs and an application checklist on the official website. Applicants are encouraged to review these materials thoroughly and prepare their responses according to specified word limits. For assistance, questions can be directed to the program’s contact email. The Podcast Pitch exemplifies The Whickers’ commitment to fostering impactful non-fiction storytelling by investing in projects that offer fresh perspectives and make meaningful use of the podcast medium.

Review full application early to prepare all media and mentor details in advance.