The Hot Docs Forum kicked off this morning by announcing that two participating projects will be selected to receive pitch prizes totalling $100,000.

The awards are part of Hot Docs First Look, a new program for philanthropic supporters of and investors in documentary film. The prizes will be underwritten and awarded by First Look participants. After observing all the pitches, the participants will vote on the best two projects, with the winners announced at the Hot Docs Forum closing awards party.

First-place  willreceive $75,000, with the runner-up receiving $25,000 to help the winners complete their films.

The First Look prizes are the newest – and largest – cash awards up for grabs at the Forum, which runs May 2 to 3 during the Hot Docs film festival.

The $10,000 Corus-Hot Docs Forum Pitch Prize is awarded to the best Canadian doc concept as selected by a committee of international buyers, and the Cuban Hat Award, goes to the favourite pitch at the event, funded and selected by Forum observers.