JFL, CBC team up on pitch program

Five selected teams will present their original web or TV concepts to execs and creatives from the pubcaster.

justforlaughsJust For Laughs and CBC Comedy have launched a new pitch program.

The CBC Comedy Originals Pitch Program will give five selected Canadian creator and producer teams the chance to present their original web or TV concepts to a panel of CBC Comedy development execs. The open-forum pitch event will take place at Just For Laughs ComedPRO, an industry conference held in Montreal in July as part of the JFL Festival.

“Just For Laughs ComedyPRO has been the birthplace of several successful CBC Comedy original series,” Paul Ronca, director of industry and special events events programming and strategic partner development at JFL, said in a release. These series include My 90-Year-Old-Roommate and Newborn Moms“It seems only natural that we should be partnering with the CBC to develop this program as a platform for Canadian comedy talent.”

The event is only open to Canadians. All applicants will also be considered for the Stand Up & Pitch program, which is presented in conjunction with the New York Television Festival and the International Academy of Web Television.

The Stand Up & Pitch program has two streams. From Set to Screen: TV, OTT, SVOD and More, which accepts submissions for half-hour single or multi-camera scripted sit-coms, game shows, reality shows, variety, sketch or animation series. Meanwhile, the Beyond the Box: Play It Short program accepts submissions for digital-first shows, with episodes that are shorter than 15 minutes.