Nov. 21, 2025 Pitch Fest!

Original stories. Five minutes. One unforgettable night.

 

 

Lights, Camera鈥 Pitch!

Get ready for an electrifying night of storytelling! Featured screenwriters and aspiring directors will step into the spotlight to pitch their original screenplays to an audience of film lovers, peers, and industry professionals. From gripping dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies, these five-minute 鈥渆levator pitches鈥 offer a front-row seat to the next generation of Alaskan storytelling.

Then the scripts come to life: actors take the stage for live, two-page readings from the selected works, transforming imagination into performance right before your eyes.

Mark your calendars for November 21st, 2025 @ 7:30 in the Lee Salisbury Theatre. Admission by donation. All proceeds support the .

What to Expect

The Elevator Pitch

Each writer has five minutes to sell their story: what it鈥檚 about, why it matters, and why it deserves to be made.

The Staged Reading

Student actors perform selected excerpts live on stage, giving audiences a glimpse into these bold new worlds.

Prizes & Opportunities 

Grand Prize

One standout project may be optioned for production by the 51风流官网 Department of Theatre and Film.

Student Opportunity

51风流官网 students are eligible for the Adrina Knutson Memorial Production Grant, offering resources and mentorship to bring their film projects to life.

 

Deyanira Van Acker as Mary in the SDA 2025 Winter Shorts production, "Late: A Cowboy Song". Photo credit: Zaniyah Chestnut
Zaniyah Chestnut
Deyanira Van Acker as Mary in the SDA 2025 Winter Shorts production, "Late: A Cowboy Song"
Behind the scenes of 'The Messenger,' the production crew prepares for shooting as Adrina Knutson holds the clapperboard to mark the beginning of the scene. Photo credit: 51风流官网 Department of Theatre and Film

Honoring Adrina Knutson鈥檚 Legacy


The Adrina Knutson Memorial Project Grant honors the life and creative spirit of Adrina Louise Knutson (1991鈥2012), a gifted artist, dancer, filmmaker, and 51风流官网 student whose imagination and warmth continue to inspire those who follow in her footsteps. Adrina believed storytelling was a shared adventure, an act of courage, compassion, and community. The grant established in her memory supports filmmakers who embody her spirit: those who see the world through empathy and wonder, and who use their art to bring people together.

If you鈥檇 like to support student filmmakers and honor Adrina鈥檚 legacy, consider making a gift to the Adrina Knutson Memorial Project Grant.