Sheffield Doc/Fest's MeetMarket has received 385 entries from documentary film-makers, an increase of almost 200% from last year.
The initiative, which launched in 2006, is a pitching forum that uses online systems to match film-makers' project ideas with UK and international buyers.
Submissions have been received from first-time and established filmmakers, including New York based film-making team Pennebaker and Hegedus. 40 to 50 of the submissions will be shortlisted for consideration by a panel of UK and international industry professionals.
The initiative enables international buyers and financiers to decide which projects most interest them by viewing online one-minute pitch teasers of documentary ideas, along with one-page treatments. As a result, they can determine which projects they would like to discuss in one-to-one meetings at Sheffield Doc/Fest. The festival runs from Nov 5-9.
In 2006, 39 projects were pitched to editors, distributors, sales agents and financiers. In total, the projects generated $173,000 (£93,068) of secured financing and $8m (£4,321,980) worth of deals.
MeetMarket is executive produced by Karolina Lidin, produced by Charlie Phillips and funded by Skillset and the EU Media Fund.
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