The Sheffield Documentary Festival is one of the most prestigious factual film-making events in the annual TV calendar. This year”s edition will commence on June 13 and organisers have just announced that there will be an £80,000 prize fund across six pitching competitions.

The top prize is the chance to win a 3-month placement with Channel 4 to make a half-hour film with a £50,000 budget. The competition, which is called the Channel 4 First Cut Pitch, also has a £5,000 development fund for the runner-up (with ideas needing to be in by May 4).

Another key prize up for grabs is The Wellcome Trust Pitch, which is for projects that reach out to audiences with biomedical science (deadline April 27). There is also the WorldView Pitch, for productions on a theme of women in business, (£10,000 prize, deadline April 30).

Doc/Fest is also a significant event for cross-platform producers. The 94 Elements Live Pitch offers this group a £5,000 prize for a crowd-funded cross-media project.

Are you a veteran of the Doc/Fest? Or are you considering entering the Channel 4 competition? Why not discuss at The Knowledge’;s LinkedIn Group.