Hamptons Whodunit Announces Whodunit PitchFest to Discover Bold, Compelling Storytelling
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Presented with Lionsgate Alternative Television
East Hampton, NY – March 18, 2026
Hamptons Whodunit is proud to announce Whodunit PitchFest, a new and exciting partnership with Blackfin, a division of Lionsgate Alternative Television. The company is a leader in unscripted true crime with a track record of developing and producing cinematic, access-driven series and documentaries that combine rigorous reporting with cultural impact. The inaugural Hamptons Whodunit PitchFest will take place on April 19, 2026, the last day of this year’s festival.
It is a rare opportunity for festival attendees, filmmakers, journalists, investigators, and storytellers to present original documentary and unscripted series ideas rooted in real-world crime, injustice, and unanswered questions. Whodunit PitchFest will be led by Geno McDermott, award-winning producer and executive at Blackfin, a division of Lionsgate Alternative Television, whose work spans premium true crime and investigative storytelling for major platforms. McDermott’s most notable credits include directing Netflix’s Killer Inside: The Mind of Aaron Hernandez and executive producing Netflix’s Tiny Creatures, History’s Tulsa Burning: The 1921 Race Massacre and CNN’s Jerusalem: City of Faith and Fury. His work spans premium true crime and investigative storytelling for major platforms and is known for cinematic craft, rigorous investigation, and cultural impact.
Whodunit PitchFest is designed to surface compelling, access-driven stories with the potential to move beyond development and into production. Participants are encouraged to submit projects that demonstrate original insight, proximity to a case, or a fresh investigative approach.
Submissions will be expected to include tangible assets connected to the case, such as:
· Archival or original photographs
· Video footage
· Published journalism or books
· Court records or official documents
· Maps, timelines, or investigative materials
· Text messages, correspondence, or other visual elements
· Any additional supporting materials that bring the story to life
How PitchFest works:
• Applicants must purchase a Weekend or Sunday Day Pass to Hamptons Whodunit OR pay the Hamptons Whodunit PitchFest submission fee.
• Story ideas must be submitted in writing to pitchfest@hamptonswhodunit.org by 11:59pm EDT on Friday, April 10, 2026.
• A select group of projects will be selected by the Whodunit PitchFest curatorial committee.
• Selected creators will be invited to present their projects live (either in person or via video call) on Sunday, April 19, 2026, in East Hampton Village, in a closed-door twenty-minute pitch session with Geno McDermott and invited industry executives.
• At least one selected project will receive up to $10,000 in development funding and creative guidance to further develop the documentary or series.
Additional submission information will be available at hamptonswhodunit.org
Whodunit PitchFest reflects Hamptons Whodunit’s mission to champion serious, responsible true crime storytelling and to help creators bring meaningful investigations to life and, where possible, contribute to real answers, accountability, or resolution.
Whether you are an investigative journalist, author, filmmaker, researcher, or simply someone with unique access to a powerful untold story, we encourage you to present projects that combine gripping narrative with compelling, verifiable materials.
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ABOUT
Hamptons Whodunit – Where mystery & true crime meet the sea!
Hamptons Whodunit is Long Island’s premiere mystery and true crime festival where fact and fiction collide. The fourth annual festival will take place April 16-19, 2026, in East Hampton Village, NY. Attendees rub shoulders with bestselling authors, legal experts and forensic investigators at panels, discussions, book signings and interactive evening events.
The festival’s mission is to support the year-round East Hampton community, local businesses, restaurants and inns, and to offer a broad educational component. Select invited true crime guests provide engaging learning opportunities for East Hampton High School students to gain insights into potential careers in forensics and law enforcement.
Hamptons Whodunit partners with East Hampton Library, St. Luke’s, and the East Hampton Historical Society, as well as local businesses such as BookHampton, the village bookstore.
CONTACT INFO
Carrie Doyle, Co-Founder & CEO
carrie.doyle@hamptonswhodunit.org
646 884 0062
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