Whodunit PitchFest Rules
SUBMISSION AGREEMENT, RELEASE, AND OFFICIAL CONTEST RULES
THIS IS A LEGALLY BINDING AGREEMENT. BY SUBMITTING MATERIALS (“SUBMISSION(S)”), THE PERSON SUBMITTING (“SUBMITTER”) IRREVOCABLY AGREES TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS SET FORTH HEREIN.
These Contest Rules (“Contest Rules”) are subject to change by Sponsor (as defined below) from time to time, with or without notice, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. All determinations made by Sponsor in connection with the interpretation and implementation of these Contest Rules shall be final, binding, and not subject to challenge or appeal.
1. Description: “Hamptons Whodunit True Crime PitchFest” (the “Event”) is a contest taking place in conjunction with the “Hamptons Whodunit Festival” (“Festival”) and is open to filmmakers, journalists, investigators, and any other storytellers who may submit their original true crime pitch for consideration as a possible development project with Sponsor (“Project”), with a live pitch of the potential Project to a Sponsor executive, and the opportunity to win up to $10,000 Development Agreement (as defined below). This Contest is organized by Hamptons Whodunit, Inc. (“Organizer”) a 501(c)(3) non-profit, and sponsored by Lionsgate Alternative Television, LLC (“Sponsor”)
2. SUBMISSION ELIGIBILITY: In order to be eligible to receive the Prize, Submitters must meet the following criteria:
a) Submitters must adhere to these Contest Rules
b) Submitters must be over the age of 18 or the legal age of majority in the state in which they reside.
c) Submissions must meet the Judging Criteria (defined below).
d) Submitters must return a Submission Agreement (as defined below)
3. METHOD OF ENTRY
a) Primary Entry Method: Submitters may enter by purchasing a Weekend or Sunday Day Pass to the Festival (Hamptons Whodunit), or by paying the Hamptons Whodunit PitchFest Submission Fee (to be disclosed in writing), and submitting their original true crime pitch Submissions in writing to the following email address: pitchfest@hamptonsWhodunit.org.
b) Alternative Method of Entry (“AMOE”): Purchase of a festival pass is not required to enter or win. To enter without purchase, prospective participants may submit their written Submission to the designated email address (pitchfest@hamptonsWhodunit.org) with the subject line “ALTERNATIVE PITCHFEST ENTRY.”
c) Equal Opportunity: Submissions received via the AMOE will be afforded the same opportunity to win and evaluated according to the same criteria as entries received via the primary method. However, AMOE Submissions will not be granted admission to the Festival.
4. JUDGING AND WINNER SELECTION
a) Content Judging Criteria: Submissions must meet the following Criteria, which Judges will use to determine quality and make their selections:
i. Submissions must include an original true crime story that has not been featured in a documentary or docuseries in either film or television;
ii. Submissions must have special insight, proximity to a case, or a fresh investigative approach;
iii. Submissions must have access to archival materials in sufficient quality and quantity to support a documentary project, such as:
1. Archival or original photographs
2. Video footage
3. Published journalism or books
4. Court records or official documents
5. Maps, timelines, or investigative materials
6. Text messages, correspondence, or other visual elements
7. Any additional supporting materials that bring the story to life
iv. Submissions must be received by Friday April 10, 2026 11:59pm EDT. Organizer’s computer will be the official time keeper for Submission timing purposes.
b) Preliminary Review: A curatorial committee shall select twelve (12) Submissions to advance to the final presentation session. Selected Submissions will be notified in writing by April 15, 2026 12:00pm EDT.
c) Live Pitch Session: The twelve (12) selected Submissions will be invited to present their Projects in person on Sunday, April 19, 2026 in East Hampton Village, New York (time, and exact location to be disclosed at a later time) in a closed-door session (approximately 20 minutes in length).
d) Judges: Judging of the Event will be led by Geno McDermott, CCO of Blackfin (a Lionsgate Company) and his designated team.
e) Selection Authority: The Judges retain full and absolute discretion to select the winner(s) and the awarding of the prize.
5. PRIZE
a) The initial selected Submissions will win the opportunity to advance to a live pitch session with the Judges.
b) The final winner will be selected from among those eligible Submissions received (“Winner”). The Winner shall receive a “Grand Prize” of a development deal package (“Development Agreement”) from Sponsor that includes:
i. Development funding valued at up to $10,000, which includes $5000 payable to the Winner and up to $5,000 in in-kind services from Sponsor toward the creation of development materials for pitching the selected Project to third party networks, financiers and other distributors.
ii. Such in-kind services may include creative consultation, guidance and mentorship to further develop the documentary or series, notes, cutting and editing of pitch materials and other additional services at Sponsor’s discretion
iii. The specific cadence and methods of creative consultation (e.g., telephonic, in-person, or digital) shall be determined at the Sponsor’s sole discretion based on the project’s development needs.
c) Odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible Submissions received.
d) All prizes are awarded “AS IS” without any representation or warranty of any kind, express or implied. No substitution, exchange or transfer of prizes will be made or is permitted except in Sponsor’s sole and absolute discretion.
e) If a Submitter wins any prize, such Submitter is solely responsible for all local, state, or federal taxes that may be incurred as a result of winning such prize. Any prize winner must submit an applicable U.S. Internal Revenue Service tax form (W-9 or W-8BEN) and will receive a Form 1099, which is the form used to report such prize winnings to the IRS.
6. ASSIGNMENT OF RIGHTS: Upon selection as a “winner,” Submitter hereby irrevocably assigns, grants, and transfers to Sponsor all right, title, and interest in and to the Submission, including any and all trademarks, copyright, financial and distribution rights in and to the Project.
7. DISCLOSURE OF SIMILAR MATERIAL AND WAIVER: Submitter acknowledges that Sponsor is a leader in unscripted true crime and investigative storytelling. Accordingly, Submitter recognizes that Sponsor may have independently developed, or may in the future develop, projects substantially similar or identical to the Submission in theme, plot, format, or otherwise. Submitter hereby waives any and all claims, now known or hereafter discovered, that Sponsor has misappropriated the Submission or any portion thereof. To that end, Submitter will return an executed copy of a Submission Agreement to Sponsor and Organizer
8. APPEARANCE AND PUBLICITY RELEASE: Submitter hereby grants Sponsor and its affiliates the irrevocable, perpetual, and worldwide right to photograph, record, and use Submitter’s name, likeness, voice, and persona (“Appearance”) in connection with the Event, the Submission project, and any resulting production, promotion, or advertising. Submitter waives any right to inspect or approve the finished product and releases Sponsor from any liability arising from the use of the Appearance, including but not limited to claims of defamation or invasion of privacy. Sponsor and Organizer may utilize Submitter’s name and project details in marketing materials, including social media, print programs, and e-newsletters.
9. DISQUALIFICATION: A Submitter may be disqualified from the Contest at any time (and rendered ineligible to win any prize, including the Grand Prize, even if already awarded), if in Sponsor’s sole discretion, the Submitter:
a) Violates these Contest Rules, the Development Agreement (if applicable) or any other document executed in connection with participation in Contest, or any instructions of Sponsor;
b) Violates any applicable local, state, or federal law or regulation;
c) Commits misconduct as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion, including, without limitation, harming or threatening to harm Event participants, production personnel, harassing, intimidating, or violent behavior, or criminal damage;
d) Cheats or acts in an unsportsmanlike manner, or interferes with any other Submitter’s participation or ability to participate in the Contest;
e) Purposefully impedes the work of Sponsor or Organizer;
f) Commits or threatens physical violence of any form, or harasses anyone related to the Event; or
g) All determinations made by Sponsor or Organizer in connection with disqualification or elimination of Submitters shall be made in their sole discretion and shall be final, binding and not subject to appeal.
10. CONFIDENTIALITY: These Contest Rules, all terms and conditions of any Development Agreement or Submission Agreement, and any non-public information obtained or learned by Submitter about the programs or procedures of Sponsor are confidential. Submitter agrees to keep sub information confidential. If any Submitter reveals any such confidential information, they could be rendered ineligible to receive the Grand Prize or any other prize (as applicable and even if already awarded) and opens himself or herself up to possible legal action. Submitters shall not discuss any aspect of the Event, including, but not limited to, format, Submission selection, how Sponsor produces their programs, the casting processes, behind the scenes information during filming, the details or events of the programs, the Contest, the outcomes of any events, etc., with any third-party unless and until specifically authorized in advance by Sponsor in each instance. These confidentiality provisions extend to all forms of social media, and any mention of Sponsor.
11. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES: Submitter represents and warrants as follows:
a) The Submission is an original work of authorship, rooted in real-world crime, injustice, or unanswered questions, and that Submitter is the sole and exclusive owner of all rights therein.
b) The Submission does not violate the statutory or common law intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights of any third party.
12. RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION: Submitter further acknowledges and agrees that they are solely and entirely responsible for all Submissions that they submit and the consequences of their Submission, and that the Submissions do not reflect the views of Sponsor, Organizer, or any Event sponsors. Producer is not responsible for lost, damaged or misdirected Submissions under any circumstances. Submitter assumes all liability for any injury or damages caused or claimed to be caused by their Submission, and Submitter agrees to indemnify, release and hold harmless Sponsor, Organizer, or any other Event sponsors, and each of their respective parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, successors, licensees and assigns, and their respective officers, directors, agents, equity holders and employees (collectively, the “Released Parties”) from any and all claims, actions, damages, losses, liabilities, costs, expenses (including, without limitation, attorneys’ fees), injuries or causes of action (collectively, “Claims”) whatsoever that in any way are caused by, arise out of or result from, their creation and submission of the Submission, the exercise of any rights or permissions granted herein, the inclusion of the Submission in the Event or any other work, the distribution, exhibition, publication, or other exploitation of a Released Parties’ other work, or the use of the Submission or any works derived from the Submission by the Released Parties, on any legal theory whatsoever, including without limitation, Claims for idea misappropriation, copyright infringement, trademark infringement, unauthorized use of name and/or likeness, invasion of privacy and defamation. Released Parties assume no responsibility for any injury or damage to Submitter as a result of submitting the Submission, or to any person’s computer or mobile device relating to or resulting from entering or downloading materials or software in connection with submitting a Submission. Released Parties are not responsible for telecommunications, network, electronic, technical or computer failures, or human error of any kind, for inaccurate transcription of Submissions, or for Submissions that are stolen, misdirected, garbled, delayed, lost, late, or damaged
13. GOVERNING LAW AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
a) Choice of Law: These Contest Rules and any subsequent agreement between the Parties shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California. The Parties acknowledge that this Agreement evidences a transaction involving interstate commerce. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence regarding choice of substantive law, the enforceability of this arbitration provision or the arbitrability of any claim or controversy hereunder shall be governed by the Federal Arbitration Act (9 U.S.C., Secs. 1-16).
b) Arbitration: In the event a dispute arises concerning any of the provisions of these Contest Rules, including any claim of breach or any issue arising out of the interpretation or validity of these Contest Rules, such dispute and/or claim shall be submitted to and decided by mandatory arbitration by a sole arbitrator according to the JAMS rules and procedures in Los Angeles, California. The arbitration shall be a confidential proceeding, closed to the general public. The JAMS arbitrator shall have the same power to award damages as exercised by a judicial court unless the parties mutually agree otherwise. Such determination by the sole arbitrator shall be final, binding, and conclusive upon the parties hereto and shall be rendered in such form that it may be judicially confirmed. The parties will share equally in payment of the arbitrator’s fees and arbitration expenses and any other costs unique to the arbitration hearing (recognizing that each side bears its own deposition, witness, expert and attorney’s fees and other expenses to the same extent as if the matter were being heard in court).
14. ADDITIONAL STANDARD TERMS.
a) Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to modify, change, add to, delete, suspend or terminate these Contest Rules as a whole and/or any additional gameplay at any time for any reason. Any additional addenda and/or additional rules required by Sponsor will be provided to and/or verbally briefed to the Submitters either prior to or during the Live Pitch Session and such addenda and/or additional rules will be deemed added to these Contest Rules and fully incorporated herein. Any failure or refusal by a Submitter to accept any such changes, supplementation, or modifications to the rules will not affect their validity or applicability to all Submitters. Failure or refusal to accept any such changes, supplementation, or modification or to comply with any of Sponsor’s instructions or directions, may result in disqualification from the Contest.
b) Unless otherwise agreed to or as permitted by these Contest Rules, Submitters are prohibited from sharing or making any agreement to share all or any portion of the Grand Prize, any other prizes, or from making any other similar quid pro quo agreement whereby one Submitter receives a benefit or some form of consideration (whether monetary or otherwise) before, during, or after the Contest has concluded, with any other person or Submitter or any relative of any Submitter or any representative of or person affiliated with another Competitor in any way. Such prohibited consideration may take, without limitation, the form of sharing the Grand Prize or other prizes, in exchange for money or employment or consideration of any kind to be received before, during, or after the Event. Evidence of any such sharing or agreement to share or any other quid pro quo agreement may, in Sponsor’s sole discretion, result in removal from Contest and forfeiture of the Grand Prize and other prizes, even if already awarded.
c) Submitters may not at any time: (i) provide or accept or agree to provide or accept any consideration, monetary or otherwise, in order to rig or influence the outcome of the Contest; and/or (ii) take any action to affect the safe and fair outcome of the Contest, including, without limitation, cheating, acting in an unsportsmanlike manner, interfering with another Submitter’s participation in the Contest, acting in an intimidating or harassing manner, damaging or tampering with another Submitter’s Submission.
d) Sponsor reserves the right to take any action it deems necessary to preserve the fairness, integrity and proper conduct of the Contest. Without limiting the foregoing, if an “Act of God” or other unforeseen possible event occurs that affects the outcome of the Contest, including technical difficulties, Sponsor may take any remedial steps it deems necessary and appropriate to preserve the fairness of the Contest. Sponsor’s decisions are final and binding and without limitation may include stopping or restarting any element of the Contest, canceling the Contest, and not awarding any prize, or deciding to take “no action”. All decisions regarding the Contest and any Submission, including but not limited to eligibility, Submission selection, Contest implementation, or interpretation of these Contest Rules, imposition of penalties and the awarding of the Grand Prize or any other prize are at the Sponsor’s sole and exclusive discretion and are not subject to challenge or appeal. Submitter’s may be disqualified in Sponsor’s sole discretion for any violation of these Contest Rules, subsequent Contest Rules, or the terms of any Development Agreement.
e) Further Documentation: If Sponsor deems it necessary to secure additional assignments, certificates of engagement for the Submission or other documents as Sponsor may reasonably require in order to evidence or effectuate the rights granted in these Contest Rules, then by making a Submission, Submitter agrees to sign, authenticate and deliver any such required additional documentation upon Sponsor’s or Organizer’s request.
ANY VIOLATION BY A SUBMITTER OF THESE CONTEST RULES CAN RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION AND FORFEITURE OF THE GRAND PRIZE OR OTHER PRIZES (EVEN IF ALREADY AWARDED), AND/OR ANY OTHER REMEDY THAT SPONSOR DEEMS APPROPRIATE IN ITS SOLE AND ABSOLUTE DISCRETION.
ALL DECISIONS OF SPONSOR ARE FINAL AND AT SPONSOR’S SOLE DISCRETION AND ARE NOT SUBJECT TO CHALLENGE, APPEAL, OR REVIEW.
THESE CONTEST RULES AND ANY OTHER RULES OF THE CONTEST THAT MAY BE ANNOUNCED OR OTHERWISE PROVIDED BY THE SPONSOR ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AT ANY TIME FOR ANY REASON (INCLUDING, BY WAY OF EXAMPLE AND NOT LIMITATION, DUE TO EVENT PRODUCTION NEEDS, AND/OR TIME CONSTRAINTS), EITHER IN WRITTEN FORM OR ORALLY, WITH OR WITHOUT ADVANCE NOTICE, IN THE SPONSOR’S SOLE DISCRETION, AND SUCH CHANGES SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO APPEAL OR REVIEW.
I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE RECEIVED, READ AND UNDERSTAND THE FOREGOING CONTEST RULES. I AGREE TO ABIDE BY THESE CONTEST RULES (AS THEY MAY BE CHANGED OR AMENDED) AS WELL AS ALL SUBSEQUENT CONTEST RULES (WHETHER WRITTEN OR ORAL), THE PROVISIONS OF THE DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT (IF ANY), AND/OR THE PROVISIONS OF THE SUBMISSION AGREEMENT, UNDERSTANDING THAT THESE RULES MAY BE CHANGED WITH OR WITHOUT NOTICE OR MODIFIED OR AMENDED BY SPONSOR IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR SOLE DISCRETION FROM TIME TO TIME EITHER BEFORE OR DURING EVENT.
BY PROCEEDING WITH THE SUBMISSION, SUBMITTER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT:
a) They have read and understood these Contest Rules in their entirety.
b) Their electronic action constitutes a legally binding signature.
c) They are of legal age and possess the authority to execute this Agreement.
Version 5 as of March 17, 2026