The Listening Pitch is a documentary film grant run by Aesthetica and Audible. Two grants of up to £10,000 are available to fund documentaries that put listening at
the forefront. Since 2021, we have produced eight films. Last year’s winners – Liberty Smith’s Greensound and Ornella Mutoni’s The Things We Don’t Say – premiered 
to a full house at ASFF 2024. Today we’re celebrating the innovation and power of these previous winning films. Take a look and be inspired!

The Things We Don’t Say, Ornella Mutoni | 2024 Winner

Thierry’s mother’s world was torn apart by the Rwanda genocide, which took place in 1994. He confronts family secrets and the intergenerational wounds carried by his peers. Along with a group of young adults, he takes part in a healing workshop where they learn to lean on each other and find the courage to break the cycle of trauma.

Old Lesbians, Meghan McDonough | 2023 Winner

For the past 25 years, Houston native and activist Arden Eversmeyer has travelled across the USA to record oral accounts of a fading community – old lesbians. The film animates the resilient, joyful voices and the legacy of these outstanding women who have carved out lives for themselves in a historically heteronormative society.

Birdsong, Sparsh Ahuja & Omi Gupta | 2022 Winner

Sparsh Ahuja and Omi Gupta’s Birdsong is an impactful film. It navigates the dying whistling traditions of the Hmong people of northern Laos, whose language straddles the boundary between music and speech. We witness the collision between ancient tradition and modern life in the lives of three people from Long Lan village.

Echo, Ross McClean | 2022 Winner 

In Northern Ireland, a man with damaged vocal cords is seeking a connection across the airwaves. An operation ten years ago left Allister with damaged vocal cords and a barrier to communication. We discover the surprising hobby he has found – becoming part of a thriving community of men whose voices float across the airwaves.

Speed of Sound, Jade Ang Jackman | 2022 Winner 

A sonic portrait of self-professed adrenaline junkie, Carina Edlinger, whose athletic prowess led her to win Gold at the Beijing Winter Paralympics in 2022. But this is more than just an athlete’s profile. The Austrian Paralympian competes at 2 percent vision, with nothing but the voice of her guide, faith in herself and the rushing wind.

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The Listening Pitch, organised in collaboration with Audible, is open for entries. We’re inviting filmmakers to submit proposals for a short documentary on the subject of listening. We’re looking for original stories that show how listening lets us understand different points of view and discover new ideas. Submit your story before 21 April for the chance to win £10,000 to fund a new documentary.

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Cover image: Image courtesy Guillaume Lavrut. Model: Darius @rockmenparis.

The Things We Don’t Say dir. Ornella Mutoni

Old Lesbians dir. Meghan McDonough

Birdsong dirs. Sparsh Ahuja & Omi Gupta

Echo dir. Ross McClean

Speed of Sound dir. Jade Ang Jackman