Story Pitcher is a new digital platform designed to connect audiovisual creators more efficiently with producers, companies and platforms. Designed as a kind of “Netflix for audiovisual development”, the tool enables users to discover projects, filter content according to very precise criteria and streamline the pitching process year-round, beyond the limits of markets and events. We spoke to Frank Belyeu, CEO of Story Pitcher, about the origins of the project, how it works and its place within the international ecosystem.

Cineuropa: How did Story Pitcher come about, and what problem is it designed to solve?
Frank Belyeu: Story Pitcher was born out of a very clear disconnect that I’ve observed for years between creators and the industry. When a creator has a project, they often don’t know what to do with it: they wait for a market or a pitching forum, or they send emails to production companies without knowing whether anyone will read them. Together with my brother Alex Belyeu, who is a software developer in New York, we decided to create a tool that would make this connection more efficient and more secure for both sides. We’ve been working on the project for about a year and a half. The idea is to provide a seamless digital environment where projects can be shared and discovered throughout the year, not just at specific times.

How does the platform work?
Users can create a profile in just a few steps, specifying their role within the industry (creator, producer, etc.) and detailing their interests: project types, genres, formats, IPs, and more. From there, they access a personalised dashboard where they can discover recommended projects, explore trends or carry out highly specific searches. For example, a true crime story set in Barcelona in the 1970s with a female protagonist. Creators can upload their projects in three steps, automatically generating a one-pager containing the essential information: logline, synopsis, key selling points, genre, format, stage of development, etc. This document provides the minimum information a producer needs to decide whether to explore the project further.

The platform also allows users to add teasers (via YouTube or Vimeo), set visibility levels (public, private or draft), protect materials through standardised non-disclosure agreements, and manage a portfolio of active projects, including those that have not yet sold. Creators can see who has requested their portfolio, who they have sent it to, and what interactions the project has generated. Producers can follow creators and receive notifications when new projects are uploaded.

The platform incorporates artificial intelligence. What role does it play?
Artificial intelligence is optional. Creators can use it to automatically generate elements such as the logline, synopsis or selling points from a dossier. We find it particularly useful for the “selling point”, because many creators think in narrative terms, but not always in terms of market positioning. AI can help strengthen that aspect.

How does Story Pitcher compare to other existing platforms?
We’ve drawn inspiration from models in the US and the UK, such as Blacklist and Story Rocket, but we believe we bring several unique elements. Firstly, a more advanced technological platform, especially in terms of search and personalisation, thanks to AI. Secondly, a highly polished visual style, closer to that of streaming platforms. And thirdly, and very importantly, we are focusing on the Spanish-speaking market – both Spain and Latin America – where no digital infrastructure of this kind currently exists.

Do you already have any partners or collaborators?
Yes. We’ve been in contact with major production companies in Spain such as Secuoya, Zeta Studios, Cuarzo, iZen and RTVE Play who will take part in the beta phase.

What is the business model?
During the beta phase, the platform will be free. Later, we will introduce a freemium model: users will be able to upload one project for free, but will need a subscription to host more projects or access advanced features. We will also develop bespoke profiles for companies, offering tools such as metrics to support decision-making.

How can you ensure the quality of projects?
It’s a sensitive issue. We don’t want to position ourselves as judges of content, because quality is subjective. Instead, we’ve put several measures in place: agreements with institutions (film schools, universities) whose projects will carry accreditation label, and a rating system that only activates once someone has read the entire dossier.