Pitch at pitchfests: Definitely! And not just for the sake of reaching many production companies and/or improving your pitching skills (as Steve Kaire points out). Pitchfests can be a valuable source of market and business intel. If you are making an honest and intelligent effort at pitching a well-thought-out story, the execs will accord you the respect of giving you some canny insights (for example, that maybe the content is better suited as a graphic novel or web series to start with). I have personally found this to be particularly true with LA execs. If you act professionally towards them, they will generously return you the favour. And this mutual respect can become the basis of a lasting, fruitful, relationship – provided you don’t abuse the fragile trust (such as emailing them a full script without them asking for it).

Steven.