PDP Alumni Pitch Lab September 2026

On September 12, HPN’s PDP Alumni Association hosted a one-day Pitch Lab, bringing together 28 registered attendees for an intensive day of story development, practical instruction, and pitch preparation. Designed to take participants from an initial story idea to a practiced pitch in a single day, the lab walked attendees through the key stages of shaping and presenting a compelling project. The sessions covered identifying a great story, developing its essential components, and building a pitch deck while evaluating the strengths and potential challenges of each project.

The day was led by four experienced industry mentors: Maria Haras, VP of Development (Television) at Skyemac Productions, which has a first-look deal with 20th Century; Emilio Mazariegos, Creative Executive at Yoruba Saxon Productions; Jessica Oyelowo, Co-Founder of Yoruba Saxon Productions; and Carl Rogers, VP of Feature Development at Alcon Entertainment. Attendees had opportunities to learn from the mentors throughout the day, including during a catered lunch and mentor table conversations.

In the afternoon, participants put what they had learned into practice by pitching their projects in small groups and receiving feedback. The day concluded with a group debrief, prayer, and commissioning. It was a valuable opportunity for PDP alumni to invest in their craft, gain practical tools and industry insight, and receive encouragement as they pursue their creative work with excellence and faith.