Pitch Contest

The 5th Annual NYU Sports Film Festival will host its 2nd ever Pitch Contest, featuring presentations from ****6***** selected filmmakers to a judging panel of esteemed sports media producers!

Presenters will pitch their projects and receive feedback from judges Dave Zigerelli (VP, Overtime), Noah Malale (Prinicpal, Amazon Sports), _________ in real time at the event.

*No Press Allowed*

Date | Friday, April 25th

Time | 3:00-4:30pm

Location | NYU Production Lab (16 Washington Pl)

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About Dave Zigerelli: Dave Zigerelli is a seasoned media executive with a passion for storytelling and an impressive track record in content creation. Growing up in sports-obsessed Western Pennsylvania, he developed an early love for athletics before discovering his creative voice in the arts. His journey took him through multiple colleges and majors before a life-changing trip to New York City cemented his path in entertainment.

Dave launched his career by diving headfirst into the production world, mastering everything from documentaries and reality TV to game shows, food, true crime, and even wrestling. Along the way, he wore nearly every hat—producing, directing, shooting, editing, and writing—collaborating with some of the industry's best minds and honing his craft across various formats.

After showrunning ESPN’s short-lived Barstool Van Talk, Dave joined Overtime in 2018 when it was a young, fast-growing startup with a bold vision: to create content for underserved audiences and redefine the sports media landscape. As VP of Overtime Studios, he has played a pivotal role in the company’s meteoric rise, helping grow its audience from thousands to over 120 million followers. His expertise in audience-driven storytelling has helped Overtime become a dominant force in digital sports content while staying true to its core mission and culture.

Guided by the philosophy of the late Steve Sabol—"Make the small decisions with your head and the big decisions with your heart"—Dave remains committed to pushing creative boundaries and shaping the future of sports media.

About Noah Malale: Noah Malale has spent his career bringing great sports stories to life. Growing up with a passion for sports and media, he followed that love through stops at some of the biggest names in the industry, learning every aspect of content creation along the way.

His journey started at Modern Times Group, where he worked in content acquisitions and live sports production, helping bring NFL and Olympic coverage to international audiences. From there, he moved into documentary filmmaking, producing projects like Basketball: A Love Story, the 10-part, 20-hour ESPN docuseries, and Do or Die, an award-winning animated short about the wild final night of the 1978 NBA regular season.

In 2018, Noah joined The Ringer, where he played a key role in building out Ringer Films, first as a Producer, then Director of Development, and eventually leading the division. Over four years, he helped shape the brand’s distinct approach to sports storytelling, working on projects that blended culture, history, and the love of the game.

Today, as Principal, Unscripted Creative at Amazon Sports, Noah is focused on telling bold, original stories for a global audience. He believes the best sports content doesn’t just show the game—it captures the people, moments, and emotions that make it unforgettable.

With a Master’s in Sports Law, Media, and Business from NYU and a BA from the University of Michigan, Noah has spent years learning how to craft content that resonates. And as sports media keeps evolving, he’s excited to help shape what’s next.

Accommodation Statement: The NYU Production Lab provides reasonable accommodations to people with disabilities. Requests for accommodations for events and services should be submitted at least two weeks before the date of the accommodation need. Please email productionlab@nyu.edu for assistance.

Press Notice: The judges are attending to speak and share advice on behalf of their personal opinions and experiences from the industry, not those of their respective organizations, therefore no press will be allowed in this event.

Audience Notice: By entering the venue and live proceedings, you agree to be video and/or audio recorded by the producers of the event.

Host or Publisher NYU Sports Film Festival