Armoza picks Formagination winner

Judges Avi Armoza and Lisa Shiloach-Uzrad (centre) with pitch winner Shiri Zuck

Israeli format specialist Armoza has named a dating show called Museum of Me as the winner of its annual pitch competition, Formagination.

The show, from screenwriter Shiri Zuck, took the top prize after a live pitch to the audience and international jury, fending off five other finalists.

Zuck will receive a development and distribution deal with Armoza Formats and up to US$25,000 to produce the show.

This year’s event was held during the TLV Formats Conference, organised by Armoza Formats and Israel Export Institute.

The runner-up prize of a scholarship to the international Entertainment Master Class seminar went to Shaul Betser and Hila Bashan, who pitched Chill, a coaching show. Daniella Doron won the people’s vote with Freeze, a studio entertainment format.

This year’s panel of judges included Fabrizio Battocchio, head of formats at Mediaset Italy; Bence Trunkó, creative director at Paprika Latino Hungary; Lisa Shiloach-Uzrad, head of television at Israel’s Public Broadcaster Corp; Mira Geshel, content manager at Israel Export Institute; and Avi Armoza, CEO and founder of Armoza Formats.

“We recently developed Sex Tape, a format that was born in last year’s competition, launched at MipTV and it has a substantial number of deals,” said Avi Armoza. “We are now looking forward to working with this year’s winner.”