Announcing Our 2026 Podcast Pitch Award Judges

We are delighted to announce this year’s line-up of judges for the Whickers Podcast Pitch Award 2026, presented in partnership with Sheffield DocFest.

Bringing together expertise from across the audio industry, this year’s panel features three leading figures in podcasting and broadcast.

Firstly, we are hugely excited to welcome Mohit Bakaya to the panel for the first time.  Mohit is the Controller of BBC Radio 4 and Radio 4 Extra, and Director of BBC Speech Audio. In this role, he oversees the strategic direction of the BBC’s speech audio output. Under his leadership, BBC Radio 4 was named Station of the Year at the Audio and Radio Industry Awards (ARIAs) in 2023.

Also joining us for the first time is Kent DePinto, Director of Original Content at Audible UK. A multi award-winning commissioner, DePinto leads the production and commissioning of long-form narrative, true crime and investigative audio. Her credits include I Am Not Nicholas (BBC Studios), Cursed (RAW TV), Reset Your Health with Jamie Oliver, The Madman’s Hotel, and The Sun King with David Dimbleby. Prior to Audible, she worked across the BBC World Service, Radio 4 and BBC Online, and is currently a mentor in the prestigious Women in Film & TV initiative.

Completing the panel is Whicker friend Eleanor McDowall, an award-winning radio-maker, curator and director of the independent production company Falling Tree Productions. McDowall first connected with The Whickers in 2017 as a Whicker DARA award winner, before winning again in 2019. She went on to become series producer of Short Cuts, presented by Josie Long, and has since built an internationally recognised career in audio. Her work has received numerous accolades, including the IDA Documentary Award, Prix Europa, ARIA Awards and the Amnesty Media Award. She is also the creator of Radio Atlas, an English-language platform for subtitled audio from around the world, which celebrates its tenth anniversary this year, and runs the zine project Weird Noise.

Each member of the panel has been carefully selected for their deep understanding of the podcast-making journey; from securing funding and navigating commissioning, to directing, producing and ultimately bringing projects to audiences through sales and distribution.

The 2026 Whickers Podcast Pitch will take place at The Crucible Playhouse, Sheffield DocFest on Saturday 13th June, from 10am to 12:00pm.

For more information about  Sheffield DocFest check link HERE.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE AWARD HERE