How do you pitch and distribute your documentary to potential audiences and platforms?

2 Prepare your pitch materials

To pitch your documentary to potential funders, broadcasters, festivals, or platforms, you need to have a set of materials that showcase your documentary's story, style, and impact. These may include a logline, a synopsis, a trailer, a treatment, a budget, a press kit, and a cover letter. Your pitch materials should be concise, engaging, and tailored to the specific needs and interests of each recipient. You should also have a website, a social media presence, and an email list to build your online profile and audience.

3 Research and network

Finding the right outlets and partners for your documentary can be challenging, but you can increase your chances by doing your homework and building relationships. Research the market and the industry to identify the most suitable and reputable platforms, festivals, distributors, agents, or broadcasters for your documentary. Look at their submission guidelines, criteria, deadlines, fees, and contracts. Network with other filmmakers, industry professionals, organizations, and influencers who can support, advise, or connect you with opportunities. Attend events, workshops, markets, and forums where you can pitch, showcase, or discuss your documentary.

4 Be flexible and creative

Pitching and distributing your documentary is not a one-size-fits-all process. You may have to adapt your strategy and approach depending on the feedback, response, or demand you receive. You may also have to explore different options and models to maximize your exposure and revenue. For example, you may consider self-distribution, hybrid distribution, crowdfunding, pay-per-view, subscription, or donation-based platforms. You may also leverage social media, podcasts, blogs, newsletters, or online communities to promote and share your documentary.

5 Engage and measure

Once you've pitched and distributed your documentary, you need to keep engaging and measuring your audience and impact. You can use various tools and methods to track and analyze your views, downloads, ratings, reviews, comments, shares, donations, or actions. You can also interact with your audience through Q&A sessions, surveys, polls, contests, or calls to action. You can use this feedback and data to improve your documentary, refine your pitch and distribution strategy, or plan your next project.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?