Many of the independent films our team has successfully represented were often on limited budgets. So how can you get noticed by the media without spending thousands every month on public relations?

quick steps

Tell your story. Whether your movie is a documentary, sci-fi, romance, thriller, or action, your movie synopsis should capture the attention and ears of the media.

Find your hook! The hook can be why you made the movie, the challenges you faced, or perhaps the main character or the producers have a great backstory. If it is a documentary, why will this film change the thinking or enlighten the audience? If it is fiction, who inspired it or if it is based on a real ‘event’. The twist is the story behind his movie.

Each person involved in the making of your film has a story and an angle that you can follow in the media.

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Create an electronic press kit

(EPK) Your electronic press kit includes photos and videos, as well as short interviews featuring you as its main cast and crew.

While shooting, you want to do off-set interviews with the cast, director, and producers that can be edited for the EPK.

Ask them to answer the main questions that the media might ask about the film.

If your film includes special effects, interview the performers, or if you’re shooting in a unique location, highlight that in the footage. These are future ‘selling’ points for media presentations and film festivals. You can also include a short trailer in the EPK.

Important: Make sure the music used in the EPK is licensed for streaming. You don’t want to have to go back and ask the media not to use the soundtrack.

Your movie synopsis: you can choose the duration.

The long synopsis

This will include a single page that must be double spaced. You can tell the story in about ¾ of the page. The latter can include any anecdote about the making of your film and why it will stand out from other films.

the median synopsis

Again, it should be ¾ of a page long where you summarize the movie, but keep it concise and to the point. The last few lines may be about the making of the film and why your film is unique.

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brief synopsis

The short synopsis format should not exceed half of the page. Once again, ¾ is your concise story about the movie, highlighting the points that will capture interest, with the last lines about the production and why the movie will stand out.

Cast and crew biographies

His EPK includes biographies of all the key players involved in the film, from the producers, writers, composer, director, cinematographer, actors, and production designer. Include previous work experience, for example, any known movies the team has been a part of in the past. Anything unique that gets media attention is valuable.

advertising frames

Your EPK needs great photos, include the following:
producer on set
Director with cast
Fabulous photos of the movie scenes (have the photographer on the shooting days of the important scenes being filmed)
Highlight the equipment used in the making of the film.
Any key players should be included
Remember, that perfect image can be used on t-shirts, hats, posters and other promotional materials.

FAQ Section

For your promotion, it is vital that you provide submissions from film festivals, journalists and studios that may be considering distributing your film that you develop a FAQ area in the EPK. Include anything that explains the movie, your mission, your audience, and the ultimate success of the movie.

Usually there are around 10 questions. Often the media interviewing you will follow this message, so all interviewed parties will be prepared.
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quick tips

media objectives

All filmmakers want national attention on their film, but you may have to build for that, one step at a time. Start with local press, movie blogs, YouTube videos, and social media. Make your own buzz, the media will call you!

film festivals

If you submit your film and it is accepted, try to get a press list of who will attend. Start following key journalists on social media, then email your EPK and offer interviews with your key actors, directors and producers at the festival. Offer them a unique twist that grabs their attention. Always be courteous, even if the reporter declines an initial interview with you. If the film is making a splash at the festival, get back in touch with the journalist, you might get the interview.

Commercial sale

If your movie gets commercial sales, Netflix, HBO, DVD sales, then you want to reach out to entertainment movie critics/writers. Email or mail the film examiner and follow up a review. Gather as many friends as you can to watch the movie and post reviews online. Reach out to local and national journalists as well as bloggers, both large and small blogs, as long as the audience is in your niche.

Find a ‘twist’ in your film that grabs attention. The independent films our agency represented were successful with spin-offs that landed the filmmakers on national talk and entertainment shows, as well as national print media. So it’s possible for a smaller indie film to get national press!