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Find an agent or distributor who can get you a Netflix deal
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Making your own movie or TV show is a huge accomplishment—but if you have big goals for your project, like selling it to Netflix, you may not be sure where to start. That’s okay! While it can be tough to get your foot in the door with such a big company, it definitely isn’t impossible. You can’t submit your film to Netflix directly, but you can work through an agent or distributor or generate buzz around your film on social media or at film festivals. For the complete steps on how to pitch a film (or show) to Netflix, follow this comprehensive guide.
How to Pitch a Movie or Show to Netflix
Netflix doesn’t accept direct submissions unless they reach out to you first, so you must work with a distributor or agent who already has a relationship with Netflix. However, agents are picky with the films they choose to pitch, so try to make your film stand out with a unique story or buzzy social media content.
Steps
Section 1 of 7:
4 Steps to Get Your Movie on Netflix
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1Identify and develop your movie’s selling points. Netflix (and the film industry in general) is extremely competitive, so you have to find ways for your movie to stand out. Consider the following questions and come up with answers for them before you move forward in your pitch process. If you don’t have good answers to these questions, take time to flesh out your film’s premise, development, and the buzz surrounding it before moving forward. [1] X Research source
- How has your film been received online? Has it created any buzz?
- Does your film have a substantial social media following?
- Do you have any big names or influencers in your film?
- How has your film engaged with its target audience?
- Does your movie focus on a popular and well-received subject?
- How does your movie fill a gap in Netflix’s current content offerings?
- How will your movie help Netflix to keep or attract subscribers?
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Create a well-rehearsed pitch that makes your film stand out. A pitch is basically a snapshot of your movie—it’s your chance to show how your film is unique and what sets it apart from the crowd. Use your pitch to present your movie’s title, synopsis, characters, setting, and other key details. Highlight any special selling points, like a big fan following or any noteworthy talent or influencers who helped make the film. [2] X Research source- Make sure you have a really good grasp of your story because your agent or distributor will likely ask you follow-up questions. Have a fleshed-out picture of the setting, story arc, character arcs, and general themes.
- Also, be sure to keep your target audience in mind. Figure out what demographic you aim to reach with your film, then focus your pitch on their interests, concerns, and viewing habits.
- Add visual aids to your pitch (which is usually in a slideshow or slide deck form) to really make it pop—you are a filmmaker, after all! Plus, you can include visuals that help to sell the “world” that your story takes place in, like concept art, storyboards, and mood boards that convey your movie’s aesthetic and tone. [3] X Research source
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Submit to a distributor or sales agent that has a relationship with Netflix. According to Netflix, the only way to submit a film to them is by going through a sales agent or a distributor who already has ties to their company. If you try to send your film or pitch to Netflix directly, you’re highly unlikely to hear back from them. So, look online for agents and distributors that have a history of selling films to Netflix and pitch your film to them—if they like your movie and think you have a good chance of being licensed by Netflix, they’ll pitch it to Netflix on your behalf and help you with any next steps. [4] X Research source- Before you make a deal with an agent, decide on your distribution goals and non-negotiables when it comes to your deal. Also, ask your agent about all costs involved in your deal—you should know up-front what they’ll charge for marketing, deliverables, and other services related to your movie’s release.
- Unfortunately, Netflix doesn’t advertise which distribution agencies it works with, and it can be extremely competitive to get a pitch meeting with these companies. Keep trying, and make sure to only submit to distributors who have a solid reputation for transparency and open communication. [5] X Research source
- If you’ve been submitting to agents and haven’t heard anything back, you can try some other tactics. For instance, submit your film to a well-known film festival and see if Netflix reaches out. Netflix keeps a close eye on film festival screenings and often buys movies directly from them. [6] X Research source
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4Wait to receive a response from Netflix. Once your agent or distributor submits your film pitch on your behalf, Netflix will either accept or reject your pitch. Expect to wait a few weeks for a response—if Netflix is interested in your movie, they’ll iron out the licensing details with the distributor or sales agent rather than working with you directly. Typically, Netflix purchases a 1-2 year licensing fee for indie films. [7] X Research source
- If Netflix is not interested in your film, you usually won’t get any feedback or further information from them. Try not to take their decision personally—Netflix is highly competitive, and many factors go into their licensing process that have nothing to do with the quality of your movie.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do I convey a long story into a short one when selling it? Like pitching it?João Homem is a Professional Colorist and Film & Media Industry Expert based in Vancouver, British Columbia. As the Co-Founder and Creative Director of Escuro Studios, a Canadian full-service production company, he oversees creative development and both pre- and post-production for diverse projects, including music videos, commercials, films, and TV series. He is also the CEO and founder of Cromatic Elements, an online asset store for filmmakers that supports emerging professionals by providing a platform to share high-quality tools, insights, and assets across multiple creative fields. Originally created to develop filmic assets for personal use, Cromatic has grown into a community-driven space where up-and-coming creatives can access resources designed by top industry professionals. João’s commitment to fostering a collaborative environment and offering accessible, authentic tools has positioned Cromatic as a valuable resource for filmmakers around the world.To sell a long film story to a producer or a platform like Netflix, you have to master the art of crafting a compelling pitch that hits hard and fast. Start by thinking what the essence of your story is and put it into a few punchy sentences that highlights what makes it unique and emotionally gripping. If you have an amazing story but can’t express it concisely, you risk losing interest before you’ve even made your case. Practice how you pitch and don’t just rely on one approach. Sometimes, it’s less about launching right into the pitch and more about establishing a rapport. Start conversations that help you understand who you’re pitching to and build trust before you drop the big idea. Investors and producers are betting on you as much as your story. They want to believe you can deliver creatively and handle the project’s demands, from pre-production through to final cut. They’re asking, "Can I trust you to make this project a hit—artistically and financially?" Sharpen your process by practicing and failing, then practicing again. Just like an actor rehearses or auditions many times before their breakout role, pitching takes repetition. You may start with small wins with interests from smaller studios or minor funding deals and that will build your confidence and experience. Each time you pitch, reflect on what resonated and what didn’t. Understand where you lost the listener’s attention and refine your approach.
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Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about film and videography, check out our in-depth interview with João Homem .
References
- ↑ https://www.lafilm.edu/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-creating-your-films-pitch-deck/
- ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-pitch-a-movie
- ↑ https://www.lafilm.edu/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-creating-your-films-pitch-deck/
- ↑ https://phoenixscreenwriters.org/selling-a-script-to-netflix/
- ↑ https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/get-your-independent-movie-on-netflix/
- ↑ https://help.netflix.com/en/node/100386
- ↑ https://www.wrapbook.com/blog/how-to-get-a-movie-on-netflix
- ↑ https://screencraft.org/blog/10-steps-to-developing-your-tv-show-bible/
- ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-pitch-a-movie
- ↑ https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-pitch-a-movie
- ↑ https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/get-your-independent-movie-on-netflix/
- ↑ https://help.netflix.com/en/node/100386
- ↑ https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/get-your-independent-movie-on-netflix/
- ↑ https://www.nyfa.edu/student-resources/get-your-independent-movie-on-netflix
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