How to sell my documentary

by Amed

Question: I visit your site first time. I am working on a documentary for last two years. It is a one man production. I have a great idea but have difficulties on all sides. The big question is how to sell it to big tv channel?

Please guide me.
thank you

------------------------
Desktop Documentaries:

Depending on your experience level and connections, your best chance for getting your documentary on a major broadcast channel is to shop it around at film festivals.

If your documentary is good, it should get noticed and hopefully get an offer from an agent. Of course, you could also submit your film directly to a broadcaster. You may want to submit your trailer first to gauge their interest.

If you are unfamiliar with the process of selling documentaries, it's recommended that you contact an entertainment lawyer or a sales agent who can help you shop around your film. They will know how much your film is worth and can negotiate for you.

Of course, you could bypass the whole broadcasting process and distribute the film yourself. Learn more about DIY Distribution.

How To Sell and Distribute Your Documentary

With the explosion of online video and VOD (video on demand) options, filmmakers are taking distribution into their own hands and presenting (and selling) their films directly to their audience.

Great Resource To Learn More About DIY Distribution:

Sell Your Movie

Take Action! The Independent Producer's Guide To Digital Self-Distribution

How To Find A Distributor For Your Film

One way to sell your film is to go through a distributor. Have your heard of IMDb? Here's a great tip from film producer Sharon Reed on how to find a distributor. In the video, Sharon uses her narrative film as an example, but this strategy can apply to ANY film including documentaries.