Pitching a Movie 101: Nail Your Pitch, Sell Your Story

What is a Movie Pitch?

A movie pitch is a short summary of a potential film’s components, including elements such as characters, underlying themes, setting, and plot. Screenwriters use movie pitches to present their idea for a feature film to people who can help finance or produce it, hoping to secure money to complete the first draft. Movie pitches can be a verbal or visual presentation of a writer’s idea, often before the film’s draft is written.

Need help writing a screenplay? Read our blog about how to write a screenplay to create a story that’s easy to sell.

Elevator Pitch vs. Standard Pitch

There are 2 primary types of movie pitches to choose from. As a screenwriter, you should become familiar with both.

1. Elevator Pitch:An elevator pitch is a brief pitch delivered quickly, in the time it would take to ride an elevator. These 20- to 30-second presentations share the central premise, including a hook, extended logline, comparisons to other films, and an enticing finish that leaves listeners on the edge of their seats.
2. Standard Pitch: A standard pitch is a 20- to 30-minute presentation that often includes pitch decks, a visual supplement, and an extended version of the elevator pitch. It is frequently rehearsed and relayed to a group of investors or production executives.

How to Write a Movie Pitch

When writing a movie pitch, include the following elements:

Title:  An appealing, short title for your film idea.

Author Name: Your name(s) and any other contributing authors.

Logline:  A logline is a brief, enticing summary of your movie. It’s often only 1–2 sentences long and introduces the film’s core concept, protagonist(s), obstacle, and goal.

→ Logline Example: “A meek hobbit from the Shire and eight companions set out on a journey to destroy the powerful One Ring and save Middle-earth from the Dark Lord Sauron.”
—The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Genre & Themes: Briefly describe the movie genre (comedy, action, horror) and primary themes (coming of age, sacrifice, friendship).

Summary: Besides the logline, you must write a 3–5 paragraph synopsis in the traditional three-act structure (beginning, middle, and end). Summarize the film’s story, providing core elements of the script without giving away much of the plot.

Characters: This section introduces the main characters in your story. For each one, include a brief description of who they are, what they want, and how they change or impact the plot. Focus on their roles in the story, key traits, and any relevant arcs or tensions.

Filmic Approach: The filmic approach explains the film’s tone, style, and visual feel. This might include references to similar movies, details about cinematography, color palette, pacing, or genre blending. For animated screenplays, it could also highlight the animation style, whether 2D, 3D, stop-motion, or a hybrid, and influences from specific animated films or studios. This section helps the reader or listener vividly imagine how the film will look and feel on screen, whether live-action or animated.

Closing Lines: This is the final emotional or thematic pitch—your chance to leave a lasting impression. It might explain the story’s more profound message, why it’s timely or personal, and what the audience is meant to take away from it. It should wrap up the pitch with purpose and resonance.

Expert Tip: Include “comps” or comparables in your movie pitch idea. These provide familiar reference points for your never-before-seen project. Include at least one of the following in your pitch:
→ “This-meets-that” comp is a classic format that compares your film to a blend of two exciting, well-known ones. It’s punchy and memorable, communicating that your new project is a twist on a familiar, popular idea. For example, describing your film as “It’s The Hunger Games meets The Truman Show” suggests a dystopian survival story with media control or surveillance themes.

→ Audience comp points to films with similar commercial appeal or target demographics. It helps pitch how your film could perform or who it’s for, communicating box office potential and a target age group. For example, saying your film is “For fans of Stranger Things and Super 8” implies a nostalgic, teen-focused sci-fi adventure with massive appeal.

→ Tone comp compares the emotional or atmospheric feel of your film to another. It helps set expectations for whether your movie is lighthearted, gritty, eerie, or satirical, communicating your idea’s pacing and emotional mood. Stating, “It has the warm, introspective tone of Lady Bird,” tells the listener your film is grounded, emotional, and coming-of-age in flavor.

Movie Pitch Examples

Need some inspiration for an elevator movie pitch? Here are 3 examples from blockbuster hits:

The Dark Knight

“When a chaotic criminal mastermind known as the Joker unleashes a wave of terror in Gotham City, Batman must confront the limits of his own moral code as he fights to save a city that may no longer believe in heroes. It’s a gritty psychological thriller that explores justice, sacrifice, and the fine line between hero and villain.”

Everything Everywhere All at Once

“A struggling laundromat owner is suddenly swept into a wild multiverse adventure where she alone must save existence by connecting with the alternate lives she could have lived. Blending sci-fi, absurdist humor, martial arts, and heartfelt family drama, it’s a genre-bending story about identity, purpose, and unconditional love.”

The Babadook

“A grieving single mother begins to suspect that the sinister creature from her son’s disturbing storybook is real—and haunting their home. The Babadook is a chilling psychological horror film that turns grief and mental illness into a tangible monster, blurring the lines between reality and delusion.”

How to Pitch a Movie Idea: 8 Tips

Pitching a movie idea can be just as crucial as the idea itself. Whether you talk to a studio exec, submit it online, or present it at a festival, these tips will help you craft a compelling pitch that captures attention and sparks curiosity.

1. Search for the right fit.

When searching for where to pitch your movie idea, look for investors or producers who are a good fit. For example, if your script is horror, don’t set up a meeting with a production company that only makes children’s movies or comedy films. Start by compiling a list of potential producers you think would fit well with your film based on previous projects they’ve produced. Additionally, it’s essential to constantly network, attend pitch festivals, and try to get people interested in your idea. It may feel uncomfortable initially, but it’s worth it if you land a deal with a dream production company.

2. Write a cover letter.

A cover letter is a mini-pitch for you and your project. It should outline a 1-page summary of the script, including your contact information and an overview of your work and experience. Having cover letters on hand shows professionalism and commitment to your film idea. You never know when you’ll run into a potential investor or producer, so always keep these on hand.

3. Work hard.

What sets you apart from other screenwriters pitching film ideas? Your ability to work hard and stay committed. Ask friends, colleagues, and family members if they know anyone interested in producing a film. Share about your project on social media and attend pitch festivals (online and in person). Pitch your idea to indie film studios to see if they are interested in unsolicited pitches. Most importantly, you should never give up on your movie idea. Keep believing there is someone who will believe in your idea and help put it on the big screen.

4. Practice, practice, practice.

Once you land a pitch meeting, practice your pitch beforehand to get comfortable with it. Refine your pitch, anticipate questions, and get to know your movie inside and out. This time helps you flesh out characters and your storyline even further, helping you gain the confidence to land a deal with a production company. Even if you haven’t landed a pitch meeting, you should still be practicing, as you never know who you could run into.

When practicing, focus on making a solid first impression by introducing yourself and your film genre, title, and logline. Make your verbal and written pitch equally compelling, ensuring your passion, clarity, and confidence come through in both formats. Your written pitch should be concise and visually clean, while your verbal delivery should feel natural, energetic, and emotionally connected to the story. Both should highlight the heart of your film, its unique hook, and why it matters now.

5. Be confident.

The key to pitching a movie well is confidence. Keep your audience interested by making it feel like a conversation rather than a rehearsed speech. If it’s the right environment, throw a light joke or add a personal experience to make it land with the investors or producers. Speak slowly and be prepared to be interrupted. Most importantly, pay attention to time. Going over your allotted time is a big newbie mistake.

Be prepared to answer questions like, “Why make this movie? Why are you creating it now? And why are you the one who should make it happen?” Investors and producers will also likely have questions about your screenplay or seek to understand it further if there’s any confusion. This can be the perfect time to clarify misunderstandings and sell your script even more.

6. Follow up.

Not hearing back from producers or studios doesn’t always mean you’ve been ghosted. They’re busy people with several movie pitches coming at them every week. If you haven’t heard from them within a month, contact them. Remain professional and kind, protecting your reputation and not getting lost in the shuffle.

7. Get comfortable with rejection.

Pitching a movie is a lot like any other kind of sales pitch: you’ll face rejection, but persistence is key. After all, every no leads you closer to a yes; one yes is all you need to get your film in front of an audience. And the best news? You may be among some of the greats who also had their movie pitch ideas rejected. Jordan Peele, for example, received numerous blatantly rude rejections from studios that didn’t understand the story of Get Out, referring to it as a “stupid” and foolish story. Since it didn’t feature ghosts, aliens, or other classic paranormal elements, many studios hesitated to back the horror flick. However, once Universal Studios picked it up, the film became a chilling cult classic, and it also won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay in 2018.

The moral of the story? Don’t quit after one or even several nos. Be persistent about your idea and get comfortable with rejection—it pays off.

8. Listen to feedback

While it may be hard to hear, your pitch or even the screenplay itself could need to be tweaked to get even stronger. If studio after studio rejects your film, taking a step back and analyzing what you could be doing better is essential. While rejection shouldn’t make you quit, it can significantly improve your movie idea or ability to pitch it. Be open to revising a project if necessary.

Where to Pitch a Movie Idea: 6 Options For the Perfect Fit

Dreaming up a movie idea and learning how to pitch it is only the first step—knowing where to pitch it is just as important. Whether you’re a seasoned screenwriter or a newcomer with a compelling concept, getting your story in front of the right people can make all the difference. Here are 6 great options to consider when you’re ready to pitch your movie idea and take the next step toward seeing it on screen:

1. Film festivals

Many film festivals now include pitching forums, allowing you to present your movie idea directly to industry insiders, producers, and distributors already scouting for new talent. A website like FilmFreeway is a highly efficient way to enter thousands of the world’s top-rated film festivals, such as the Sundance Film Festival, the Chicago International Film Festival, Slamdance Film Festival, and more. 

2.Pitch festivals

Dedicated pitch festivals like ScreenCraft’s Virtual Pitch, Hollywood Pitch Festival, Austin Film Festival’s Pitch Competition, or Pitch Now Screenplay Competition offer structured opportunities to share your idea with decision-makers looking for compelling concepts.

3. Pitch sites

Online platforms such as Virtual Pitch Fest, Greenlight My Movie, iPitch.tv, and the Black List allow you to submit a one-page pitch or video recording of your presentation to vetted industry professionals actively searching for fresh content.

4. Writing competitions

Screenwriting contests like the Nicholl Fellowship, Final Draft Big Break, and Screencraft Competitions reward strong scripts and often connect winners with agents, managers, and studio execs.

5. Film investment companies

Production companies and private film investors like Peacock Film Finance, Marco, and Premiere Pictures are always looking for commercially viable projects, especially if you have a strong pitch deck and an apparent market angle.

6. Studios accepting unsolicited scripts

While most major studios require submissions through agents, some indie production houses and online platforms like Coverfly, Scriptapalooza, or Unsolicited Scripts accept unsolicited material, allowing new voices to be heard.

We’ll Help You Prepare to Pitch Your Movie Idea

No matter how or where you pitch your movie idea, a solid concept is just the beginning. Bringing that vision to life often requires the right creative team behind you. That’s where a professional video production studio like Avalanche Studios in Northern Utah can make all the difference. With our team of award-winning filmmakers, writers, directors, and producers, we can help you develop your idea into a polished pitch, craft a compelling script, or even produce a proof-of-concept video to showcase your story’s potential.

With connections to famed film festivals like the Sundance Film Festival, our well-connected studio can also help open doors to opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach. Whether aiming for festivals, competitions, or direct submissions, partnering with Avalanche Studios ensures you’re presenting your idea at its absolute best—and getting one step closer to seeing it on screen. Contact us to request a quote and learn how we can set you up for success when pitching your movie idea.