How to Create a Press Kit for Your Film Festival Submission

A well-crafted press kit can be the difference between your film getting serious consideration and being overlooked entirely. Festival programmers screen hundreds—sometimes thousands—of submissions. Your press kit is your film's first impression, and it needs to work hard in a matter of seconds.

This guide breaks down exactly what you need to include, how to format it, and what major festivals actually expect from filmmakers.

What Is a Film Festival Press Kit?

A press kit (also called an EPK or Electronic Press Kit) is a comprehensive package of promotional materials that tells programmers, journalists, and potential distributors everything they need to know about your film. Think of it as your film's professional resume—it should be polished, complete, and easy to navigate.

Major festivals like Sundance, TIFF, and Tribeca require press kits as part of the submission process. Even festivals that don't explicitly require them will expect you to have one ready if your film is selected.

Essential Press Kit Components

1. The Synopsis Package

You need three versions of your synopsis ready to go:

• Logline (1-2 sentences): A punchy, compelling hook that captures the essence of your film. This is what appears in festival catalogues.
• Short synopsis (50-100 words): Expands on the logline with key plot points. Used for programme guides and quick references.
• Long synopsis (300-500 words): A detailed narrative summary. Programmers use this to understand your full story arc.

Write these fresh rather than cutting down from longer versions. Each should be crafted specifically for its purpose. The Berlinale and Venice Film Festival both require specific word counts for their catalogues, so having multiple versions ready saves scrambling later.

2. Director's Statement

This is your chance to explain why you made this film and what it means to you. Keep it between 200-400 words. Address:

• What inspired the project
• Your creative approach and visual style
• What you want audiences to take away
• Any relevant personal connection to the material

Avoid generic statements about "the power of cinema" or vague artistic intentions. Programmers read thousands of these—be specific and genuine.

3. Production Stills

High-quality production stills are non-negotiable. You need:

• Minimum 10-15 high-resolution images (300 DPI, minimum 1920px wide)
• Behind-the-scenes shots showing the director at work
• Character/scene stills that capture the film's tone
• A hero image that works as a standalone promotional photo

SXSW, Cannes, and most major festivals require specific image dimensions for their websites and print materials. Provide images in both landscape and portrait orientations to give them flexibility.

4. Technical Specifications

Create a clear spec sheet including:

• Runtime (exact to the second)
• Aspect ratio
• Sound format (5.1, stereo, etc.)
• Shooting format and final delivery format
• Country of origin and production year
• Language and subtitle availability

5. Cast and Crew Biographies

Include bios for key creative team members:

• Director (150-200 words)
• Producer(s) (100-150 words each)
• Writer (if different from director)
• Lead cast members (100 words each)
• Key department heads for notable crew (cinematographer, composer, etc.)

Focus on relevant credits and achievements. If your lead actor was in a Telluride selection last year, mention it. If your DP shot a Locarno competitor, include that.

6. Credits List

A complete, accurate credits list formatted exactly as it appears in your film. This gets used for festival catalogues and press materials. Double-check every spelling.

Formatting Your Press Kit

PDF Document

Create a single, well-designed PDF that includes all text-based materials. Keep it under 10MB for easy downloading and emailing. Use your film's visual identity—poster design elements, colour palette, typography—to create a cohesive look.

Organised File Structure

When submitting digitally, organise your materials in clearly labelled folders:

1. Press_Kit_PDF
2. Stills_High_Res
3. Stills_Web_Res
4. Poster_Art
5. Trailer (if applicable)
6. Director_Headshot

Name files clearly: "FilmTitle_Still_01.jpg" rather than "IMG_4582.jpg"

Common Press Kit Mistakes to Avoid

Overselling your film: Phrases like "groundbreaking masterpiece" or "the most important film of the decade" make programmers cringe. Let your materials speak for themselves.

Low-resolution images: This immediately signals amateur production. If you didn't hire a stills photographer during production, consider commissioning promotional photos now.

Missing contact information: Include a dedicated email address, phone number, and the name of whoever handles press inquiries. Make it easy for people to reach you.

Outdated information: Update your press kit after each festival screening, award, or significant development. Programmers notice when your "upcoming premiere" happened two years ago.

Excessive length: Your full press kit PDF should be 8-12 pages maximum. If programmers have to dig for information, you've already lost them.

Tailoring Your Press Kit for Different Festivals

Different festivals prioritise different elements. Research what each festival emphasises:

• Documentary festivals like IDFA and Hot Docs want detailed information about your subjects and access.
• Genre festivals like Fantastic Fest or Sitges appreciate materials that lean into genre elements.
• Regional festivals often want to highlight local connections or relevance to their community.

Create a master press kit with all materials, then customise versions for specific submissions when needed.

When to Prepare Your Press Kit

Start building your press kit during production, not after. Hire a stills photographer for at least one day of your shoot. Collect technical information as you go. Write your director's statement while the creative process is still fresh.

Having your press kit ready before you begin submitting means you can move quickly when opportunities arise. Last-minute scrambling leads to mistakes and missed deadlines.

Digital Delivery and Storage

Host your press kit materials on a reliable cloud service—Google Drive, Dropbox, or a dedicated press page on your film's website. Create a short, memorable URL that you can include in emails and submission forms.

Services like FilmFreeway allow you to upload press kit materials directly to your project profile, making them accessible to any festival you submit to through the platform.

Moving Forward with Your Submissions

Your press kit is ready—now you need to get it in front of the right programmers. The most polished press kit in the world won't help if you're submitting to festivals that aren't right for your film's genre, length, or premiere status. Tools like Festivilia can help you identify festivals that match your specific film's profile, ensuring your carefully prepared materials reach programmers who are actively looking for work like yours.