Step 1: Stop Everything and Build a Killer Press Kit

Before you email a single person, you need to look the part. Buyers and distributors are flooded with submissions. If your film looks amateurish from the first email, it’s an easy “no.” You need a professional, compelling package.

This isn’t just about marketing; it’s about signaling that you are a serious professional who understands the business of film. Here’s your checklist:

• A Stunning Poster: This is your film’s book cover. It needs to look incredible and clearly communicate the genre and tone. Don’t skimp here.
• A High-Impact Trailer: Your trailer should be 90-120 seconds and focus on the hook. It’s not a summary of the plot; it’s a tool to make someone desperately want to see more.
• An Electronic Press Kit (EPK): This is a digital folder containing your film’s logline, a compelling synopsis, director’s statement, cast and crew bios, high-resolution stills, and any positive press or awards (laurels).

Your goal is to make it incredibly easy for a busy executive to say “yes” to the next step: watching your film.

Step 2: Know Who Your Film Is For (And Why an OTT Platform Should Care)

Here’s a hard truth: Netflix isn’t looking for “good films.” They are looking for films that serve a specific audience and fit a specific need in their content library. They operate on data, and you need to speak their language.

To sell your feature film to OTT platforms, you need to define its position in the market.

What is your film’s genre and niche?

Be specific. “Drama” is not enough. Is it a “coming-of-age drama for millennials” or a “slow-burn psychological thriller”? The more specific you are, the easier it is for a platform to see where you fit in their catalog.

Who are your “comps”?

Comps, or comparable titles, are existing films that are similar to yours in tone, budget, or audience appeal. Identify 2-3 recent, successful indie films and be ready to explain why your film will appeal to the same viewers. This shows you understand the market.

Knowing this information helps you target the right distributors and platforms that have a history of acquiring films like yours.

Step 3: Find Your Champion: Sales Agents vs. Distributors vs. Aggregators

This is the most critical step. You, as an independent filmmaker, will almost never sell your film directly to a major global OTT. It just doesn’t happen. You need a partner who has existing relationships with these platforms. But which one?

Let’s break it down.

For a major SVOD (Subscription Video on Demand) deal with a platform like Hulu or Netflix, you will almost certainly need a distributor or a top-tier sales agent. They have the relationships and leverage you don’t.

Step 4: Use Film Festivals to Make Buyers Come to You

So how do you get the attention of these distributors and sales agents? The number one way is a strong film festival run. A world premiere at a top-tier festival like Sundance, TIFF, SXSW, or Berlinale is a game-changer.

But even premiering at a respected, genre-focused festival can be enough to get you on the radar.

• Create Buzz: A festival screening is a press event. It generates reviews, articles, and social media chatter that you can add to your EPK.
• Attract Acquirers: Distributors and their acquisitions executives attend festivals specifically to find new content. An official selection laurel proves your film has been vetted and is worth their time.
• Build Your Network: Festivals are networking hotspots. You can meet agents, distributors, and fellow filmmakers who can open doors for you.

Don’t just apply to every festival. Be strategic. Target festivals that are known for your film’s genre and are attended by the distributors you want to work with.

Step 5: Nail the Technical Delivery (The Last-Minute Deal Killer)

Imagine you get a “yes” from a distributor. The deal is almost done… and then it falls apart because you can’t deliver the film to the OTT’s technical specifications. It happens. A lot.

Every platform has a massive list of requirements for video and audio files, closed captions, and artwork. It’s called a “spec sheet.” If your film fails their Quality Control (QC) process, your deal is in jeopardy.

Before you even sign a deal, you should know what it will take to meet these specs. Contact a post-production house and get a quote for a full QC and delivery package. This shows a potential distributor that you are prepared and professional, and it prevents a catastrophic failure at the final hurdle.