Welcome to another episode of The Blade Podcast, where we talk about all things film production, post-production, and business in the entertainment industry.
I’m your host, Lungile, a filmmaker based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
In today’s episode, I’m breaking down how to pitch your film project to investors—whether it’s a government funding body, a private investor, or a production company.
I’ll share my personal experience pitching a feature film to the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) in South Africa, what I got right, what I got wrong, and the key takeaways for filmmakers looking to secure financing for their projects.
Step 1: Identifying the Right Investors
Before you pitch, you need to find the right investor. Different investors have different priorities:
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Government Bodies (e.g., IDC, NFVF, DTI)
- Fund local productions to grow the industry.
- Usually have strict application requirements.
- Typically provide loans or grants.
-
Private Investors (Producers, Business Owners, High-Net-Worth Individuals)
- Invest for profitability and return on investment (ROI).
- Want a solid financial plan for making their money back.
-
Production Companies & Studios
- May provide co-funding or distribution deals.
- Often require established track records from filmmakers.
Once you identify a potential investor, research their funding requirements, past projects, and success stories.
Step 2: Preparing Your Pitch
When I got the chance to pitch to the IDC, I started by visiting their website and reviewing their funding criteria.
Here’s what they required:
✅ Film Script – Completed and polished.
✅ Logline & Synopsis – A one-liner and a short summary.
✅ Project Information – Key details (title, genre, target audience, etc.).
✅ Marketing Plan – How will the film be promoted?
✅ Production Team List – Who’s involved? (Director, DP, Editor, etc.).
✅ Production Schedule – Breakdown of pre-production, filming, and post-production.
✅ Distribution Plan – How will the film reach audiences?
✅ Financial Plan – Where is the money coming from? How will investors make it back?
At first, this felt overwhelming, but I broke it down into manageable steps.
Step 3: Breaking Down the Film Budget
Since this was a low-budget feature film, I needed to estimate all costs accurately.
1️⃣ Script Breakdown & Shooting Schedule 📖🎬
- How many locations? (1)
- How many actors? (6)
- How many shooting days? (8)
2️⃣ Equipment Costs 🎥🔧
- Camera, lighting, sound gear.
- Got rental quotes for 8 days.
3️⃣ Crew Costs 👨👩👧👦
- Director of Photography (DP), Sound Recordist, Makeup, Wardrobe, etc.
- Salaries based on industry rates.
4️⃣ Location Costs 🌍
- Rental fees, permits, transport, accommodation.
5️⃣ Production Insurance & Completion Guarantee 📜
- Covers accidents, equipment damage, and crew safety.
- Some investors require a completion guarantee to ensure the film gets finished.
6️⃣ Post-Production Costs 🎞
- Editing, sound mixing, color grading, visual effects, music composition.
7️⃣ Marketing & Distribution Plan 📢
- Film festivals, cinema screenings, VOD platforms, merchandise sales.
After gathering all this information, I created a detailed budget and a finance plan.
Step 4: Creating a Strong Financial Plan
Investors want to know how they will make their money back.
💰 IDC Funds Only 51% of a Production – The remaining 49% must come from other sources.
My finance plan included:
✔ Deferred Fees – I waived my director, producer, and editor fees as my contribution.
✔ Private Investment – Seeking other investors for 20% of the budget.
✔ Crowdfunding & Grants – Applying for additional funding sources.
I also calculated sales projections by researching similar South African films.
Step 5: Practicing & Delivering the Pitch
The IDC pitch session was only 10 minutes long!
📝 I created a pitch deck covering:
✅ The Story – Genre, plot, and target audience.
✅ The Team – Director, producers, cast.
✅ Budget Breakdown – Estimated costs.
✅ Marketing & Distribution – How the film will reach audiences.
✅ ROI & Recoupment Plan – How investors will get paid back.
I practiced over and over, ensuring I could explain everything clearly in 10 minutes.
Step 6: The Pitch Meeting – What I Got Wrong 😬
The day of the pitch, I arrived dressed professionally, confident, and prepared.
But then…
🎤 Investors said: “We don’t care about the story—how will you make the money back?”
I was caught off guard because I expected to talk about the story first, but they were only interested in the business side.
Then, I made a huge mistake:
❌ My film budget was R1.5 million.
❌ IDC only funds projects starting at R2 million.
Lesson learned: Always check the minimum funding requirements beforehand!
Step 7: Key Lessons & What I’d Do Differently
✔ Have Script Coverage 📖 – IDC required script feedback from NFVF before funding.
✔ Speak to a Sales Agent First 🤝 – Get professional sales projections.
✔ Have a Recognizable Cast 🎭 – Name actors help sell the film.
✔ Understand the Distribution Waterfall 📊 – Investors want a clear breakdown of who gets paid first.
Distribution Waterfall Example (How Revenue is Split):
1️⃣ Distributor Recoups Expenses (Marketing, prints, ads).
2️⃣ Sales Agent Takes 15-20%.
3️⃣ Investors Recoup Investment + 20%.
4️⃣ Production Team & Cast Get Paid.
5️⃣ Producers Take Their Fee Last.
This process can take 12 to 18 months before seeing profit!
Final Thoughts: Treat Your Film Like a Business
The biggest takeaway?
💡 Filmmaking is a business, not just an art.
Investors care about profitability, so your pitch should focus on:
✅ How much money is needed.
✅ Where the money is coming from.
✅ How the film will make money.
✅ When investors will get paid back.
What’s Next?
📢 Planning to pitch your film? Need advice?
Drop a comment below! Let’s discuss strategies for securing funding.
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Wrap-Up
This episode was brought to you by Einhardt Films, a production agency helping creatives navigate the film business.
🎥 New episodes every Monday & Thursday at 10:00 AM (CAT).
📧 Want to connect? Email me!
Until next time, keep creating, keep pitching, and keep pushing forward! 🚀🎬
