How To Create A Documentary Pitch Deck (with Examples)

Today you're going to learn how to create a documentary pitch deck.

What Is A Pitch Deck?

A pitch deck is one of the most effective ways to communicate the vision of your film.

Typically structured as a series of slides, a pitch deck is a crucial tool for showcasing your documentary project to potential funders, broadcasters, distributors, and other partners.

Create a pitch deck (almost instantly) with AI!

A pitch deck serves as a visual and narrative blueprint of the documentary, outlining the concept, storyline, significance, and unique selling points.

The pitch deck includes key elements such as the logline, synopsis, target audience, visual style, key characters, proposed budget, and production timeline, among others.

The primary purpose of a pitch deck is to engage and persuade potential supporters by vividly conveying the vision, impact, and feasibility of the documentary, demonstrating both its artistic merit and potential for audience engagement or societal impact.

How Long Should A Pitch Deck Be? 

It's easy to get carried away and want to include tons of detail in your pitch deck.

But it's ESSENTIAL to keep your pitch deck concise, visually appealing and easy to consume.

A typical documentary pitch deck is anywhere from 10-15 pages. But it can go up to 25 pages depending on the project and if you have a really captivated audience. 

Examples of Documentary Pitch Decks

How To Create A Documentary Pitch Deck

Step-By-Step How To Create A Documentary Pitch Deck:

Step 1: Gather and create the content for your slides (visuals and text)

Step 2: Choose your presentation software (Powerpoint, Keynote, Google Slides, Canva, Gamma, etc)

Step 3: Start building your slides from scratch, choose a pitch deck template or let AI create one for you

Step 4: Export your PDF, create a link and start sharing!

The best way to start creating a documentary pitch deck is to first gather a few key elements that will go inside your deck. Those items include things like your synopsis, logline, production timeline, distribution strategy, etc.

Need help? Enroll in our step by step Documentary Pitch Deck Template & Pitching Course.

Next, gather images and other visuals that represent the documentary's style, tone, and key elements such as characters and locations.

Remember, a pitch deck is an organic document and can be updated at any time. So don't stress yourself out trying to get it perfect the first time!

Set a goal to create 5 slides and then build from there.

Use the following list as your guide to build each slide.

What To Include In A Documentary Pitch Deck

Ideas of What To Include On Each Slide:

(You can include some or all of these)

• Title Page
• Log Line / Synopsis
• Artistic Approach
• Comparables: Similar Documentaries
• Visual Theme
• Character Details (Who are Your Main Subjects)
• Director's Vision / Statement
• Video Samples / Trailer
• Inspiring Quote
• Target Audience
• Budget Summary
• Distribution Strategy
• Funders/Partners
• Production Timeline
• Team / Documentary Crew
• Progress and Status
• Call To Action
• Thank you page

To help save you tons of time, we've created several documentary pitch deck templates specifically for documentaries with exactly the slides you need to easily plug in your own film's information.

Make Your Pitch Deck with AI!

There are an exploding array of choices right now to create your pitch deck with AI.

One of our new favorites is Gamma which uses AI to create presentations and pitch decks in seconds.

Hint!  For BEST RESULTS, in the instructions, tell it to create a "documentary pitch deck on topic of XYZ with a log line, synopsis, budget, audience, distribution strategy, etc."

Prepare to be amazed! 🤯

Another favorite tool is Canva which is adding more and more AI features every day.

A basic Canva account is free and includes a robust selection of pitch deck templates. Plus you can access a massive library of stock images, media and graphics to help build a beautiful eye-catching deck.

Drag & drop and have fun!

In fact, to save you time, we have created a collection of Canva pitch deck templates specifically for documentaries which can be accessed inside our Documentary Pitch Deck Template Pack. 

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Make Your Pitch Deck: 1000's of Pitch Deck Templates!

Envato Elements has more than 130,000+ presentation templates! Search by genre, topic or presentation type. Envato has templates for Keynote, Google Slides and PowerPoint.

Search for Film Pitch Deck Templates or try out this Documentary Pitch Deck Template (PowerPoint).

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Key Elements of a Successful Documentary Pitch Deck

1. Engaging Title Page: Start with a compelling title page that includes your documentary's title and a captivating image relevant to your subject matter. This is your first opportunity to grab attention, so make sure it's impactful.
   
   
2. Introduction or Overview: Provide a brief overview of your documentary, including the central premise, the questions you seek to explore, and why the subject is important now. This section should hook your audience by highlighting the relevance and urgency of your documentary.
   
   
3. Key Characters: Introduce the key characters or subjects of the film, and their relevance to the story.
   
   
4. Audience and Market Potential: Define your target audience and the market potential of your documentary. Use data and research to back up your claims about who will be interested in your film and why it has commercial, social impact or festival circuit potential.
   
   
5. Visual Style and Tone: Describe the visual style, tone, and filmmaking techniques you plan to use. Include visual references or a mood board to give a clear sense of the film's aesthetic.
   
   
6. Production Plan: Detail your production timeline, locations, equipment needs, and any logistical challenges you foresee. Be transparent about the stages of production and how you plan to manage the project from pre-production through to post-production and distribution.
   
   
7. Budget and Financing: Present a documentary budget summary for production and distribution expenses. Include current funding, how much additional investment you're seeking, and your strategy for securing the remaining funds.
   
   
8. The Team: Introduce your production team, highlighting key members' experience, past projects, and their roles in your documentary. This section should build confidence in your team's ability to execute the project successfully.
   
   
9. Distribution and Marketing Strategy: Discuss your strategy for distributing and marketing the documentary, including film festivals, streaming platforms, broadcast options, and impact campaign. Highlight any partnerships or interest from distributors if available.
   
   
10. Call to Action: Conclude with a strong call to action, inviting potential investors or partners to join you in bringing the documentary to life. Provide clear instructions on how they can get involved or contact you for further discussions.

Best Practices For Crafting Your Documentary Pitch Deck

• Keep it Concise and Visual: Your pitch deck should be visually engaging and easy to digest. Aim for brevity, using bullet points, infographics, and images to tell your story effectively.
  
  
• Tailor Your Pitch: Customize your pitch deck for different audiences, emphasizing the aspects most likely to appeal to each group, whether they are investors, film festivals, or distribution partners.
  
  
• Showcase Your Unique Angle: Highlight what sets your documentary apart from others. Whether it's access to a particular subject, a novel perspective, or a unique storytelling approach, make sure your unique selling proposition shines through.
  
  
• Proofread and Polish: Ensure your pitch deck is free of typos and grammatical errors. A polished presentation reflects professionalism and attention to detail.
  
  
• Practice Your Pitch: Beyond the deck itself, be prepared to verbally pitch your documentary idea with confidence and passion. Your enthusiasm and belief in the project can be just as persuasive as the deck itself.

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Need Help? Hire Someone To Make The Pitch Deck For You

If you don't have time to create your documentary pitch deck yourself or if you're daunted by the task, you can consider hiring an expert to help you out.

There are many many options here. You could hire someone off of Fiverr, Upwork or Freelancer. Or a simple Google search will bring up thousands of freelancers and creative agencies. 

Expect to pay between $80 - $2000+ USD depending on the complexity and time involved. 

Browse 130,000+ presentation templates on Envato Elements.

Create a documentary pitch deck with AI using Gamma.

Or enroll in our Documentary Proposal & Pitch Deck Template Pack to learn step by step how to create a money-winning pitch for your film.

Creating a compelling documentary pitch deck is both an art and a science.

By focusing on the key elements outlined above and adhering to best practices, you can craft a presentation that captures the essence of your documentary and convinces others to support your vision.

Remember, the goal is to tell a story that resonates, inspires action, and ultimately leads to the successful realization of your documentary project.

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Documentary Funding Resources

• Documentary Proposal Template / Pitch Deck Pack
• Documentary Pitch Deck Template
• Documentary Budget Template Pack (Bundle)
• The Ultimate Documentary Pitch Template Package

Enroll For Free

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