The Ultimate Guide to Getting On Netflix As An Indie Filmmaker

No fluff.

This prodigious Ultimate Guide is all about answering the questions:

How do I get on Netflix as an indie filmmaker?

How do I pitch to them? Who do I contact?

What types of shows and films do they want?

Is it worth it to give my distribution rights over to them?

How much money will I make, if any?

And if you’re looking for other distributors, I’ve got you covered. Here’s my full list of all active distributors in Canada / UK / USA.

Enjoy, and take action my lovely filmmakers.

– Curt

CHAPTER 1: The Basics

CHAPTER 2: How To Pitch A Show To Netflix

CHAPTER 3: Requirements That Netflix Has

CHAPTER 4: Case Studies Of Indie Filmmakers Getting On Netflix

CHAPTER 1: The Basics

Alright, getting onto Netflix would be awesome, but where do you even start with a company that big?

These are all the basics you should know about selling your film to Netflix.

–HOW TO START, PRODUCE, AND PITCH A SHOW TO NETFLIX | Bridget Schneider

–​How I Made a Show for Nothing That Is Now on Netflix | Tim Ryan

–How to Sell Your Movie (or TV Show) to Netflix, Hulu, Amazon and Others. | Phil Autelitano

–How to Sell a TV Show to Netflix | Liz Shannon Miller

–How to Get Your Movie or TV Series on Netflix | Phil Cooke

–Sell A Movie To Netflix | Jason Brubaker

–How Netflix (NFLX) determines what to pay for shows and films | Ashley Rodriguez

CHAPTER 2: How To Pitch A Show To Netflix

So you got the attention of Netflix… how do you know go about getting your film / TV show greenlit?

These articles will help in pitching a movie in reliable and successful way:

–Pitching Your “Idea” to Netflix and Hulu — It’s Like a Book, People. | Phil Autelitano

–Want To Pitch Netflix? Start By “Breaking” Into Their Office | KC Ifeanyi

–How to Pitch Your Film: A Step-By-Step Breakdown | Oakley Anderson-Moore

–Sell Your Film or Television Pitch | Phil Breman

–Pitching Essentials For Filmmakers And Screenwriters | Elliot Grove

–How To Pitch Your Film | Curt Jaimungal

–HOW I SOLD MY FILM TO NETFLIX | Creative North

–How to SELL your film to Netflix! | Creative North

CHAPTER 3: Requirements That Netflix Has

There are some things you’ll need to have in place before you can submit your show to Netflix – even if it’s greenlit.

Make sure you don’t skimp on these requirements!

–10 Easy-to-Overlook Pieces of the Film Pre-Production Puzzle | Lauren McGrail

–Netflix aims to build the next great Hollywood studio | Lucas Shaw

–Netflix’s Original Content VP on Development Plans, Pilots, Late-Night and Rival HBO (Q&A) | Lacey Rose

–SPECIFICATIONS & GUIDES | Netflix

CHAPTER 4: Case Studies Of Indie Filmmakers Getting On Netflix

To become a master at anything you need to follow steps that successful people have taken.

Or in another words, model the masters. Here are case studies of those who have achieved what you want:

–Okja interview: Bong Joon-ho on GM foods, his chaotic mindscape, and the Netflix controversy | Clarisse Loughrey

–Working at Netflix 2017 | Brendan Gregg

–Matt and Ross Duffer Discuss ‘Stranger Things,’ a Nightmare on ’80s Street | Finn Cohen

–The key to a successful Netflix movie: Make it a TV show (and put “fucking” in the title) | Josh Modell

BONUS CHAPTER: Making Films / TV That Netflix Wants and Other Tactics

On our search to scour the internet for the best of anything related to helping indie filmmakers get on Netflix and make better content, we found these links that should give you a great foundation to start taking MASSIVE action.

–Here’s the recipe Netflix uses to make binge-worthy TV | Jason Lynch

–Netflix wants exclusive rights to films, TV shows and the talent creating them | Trey Williams

–How Netflix and ‘original’ series TV are rescripting the business of television | Ben Goldsmith

–How original content has been the secret of Netflix’ success | David Molofsky

–Netflix & HBO: How Do They Fund Original Content Creation? (Infographic) | Emily Wilson

–Netflix Is Borrowing An Obscene Amount Of Money To Make New Shows | Jessica Rawden

–Is Netflix’s Investment In Original Programming Paying Off? | Great Speculations

–How Does Netflix Pay Studios? What the Streaming Giant Does to Obtain Content | Andrew Leung

–Netflix to invest $500M on original Canadian content as part of new federal cultural plan | The Canadian Press

–How Netflix Pays For Movie and TV Show Licensing | Investopedia

–Netflix to commit $500M over 5 years on new Canadian productions: sources | Catherine Cullen

–Netflix Has a New Plan to Fund Their Original Content | Luke Bouma

–In the Netflix Era, Who Pays for the Original Series That We Love? | Big Think Editors