УДК: 778.5.01.067.2

DOI: 10.35852/2588-0144-2025-3-260-274

EDN: XIWEXX

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Dmitry A. Davidenko

Russian State University of Cinematography named after S. Gerasimov (VGIK)
Moscow, Russia

Pitching of Film Projects as the Way of a Screen Work from the Director to the Viewer

Abstract

The article examines the pitching of film projects as a complex communicative mechanism linking a creative idea with its practical implementation in the modern film industry. Pitching is not just a stage of presentation, but also a multifunctional process that includes artistic, economic and marketing components. Special attention is paid to the methodology of a successful presentation, key aspects such as the structure of the presentation of the material, visualization of the concept, budget justification and payback forecasting. The article identifies three main pitching formats — oral, audiovisual, and documentary — and their impact on the perception of the project by investors and producers. Each of these formats contributes to the transformation of a creative idea into a commercially viable product. Pitching becomes the basis for adapting the initial idea and project to market conditions, including adjusting genre and stylistic characteristics, budget and personnel policy. The long–term importance of successful pitching for the promotion of the film at subsequent stages, from pre-production to distribution, is considered separately, forming a narrative field around the project.

Keywords

Film, film presentation, filmmaking, film marketing, film production.

For citation

Davidenko D. A. Pitching of Film Projects as the Way of a Screen Work from the Director to the Viewer // Theatre. Fine Arts. Cinema. Music. 2025, no. 3, pp. 260–274.

DOI: 10.35852/2588-0144-2025-3-260-274

EDN XIWEXX

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Received: 12.07.2025

Revised: 08.10.2025

Accepted: 29.10.2025