Acquisition Policy

We look for

A strong story and a creative director. Daring documentaries with good narratives – feature length for festivals, cinemas and streamers and shorter versions for TV and more. Films that are subversive and commercial at the same time – that change the world and don’t forget to entertain the audience. First Hand Films have to make people laugh, cry, fall in love and learn something. We look for universal stories, even a local love story between two peasants could do that perhaps, a biography on a local artist probably less so. Check our line up to get an idea of what we are doing right now – New Films here.

How to submit

Throughout the year First Hand Films receives a large number of documentary proposals and new completed documentaries. Please do not send us unsollicited screeners, submit your project, film or series on-line at Submissions here. Upon your submission you will hear from us immediately. Please note that we cannot send any materials back.

How we acquire

Upon receipt of your submission with a link of your film or rough cut or trailer/teaser (for projects) we will get back to you immediately to confirm receipt and let you know if something is missing in order to assess your material best possible way. Our assessment and discussion of your material can take a few weeks, but we always aim to get back as soon as possible. Please advise if you have a deadline because of a festival premiere or other. When we have received all requested material, you can expect one of the following reactions from us:

We have to pass on your film when it does not seem to fit our profile.
We are interested and ask to see a rough cut when available (for projects).
We are interested and like to say so. We offer you a Letter of Intent, for you to use when applying to film funding. Such an LOI includes a right of first refusal and that you keep us informed on a regular basis. We decide upon the rough cut whether to include it in our catalogue – upon mutual agreement of course.
We send you a License Agreement and will look forward to cooperate with you.
More about our Launching and Marketing here.