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Last week, RESLV took the Cradle of Coaches documentary to the Real Screen Summit in Miami, Florida, one of the premier industry events for documentary filmmakers, distributors, and network buyers. Our goal? To gather valuable industry feedback, connect with key decision-makers, and begin to position the film for a successful distribution deal.

We came prepared with all the marketing materials including a designed video brochure housing the teaser and circle business cards featuring a QR code, leading to a landing page where buyers and distributors could watch the teaser, subscribe for updates, or engage with us as potential buyers. This small but effective tool helped us stand out and drive meaningful conversations.

What We Learned About Pitching Cradle of Coaches Documentary to Networks

Throughout the summit, we met with a variety of buyers and distributors, both in casual networking settings and in formal pitch rooms. The response to Cradle of Coaches was overwhelmingly positive, and we gained key insights into how to best position the film for success.

• High Production Value Matters – Industry professionals consistently praised the cinematic quality and storytelling in the teaser. Strong visuals and compelling storytelling make a big impact when pitching a documentary.
• A Fully Funded Documentary Stands Out – One major advantage of Cradle of Coaches is that it’s already fully funded. Networks and distributors saw this as a significant benefit because it eliminates financial hurdles and streamlines the process of finding a home for the film.
• Finding the Right Audience is Key – Some networks loved the concept but felt it didn’t quite fit their demographic. However, multiple executives were excited to share the project internally, expanding our reach to new potential buyers.
• Presentation & Marketing Make a Difference – Our video brochure turned heads. Having a high-quality, interactive leave-behind made our pitch more engaging and left a lasting impression. One executive even shared our teaser with an entire pitch room because they were so impressed.

Connecting with Leaders in Sports Storytelling

On the final day, we attended a sports panel, where we reconnected with industry professionals and introduced Cradle of Coaches to leaders in sports storytelling and documentary production. Key takeaways from these conversations:

• A well-timed sports documentary with strong historical and emotional storytelling has the potential to break through.
• While some networks focus more on present-day sports stories, legacy-driven narratives like Cradle of Coaches still have a strong place in the market.
• Industry leaders from NFL Films and Amazon MGM Studios were intrigued and open to reviewing the project—another crucial step toward finding the right distribution partner.

What’s Next for the Cradle of Coaches Documentary?

Taking Cradle of Coaches to Real Screen Summit was a strategic move, and it exceeded our expectations. The positive feedback, industry buzz, and strong connections reaffirmed that we’re on the right track to getting this documentary in front of the right audience.

But the journey doesn’t stop here—we’re still in production and excited about capturing even more interviews with legendary coaches, players, and football insiders. Every new story adds depth to the documentary, bringing us closer to fully realizing the vision of Cradle of Coaches.

This is just the beginning. We’re continuing conversations, sharing the teaser with key decision-makers, and exploring the best distribution opportunities.

🚀 Want to follow along? We’re not just creating the documentary—we’re bringing you along for the ride! Stay updated on the latest developments and catch behind-the-scenes content from our interviews and production process. Subscribe for updates here.