Words That Sell the Film: Writing the Synopsis and the Director Bio

Start with who wants what. A strong synopsis names a character, what they want, and what stands in the way. Skip the setup history and the themes. Programmers read many of these in a row, and a clear person with a clear problem stands out.

Write in present tense, in your own voice. Say "Maya hides a broken kite in the garage," not "The film is about a girl who experiences loss." Concrete images beat abstract summaries every time.

Tell the ending, briefly. A synopsis is not a trailer. If the festival asks for a full synopsis, include how it resolves. Save the mystery for a separate one-line logline.

Make three lengths. Keep a single sentence, a short paragraph of about fifty words, and a fuller version of about a hundred and fifty. Different forms ask for different sizes, and having them ready saves late-night rewriting.

Keep the bio short and true. Three sentences is plenty: who you are, what you have made, and what drew you to this story. If this is your first film, say so proudly. Only list credits, training and recognition you can stand behind.

Match the bio to the audience. A bio for a youth section can mention your school or community group. A bio for an industry listing can mention your role on past productions. Same facts, different emphasis.

Read it aloud. If you stumble, your reader will too. Cut every word like "very," "really," and "powerful." Ask a stranger. Give the synopsis to someone who has not seen the film and ask what they expect to happen. If their guess is far from the film, adjust the text.