Banyak Films | Consultancy | Production Company Devon

Film Consultancy

At Banyak Films, we offer expert film consultancy services to filmmakers with documentary ideas in development and organizations looking to showcase their work through documentary filmmaking. With years of experience in the documentary industry, Hugh & Anson provide invaluable guidance at every stage of the filmmaking process—from story development to fundraising, international co-productions, and distribution strategies.

For filmmakers, we offer support in developing documentary ideas, pitching projects, and navigating the complex landscape of film funding and distribution. Hugh has participated in key industry workshops like EsoDocs, where he later returned as a mentor, and has taken projects through renowned edit labs such as DokIncubator. He is also one of the few filmmakers to pitch at three separate Good Pitches. This experience, coupled with countless pitches at IDFA, HotDocs, and DocFest Meetmarket, provides invaluable insight into crafting compelling pitches and securing funding.

We have a proven track record of raising funds from prestigious national film funds such as the British Film Institute, Norwegian Film Institute, and Doha Film Institute, as well as private philanthropists and leading doc funders. With expertise in securing international co-productions across countries like Germany, France, Finland, and Norway, we know how to navigate complex co-production agreements to get your film funded and produced.

For organizations looking to showcase their work through a documentary, we provide consultancy to help you tell your story in a way that resonates with audiences and achieves your goals. Whether you're aiming to highlight social issues, raise awareness for a cause, or promote your organization's mission, we have the experience to help shape your vision into a compelling documentary.

Our extensive experience working with major broadcast networks and streaming platforms - including Arte, ZDF, PBS, BBC, Film 4, Netflix, and more - allows us to offer strategic advice on distribution, pre-sales, and securing commissions. We understand how to make a documentary appealing to broadcasters and funders, ensuring your project gets the attention it deserves.

What does it all mean

It means we know the independent documentary industry inside and out. More importantly, we understand it from a filmmaker’s perspective. The industry can often feel dominated by facilitators, funders, and distributors, which can leave filmmakers feeling sidelined. But at Banyak Films, we advocate for filmmakers, ensuring your creative vision is at the forefront. Hugh also actively supports filmmakers through his involvement with DPUK, striving to make the industry more filmmaker-friendly.

With our practical experience and industry knowledge, we can advise on your project from a filmmaker’s perspective, helping you navigate the complexities of the documentary world and achieve your vision.

Film Development Consultancy

At Banyak Films, we specialize in supporting filmmakers at the development stage of their documentary projects. If you're in the early stages of development and need guidance on how to shape your documentary story and place your film within the industry, we can help. Our extensive experience in documentary development ensures that your project is positioned for success.

When reaching out to us, it’s helpful to provide a story overview, including a clear description of your connection with the subject of the film. Understanding why you want to tell this story and your personal relationship with the subject will allow us to better guide you through the development process.

In addition to the story, visual materials are crucial at this stage. You don't need a finished trailer, sometimes a taster reel or a single scene can provide a more authentic glimpse into your film. Trailers can sometimes gloss over the complexities of a story, and in some cases, those complexities might be better explored in depth without the pressure of a full-length feature. A short clip or a scene can be more effective in conveying the film’s potential.

Finally, it's important to let us know who you’ve pitched your project to so far. Understanding the industry response to your film, whether it's broadcasters, funders, or producers, helps us refine your approach and determine the next steps.

Whether you're working on your first documentary or a high-end project for a broadcaster, we can offer expert advice on how to make your story resonate with audiences and film funders. With our expertise in pitching to film forums, fundraising, and international co-productions, we’ll work with you to make your documentary stand out in a competitive market.

Film Finance Consultancy

At Banyak Films, we specialize in helping filmmakers secure finance for documentary films. If you have taster material and a well-developed film pitch, we can guide you through the process of raising finance for your project. Whether you’re seeking advice on the best film funds or need more hands-on support, we’re here to help you secure the funding you need.

Every documentary is unique, and we tailor our approach to the specific needs of your project. We can take on a formal role in your production, helping with everything from co-productions and pre-sales to investment deals. Our extensive experience in raising finance means we can guide you through the complexities of international co-productions and fundraising strategies.

With a proven track record of securing film funding from leading national film funds (such as the British Film Institute, Norwegian Film Institute, and Doha Film Institute), private philanthropists, and international broadcasters like ZDF, Arte, and Netflix, we know how to navigate the film financing landscape.

If you're looking to raise finance for your documentary, secure pre-sales, or need help with complex investment deals, we can provide the expertise and support you need to make your project a reality.

Rough Cut Consultancy for Documentary Filmmakers

At Banyak Films, we understand that the journey from rough cut to picture lock is often where a documentary film truly comes to life. It’s a critical phase, and we’ve seen countless films transform into something incredible with the right guidance.

On average, a documentary takes about three years to complete, and even a successful production may require more than three years. If you’re in the final stretch, we’re here to provide expert feedback to elevate your film during the rough cut phase. We bring fresh perspectives, keen storytelling insight, and industry experience to help refine and perfect your project.

If you’d like to explore how we can assist, get in touch with us. Start the conversation by sharing a synopsis, a taster, or a 5-minute scene select, and we’ll discuss how we can help push your documentary to the next level.

Impact Distribution Consultancy for Documentary Filmmakers

At Banyak Films, we specialise in impact distribution, helping filmmakers use their documentaries as tools for positive change in the world. While we are not a traditional distributor, our extensive network of sales agents, distributors, and impact producers allows us to guide projects through a hybrid distribution approach.

We believe that successful documentary distribution often requires a combination of targeted self-distribution and securing third-party distribution rights in specific territories through sales agents or distributors. This hybrid model has proven successful for our own films, such as Thank You For The Rain and Ping Pong, which are regularly used as case studies in impact distribution.

Impact distribution is about more than just getting a film seen, it’s about creating lasting social impact. Through our expertise, we’ve raised significant funding for impact-driven campaigns, often securing more funding than the original production budget. This includes revenue generation strategies such as direct sales, distribution deals, and screening fees.