Most indie filmmakers think about marketing in terms of festivals, trailers, and press kits. TikTok? It’s often an afterthought. But for indie films, TikTok isn’t just social media, it’s a distribution tool, a discovery engine, and the best shot you have at reaching a new audience organically.
But like filmmaking, success on TikTok isn’t about luck, it’s about structure. That’s why we built this 30-day content calendar: to help you promote your film with purpose, consistency, and (maybe most importantly) variety.
You don’t need to post daily forever. But showing up consistently for one month, especially around your release or festival run, can be a game-changer.
The 30-Day TikTok Content Plan for Filmmakers
Week 1: Hook Them with Your Story
In the first seven days, we’re going to tell your audience who you are, what the film is, and why people should care.
| Day 1 | Meet the filmmaker – a direct-to-camera “why I made this film” post |
| Day 2 | The one-line pitch – describe your film in a single sentence and ask viewers if they’d watch it |
| Day 3 | Show a still or frame that people won’t believe is real |
| Day 4 | Tell the story behind your lead actor’s casting |
| Day 5 | Share the biggest challenge you faced making the film |
| Day 6 | The “this isn’t your average indie film” post – what makes it different |
| Day 7 | Weekend recap – stitch together behind-the-scenes clips with trending music |
Week 2: Tease the Film, Don’t Sell the Film
In the second week, we’re going to use curiosity, emotion, and character to invite deeper interest.
| Day 8 | A one-line dialogue clip that lands hard (with no context) |
| Day 9 | Introduce your main character like it’s a dating profile |
| Day 10 | “What people think this movie is vs. what it actually is” |
| Day 11 | Show a location or prop that has a deeper meaning in the story |
| Day 12 | Drop a short monologue or scene that ends on a twist |
| Day 13 | Tell the story of how you funded the film (crowdfunding, savings, favors) |
| Day 14 | Highlight an emotional beat (crying, laughter, or conflict) |
Week 3: Go Personal, Go Behind-the-Scenes
The third week of promotion your film is a great time to build parasocial connection through honesty, humor, and reflection.
| Day 15 | “The moment I almost quit making this film” |
| Day 16 | Your film’s origin story – what moment or idea started it all |
| Day 17 | Director reacts to an early cut (even if it was terrible) |
| Day 18 | A mistake that made the film better |
| Day 19 | A crew member or cast shoutout |
| Day 20 | Share a deleted scene or cut moment |
| Day 21 | “Things no one tells you about making your first feature” |
Week 4: Build Urgency and Amplify Momentum
Wrapping up your month of promotion is a great time to chat about timelines, festival news, release hype, and calls to action.
| Day 22 | “We’re premiering in ___ days” |
| Day 23 | Montage of festival laurels, press quotes, or comments |
| Day 24 | Audience reaction clip (or stitch a comment with a response) |
| Day 25 | A clip with a “watch the full scene on YouTube/streaming link in bio” |
| Day 26 | How to support the film (follow, like, comment, share) |
| Day 27 | The “why this story matters right now” post |
| Day 28 | Invite your audience to duet or stitch with their reaction |
Bonus Days: Evergreen or Recyclable Content
Keep these in your back pocket for high-performing days, gaps, or encore weeks.
| Day 29 | “POV: you stumble upon an indie film no one told you about” |
| Day 30 | Director answers FAQs (why the ending, where it was shot, real vs. fiction) |
Tips to Maximize Your TikTok Reach
- Use trending sounds, but make them yours
- Hook early (first 2 seconds are everything)
- Pin your best-performing posts to the top of your profile
- Add a CTA in your caption (ex: “Would you watch this?” “Tag a friend who needs to see this.”)
- Engage in comments – every reply boosts visibility
- Track what works – replicate high-performing formats
Remember, your goal isn’t to go viral once. It’s to build a longtail audience who follows the film, shares your story, and supports your future work.
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