How to Write a Movie Press Release That Grabs Headlines and Fills Seats

Have you ever wondered how some movie announcements go viral and become the talk of the town immediately, even before the movie’s release and while others fade into obscurity and fail to receive as much traction?

Or the thought of how a movie, from its production to its release announcement in the cinema, captures the industry’s attention. That effect is one of the magic that a well-crafted movie press release can create for a movie.

This article serves as a comprehensive guide, covering essential tips on writing a movie press release, including templates and formats to follow, examples, and distribution strategies.  

What Is a Movie Press Release and Why Does It Matter?

A Movie Press Release is an official written announcement that is released to communicate an essential update of a movie, film or any theatrical work. Movie Press releases can vary from production duration, casting and crew announcements, trailer releases, premiere or cinema debuts, soundtrack releases, and renewals. It is the press release for the entertainment industry.

Movie Press releases are written or sponsored by a movie production team to inform journalists and bloggers, generate interest from critics and reviewers, create buzz around the movie and shape the movie’s image for the general public. 

We cannot overemphasise the importance of movie press releases. Filmmakers understand that to get the most out of their movie, they must usher it at every milestone with a movie press release. 

And this is why it matters: 

• It helps to build awareness for the movie, getting them noticed by journalists, bloggers, film critics, and the general public. It can result in coverage on news sites, blogs, social media, and other forms of media. 
• It helps to dictate and shape an impression: A well-written press release, with good use of tone, structure, and diction, will drive the foremost conversation and perception of what the movie will be, and also build early momentum that can lead to success.  
• Boost Discoverability: With the right keywords, your movie will be discovered online by movie buffs and cinema enthusiasts seeking new films to watch.
• It also matters in terms of providing verified information, as support in awards and festival submissions increases professional credibility. 

Essential Elements of a Movie Press Release Format

A typical movie press release includes the following elements: headline, dateline, lead paragraph, body, boilerplate, and others. 

Here is the explanation of these essential elements:

• Heading: This is the most crucial element in a movie press release. It is the element that invites readers and tells us the most exciting thing about the movie. It must be clear, concise, and captivating.
• Dateline: This simply contains the location and date where the press release is issued.
• Lead Paragraph: This is also called the opening line. The lead paragraph is one of the most essential elements in a movie press release. It embodies the central theme and answers the 5W and H of the release.
• For Immediate Release: Some movie press releases contain a “For Immediate Release” phrase, which is placed at the top to denote that the information is ready to be published immediately, as the name implies. 
• Body paragraph: This element contains the details of the release and also quotes from the cast and crew. It provides additional information on the movie and other production details, such as the film’s release date.
• Contact Information: This is where people can reach you, whether in person or online. It includes the company’s name, address, phone number, and email, often located at the top left corner of the page.
• Some of the other key elements of a movie press release include a Call-to-Action (CTA) to drive audience interest and a boilerplate paragraph that discusses the production company. And an End Mark (###) to indicate the end of the entire movie press release. 

How to Write a Movie Press Release That Gets Noticed

We will not consider a movie press release a success unless it gets noticed and reaches the right audience. To ensure this, here are some of the press release writing tips that will help your movie press release get noticed:

Craft a Catchy Headline: This is the first thing everyone sees in a press release, and it must be catchy and punchy, summarising the whole news. It can include the most important fact of your movie, a major star that starred in it or even an award nomination the film has received. 

Master the Lead Paragraph: This is also important, as it serves as the headline. It helps people to read into the body of the release. It speaks on the Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How.

Develop an Engaging Body: This is where the press release body must include significant updates and other relevant information. Writers must compellingly write it to attract readers.

Inclusion of Powerful Quotes: This can include quotes from the director, lead actors, or any other essential members of the crew. The addition of this enhances the movie press release with insight, credibility, and a personal touch.

Other press writing tips for a movie include structuring the content for readability, incorporating media assets for visual appeal, such as movie posters and behind-the-scenes photos, ensuring it is an SEO press release, and meticulous proofreading to avoid errors and inaccuracies.  

Movie Press Release Template and Example You Can Use

When using a movie press release, it’s necessary to ensure its correct usage, appropriate formatting, SEO optimisation, and strong readability.

Here is a typical example you can use for your Movie Press Release template:

1. Engaging Headline: This must be direct and attention-grabbing. 

Example: Kunle Afolayan’s New Movie “Attention Call” Set to Premiere at Lagos Film Festival. 

2. City, Country and Date:

Lagos, Nigeria – July 30, 2025

3. Lead Story: 

Nigerian filmmaking legend Kunle Afolayan announces the premiere of his latest film, Attention Call, an urban romance that explores the beauty of love, the pain of betrayal and also societal biases. The film debuts at the Lagos Film Festival on August 19. 

4. Body & Quotes: 

Example: Set in a modern African setting, where people strive to balance life, hustle, love, and freedom. Attention Call follows a brilliant young man (played by Lateef Adedimeji) who is new to the corporate world of 9-to-5 and falls in love with a colleague, Adeife (played by Bimbo Ademoye). However, the story unfolds in the cut-throat corporate world, and an interest from a boss in Adeife shakes their love for each other. 

“The film is a normal lagos love story but with a twist of how we can still be human in it ”, said Kunle Afolayan. “It is about affection, grit, power, and the fight to control one’s life”

5. Key Details:

Title: Attention Call

Genre: Romance

Director: Kunle Afolayan 

Main Cast: Lateef Adedimeji, Bimbo Ademoye, Tunde Bakare, Desmond Elliot, 

Premier Date: August 19, 2025

Runtime: 115 minutes 

6. Call to Action: For Interview, screening pass or press inquiries, please contact: +2348179968756 

7. Media Contact: Carlse Obi | Media Head, Red Way Studios | Email: infor@redaway.com | Phone: +2348096415437

When and Where to Distribute Your Movie Press Release

It is essential to know when and where to distribute your movie press release to maximise its reach and gain as much traction as possible, and stand out in the industry. 

Here is the list of some of the best timing and effective channels to use to distribute your movie press release:

1. Pre-Production or  Movie Cast Announcement: The pre-production stage is a very strategic time. It will help to create early buzz and also attract media and public interest.
2. Production Stage (Behind-the-Scenes): At this stage, filmmakers use a movie press release to communicate what is happening behind the scenes and for teaser releases. 
3. Premiere: This is one of the vital facts that needs a movie press release. It includes announcing the film’s release dates, as well as the premier location and directions on how to access it.
4. Major Film Festivals: Movies appearing in film festivals require a movie press release, which helps capitalise on the attention the film is receiving.
5. Day of Official Release: This phase is crucial because it pushes the audience to see the movie. It also includes other dates surrounding it, such as theatrical or streaming release dates.
6. Post-Release: This is to announce key events, such as reviews, Awards, and Milestones.

Where to distribute your Movie Press Release: include the following: 

• Film & Entertainment Media: This provides media organisations like Pulse.ng, BellaNaija Movies, Linda Ikeji Blog (LIB), NollyRated, YNaija, etc. 
• Newspapers Entertainment Section: Some newspapers have an arts and culture section where they publish news about the entertainment world, eg. Premium Times and Vanguard Newspaper
• Email Distribution to Film, Art, Entertainment & Culture Journalists
• Online Press Release Distribution Services: These are organisations that provide Press release distribution services for the entertainment industry, like Pressdia.

Press Releases for Different Movie Milestones

Media Press releases are necessary for almost every milestone in a movie’s production, from pre-production to post-production.  

• Press Release for Film Announcement: This is a pre-production stage where filmmakers form the film’s announcement to generate initial interest.”It includes the movie title announcement, crew and cast announcements, planned film release date, and the movie’s genre. 
• Movie cast announcement: This typically occurs during the pre-production stage, involving the announcement of cast members, background on their careers, reasons for casting, and quotes from the cast on their preparation for the film shoot.
• Press Release for Film Launch: This announcement marks the official start of filming, detailing the project’s dates, locations, and visual style.
• Trailer Press Release: This is used during the production stage or immediately after it, to build hype for the movie and also mention the trailer release date and sometimes the premiere dates
• Press release for movie premiere: A movie premiere press release typically launches after production and before the debut showing. 
• Movie screening announcement: This typically occurs before a premiere and is used to announce any other upcoming private or public event.

Bonus Tips: Optimising Your Press Release for Media & Search

When writing movie press releases, it is essential to optimise them for search engines to make it easy for journalists and the public to find them, as well as for search engines to prioritise them. 

Here are some of the tips to optimise your press release for media search:

1. Use Relevant Keywords: Keyword research for press releases is necessary because it helps you know and include relevant Keywords that journalists or the general audience might search for in your press release, ensuring it reaches them and enables it to be an SEO press release. Examples include New movies (2025), romance movies, and Lagos movies, among others. 
2. Write Clear Headlines: Ensure headlines are short and punchy in order not to get cut off in search results, and also include your main keywords early. 
3. Use Media Assets: These are the media kit for movies, which include images, trailers, video thumbnails, and other press release multimedia content. It boosts engagement on Google Images and YouTube search. 
4. Use Structured Formatting: This includes the use of Bullet Points, Subheadings, and quotes.
5. Add Location Tags for Local Visibility: Ensure press releases include location tags, particularly for premieres, screenings, and other events. 

Conclusion

To write an effective movie press release, it must follow best practices, such as using clear and punchy headlines, an engaging lead story, a compelling body with an appealing delivery, and perfect timing at every milestone to stay effective.

Outside of these, movie press releases will also be distributed strategically via professional and effective mediums to achieve reach, virality and eventually fill seats. 

As a film-maker, an aspiring movie buff, or someone who wants to understand how filmmakers built movie momentum, share this article with your circle and also leave your comments.

And if you need help crafting your next movie press release? Contact Pressdia to make your film announcement shine.