Full compendium (§14–20)

14. The sponsor map — every film tied to who benefits

4. The sponsor map — every film tied to who benefits

The strongest sponsors already sell the films you're screening. Your event is a live ad for their discs. Here is every slate title, plus the alternates, matched to its current US home-video label.

Takeaway: Severin has a current 4K box with two of your five films, which makes it sponsor #1. Kino Lorber has the newest Scars of Dracula 4K, which makes it #2. Shout!/Scream Factory holds the other two, so it's #3. A three-label "Hammer on Disc" lobby table covers every film on the slate.

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15. Soup-to-nuts sponsor list

5. Soup-to-nuts sponsor list

Priorities: A = direct film tie-in, ask first. B = genre brands and media, strong fit. C = reach targets or situational. L = local North Carolina. "Template" refers to the emails in Section 18.

A — Labels and rights-side partners

B — Horror media, streaming, and merch brands

C — Reach and situational

L — North Carolina local

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16. Podcasts — who to pitch and what to ask

6. Podcasts — who to pitch and what to ask

Podcasts rarely give cash. They're media partners: they promote your event to exactly the right audience in exchange for passes, a credit, or a guest spot. There are three deal types:

1. Media partnership (trade): you give passes or a logo credit, and they give on-air mentions plus a listing. Cheapest and most common.
2. Paid host-read ad: you pay their rate card. Ask for it, and only buy if listeners are concentrated in your region.
3. Live guest or live episode: a host introduces a film or records on stage. You cover travel, ideally paid for by a sponsor. This creates the most press.

Hammer and classic horror podcasts (lead with these)

Blumhouse and Shyamalan program podcasts

Local North Carolina media to add

Search your area for local film and horror podcasts, college radio film shows (WXDU in Durham, WKNC in Raleigh, WXYC in Chapel Hill), and local arts outlets such as INDY Week, which has covered Nevermore (INDY Week). Local listeners convert to ticket buyers far better than national ones.

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17. Sponsorship packages and the one-pager

7. Sponsorship packages and the one-pager

Tiers (written to stay within IRS acknowledgment rules)

Keep acknowledgments value-neutral, as in "with support from Severin Films." Discount codes or promotional claims are advertising. Those deals belong in your own business account, not Fractured Atlas (IRS).

The one-page sponsor sheet (attach to every pitch)

1. Headline: event name, date, venue, city, and "5 Hammer films, 12 hours, restored DCPs."
2. The slate: the five titles with years, plus one line on why the program matters (restored prints, rarely screened theatrically).
3. Audience: seat count, expected attendance, who they are (genre collectors, physical-media buyers, cinephiles), and your mailing-list and social numbers.
4. Reach: media partners and podcasts confirmed so far.
5. Tiers: the table above.
6. Proof: precedents such as Alamo's Hammer program with Rialto restorations (Alamo) and current Rialto play dates for Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde (Rialto).
7. Tax status: "Donations are tax-deductible through our fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas, a 501(c)(3)." Only include this once you're approved.
8. Contact and a deadline: "Commitments needed by [date] for poster print."

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18. Sponsorship email templates

8. Sponsorship email templates

Rules for every email: under 200 words, one clear ask, a specific tie to their product, and a deadline. Attach the one-pager as a PDF. Follow up once after 7 days, then let it go.

18.1 — Label with a direct tie-in (Severin)

Subject: Sangster Directs Hammer on the big screen — sponsorship, [City], [Date]

Hi Severin team,

On [Date] at [Venue] in [City], I'm presenting an all-day Hammer Horror marathon of five 1970s films on restored DCPs licensed through Rialto Pictures. Two of them, Horror of Frankenstein and Lust for a Vampire, are in your Sangster Directs Hammer 4K set.

That makes the day a live showcase for the box: [X] seats of physical-media collectors who will have just watched two of its films projected.

I'd love Severin as a Presenting Partner. Here's what I can offer:

• "Presented with support from Severin Films" on screen before both Sangster titles
• Logo on the poster, program, and pre-show loop
• A lobby table for the box set (happy to buy stock at wholesale through Nicole)
• passes for your team or a giveaway

In return, I'm hoping for a box set or two for a raffle, a social post, and optionally a cash contribution at the [$500] level.

One-pager attached. Poster art locks on [date].

Thanks, [Name] — [phone] — [email]

18.2 — Label with a catalog tie-in (Kino Lorber, Shout!/Scream Factory, Synapse, Vinegar Syndrome, Arrow)

Subject: Your [Title] [4K/Blu-ray] in front of [X] Hammer fans — [City], [Date]

Hi [Name/team],

I'm programming a five-film Hammer Horror marathon on [Date] at [Venue], [City]. [Title], which you released on [format] in [year], is in the lineup and plays at [time] slot, one of the busiest of the day.

I'd like to include [Label] as a supporting partner. In exchange for [2–3 discs for a raffle / a social share / a contribution at the $250 tier], you'd get:

• A logo on the program and pre-show slides
• A thank-you from the stage before [Title]
• A display of your release at the merch table
• passes

It's a small ask with a very targeted audience. One-pager attached.

Best, [Name] — [phone] — [email]

18.3 — Brand owner (Hammer Films)

Subject: Five Hammer films, one day, [City] — would Hammer like to be part of it?

Dear Hammer team,

On [Date] at [Venue] in [City], I'm presenting an all-day marathon of five 1970s Hammer productions: Horror of Frankenstein, Lust for a Vampire, Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde, Scars of Dracula, and To the Devil a Daughter. All are licensed for US theatrical exhibition through Rialto Pictures.

We'd be honoured to have Hammer's involvement in any form:

• A share of the event on Hammer's social channels
• Merchandise from the Hammer shop for a raffle
• A short recorded welcome to open the day
• Your blessing to describe the event as "celebrating Hammer Films"

Hammer gets full credit on screen and in print. Happy to send the full program.

With thanks, [Name] — [email]

18.4 — Horror media partner (FANGORIA, Rue Morgue, Bloody Disgusting, Trailers From Hell, streamers)

Subject: Media partnership — Hammer Horror Marathon, [City], [Date]

Hi [Name],

I'm presenting a one-day, five-film Hammer Horror marathon on restored DCPs, licensed through Rialto Pictures, on [Date] at [Venue] in [City].

I'm looking for one or two horror media partners. The trade is simple:

• You: a listing in [newsletter / events calendar] and one social post during on-sale week
• Us: "Media Partner: [Outlet]" logo on the poster, program, and screen; [4] passes for a reader giveaway you run; a thank-you from the stage

If a paid placement makes more sense, please send your rate card.

Program and one-pager attached. On-sale date is [date].

Thanks, [Name] — [phone] — [email]

18.5 — Podcast media partner

Subject: [Podcast name] × Hammer marathon in [City]

Hi [Host],

Longtime listener. [One specific, true line about an episode, e.g. "your Scars of Dracula episode is why it's in my lineup."]

On [Date] I'm screening five 1970s Hammer films back to back at [Venue] in [City]: Horror of Frankenstein, Lust for a Vampire, Dr. Jekyll and Sister Hyde, Scars of Dracula, and To the Devil a Daughter.

Would you consider a mention on the show? In return:

• "Media Partner: [Podcast]" on the poster, program, and screen
• [2–4] passes for a listener giveaway
• A shout-out for the show from the stage, plus a slide with your logo and feed link

If you'd ever want to introduce a film in person or by video, I'd love that too.

Cheers, [Name] — [email]

18.6 — Merch or collectibles brand in-kind (Fright-Rags, Waxwork, Mondo)

Subject: In-kind sponsorship — Hammer marathon, [City], [Date]

Hi [Brand] team,

I'm running an all-day Hammer Horror marathon at [Venue], [City], on [Date]: [X] seats of horror collectors and physical-media people for twelve hours.

I'm putting together a raffle and outfitting a volunteer crew. Would [Brand] contribute [2–3 shirts / a vinyl / a print] in exchange for:

• Logo and "with support from [Brand]" in the program and on the pre-show loop
• Credit from the stage when the prize is drawn
• Tagged social posts from the event

Happy to send photos of the prizes in use afterward for your channels.

Thanks, [Name] — [phone] — [email]

18.7 — Local business sponsor

Subject: Sponsor a 12-hour horror movie marathon at [Venue]?

Hi [Owner/Manager],

On [Date], [Venue] is hosting an all-day Hammer Horror marathon: five classic films and [X] people downtown from 11 am to 10 pm. A lot of them will be looking for food, drinks, and somewhere to go between films and after.

I'd love [Business] as a sponsor. Packages start at $250, which includes your logo on the program and screen, a thank-you from the stage, and 2 passes. A $500 Presenting Partner level adds poster placement and a lobby table. In-kind contributions such as food, a gift card, or printing count at the same level.

Could I stop by for ten minutes this week to show you the poster and program?

[Name] — [phone]

18.8 — Nonprofit co-presenter (VisArt Video, Carolina Theatre, AGFA, film societies)

Subject: Co-presenting a Hammer Horror marathon — [Date]

Hi [Name],

I'm organizing a one-day, five-film Hammer Horror program on restored DCPs licensed through Rialto Pictures, and I think it fits [Organization]'s mission around [film education / genre film / preservation].

I'm proposing a co-presentation. I'll handle licensing, programming, promotion, and day-of operations. [Organization] would provide [your name and audience / the venue / acting as the nonprofit receiving sponsor gifts]. Revenue and credit would be shared on terms we agree up front.

I'd also welcome someone from [Organization] to introduce a film or give a short talk on Hammer and film preservation.

Could we find 20 minutes to talk?

[Name] — [phone] — [email]

18.9 — Tax-deductible donor ask (only after Fractured Atlas approval)

Subject: Help bring five restored Hammer films back to the big screen

Hi [Name],

I'm presenting [Event Name], a one-day repertory program of restored 1970s Hammer films at [Venue] on [Date]. The program is a fiscally sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a 501(c)(3) public charity, so your gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Gifts cover film licensing, projection, and the historian-led introductions that make this more than a movie night. [$X] covers one film's license. [$Y] underwrites the whole day's projection.

Give here: [Fractured Atlas fundraising link]

Supporters at $[amount]+ are thanked by name in the program. Thank you for keeping these films on screens.

[Name]

(Have Fractured Atlas review the wording before it goes out; they approve written solicitations (Fractured Atlas).)

18.10 — Follow-up (day 7)

Subject: Re: [original subject]

Hi [Name] — following up on the note below. Poster art locks on [date], so if [Brand] would like to be on it, a quick yes or no by then would be great. No worries either way, and thanks for considering it.

[Name]

18.11 — Thank-you and post-event report (within 7 days)

Subject: Thank you — [Event Name] recap

Hi [Name],

Thank you for supporting [Event Name]. Quick recap:

• attendees across the day, [X] all-day passes
• [Brand] acknowledged on screen [X] times and from the stage
• [Photos of logo, lobby table, raffle] attached
• [Social reach / mentions]

We're planning the next program for [season]. I'd love to have you back, and you have first refusal on the same tier.

With thanks, [Name]

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19. Sponsorship timeline, tracking, and pitfalls

9. Sponsorship timeline, tracking, and pitfalls

Sequence (fits the 12-week plan in Section 9)

The Sponsor Pipeline tab in the budget workbook lists every sponsor above with contact, ask, template number, and status columns.

Pitfalls specific to sponsorship

• Wrong label, wrong pitch. Check who currently has the disc. Scars of Dracula's newest US release is Kino's 4K, not Scream Factory's 2019 Blu-ray (Blu-ray.com).
• Using studio art without permission. Sponsor enthusiasm doesn't clear rights. Ask Rialto for approved materials, or commission original art.
• Promising attendance you can't deliver. Quote seat count and expected attendance, never guaranteed reach.
• Advertising disguised as acknowledgment. Discount codes and "best label in horror" language make a gift taxable advertising. Keep those deals outside Fractured Atlas (IRS).
• Running tickets through Fractured Atlas. You can't. Use the venue box office or your own ticketing (Fractured Atlas).
• Exclusivity conflicts. If you promise one label "exclusive," you can't add a second. Use "Title Sponsor" for exclusivity and keep the other tiers open.
• Collecting logos late. Ask for vector logos (SVG or EPS) in the confirmation email, not the week of printing.
• Not writing it down. Every sponsor gets a one-paragraph confirmation email listing exactly what they give and what they get. That email is your contract.
• Pitching dead outlets. Little Shoppe of Horrors has ended. Confirm a podcast published in the last 60 days before you pitch it.

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20. Immediate next actions

0. Immediate next actions

1. Pick the program. If you want the highest probability of a completed first event: Hammer 1970s.

2. Identify your three venues. Include at least one independent art house and one Alamo Drafthouse.

3. Make the four-wall feasibility call. One question decides everything: will you play an outside DCP under an outside license?

4. Email Rialto Pictures (bookings@rialtopictures.com) with your city, candidate dates, seat count, and intended ticket price, and ask for terms and DCP availability on your five candidate titles.

5. Only after you have a venue rate and a licensing quote should you build the crowdfunding goal — drop the real numbers into the companion budget workbook and read the Scenarios tab before you commit a dollar.

6. Decide on fiscal sponsorship (Section 13): apply to Fractured Atlas, or co-present with a nonprofit such as VisArt Video or the Carolina Theatre.

7. Send the Severin, Kino Lorber, and Shout! pitches (Templates 18.1 and 18.2) the same week as your Rialto license inquiry.

8. Ask one local arts nonprofit whether they offer fiscal sponsorship. It costs you an email and can unlock tax-deductible donations and grants.

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Costs, fees, and terms in this document are researched estimates as of September 2026 and vary substantially by market, venue, title, and daypart. Every figure should be confirmed directly with the venue and licensor before you publish a funding goal.