Marathon BlueprintCrowdfunding & outreach guide

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18. Sponsorship email templates

  1. 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]