January 27, 2025
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How to Prep for the Realscreen Summit 2025

Daniela Bailes
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About the author
Daniela Bailes

Daniela Bailes is a working film and television writer whose work travels across genres. A proud alumnus of the Yale Writer’s Conference in New Haven, she was mentored by literary luminaries before being selected for the National Hispanic Media Coalition TV Writer’s Program, a feature writer on the Latinx Black List, and as a participant in the Sundance Episodic Lab. Her most recent work was staffing on the upcoming Paramount science-fiction series, The Shift, also selling a feature script to A+E Networks.

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Last Updated 
January 27, 2025
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The Realscreen Summit is a premier event designed for professionals in the unscripted and non-fiction entertainment industry. Held annually, it brings together a global community of creators, distributors, broadcasters, and other industry leaders. 

Get to know the Realscreen Summit 2025

This year, the Realscreen Summit 2025 will be held February 3– 5 at the InterContinental Hotel in Miami, co-locating with NATPE Global. This strategic planning creates an unparalleled opportunity to connect with a wider range of professionals across the entire content creation spectrum.

The Realscreen Summit 2025 agenda features high-level keynote addresses and panel discussions, keeping you up-to-date on the latest trends and industry insights. You'll also have the chance to participate in creative briefs, pitch competitions, and exclusive networking events. 

Wrapbook is a Gold Sponsor of the Realscreen Summit 2025. As a modern platform for production finance and accounting, Wrapbook is force multiplier empowering teams to navigate industry challenges and achieve success. 

What the Realscreen Summit offers filmmakers

The Realscreen Summit offers a plethora of opportunities for filmmakers. One of the biggest draws is the chance to connect with industry heavyweights, as well as the opportunity to network with potential collaborators, funders, and distributors for your projects.

It’s important to note the Realscreen Summit has a proven track record of success. Based on five-year averages, over 1,000 producers have attended the event, leading to an 80% initiation of a deal or partnership. 

This demonstrates the high-value networking opportunities and deal-making potential that the Summit provides. Furthermore, 97% of previous attendees plan to attend again, highlighting the significant value and positive experience they gained from their prior participation.

The Summit also offers a robust educational program. This year's agenda features high-level keynote addresses and panel discussions led by industry experts. These sessions will cover a wide range of topics, from emerging trends in documentary filmmaking to the evolving media landscape. By attending these sessions, you can gain valuable insights and stay ahead of the curve.

Finally, the Summit offers a platform to showcase your work. Several opportunities exist for filmmakers to pitch their projects to decision-makers. The highly-anticipated "Summit Showdown" pitch competition is a great chance to gain exposure and secure funding for your next project. 

Even if you don't participate in the competition, the Realscreen Summit provides a great environment to connect with potential buyers and partners.

Who’s coming to the Realscreen Summit 2025

The Realscreen Summit will host a diverse range of industry professionals, including documentary filmmakers, independent producers, showrunners, network presidents, commissioning editors, distributors, and high-profile industry leaders like keynote speakers and mentors.

This creates a dynamic environment for networking, learning, and securing deals. The co-location with NATPE Global further expands this network by connecting attendees with professionals from scripted television, film, and digital media.

A highlight of the Realscreen Summit will be the opening keynote address by Jason Sarlanis, President of TNT, TBS, TruTV, ID & HLN, Linear and Streaming. 

Sarlanis will share his insights on the current content climate for unscripted programming, strategies for creating buzzworthy hits, and areas of growth within the industry.

The Summit will also feature several 30-minute individual sessions with leading unscripted buyers and commissioners. These intimate and interactive sessions will provide valuable insights into the programming strategies, plans, and priorities of key players such as:

These off-the-record sessions offer a unique opportunity for attendees to gain a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape of unscripted television as well as connect with decision-makers who are actively seeking content. 

This year’s Realscreen Summit content highlights

The 2025 Realscreen Awards, taking place on Tuesday, February 4, during the 27th edition of the Realscreen Summit in Miami, will undoubtedly shine a spotlight on some of the most innovative and captivating unscripted television projects of the year. The nominees span a wide range of genres, showcasing the diversity and creativity within the industry.

Nominees include series such as Squid Game: The Challenge, which brought the global phenomenon to life with thrilling competition, and The Traitors, an exciting social experiment that captivated audiences. 

In the Non-Fiction category, groundbreaking documentaries such as Kiss the Future, which offers a poignant look at the war in Ukraine, and The Man Who Stole the Scream, a gripping true crime story, are likely to be celebrated.

The ceremony promises to be a highlight of the Summit, recognizing the talent, creativity, and innovation that drive the unscripted television industry forward. 

How to access the Realscreen Summit 2025

Registration for the Realscreen Summit is quick and easy. You can register for the Summit alone or choose to attend both the Summit and NATPE Global sessions

Both passes to the Realscreen Summit provide access to all sessions, networking events, and exclusive industry connections. Enjoy complimentary refreshments, attend the prestigious Realscreen Awards, and utilize the online platform for year-round engagement with the unscripted community. 

Visit the Realscreen Summit website for more information and to register today.

Wrapping up

The Realscreen Summit is an essential event for anyone involved in the unscripted and non-fiction entertainment industry. This premier gathering brings together a global community of creators, distributors, broadcasters, and other industry leaders, providing unparalleled networking opportunities. 

Realscreen Summit 2025 offers a wealth of benefits for attendees. Whether you're a seasoned filmmaker or just starting out, the Realscreen Summit provides a valuable platform to connect with industry leaders, learn from experts, and advance your career in the unscripted entertainment world. 

For more ideas on how to advance your career in the unscripted space, check out these Wrapbook resources on finding your unscripted TV host and elevating how you collaborate on unscripted projects.

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