I have accompanied over 1,500 productions over the last 15 years. Most clients do not know exactly what they need. They say: 'We want a film.' That is like saying: 'I want something to drink.'

Do you need a showreel or a corporate film? Here is a decision-making guide.

The Showreel: Speed is everything

A showreel is not a 'best-of' from your archives. It is a visual presentation of your expertise.

Duration: 60 to 90 seconds.
Format: Fast cuts, high impact visuals.
Goal: Show brand DNA, convey competence, do not explain.

Use this format when attending trade fairs, meeting B2B clients during the sales phase, or when you want to spice up your LinkedIn feed. A showreel looks modern. It signals that you respect your customers' time.

The corporate film: Narrative positioning

A corporate film needs pulse. It needs time.

Duration: 3 to 5 minutes.
Format: Narrative structure, storytelling.
Goal: Positioning instead of mere functional description.

It is not about what you do, but why. Why does this process exist? Who benefits from it? A corporate film is a strategic tool. It builds trust when it comes to long-term partnerships.

Concrete examples

Startup: Starts with a 60-second showreel. Shows team, tech, and vision. Not a 5-minute story that nobody watches.
Industrial company: Needs a 4-minute corporate film for the website landing page. Explains complex problem-solving for the end customer.
Consultancy: Uses both. 30 seconds in a flyer, 4 minutes in an interview.

My recommendation

Do not buy a film just because your competitors have one. Analyze the goal. If you only have 20 seconds to capture attention, the showreel is the better investment. If you need to tell a story to build trust, the corporate film is the only way to go.

Best regards,

Sascha Manke