INTRODUCING “SANTA”
A TRANSFORMATIVE PARTNERSHIP WITH WAYFARER STUDIOS
The Project:
A heartfelt feature documentary and powerful mini-doc social series following Tim Burger — a Marine veteran, father, national parks employee, and full-time Santa Claus — who proves that kindness is the greatest gift.
This story captures real families being surprised not only with children’s dream gifts, but with life-changing support for parents, from paying off overdue bills to providing essential help that sets them on a new path.
The Opportunity:
This is a unique chance for Wayfarer Studios to anchor a project that blends emotional impact with commercial upside— creating a film that families will rent and revisit every holiday season.
It strengthens your slate with an evergreen, feel-good title that perfectly aligns with your mission to tell stories that inspire change, while building trust with audiences and streaming platforms.
The Ask:
We’re inviting Wayfarer Studios to join as our lead production partner, with an investment that secures majority participation in profits and positions Santa as a signature addition to your portfolio — a long-tail holiday asset that pays dividends both financially and in the hearts of viewers for decades to come.
SAnta
feature documentary
Tim Burger is a former Marine, devoted husband, federal contracting manager—and Santa Claus. But for Tim, being Santa isn’t about red suits and sleigh bells. It’s about leading with kindness every day of the year, showing that the true spirit of Christmas lives in how we treat each other.
Social Media
& Impact Campaign
“Santa Knows” Mini-Doc Series
In partnership with The Salvation Army, we’ll produce a 5-part mini-doc social campaign.
Each story starts with Tim surprising a child with the gift they’ve been wishing for.
Then, the deeper moment: Tim surprises the parents with something they desperately need — paying off bills, replacing a car, or providing essentials that change their lives.
Each family receives $10,000 in meaningful support, making this more than just content — it’s a real impact story.
Key Campaign Elements
Original Content Series
5 cinematic mini-doc episodes (3–5 min each) plus 3 short-form social videos per episode (15 total), capturing heartfelt moments where Tim surprises children with their dream gifts — and then transforms entire families’ lives by helping their parents in ways they need most.
Film Festival Premiere & Holiday Launch
Santa will premiere at the Telluride Film Festival in 2026, a perfect local tie to Tim’s Colorado roots. This intimate, high-profile debut will anchor the film’s rollout into the holiday season, positioning it as a new classic that families revisit year after year.
Always-On Social Media Campaign
Short reels, TikToks, and co-branded posts across Salvation Army, Production House, and community partner channels.
A dedicated campaign hashtag — #SantaKnows — will drive user stories, encourage sharing, and reinforce The Salvation Army’s role at the center of this powerful message of giving.
Self-Distribution Strategy
Target: Families, holiday enthusiasts, and charitable supporters across the U.S. — reaching millions during the peak giving season.
Mission-driven amplification: Partnering with Salvation Army locations, volunteers, and national channels to share authentic stories and drive powerful community engagement.
Big launch: Telluride Film Festival premiere, tying directly to Tim’s Colorado roots, with Salvation Army leaders, featured families, and press invited to amplify the story.
$40K paid campaign across Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook to boost reach, drive donations, and funnel audiences directly to rent the film.
Goal: 200K–300K rentals at $9.99, generating strong long-term returns while reinforcing The Salvation Army’s role as the trusted leader in compassion and holiday giving.
Projected Returns
Low Goal (200K Rentals):
~$2M Gross
~$1.4M After Platform Fees
~$900K After Budget Recoup
High Goal (300K Rentals):
~$3M Gross
~$2.1M After Platform Fees
~$1.6M After Budget Recoup
Plus:
~$36K Tax Credit signed over to WayFarer Studios
Why It Works for Wayfarer Studios
✔ Adds an evergreen holiday film to your slate, designed to generate strong rentals and recurring platform deals year after year.
✔ Perfectly aligns with Wayfarer’s mission to tell emotionally rich, socially impactful stories that inspire change.
✔ Builds audience trust and strengthens your brand as a studio that pairs meaningful storytelling with commercial success.
✔ Amplifies your digital footprint through a viral social series tied to the film, creating momentum ahead of future releases.
✔ Structured for smart risk and long-tail reward — leveraging external partners and tax credits to minimize exposure, while securing a major share of profits for decades to come.