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An aftermovie is the film you share a few days after an event. Two minutes of the best moments: the set-up, the first guests, the speaker who gets the room laughing, the team dancing at midnight. It goes to everyone who was there, and to everyone who should be there next time.
That is where its real value sits. An aftermovie is not a keepsake for the archive, it is the strongest promotional material for your next edition. Nothing shows what it feels like to be there better than footage of people who were. Anyone who wants to fill an event starts the promotion of the next edition with the film of this one.
What an aftermovie does, and for whom
For attendees it is a thank-you and something to share. They tag themselves and their colleagues, and your film travels further than your own followers. For sponsors it is proof their name was on screen. For people who missed it, it is the reason to come next year.
An aftermovie works for a festival, and just as well for an open day, a staff party, a trade fair or a customer event. At a company event it also becomes a piece of employer branding: candidates see what it is like to work with you.
What a good aftermovie holds
The flow of the day
From set-up to last drink, so the viewer lives the event in the right order.
Faces and reactions
People laughing, clapping and talking. Empty rooms and stages say nothing.
Music that sets the pace
The edit follows the beat. Pick music you hold the rights to.
An ending with a date
The last seconds say when the next edition is or where to sign up.
Length and formats per channel
An aftermovie works best between one and three minutes. Any longer and people drop off before your ending with the date. Next to the main version, always make short cuts for social media, because that is where your audience is.
| Version | Length | Format | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main film | 1 to 3 minutes | Landscape 16:9 | YouTube, your own site, the email to attendees |
| Reel or Short | 15 to 45 seconds | Portrait 9:16 | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube Shorts |
| Teaser | 6 to 15 seconds | Portrait or square | Ads for the next edition |
| Sponsor cut | 30 to 60 seconds | Landscape or portrait | For the sponsor to share themselves |
The exact sizes per platform are in our social media image sizes guide. Work out how heavy the export gets with the video file size calculator.
Who you may film and which music you may use
Belgium's Data Protection Authority separates images that show someone specifically from general crowd shots. You can usually film a room full of people if you inform visitors in advance, for example with a sign at the entrance and a line in the sign-up. A close-up of a guest you want to use in your film needs consent. Consent to film and consent to use the footage are two separate things. Filming children always needs their parents' consent. Outside Belgium the rules differ, so check them for your country.
Music is the second trap. A well-known track under your film can get a claim from the rights holder on YouTube, which blocks your video or sends the revenue to them. Use licensed or royalty-free music, such as Meta's Sound Collection for Facebook and Instagram. Mention how you film in your privacy notice and on your event page, next to the sign-up form.
What to arrange on the day
Agree in advance which moments you must have: the opening, the speaker, the sponsor, the high point. Have the videographer arrive an hour before the start for the set-up and the empty room. Make sure someone on your team knows who the key guests are. And book the edit straight away: an aftermovie that arrives three weeks later has missed its moment. Put the release in your content calendar right away.
Questions about aftermovies
How fast should an aftermovie go online?
Within a week, ideally within three days. Attendees are still talking about the event then and share it the most.
Can I make an aftermovie with my phone?
For a small event, yes, with a steady hand and good light. For an event with sponsors or tickets, a videographer with a second camera and a good microphone pays off.
What does an aftermovie cost?
Mostly it comes down to the number of filming hours and cameras. Our corporate video cost guide shows market prices for a day of filming and the edit.
How do I promote the next edition with the aftermovie?
Run the teaser as an ad to people who know your Page and to this year's attendees. How to do that on Facebook is in how to promote an event on Facebook.