What is a film's "logline"?

A film's logline serves as a succinct and compelling summary that encapsulates the essence of the film's plot. It typically focuses on the main character, their goal, the primary conflict they face, and often hints at the stakes involved. This concise description is crucial for pitching the film to potential producers, investors, or audiences, as it needs to capture interest quickly and convey the central premise in just one or two sentences.

This summary is significantly different from a detailed scene breakdown, which dissects the film scene by scene for production purposes, or an actor's biography, which outlines an individual performer's background and career. Additionally, the film's release schedule pertains to marketing and distribution timelines rather than the narrative or thematic elements of the film itself. The logline effectively highlights the film's core idea, making it a vital tool in the pre-production and marketing phases.