Hello All,

I'm embarking on my largest project to date, a docudrama on the unique Nebraska Sandhills (secretsofthesandhills.com (http://secretsofthesandhills.com)). I'm wanting to look at the big picture, and make sure I'm doing everything correctly, before it's too late.
Firstly this is a non-commercial, self initiated project. I'm gathering funding from sponsors throughout the state. I'm looking for film students and professionals to come in and help me during production, compensating them using sponsorship funds. This project will be two to three years in the making; many of the responsibilities being handed down to me.
We are planning of shooting the film in 24p using a Canon 7D (among others), with the duration being from 50 to 60 minutes in order to fit into an hour-long television slot.
Being a independent production, I don't have distribution means in place as of yet. Some of my previous work has been output via broadcast television, as this will most likely will be as well. We are also looking into entering it into a film festival upon completion. Do any of you have experience in this area? Besides gaining awareness, is the festival meant to sell the film? Do I loose the right to distribute the film once sold?
I've never attempted a project of this magnitude, and would appreciate gotchas, tips and advice from you seasoned veterans. Thank you.

Film festivals can be a number of things, some have markets attached where there are sales agents etc. For sales it's probably better if you have a distributor. They do go to a number festivals looking for suitable productions. The arrangement with them is that they have a contract with you for a set number of years to distribute the film and they take a percentage of the sales. I'd be wary of paying them money to put the film in their books.

Broadcasters usually buy a number of screening, there's nothing to stop you doing sales to broadcasters in other territories. However, you'd only do this directly if you don't have a distributor.