Film Festivals (Where to Start?)

Richard Gooderick · May 25th, 2008, 02:57 AM

I'm with Laurence.
The festival circuit exists to support festivals, not film makers.
90% of them are a complete waste of time.

Adam Stanislav · October 17th, 2009, 11:47 PM

Excuse me if this is a dumb question, but if you submit to a festival and the festival decides to show your work, are you expected to appear at the festival personally?

Heath McKnight · October 18th, 2009, 10:27 AM

No you don't, Adam. It would be great for us to go to these film fests and meet people, enjoy the screening, checkout the fest, maybe win an award, and visit the town. Of course, many of us don't have it in the budget, but if you can, film fests are great places and events!

Heath

Adam Stanislav · October 18th, 2009, 10:54 AM

Thanks, Heath. Yes, budgetary concerns were the main reason behind my question.

Brian Drysdale · October 18th, 2009, 05:21 PM

Quite a few European film festivals don't have entry fees.

Getting into festivals is a pretty competitive business, so it does help if you make it stand out with good marketing material etc. Some festivals will invite film makers to attend, however, this usually just involves the accommodation not the travel costs. Some festivals specialise in certain areas, such as shorts, horror etc, so it's best to check which festivals best suit your film and what you're trying to achieve with it.

By going to the festivals you can make contacts that may pay off later, or just new friends. Quite a bit of networking does take place at the good festivals.

May 25th, 2008, 02:57 AM	#31
Richard Gooderick Major Player Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: London, UK Posts: 795	I'm with Laurence. The festival circuit exists to support festivals, not film makers. 90% of them are a complete waste of time. __________________ http://www.gooderick.com

October 18th, 2009, 10:27 AM	#33
Heath McKnight MPS Digital Studios Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Palm Beach County, Florida Posts: 8,531	No you don't, Adam. It would be great for us to go to these film fests and meet people, enjoy the screening, checkout the fest, maybe win an award, and visit the town. Of course, many of us don't have it in the budget, but if you can, film fests are great places and events! Heath __________________ My Final Cut Pro X blog

October 17th, 2009, 11:47 PM	#32
Adam Stanislav Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Rhinelander, WI Posts: 1,258	Excuse me if this is a dumb question, but if you submit to a festival and the festival decides to show your work, are you expected to appear at the festival personally?

October 18th, 2009, 10:54 AM	#34
Adam Stanislav Trustee Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Rhinelander, WI Posts: 1,258	Thanks, Heath. Yes, budgetary concerns were the main reason behind my question.

October 18th, 2009, 05:21 PM	#35
Brian Drysdale Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Belfast, UK Posts: 6,152	Quite a few European film festivals don't have entry fees. Getting into festivals is a pretty competitive business, so it does help if you make it stand out with good marketing material etc. Some festivals will invite film makers to attend, however, this usually just involves the accommodation not the travel costs. Some festivals specialise in certain areas, such as shorts, horror etc, so it's best to check which festivals best suit your film and what you're trying to achieve with it. By going to the festivals you can make contacts that may pay off later, or just new friends. Quite a bit of networking does take place at the good festivals.