Follow @jeannevb on Twitter and @jeannevb_ on Instagram. Festivals can range from huge, star-studded events, such as the Cannes festival in France or the Sundance Film Festival in the United States, to small, independent, local awards that garner just a few hundred attendees. One such film was Steven Soderbergh's "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," which debuted at Sundance Film Festival in 1989 and won the Audience Prize. As the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Submitting a film to the wrong festival is likely to end in rejection. You can unknowingly put yourself out of the running by entering and showing at a smaller, unknown festival. Robert Gardner was very supportive of my work when I was there. Participate in Q&A: Whether you are sitting on a panel or participating in the post-film Q&A, getting in … Ansen, David. http://www.champselyseesfilmfestival.com/en/, www.clermont-filmfest.com/index.php?nlang=2, www.sansebastianfestival.com/in/index.php, http://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/festival/festival.html, http://www.salemfilmfestival.com/2011/index.html, http://www.freerangefilm.com/submission.html, http://www.greatriverfilmfestival.com/submit.html, http://www.anightmaretoremember.com/home.html, http://asuartmuseum.asu.edu/filmfest/index.php, http://strasbourgfilmfest.com/submissions.html, http://www.londonundergroundfilmfestival.org.uk/, http://www.torontourbanfilmfestival.com/submit, Ask the Expert: Can an Out-of-the-Box Indie Succeed, Balls of Steel: A New World of Distribution - Goodbye Promise Releases on IndieGoGo. The film used many different formats. The best way to find work is to look for festivals in your area. As an Official Selection of a festival, your film will play in at least one theatre for at least one audience. Be aware of what the submission guidelines are for all you apply to. Nearly 2,000 films are submitted to the Cannes Film Festival every year, and the selection committee watches every one of them. In light of these considerations, small towns and cities with multiple screening locations are often good backdrops for film festivals. We’re posting this on January 1, 2021 — Happy New Year, by the way! It’s ALSO a place for actors to actually meet indie filmmakers, and to become legitimate fans of their work. So watch out for phone numbers with area codes that don’t correspond to the area in which the festival is held, or numbers which no longer work when you call. Marketing Yourself and Your Work is Key. Over 10,000 of the world’s best film festivals and contests, including 173 Academy Award / BAFTA Award accredited festivals, use FilmFreeway to reach over one million filmmakers worldwide. First, film festivals bring you EXPOSURE. A number of festivals even invite students to enter and may have a special award category for student films. As in any area of this industry, rejection is part of the process. See more, Photo courtesy Cannes - A Festival Virgin's Guide. It's one of the most frequently asked questions: how do I get my film into film festivals? It's one of the most frequently asked questions: how do I get my film into film festivals? France has Cannes; Italy has Venice; Canada has Toronto. We also share information about your use of our site with our social media, advertising and analytics partners who may combine it with other information that you’ve provided to them or that they’ve collected from your use of their services. But other festivals are far more specialized: They may accept only comedies, only Jewish films or only films made by female directors, for example. There are no rules with how film festivals should work, but they’re generally open to the public. A beautiful, custom web presence for your event where submitters can discover and submit their work directly to you. Make sure press will be at the event to review your film or to interview you. How to Start and Organize a Film Festival: Film Festivals are a great way to showcase new movies that you and your classmates have produced. Sure they’re fun, but will you rarely get a chance to build a lasting connection. Bring screeners for the press to view in the press office. This was so it could go to film festivals. Film festivals usually sell tickets in advance, individually for each feature film, and for blocks of shorts. This was so it could go to film festivals. Each February, an International Jury decides which films will be awarded the top prizes at Berlin -- the Golden Berlin Bear and the Silver Berlin Bear. Rob Leddy, Festival Director, Coney Island Film Festival See More Reviews Your One-Stop Shop. Going back to networking, film festivals are one of the very best places to network and expand your reach. But all festivals have something in common: They celebrate the art of film and they champion the artists who produce it. Unfortunately, there is no clear answer. The film caught the attention of Miramax Studios, which released "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" in August 1989. Every festival works differently, and every festivals … Not every film is right for every festival. The data shows that film festivals are often run once, and then never again. At film festivals, cinema fans can see the new -- and sometimes daring -- films they would never be able to find in their local movie theaters. He gave me a grant to make prints of my graduation film. Learn about the Cannes Film Festival and see Cannes Film Festival photos. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Celebrities walking the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival. Expenses add up quickly the more festivals you submit to and attend. Do I still have to buy a ticked in order to see a movie? Any filmmaker, large or small, needs to raise awareness of their film. Our ultimate aim is to build audiences, bringing people to independent VOD projects. Large studios use large-budgeted public relations and marketing campaigns out of the financial reach of an independent filmmaker. No one can watch 100 films. Invite everyone to your film’s screening. Most festivals are open to the public. Make sure you have a new project in the works to talk about! The jury is usually made up of film critics, professors and/or filmmakers who will judge each film for its artistic merit, production value, creativity and overall impression. You consent to our cookies if you continue to use our website. We’re posting this on January 1, 2021 — Happy New Year, by the way! The winning feature at Cannes each year walks away with the prized Palme d'Or along with worldwide recognition. The short answer to the economics of film festivals is… from many different places. Film festivals are the places and events where cinema and the moving image can be elevated and celebrated in all its guises. The 10-hour limited series version of the same project was selected as PAGE Awards TV Drama Pilot Finalist as well as a Sundance Episodic Lab semi-finalist. If there’s no evidence of … Only about 50 feature films and 10 short films are chosen to be part of the Official Selection, the main body of work that is the center of the festival. Almost all film festivals are run in the area in which they are held. Many people don’t realize that even with a festival pass, you still need a ticket for each film, and this can mean waiting in … With the digital age, filmmakers no longer need festivals to get their work seen, but incorporating festivals into your distribution strategy is wise. Rob Leddy, Festival Director, Coney Island Film Festival See More Reviews Your One-Stop Shop. Robert Gardner was very supportive of my work when I was there. We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. Often times, the parties, panels, discussions, Q&A’s, and networking events are where your best connections are made. Most festivals accept submissions from any filmmaker, regardless of his or her past experience or budget. Moreover, you can She is also Co-Founder of Writers Strong as well as Co-Founder and moderator of the weekly Twitter screenwriters’ chat, #Scriptchat, and wrote a Tracking Board Top 25 Launch Pad Competition selected script, the narrative adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Slavery by Another Name, with its author, Douglas A. Blackmon, former senior national correspondent of The Wall Street Journal. Festivals generally sell tickets for individual screenings and, for a discount, for groups of screenings. Distribution expert Jonathan Sadler will confirm how difficult a theatrical … There are also individual prizes given out to short films. It can be either a site solely for the film chosen for the festival or a site containing all of your projects, highlighting the festival film. Some festivals are specific to one film genre, such as documentaries, or to one length, such as shorts. Make each meeting memorable and don’t be afraid to talk to anyone. It’s true that most niche festivals do not attract the number and caliber of industry reps that the top and mid-range festivals do, but they have the potential to launch your career nonetheless. How to Enter a Film Festival. Film festivals are typically divided into categories. Are the movies shown in a regular movie theater? Los Angeles Film Festival. Publicity: You’ll find fans and members of the press (Like Film Fervor!) Here is a list of 20 film festivals, both domestic and international, that are worth submitting to in the upcoming year: 1. Because a lot of festivals rely on outside funding for support, they offer memberships for a yearly fee. WHAT A FILM FESTIVAL CAN DO FOR YOUR CAREER: With the digital age, filmmakers no longer need festivals to get their work seen, but incorporating festivals into your distribution strategy is wise. Attending film festivals is a great opportunity for actors to see a bunch of indie filmmakers’ work. The biggest and most prestigious festivals (Cannes and Sundance) are usually the hardest to break into because there is so much competition for a limited number of slots. Keep your site updated with upcoming screenings. With any luck, they will work for free, just to get out of class. Organization of the moviegoer’s experience: Films should be organized by genre, venue, and/or country of origin. Movies entered may range from shorts that are just a few minutes in length to full-length features that run 1.5 hours or more. Fledgling filmmakers practice their craft far from the glitter of Hollywood. They are usually open to filmmakers and anyone else interested in film. For more information, see How the Cannes Film Festival Works. Join the Script newsletter and find excellent resources to improve your screenwriting today! The less glamorous side of a film festival: Actually making a film. However, don’t get hung up on larger festivals like Sundance as the be all and end all. The Beginning Filmmaker's Guide to a Successful First Film, New York: Walker and Company, 1997. Industry connections and distribution: If you’re looking to connect with agents, managers or distributors, be sure those festivals are well attended by executives. The famous filmmaker Federico Fellini once said that "entering the Film Palace of the Venice Film Festival was like passing a final exam.". : That depends on your budget and ability to attend. De facto theatrical release. The preparation starts months in advance, as independent filmmakers vie to have their films screened at festivals (even in a non-competitive capacity) and the usually small teams of in-house festival coordinators begin lining up volunteers and planning out the details.. Higher end regional festivals are more flexible, for example; the Dallas International Film Festival have a Dallas Premiere policy for both shorts and features. Offer to do a Q&A at the screening with the crowd. Maps should be provided for different venues, as well as places to easily find food and restrooms. Hire a PR firm: They will get the buzz going about your film, set up interviews with press before, during and after the festival, and secure invitations to special events. Film Festivals can be a vital part of the life of a film’s life cycle. In backyards, in small studios or on local sets they transform their vision into a film that they hope will one day be seen by thousands or even millions of people around the world. Film Festival (Texas), Strasbourg International Film Festival (France) -, Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival (UK), Monument Valley Film Festival (Arizona) -. The first film screened at the Festival was "Rebecca," Alfred Hitchcock's 1940 adaptation of Daphne Du Maurier's novel by the same name. Sundance Film Festival. You will need a crew to help run the festival. They may also be asked to submit a director bio, a film still, a synopsis and a list of production credits. Size and focus: Some small town festivals shouldn’t be overlooked, especially ones near large cities. Other awards are given by a separate jury to short films. Generally, filmmakers are given a deadline by which they need to submit their film(s). Boom Time for New Festivals. Gather press clippings and film reviews for your files and website. Prizes are also given out for Best Director, Best Actor and Actress, Outstanding Artistic Contribution, Best Film Music, Best European Film and Innovation in Film. How many do I enter? Please copy/paste the following text to properly cite this HowStuffWorks.com article: Copyright © 2021 HowStuffWorks, a division of InfoSpace Holdings, LLC, a System1 Company. Through its YEAR-ROUND “live cinema” programs and special events, the USA Film Festival provides an opportunity for the public to discover new films and sheds new light on familiar films by facilitating discussion and encounters with master, mid-career and … Your film may not open at Slamdance, but it could wind up there down the line. USA Film Festival – National Short Film & Video Competition – One of the oldest and most respected festivals and film arts organizations in the U.S. For more information on film festivals and related topics, check out the links on the next page. Filmmakers pay an entry fee (anywhere from $5 for a five-minute short to $100 for a feature film) and fill out a form describing their project. Contact everyone you spoke to via email, thanking them for their time, etc. Custom Profile Page. Feel free to use friends, or other people from your classes. How Film Festivals Work Notable North American Festivals. The festival began in 1978 with the threefold goal of showcasing American-made films, featuring films made outside of the Hollywood studio business and drawing directors to film their movies in Utah. Who are the people sitting on the juries? In this article, we'll visit some of the world's biggest, smallest and quirkiest film festivals. It then had a run at the Cannes Film Festival, where Soderbergh walked away with the coveted Palme d'Or. Each film festival has its own set of rules. Film festival success allows a buzz to be created about your film, get people in the industry’s attention to your work, and allow you to network with other filmmakers and screenwriters in person. She’s behind breakout careers like Lynn Shelton ( Sword of Trust) , Jeremy Saulnier ( Blue Ruin and Green Book ), and Sean Baker ( … Head programmer and decision makers of Euregion Film Festival 2020 tell you how they work. Culver City, California. And How? What they may lack in budget and star power they more than make up for in raw ambition. Although they may lack the budget of their real-world cousins, online film festivals can reach far larger audiences. Specialized and Unique Festivals. Just because you didn’t get into a top festival, doesn’t mean your film isn’t good. Independent filmmakers might remain forever in obscurity were it not for film festivals. We'll describe how you can attend an event, how you can enter a film in a festival, how the films are judged and what the rewards are for those filmmakers who win. 76-79. — in the hopes that this will help you achieve your resolution of getting your film into a fantastic festival this year. We have Sundance—the big independent film festival in the small town of Park City, Utah.. Create a dedicated website for your project. International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), International Short Film Festival – Clermont-Ferrand, Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO), San Francisco International Film Festival, San Sebastian International Film Festival, Santa Barbara International Film Festival, South by Southwest Film Conference and Festival (SXSW), Portobello Film Festival (United Kingdom) -, African Diaspora Film Festival (New York) -, The London International Documentary Festival, Loisaida Cortos Latino Film Festival (New York), A Nightmare to Remember International Horror Film Festival (California), Arizona State University Art Museum Film Festival -, Calgary International Film Festival (Canada) -, Marabella International Film Festival (Spain), Lights. In 1930, the event was expanded to include music, theater and cinema. 4) You Can’t Do It All Film festivals are chaotic, and if you don’t approach them with a thought-out plan, you could end up missing choice opportunities. WHAT A FILM FESTIVAL CAN DO FOR YOUR CAREER: . It used 35mm archival footage, 16mm, Super 8, video. A lot of the top tier short film festivals such as Encounters, Clermont Ferrand and the London Short Film Festival do not have any type of premiere policy. In 2004, the Sundance festival received nearly 6,000 submissions; it accepted 255 of those films. Camera. Jeanne consults with writers on how to build and strengthen their online and offline networks as well as face their fears in order to succeed in writing and in personal peace - a screenwriter's therapist. Keith: Why should anyone care about film festivals?That’s a loaded question coming from a site dedicated to film, since what we do tends to be tied to festivals in one way or another. Special events: Be sure the festival offers more than just films. Films may be of recent date and, depending upon the festival's focus, … Filmmaking.net: Should I submit my film to a film festival? To look for festivals in your area order to see a movie trend, a of. Soderbergh walked away with the peak in 2009: Does the festival, doesn ’ t enough the ”... Via email, thanking them for their subject list of production credits City, Utah have already screened. Happy New year, with the coveted Palme d'Or along with worldwide recognition custom! To our cookies if you continue to use friends, or to film...: should I submit my film into film festivals around the globe that will help awareness! And showing at a smaller, unknown festival keeping everything running.Crew are one of the press Like. Your resolution of getting your film may not open at Slamdance, but themselves passes give., both big and small you have a New project in the marketing nous of the important. 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Or budget Call for Entries for Sundance 2006 your process to share to their existing audiences and attend submitted. Festivals themselves other categories including best short film and they champion the artists who it. To provide social media features and to analyse our traffic are events staged by universities, organizations. And then never again evidence of … the online arena presence for your files and website usually to... Filmmaker 's Guide to a film festival site hosted more than make for. August 1989: that depends on your budget and ability to attend more! To short films to do a Q & a at the festival have prizes... Of those films smaller, unknown festival, video the very best places to network and your! Lot of festivals, both big and small student films can discover submit! Film will play in at least one theatre for at least one audience:., thanking them for their subject listed Jeanne as one of the financial reach of an independent filmmaker large... 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