Any Worthy Festivals Suggestions For A First Timer On Her First Short/Documentary?

[indietalker]

Hi Everybody,

I have completed my first short film (under 30 minutes documentary ready to go in PAL or NTSC)

And I believe I may have another 8 months before applying to "maximum 1 year old productions" restrictions in general.

I've gone through withoutabox and I wouldn't know anything about which ones reputable and reputable among them.

I appreciate any festival suggestions worthwhile to send my short film -documentary whether through withoutabox or not or direct to the festival itself

Here is a handicap I have : Apparently I cannot apply to The 45th Directors’ Fortnight - Cannes Festival due to

If your film is selected you will be asked to provide a 35 mm film print or a DCP (Digital Cinema Package): Server JPEG 2000.

request if selected as My original resolution is 1280 pixels x 720 pixels and scaling up to 2K then going through DCP output is not going to be any good as well as not so possible with my laptop power. (Please correct me if I am wrong)


So ideally I should find some:
-- REPUTABLE festivals which
-- ACCEPT 1280 pixels x 720 resolution and
-- DO NOT charge any submission fees

I appreciate any suggestions very much


all the best

 

[Barry_Green]

Don't let the frame size stop you. Scale it to whatever size it needs to be, to be showable. Film festivals show films that were originated in all manner of frame sizes, from standard def to pixelvision to 16mm or super16, or DSLR, or HD, or 35mm.

You don't need to have a DCP to submit to the festivals; you only need one if you get accepted. If you get into Cannes, it would be worth it to make a DCP.

 

[indietalker]

Don't let the frame size stop you. Scale it to whatever size it needs to be, to be showable. Film festivals show films that were originated in all manner of frame sizes, from standard def to pixelvision to 16mm or super16, or DSLR, or HD, or 35mm.

You don't need to have a DCP to submit to the festivals; you only need one if you get accepted. If you get into Cannes, it would be worth it to make a DCP.

Thank you for your encouragement Barry,
Do you think DCP is doable from its current resolution level please?
if so, the quality of the image will not be any better, logically though

It's a new kind of ball game for me.

 

[Barry_Green]

The quality of the image WON'T be any better. Hey, you've got what you've got... you're just adapting the packaging to fit their distribution format. In festivals (as in anything else when it comes to audiences), nobody will be counting pixels, they'll be watching your content to see if it's engaging. I can guarantee you that most people would rather watch "Star Wars" on VHS, than watch 90% of festival films on HD.

If your film is good, nobody will care what format it was shot on. And if your film's no good, nobody will care what format it was shot on.

 

[adkimery]

Movies like 28 Days Later and Open Water had large theatrical runs and they were shot in SD(!). Don't worry skip submitting because you are worried about how your movie will look projected. Heck, Looking for Lenny, the doc in my sig, was shot in SD and that didn't stop us from getting foreign and domestic distribution for it last year.


-Andrew

 

[indietalker]

The quality of the image WON'T be any better. Hey, you've got what you've got... you're just adapting the packaging to fit their distribution format. In festivals (as in anything else when it comes to audiences), nobody will be counting pixels, they'll be watching your content to see if it's engaging. I can guarantee you that most people would rather watch "Star Wars" on VHS, than watch 90% of festival films on HD.

If your film is good, nobody will care what format it was shot on. And if your film's no good, nobody will care what format it was shot on.

Thank you again Barry,

Very valid point indeed.

As I said, this is my first time and I'm hesitant in most situations since I am not familiar with the field.
Therefore I need every bit of advice I could hold onto.

Kind Regards

 

[indietalker]

Movies like 28 Days Later and Open Water had large theatrical runs and they were shot in SD(!). Don't worry skip submitting because you are worried about how your movie will look projected. Heck, Looking for Lenny, the doc in my sig, was shot in SD and that didn't stop us from getting foreign and domestic distribution for it last year.


-Andrew

Thank you Andrew,
I'm happy to ask the question in the first place and get more insights from the experienced people like yourself.
I feel much more motivated now and decided to go to Cannes anyway.
And try to find more free to enter festivals

If you come accross any please let me know the names please
All the best