Film Festival Submissions

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Cedric Akins

Well-known member
I am preparing to shoot a feature length project, the first I am writing and producing. And I am interested in putting my film in as many festivals as possible. I am pretty sure there a re members on this forum that have entered their projects in a few festivals. So I am curious as to how you go about it. I want to shot in 3K-4K and deliver it at 2K. What is the best way to go about this? Or should I just deliver it in 1080p? And if I deliver at 2K is their a particular type of medium that I should submit it on, hard drive, film, or what? I have never put a film into a festival before so I just want to know where to start. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
You have to check with the festivals for final delivery format, while withoutabox.com allows you to submit your film online in practically any format - if you are accepted you have to be ready to deliver in the format they want. It could be 35mm film, 2k with specific codec, etc.. so best thing is to chjeck directly with the festivals.

One of my videos recently screened at a film festiival and their requirement was 1920x1080 in ProRes 422 codec @ 29.97fps. My project was shot at 24p and was not produced using FinalCut so I had to find a way to convert, etc.. was pain in ass.

Like I said, check if you are not sure.
 
Thanks starcentral. I was not thinking the moment I posted. That same answer came to me an hour after I posted. I really appreciate your response anyway. :)
 
MOST festivals (especially the middle tier and down you have the best shot art getting into) are going to project 1080P at best. Some may even project SD DVDs. Don't spend money on any fancy delivery formats (HDCAM, etc...) until you need it for a specific festival you have been accepted to.

You're going to need a budget for festivals as well. If you have a "good", not mind blowing, but good, film you may hit as high as 3 or 4 out of 10 as far as being accepted. So if you figure average $60 per submission (for a feature) it's going to cost you $1200 to $1500 to get accepted at 5 or 6 festivals. Then if you plan to attend, very few festivals pay travel outside the elite top tier. You might ​get a free hotel room at best, so add $500 to $1000 per festival for travel if you want to attend.
 
Cedric Akins said:
I am preparing to shoot a feature length project, the first I am writing and producing. And I am interested in putting my film in as many festivals as possible. I am pretty sure there a re members on this forum that have entered their projects in a few festivals. So I am curious as to how you go about it. I want to shot in 3K-4K and deliver it at 2K. What is the best way to go about this? Or should I just deliver it in 1080p? And if I deliver at 2K is their a particular type of medium that I should submit it on, hard drive, film, or what? I have never put a film into a festival before so I just want to know where to start. Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Sign up at withoutabox.com and the fests that are available will indicate 1) submission format for consideration. 2) if accept, format for screening at the fest. While withoutabox has a number of fests that accept 'online' screeners for consideration, some fests require a hardcopy screener, typically a DVD. While I have seen tape as an option, since I'm not setup for tape, I have not paid much attention to that format.

As it is, I also don't submit to fests that require a film print if accepted. I just don't have the money for making a print. BD is it for my 'high resolution' submissions.

I'd also suggest you do a couple of short films, with lesser resolution to get a feel for how things work... I'm convinced that most people set their sights on 'over kill' for the technical aspects of filmmaking, and fumble or fail on some basics... like story... acting... set design... wardrobe... simple camera work... and of course... sound...
 
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