It's A Shame(Film Festival Scam)

capitalP

capitalP

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I wanted to share this report with you guys about a film festival that is scamming filmmakers here in NY, so beware. Fox news did a great story exposing the festival. This may not be a surprise to many of you because we are all aware of those Festivals that are very questionable, but I think this is the first time one has been exposed on this level, and I hope it's not the last. If only there was a czar to watch these festivals, because frankly anyone can go on withoutabox.com and start up a festival.

Basically this festival director would charge $50 a submission and just pocket all the money and most cases filmmakers had to pay to see their own movie. At last years festival there were 800 submissions so do the math. This story is especially personal for those like me who has submitted tons of money to submit to festivals. I'm steamed.:kali:
So beware my fellow filmmakers. Here's a link to the story http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/news/shame/091124-queens-film-festival
 
Since I am ignorant to what happens at a festival, what SHOULD happen with the money? Are there cash prizes? Is the money normally given to the winner to do a larger production? Or maybe offered for pressing and distrubition?

I just really don't know.
 
Major Film Festivals are typically non-profit organizations with the money going to cover costs of running the festivals including salaries.

But even if this wasn't a non-profit, the issue is the money isn't going to cover the costs of the festivals. She stiffs all of her contractors, pretends to not have her check book with her, changes her name and moves to a new city and starts a new festival.

So typically no one is supposed to be getting rich off a film festival. Just making a living (a set salary in other words) and covering costs, which are considerable, esp. depending on the size of the festival. Not paying for everything and pocketing the difference. But here she's just pocketing the money, not paying people, canceling events she's promised pass buyers. And worse - I'd be getting arrested for disorderly conduct if I got to a festival and they told me I didn't get a festival pass for free, let a lone pay to see my own movie! I get pissed at festivals for just being uptight about the badge situation. But screen my film for free and don't give me a badge. No.
 
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