Very open-ended question: Why would I want to submit stuff to film festivals?

O

oxband

Well-known member
o, very open ended question here, but for a newby like me, someone who has only been making films for a few years but want to find a way to make a living out of it, it's a good one.


Why am I submitting to festivals? How do I want to approach this strategically so it helps me careerwise? Given the expense of getting films into festivals, it seems to me the main reason for submitting is
1 - to get the film seen
2 - to get awards for the film


It doesnt seem to me one would submit to festivals as a strategy for making documentary film work moneywise.


From my end, I'm in a PhD program for the next three years where I get to do primarily film. I'm using this time to try and burnish my credentials so I can try and get work as a producer, albeit one who can also shoot and edit, down the road. Toward that end, I dont know how/if festivals are helpful. If I choose an academic career as a way of paying the bills while i do film, festival awards could burnish my CV. That said, if i dont go that route, I do wonder how they help.


I have a 6 minute short doc that's the first piece I've been submitting to festivals. It's gotten into a few which has emboldened me to submit it to others. But I want to think strategically about this.


This email might be rambling. So, talk to me like I'm stupid: what should I be thinking vis-a-vis festivals?
 
Pretty simple really, you're just trying to show people what you can do. You go show your film at the festival, then go and try and talk to the people who you thought had good films. Get their contact info, stay in touch with them, let them know you produce and that you're interested in working with them. Next thing you know you'll have a job.

Honestly, you don't even need a film at the festival to do this if you're going the route of producing. Just go and check out the films. The more people you know the better.
 
RyanT said:
Honestly, you don't even need a film at the festival to do this if you're going the route of producing. Just go and check out the films. The more people you know the better.
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I myself have never submitted a film to a festival but yes this festival are all about networking. At least for somebody as you. If you're already accomplished then it's about showcasing, if not it's about networking. Wright?
 
If you're beginning the draft of a marketing plan for your project you should be really asking yourself whether you wish to route your project via a festival or a film market?

While some festivals have morphed to also become film markets, the most famous being Cannes, some get down to business immediately and waive off the self-gratification red carpet crap. ie. AFM (American Film Market).
 
There are a handful of festivals that really matter. There are dozens of festivals that kind of matter. There are hundreds that don't matter at all.
 
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