By: Sarah Chaisson-Warner
Film Festivals offer a fantastic opportunity to get your work out into the world, while providing valuable networking and learning opportunities for new and seasoned filmmakers alike. But how do you break into the world of film festivals, and once you’re in, how do you make the most out of them? Our primer breaks down each step to help demystify the process and help you make the most out of the exciting world of film festivals.
WHAT IS A FILM FESTIVAL?
A film festival is often a multi-day event drawing filmmakers and creative talent to view a showcase of new films. Site-based film festivals are the most common, and they offer screenings, panel discussions, Q&A programs, networking opportunities, and more. Online film festivals became common during COVID, and while most festivals have returned to in-person, others remain using the online format.
There are film festivals devoted to features and others that cater primarily to shorts or documentaries. Some film festivals support the work and point of view of particular demographics – like the Pan-African Film and Arts Festival or the Asian-American International Film Festival – while others, like The Big Apple Film Festival, run special events for first-time writers.
Film festivals offer a valuable opportunity for filmmakers, particularly emerging ones, to get their work out there and to get noticed by the industry.
HOW DO I CREATE MY SUBMISSION STRATEGY?
You’ve finished post-production and now have a completed short film – congratulations! Now it’s time to submit your short film to the right film festivals. With over 10,000 film festivals worldwide, choosing which film festivals might be best for you and your project takes time and consideration. While there is no one answer for every filmmaker, there are a few factors and questions you might consider in making your choices:
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- First and foremost, what are your goals for your film and your career? Particularly for emerging filmmakers, gaining visibility, strengthening knowledge, and making new connections with other industry professionals is often important.
- First and foremost, what are your goals for your film and your career? Particularly for emerging filmmakers, gaining visibility, strengthening knowledge, and making new connections with other industry professionals is often important.
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- Does the festival’s format and offerings match what you most need right now? Most film festivals will still have their previous year’s schedule on the website.
- Does the festival’s format and offerings match what you most need right now? Most film festivals will still have their previous year’s schedule on the website.
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- Is the film festival a good match for your genre? There is no shortage of genre-based film festivals! Selecting a film festival that champions your particular genre can also help you make connections with like-minded filmmakers.
- Is the film festival a good match for your genre? There is no shortage of genre-based film festivals! Selecting a film festival that champions your particular genre can also help you make connections with like-minded filmmakers.
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- What is the acceptance rate? Some of the most competitive festivals, like the Toronto International Film Festival, run at approximately 2%, while others, particularly more emerging festivals, may have a higher acceptance rate.
- What is the acceptance rate? Some of the most competitive festivals, like the Toronto International Film Festival, run at approximately 2%, while others, particularly more emerging festivals, may have a higher acceptance rate.
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- What kind of visibility might my film get at this festival? For site-based festivals, understanding more about who typically attends them can help you determine whether it helps meet your career goals. Similarly, for online-only programs, find out if the festival uses “geoblocking.” Geo-blocking limits access to online content based on a user’s geographical location.
- What kind of visibility might my film get at this festival? For site-based festivals, understanding more about who typically attends them can help you determine whether it helps meet your career goals. Similarly, for online-only programs, find out if the festival uses “geoblocking.” Geo-blocking limits access to online content based on a user’s geographical location.
WHAT DOES THE SUBMISSION PROCESS LOOK LIKE?
Once you have determined your submission strategy, it’s time to submit your film! While the submission process varies among film festivals, many will require:
- A cut of your film
- The film’s trailer
- The film’s poster
- A series of film stills
- Logline and synopsis
- Director’s or artistic statement
- An electronic press kit
If you’re unfamiliar with a director’s/artistic statement, it’s typically a written paragraph or two that explains the inspiration behind the film and the vision for it. Usually no more than 500 words, it may also explore the film’s themes and why the story matters, particularly now.
Similarly, an electronic press kit may be unfamiliar to some newer filmmakers. An electronic press kit (or EPK as it’s more commonly known) is like a promotion package for your film – it serves as a pitching tool, offering a concise summarization of your film for distributors, producers, members of the press, and more. It usually includes some of the items listed above (like a logline and synopsis) but also additional materials, including the bios of your film’s cast and crew, contact information, behind-the-scenes footage, a full list of credits, and more.
Many emerging and seasoned filmmakers submit their films through online platforms that also allow them to track their progress and outcomes. These include FilmFreeway, Short Film Depot, Festhome, and ReelPort (European.)
These sites can make the submission process easier and more streamlined. For example, on FilmFreeway, you can browse open film festivals and even filter for film festivals based on geography, years running, festival focus, and more. Plus, once you’ve created a profile for your film and uploaded the necessary materials, you will be submitting that same profile to every festival that utilizes the platform. Some festivals have their own, exclusive online platforms (Cannes), but in this day and age, you won’t be expected to mail hardcopy DVD screeners anymore.
MY FILM WAS ACCEPTED! WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
Congratulations! Once your film is accepted, the festival will ask you to submit exhibition materials. Most film festivals will require a digital cinema package (DCP). Be aware that many now require closed captioning for accessibility. Having said that, there are still festivals that are screening off MP4 and/or MOV files–the festival is responsible for letting you know exactly what they need to ensure a successful and working screening.
Some festivals will also ask for stills and an updated logline to include in their program. Some will offer to display printed posters in their venue lobby. Some may have community spaces to leave swag like postcards, stickers, keychains, and the like. Some may offer press such as remote podcast interviews in advance of the festival or on-camera interviews during the festival. Others may ask you to record a video that they can share on their socials. The recommendation is to take advantage of everything the festival offers–after all, it’s a great way to build your audience.
Once you have submitted the materials and confirmed your attendance, double-check with the festival to make sure you have the go-ahead to start publicly announcing your film’s participation at their festival. Most festivals will let you know the “official” announcement date before you need to ask. Once you’re okay to, announce on your various social media accounts, update your press materials with the announcement, and add laurels to your film’s images. Start making connections with others who might be in attendance in advance to strengthen your networking opportunities. Some festivals have alumni Facebook groups, Discords, or Slack channels for this purpose exactly.
It’s worth noting that the majority of short film festivals today are unable to offer travel and lodging for their attending filmmakers. Some do–and that’s a rare opportunity that a new filmmaker should definitely try to take advantage of. Some offer screening fees, but again, this is not the norm. But at the very least, you can expect a festival pass to attend your own screening, as well as all the other screenings in the festival, for free.
HOW CAN I MAKE THE MOST OUT OF MY FILM FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE?
Of particular value are the significant networking opportunities film festivals offer, which can lead to future collaborations, potential funding, and invaluable education. Click here to read more about how you can make the most out of your film festival experience. You can also read our interview with Alexandra Qin about her experience navigating the film festival circuit with the guidance and support of Short Film Fund judge Kimberley Browning.
SUBMIT TO OUR SHORT FILM FUND
Our Short Film Fund offers an opportunity for emerging screenwriters and filmmakers to receive much-needed financial support to get their work produced and distributed. Our partnerships with ARRI Rental, Oscar-nominated producer Maria Gracia Turgeon, and Tribeca short film programmer Kimberley Browning elevate the films that come through our Fund with free camera equipment, mentorship, and film festival strategy. Learn more and submit here.
After 15 years of working in state and national politics, Sarah Chaisson-Warner is moving into the entertainment industry. As the former Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Athena Magazine for Girls, Sarah is now focusing her passion for creative arts through screenwriting. Many of her feature-length scripts focus on the often unseen experiences of gay women throughout American History, and she is also currently writing a sci-fi TV series and a family Christmas script.
