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Collected wisdom from festival organizers

What are the benefits of entering a film festival?

There are many benefits to entering a film festival: publicity, exposure, press, momentum, audience, chance for laurels or awards, networking with fellow film makers and film professionals, and a free theater rental. Many times independent filmmakers need to rent a theater to show friends and family their work. If you’re accepted into a film festival, they rent it for you. A film festival will also help your project receive a larger, and more diverse audience than just your close friends and people associated with the project.

When should films be submitted? Does it make a difference if it’s submitted early or on the last day?

Films should be submitted as early as possible. It’s the least expensive way to enter in most cases, and it gives you the best time advantage too! As the submission period goes on, there will be more and more films competing for a shot at each festival. Not only does it save costs by taking advantage of “Early Bird” discounts, but it will give selection committees a better chance to contemplate and consider submission. As soon as the first deadline approaches, festivals begin receiving entries. At that time, the programmer and judges are usually thinking in terms of screenings already, saying to themselves, “we could screen this”. It’s easier to become part of the screening batch early as there is less competition. It’s never a good idea to wait until the last minute for many reasons.

When and how will I know if my film has been selected?

Most likely you will know your film has been selected long before the final deadline or notification date. If your film is going to screen, most film festivals will want to start promoting it as soon as possible, which means they will contact you at least a couple months before festival kickoff. The notification method will vary by festival. Some will call, some will communicate via the submission service (like FilmFreeway) and many will e-mail.

If my film isn’t chosen to screen during your Festival, will you let me know why?

This varies per festival. Some film festivals will let filmmakers know why their film hasn’t been selected; most will not. Many festivals will not have the chance to do this due to the sheer number of submissions and the manpower involved. Film festivals need to promote films that will screen, and cannot focus on films that will not. Also, since films are notified usually weeks before the start of the festival, programmers and judges don’t have the time to go back and review films that will not be screened, as all their time and efforts should be spent creating momentum for the ones that will screen. It’s best to read the festival submission guidelines and see what their policy is on this.

My film was shot in Nevada with all Nevada cast and crew and I didn’t get into a Nevada film festival WHY??

One of the primary responsibilities of a film festival is to present the best possible programming for their audiences. Subject, story, style, length, and technical quality are all important considerations. There are many factors that come into play and just using a Nevada cast and crew does not guarantee a screening or awards.

What are some definite ‘no-no’s’ in the film festival submission process?

Did you enter properly? Did you send emails to the festival begging to be included? Did you put up a screener on YouTube or sections of the screener? Have you screened at another festival in the same market or state? These are only some of the factors, and of course there is a question of quality, content, and interest of your project for potential viewers. Above all, follow the submission guidelines for the festival to which you are submitting. Not following the guidelines is a definite ‘no-no’.

Why do you charge for me to submit my film?

Film festivals use submission fees to help pay for the cost of running the festival. Film festivals are surprisingly expensive to put on. There’s equipment rental, theater rental, office rental, insurance costs, printing costs, and so on. Many film festivals do not charge for admission whenever possible, so submission fees pay for theater rentals. Sponsorships, grants, and ticket sales rarely cover the full cost of putting on a festival.

What is the preferred format to submit my film?

This is up to the individual festival. Most are accepting digital submissions in one form or another these days. Some festival organizers say the best way to submit your project is with a secured digital screener like Film Freeway, followed up with a DVD/Blu Ray sent by mail at your convenience to the film festival programmer. By doing this, you’re giving a way for all the judges to quickly and easily see your entry at their house, in their screening room or on their computer, and you’re also giving the programming committee a screener that can play at the festival. This is very important to the programmer, as he or she won’t need to call and bug you to get your screener in, which happens more often than not, especially with local films. He or she will most likely pop the DVD in to check that it works on the system, and then you’re top of mind with judges and programmers. If your film receives high marks from the judges, the programmer will also be pushing for your film because he or she has it in their hand – ready to screen at festival!

Is there anything I can do to increase my chance of winning a festival award?

Make a good film. Make sure your film is complete and final before sending out or entering festivals. If you make a great film, it will win awards, it will find an audience, it will play at festivals. Show the film to people you don’t know and have them write out an honest opinion of the film. Make the best film you can with as much passion as possible.

What are some of your biggest pet peeves about filmmakers who submit to your fest?

Sending in unfinished projects, and then sending in the same project later, most likely still unfinished, and asking us to view it again. Contacting us just to say hi, and make sure we received the film or to tell us about the films screenings at other festivals are also no-no’s as well. Let your film speak for itself.

What advice can you give filmmakers on entering your festival?

Make a good film and all the rest will fall in place. Rather than spending countless hours on a DVD cover and artwork, work more on the audio or color correction.

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