![]() Some festival organizers say the best way to submit your project is with a secured digital screener through Withoutabox or Film Freeway, followed up with a DVD/Blu Ray sent by mail at your convenience to the film festival programmer. Most are accepting digital submissions in one form or another these days. What is the preferred format to submit my film? Sponsorships, grants, and ticket sales rarely cover the full cost of putting on a festival. Many film festivals do not charge for admission whenever possible, so submission fees pay for theater rentals. ![]() There’s equipment rental, theater rental, office rental, insurance costs, printing costs, and so on. Film festivals are surprisingly expensive to put on. Why do you charge for me to submit my film?įilm festivals use submission fees to help pay for the cost of running the festival. Not following the guidelines is a definite ‘no-no’. Above all, follow the submission guidelines for the festival to which you are submitting. What are some definite ‘no-no’s’ in the film festival submission process?ĭid 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. There are many factors that come into play and just using a Nevada cast and crew does not guarantee a screening or awards. Subject, story, style, length, and technical quality are all important considerations. One of the primary responsibilities of a film festival is to present the best possible programming for their audiences. My film was shot in Nevada with all Nevada cast and crew and I didn’t get into a Nevada film festival WHY? It’s best to read the festival submission guidelines and see what their policy is on this. 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. Film festivals need to promote films that will screen, and cannot focus on films that will not. Many festivals will not have the chance to do this due to the sheer number of submissions and the manpower involved. ![]() Some film festivals will let filmmakers know why their film hasn’t been selected most will not. If my film isn’t chosen to screen during your Festival, will you let me know why? Some will call, some will communicate via the submission service (like Withoutabox), and many will e-mail. The notification method will vary by festival. 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. Most likely you will know your film has been selected long before the final deadline or notification date. When and how will I know if my film has been selected? It’s never a good idea to wait until the last minute for many reasons. It’s easier to become part of the screening batch early as there is less competition. At that time, the programmer and judges are usually thinking in terms of screenings already, saying to themselves, “we could screen this”. As soon as the first deadline approaches, festivals begin receiving entries. 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. 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. When should films be submitted? Does it make a difference if it’s submitted early or on the last day?įilms should be submitted as early as possible. 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. If you’re accepted into a film festival, they rent it for you. Many times independent filmmakers need to rent a theater to show friends and family their work. 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. Copyright © Leon Terra and made available under the Attribution 2.0 Generic LicenseĬollected wisdom from festival organizers What are the benefits of entering a film festival?
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