Attention Filmmakers!
The following tips are for critical for filmmakers who are considering entering (or currently submitting) their films to film festivals across the world.
Read this advice before your next film festival submission!
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1.Include a brief cover letter just to let festival judges know what their about to see.
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2.When sending your film, consider drawing or writing something eye-catching on the package to show your personality, and make yourself stand out.
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3.Your preview copy should include the title of the film, length, and contact info.
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4.Films with nice artwork seem to get the festival’s attention faster.
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5.Make friends with the staff! Right after entering your work, email the festival to let them know you are sending it, and you hope they enjoy it. You might even consider including a link to your trailer, or website.
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6.If you haven’t heard anything back from the festival for a few months, send them an email with updates on your films progress on the festival circuit.
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7.Don’t ask for fee waivers, unless you’ve already proven yourself on the festival circuit.
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8.Generally, films that are in between 30 - 50 minutes are hard to program since they not really short, but not a feature. If possible, consider editing it down to an easy 15 - 20 minutes.
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9.Anything over 90 minutes is harder to program, and 120 minutes close to impossible.
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10. Schedule your own private screening of your film, and ask audience members for honest feedback. (Not your friends and family!)
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11. Sound in your film is very critical. You may have an amazing film, but with bad sound, it will be rejected.
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12. Don’t compare your work with popular, hit movies like Matrix or Memento.
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13. Before entering a film festival, visit their previous screening schedule, to find out if your film would fit their festival. If you are still unsure, email the festival to find out if it sounds like something the judges would like.
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14. The festival will know if you don’t have permission to use the music in your film. Skip the Nirvana song, and get your friend to compose something for the film for free, or use royalty free music.
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15. Give credit, but keep the credits as quick as possible. Nobody likes sitting through them, even if they are really well done.
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16. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get accepted into the larger film festivals. Try the more intimate yet established film festivals.