ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

8 years, 8 months ago - Dan Selakovich

I don't think they really care much about the budget. It can be a selling point for any distributor if the budget is extremely low and the film amazingly good. I would start with the top 10 festivals and work your way down (if you don't have any success with them).

8 years, 8 months ago - stephen southouse

Yeah, but I guess most charge to submit a film. I can't afford to submit to all, so would need to be selective.

8 years, 8 months ago - Lynne Anne Rodgers

Hello Steven,
Have you tried Festival Formula or Without a Box?
Check out there websites for the service they provide. They help you find the right festivals to submit your film to.

8 years, 8 months ago - Glyn Carter

Film Freeway is the other festival site biggie, and more user-friendly than WAB. As you say, you have to be selective. Do you plan to make money from the film - if so, the festival circuit is a necessary investment, so set a budget, to include attendance costs. And then think geographically - where can you get to in a day? Where do you have friends and family you can bring along and stay with? Go for anything local anyway (some offer discounts for those in the same county/region). Be honest - is the film good enough for a cinema showing? - if not, you're less likely to get into the big UK or US festivals (google "BAFTA recognised festivals"). Is it a comedy, a horror, or a strong BME or LGBT component - these are the genres/types most likely to have specialist festivals.

Fees are lower if you get early bird discounts, but you'll have to wait ages to know if your film has been accepted, and for the festival itself. So maybe mix up some more expensive but closer dates with the cheaper and more distant.

Good luck!

7 years, 3 months ago - Vasco de Sousa

According to the futurelearn course run by the Film Distributor's Assosication, there are basically only five film festivals that are markets (full course here) https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/film-distribution/

Those are: Cannes, Sundance, Berlin, Venice and Toronto. Then there is AFM. Most other festivals worth going to are entered by films that already have distribution (and the films are invited, rather than apply). There are other market avenues for Bollywood films, but basically distributors don't like acquiring films at festivals because... well, take the course to find out.

There are BAFTA and OSCAR recognised festivals, but these are mainly for short films, and of most use to film students.