ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

7 years ago - Ivo Alexander

Hi Paul, talking to a festival consultant even once will save you money, as festivals are a costly process and it's good to set out with an overview and a plan. Some festivals will like your film more than others, while others may be a total waste of resources. You'll probably want to release your film 'into the wild' to find its audience, so it will be handy to have a map. (Best analogy I can come up with).

7 years ago - Richard Anthony Dunford

I've heard of them. (the one you put the link too) Probably worth doing if you have money to spare but it's not cheap.

Well not cheap for the man on the street but for films with financiers and healthy budgets it's pretty reasonable.

7 years ago - Norman Hall

I have submitted to 12 festivals of my own choosing through Film Freeway, plus the Portobello Film Festival which is, mercifully free to enter. 2 of the 12 have issued a "Not Selected" verdict, the others will notify their decision between this Saturday through to Mid-November.

I have discovered that there are no viewing statistics on File Freeway, so there is no evidence that any of these festivals have actually looked at the film. I am not suggesting there is any malpractice here, but if you pay your money to a festival, giving them access to your film, then it is only reasonable to get a "read" receipt, even if all it means is that they have at least started watching your movie before deciding it's not for them.

I have suggested this to Film Freeway and they are grateful for "such excellent feedback". Hmm.

The point is, maybe using a consultant can give you some comfort that your film has at least been seen and judged fairly. I have no issue whatever with rejection (wiping away a tear) but I am left wondering whether my festival submission fees have been wisely spent.

7 years ago - Mari Yamamura

I went to one of the Creative England seminars earlier this year and found out about Festival Formula(http://www.festivalformula.com/). They watch your film for free as an initial consultation. They can then either give you a bespoke festival plan for your film for £500+ if you want to submit it yourself, or they can do the festival plan as well as submitting on your behalf for £1,000+. They seems really nice people and have been doing it for a long time so they have lots of contacts with festival organisers as well. Hope it helps.

7 years ago - Jane Sanger

Hi , The stats for acceptance to festival are 1 in 10 because people have an over optimistic view of their films often thinking it’s better than it is. There are tiers of festival with the top 5. Then academy and BAFTA accredited festivals, then online and lesser festivals.
So a festival agent assesses your film. advises which festivals to put it in and raises stats to maybe 1 in 4 acceptances . Nothing is guaranteed but it helps. My latest short I used a festival agent and specified I was aiming for awards if possible . I got 12 awards and 1 in 4 acceptances. This was the festival doctor - Rebecca Smith. Yes it costs but my award for Best Director brought me to the attention of a production co and I am now Directing a feature film with them and being paid for that. One thing leads to another and you get nothing for nothing.

7 years ago - Paul Howard

Thanks all. Some really useful stuff in the replies.

My thoughts are that what a festival consultant will do is take out the time and effort it takes to do the research on the festivals. It seems fairly straightforward to research the type of festivals that are more likely to select your film.

After speaking with Elliot Grove from Raindance, I think will do some further research into which festival consultant I would like to work with. I already have 20 festivals in my short list that would appear to be more aligned with my film and the audience my film is aimed at.

Thanks for all your help.