ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

11 years, 1 month ago - Daniel Cormack

Ps. If you do go, go the videotheque first thing and check your DVD works on the machines they have there. Also rather than hustling every single person you meet in the hope they are a buyer who might be interested. Check the log of who has watched your film (if they have one). Wait until the festival has finished and follow up with an email or phone call just to say that you hope they enjoyed your film and that you have all the delivery materials ready to go, should they be interested in buying.

11 years, 2 months ago - Nicola Quilter

Sorry just saw the email response above - If you're not selected and just in the Film market it's not worth it unless you have unlimited funds to fly about and have a good time - If you do have enough money - it's a great week.

11 years, 2 months ago - Pierre Stefanos

Actually, I disagree with the idea that the film market is not worth attending if the film is not in the festival. When my first short BEDFELLOWS was rejected from Worldwide Shorts in Toronto, the other short film market that used to take place in June, I attended. Mind you, my film had already played Sarasota, Atlanta, and Seattle Int'l by that point, so I had a film with some heat on it by the time I arrived, and it turned out to be one the top 100 films watched in the market, ahead of films chosen for the fest. I not only met my eventual sales agent for BEDFELLOWS there, but other fest programmers, distributors, and filmmakers there. My learning curve was huge, and it prepared me greatly for attending palm Springs later that month. In short, it was one of the most profitable trips I've ever taken in my life, which is why it's a pity the market is gone now.

Therefore, attending Palm Springs is all the more important. Now, if cost is the issue of deciding to attend, what I would suggest you ask yourself are 2 questions: 1) if your film has already played the caliber of fest that Palm Springs is. If it's played any Oscar-qualifier or any fest with any legit buzz behind it or if you have won awards, then the film industry wants you to be there. 2) Do you have supporting materials to hand out like postcards, posters, etc.? If you show up without handouts, like copies of the film on DVD or BluRay, and the ability to sell the film, both literally and euphemistically, it's a wasted trip except as a learning experience and a chance to network.

The short film market wants you to be as prepared as you would be if you were trying to sell a film at Cannes. Having attended Palm Springs, I would warn you against showing up with a project that really has no business being taken seriously as a strong short. You'll be passed over by pretty much everyone for those filmmakers who have a world-class short with them, so attend if that's what you KNOW you have, not hope you have. I remember some people trying to network with less-than-worthy projects, and it was a bit embarrassing to witness it even if they were very nice people.

If you're going to go, best decide soon. It starts in 3 weeks. Good luck.

11 years, 2 months ago - Dan Selakovich

Worth it in what way? Palm Springs is an excellent festival for shorts. But being worth it coming from the U.K.? I have no idea. Perhaps if you knew you were going to win something. You mention the Film Market. Was your film accepted into the festival for screening in a theatre or just the FM? Anybody that enters gets in the film market. If that's the case, I'd say no, not worth it.

11 years, 2 months ago - Nicola Quilter

Yes I have been and have another film there this month. It's definitely worth it if you are a director or have a feature script that n American company may be interested. Last time I didn't have a feature script in my hand but I had an amazing time. The people and festival really work hard to make it a Film makers experience. This year I have an American feature script but am shooting the week after the festival - gutted I can't go as will be in pre-prod. Go if you can

11 years, 1 month ago - Daniel Cormack

I attended with a travel grant from Film London and when I turned up, it turned out the UK Film Council USA were giving out stipends that year to British filmmakers to cover living expenses, so it turned out to be a no-brainer for me.

Not only that, the festival really looks after you so they laid on pastries for breakfast at the delegates centre and there were parties every night which laid on free drink and in most cases free food (sometimes just canapes,sometimes barbecues or similar). They also ran a shuttle service to the venues and the delegate centre Hopefully, that level of hositality has survived the recession!

I think they screen about 300 odd films (and there must thousands in the videotheque of the market) so the market itself is a complete chaos of people trying to push their wares. There are genuine buyers attending and the year I went some even have sessions where you can sit down and chat to them and ask questions.

I didn't make any sales, but I know others did. It is particularly strong on LGBT buyers. Obviously it helps if your film is an official selection.

If you can view it as a holiday, a chance to chat with other filmmakers, watch films and attend the industry sessions, etc definitely go. If you're looking for a definite pay-off by making a sale to re-coup your cost, then it may be quite a gamble.

To be honest, the best way to make sales is to get a reptuable short film sales agent. Mine is Derry O'Brien at Network Ireland Television, who I cannot recommend highly enough.

11 years, 1 month ago - Drew Lovett

Thank you everyone for your comments. I have booked my flights and I'm off. Thanks Pierre and Daniel for sharing your experiences and giving me some great advice. We feel we have a great short film to share with people, and we are fully prepared with promotional material. but I will mainly be going to experience the festival, get more exposure and try and pitch our feature. I'm not going with the main intention of selling the short but if that happens GREAT! Thanks again
Drew