ASK & DISCUSS INDEX

10 years, 2 months ago - David Kitchen

Do your homework. Aim high but expect a better response from festivals that focus on your genre. Start with British, you have a better chance of networking here - and making that network count. Horror is so popular now and there are some great festivals that focus on it.
If in doubt give the Festival Doctor a shout.
Good luck, once you're in you'll get on a roll, it's a lot of fun.

10 years, 2 months ago - Michal Dzierza

Once you've selected your festivals, check when they started accepting entries. Usually - not always though - it's better to submit as early as possible. If you've come across a festival that's been accepting entries for 2-3 months, you might be better off waiting till the following year and submit as soon as they start accepting entries again.

10 years, 2 months ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin

Good question - sometimes people apply for all the wrong festivals, so just make sure you pay attention.

Pick festivals that play horror, play your length of film, play your format of film, etc. Some festivals might need a DCP or HDCAM tape for instance, and might only take shorts under 12 mins, or 7 mins etc. No point wasting an entry fee.

What do you want from the festivals? An audience of regular people? Of other filmmakers? To sell your film? Many easy-to-get-into festivals will programme shorts during the day, the audience is made up of other entrants (unless they do a lot of press), and no buyers come (not that there are many shorts buyers in the world!). Can you afford to travel and stay nearby if you get in? Can you afford to print a load of flyers and posters for your film to drum up interest? Just a few factors to consider ;-)