ASK & DISCUSS
INDEXMarbella International Film Festival - Scam or Glam?
12 years, 1 month ago - Andrew T. Wright
Hello Shooters,
I was wondering if anyone has had personal, first hand experience (good/bad/indifferent) of the Marbella International Film Festival?
It all looks pretty glamourous but is it all fur coat and no knickers?
I've read all sorts of blogs, posts and hearsay ranging from how "Great" it was and possibly being "...the new Cannes." to nothing more "...than a scam", "...run by wannabe yuppies" and to stay well clear of it.
Trying to decipher the actual truth over the wire as to if the festival is indeed a scam/sham or is the real deal trying to make its way on to the circuit as a credible festival, is proving somewhat difficult, so any first hand info or experiences you have to tell, please do so.
Many thanks.
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12 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
PS - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_festival#Significant_or_notable_festivals may be helpful BTW.
There is a whole industry in vanity festivals of course - I know a guy who created a 'festival' (an online one) with a very legit name that sounded almost but not quite like a real one...then he entered his own film...and won a major prize...which he plastered in laurels all over the DVD cover. The festival never ran for a second year, indeed I don't think it even awarded any other prizes or had any other entries. This is why it's important to be very specific to make sure which festis you enter, not just soundalikes!
Response from 12 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW
12 years, 1 month ago - Andrew T. Wright
Paddy/Daniel, Thanks for the info and advice guys, very helpful and much appreciated.
Response from 12 years, 1 month ago - Andrew T. Wright SHOW
12 years, 1 month ago - Deanna Dewey
I attended the festival a couple of years ago and enjoyed it. There were a couple of major films when I went and one of the lead actors from Mad Dogs. The year before William Shatner was there with a film. It is not the sort of festival you are liable to sell your film at - but how many short films get sold? However, unlike a lot of fesitvals the screenings were very well attended and not just by other film makers but people who live in Marbella so if you are looking for an audience and feed back it was a good place to screen I certainly didn't think it was a scam in any way and it was good to spend a few October days in the sun watching films and meeting other film makers.
Response from 12 years, 1 month ago - Deanna Dewey SHOW
11 years, 9 months ago - Pierre Stefanos
Scam. Back in 2010, they wanted me to sign a statement that I would attend, before they agreed to accept my last short BEDFELLOWS, meaning I would have to commit to appearing in Spain before they even yes. They also, falsely, claimed to be an Oscar-qualifying film festival for short films. The Academy had to step in to prevent them from continuing to do so.
Avoid. There are too many reputable festivals out there to worry about clowns looking to scam newbie filmmakers.
Response from 11 years, 9 months ago - Pierre Stefanos SHOW
12 years, 1 month ago - Daniel Cormack
Check with Tyrone Murphy and the Universal Film Festival Organisation - they are looking into scam festivals and they may have some info on this one.
Response from 12 years, 1 month ago - Daniel Cormack SHOW
12 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin
Ask them how many and which buyers attend? Cannes is a thin festival on top of a huge market, so sales are made, so it's a useful festival. Festivals that don't attract the main buyers/distributors are not worth paying to enter (assuming you want sales, not just a party)
Response from 12 years, 1 month ago - Paddy Robinson-Griffin SHOW