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FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS TO WHICH FESTIVALS
SHOULD I SUBMIT?
The best book guide I know of is Chris Gore's (of Film Threat's) "The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide." It JUST came out with a much-needed update. This will give you a good basis with which to start. You'll want to combine the info from this book with some internet research on exact dates and entry fees. SHOULD I RACE TO FINISH MY FILM
TO MAKE A FESTIVAL DEADLINE? |
WHAT
SHOULD I HAVE IN MY PRESS KIT FOR FEST SUBMISSION?
• Information booklet about film • a few 8X10 Photos or slides from film (good to include digital versions of these too or indicate where they can be downloaded) • Reviews (if you have any already) from well-known publications or websites. (This can be contained within the info booklet.) • The admission fee (remember to check fees for early and late deadlines) if you have not already paid this on withoutabox.com or on the festival's website. |
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| WHAT
ITEMS CAN I LEAVE OUT? • Bumper stickers, Postcards, Pins or any promotional materials for the film. Get these together to give out (if you have any money left over) AFTER you get into a festival and need something to give out to the press or fans. • Heartfelt explanations of why they should look at your film and give it a chance. • Your resume (aside from the version within the booklet which pertains to your filmography/history.) • Bribes. • Thinly-veiled threats. • Love letters. • Scantily-clad photos of yourself. • Your adorable baby pictures. • Letter from the Make-A-Wish™ Foundation stating that entry into this festival is your last wish. • Hyphenated version of your last name indicating that your maiden name was Weinstein, Redford, Coppola, Lynch, Welles, Deren; ie: Elisa Weinstein-Haradon. |
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| OTHER
GOOD TIPS (several of which we have learned the hard way, or are still
learning) • Submit as early as possible - before the early deadline. • Wait till your work is finished to submit it. • Put your name, address, email, phone # on everything including the videotape/DVD. • Don't use fiber-filled envelopes to submit your tape/DVD - festivals hate these. |
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| USEFUL
REFERENCE WEBSITES FOR RESEARCHING FILM FESTIVALS Withoutabox.com Directory of Intl Film & Video Festivals Mark Litwak's List Filmfestivals.com Yahoo's List |
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FESTIVAL CATEGORIES—What do they really mean? •Independent (Indie) "Independent" is a very broad term nowadays, and there are tons of festivals that call themselves independent. Miramax is an "independent" studio, despite the fact that their films cost millions of dollars to make. Check the budget categories and last year's selection to get an idea of the types of film each festival accepts. Sample Festivals that play indies: Sundance Film Festival, Telluride, SXSW, Cannes. •Underground This category covers more of what one might think "Independent" is. Meaning it can be very low budget, typically shot on Super 8, 16mm or digital video. These are often the more "fringe" type films. Sample Festivals: New York Underground Film Festival, Chicago Underground Film Festival, Microcinefest, Lausanne Underground Film & Music Festival •World •Online •Experimental •Niche (Women's, Gay and Lesbian, African-American, Student etc.) -----  ShortFeature Documentary |
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