An Insider’s Guide to What Film Festivals are really like (and How to Get Your Film Accepted)
If you’re a film fan, chances are you’ve dreamt of attending a film festivals. But what are they really like? And how can you get your film accepted into one?
In this article, we’ll give you an insider’s guide to everything you need to know about film festivals.
We’ll cover what they’re really like, how to get your film accepted, and some tips on making the most of your experience if you do get in.
So read on for everything you need to know about film festivals!
What Are Film Festivals Really Like?
If you’ve never been to a film festival before, it can be hard to understand what all the fuss is about. After all, aren’t film festivals just a bunch of people sitting in a dark room watching movies?
Well, yes and no. Film festivals are definitely about watching movies, but there’s so much more to it than that. For starters, most film festivals take place over the course of a few days or even weeks, which means you have plenty of time to explore the host city or town. And since film festivals attract movie lovers from all over the world, you’ll have the chance to meet new and interesting people from all walks of life.
But the best part of any film festival is undoubtedly the films themselves. At a typical festival, you’ll have the chance to see a wide variety of independent and international films that you likely wouldn’t get to see otherwise. And since most festivals have Q& as with the filmmakers after select screenings, you’ll also get an inside look at the filmmaking process.
All in all, attending a film festival is a truly unique and unforgettable experience. And if you’re a movie fan, it’s definitely something you should try at least once in your life.
How to Get Your Film Accepted into a Festival
Of course, the first step to attending a film festival is getting your film accepted into one. And while that may sound like a daunting task, it’s actually not as difficult as you might think.
Here are a few tips on how to get your film accepted into a festival:
1. Start by doing your research
The first step is to find a list of festivals that you might be interested in. There are a few different ways to do this, but the easiest is probably to use an online database like without box.
Once you’ve found a few potential festivals, take some time to read up on them. Each festival has its own unique focus, so you’ll want to make sure your film is a good fit. For example, if you’re submitting a horror film, there’s no point in applying to a festival that specializes in comedies.
2. Make sure you follow the submission guidelines
After you’ve found a few festivals that you’re interested in, it’s time to start the submission process. But before you do anything, make sure you read and understand the submission guidelines.
Each festival has its own specific rules about what kinds of films they’re looking for, so it’s important that you follow them to the letter. If you don’t, your film will likely be automatically rejected.
3. Submit your film early
When it comes to submitting your film, earlier is always better. That’s because most festivals have an “early bird” deadline that’s usually a few months before the final deadline.
So if you want to increase your chances of getting accepted, make sure you submit your film as early as possible.
4. Include a press kit
Most festivals will also require you to submit a press kit along with your film. A press kit is basically a document that contains information about your film and its creators.
Your press kit should include things like your film’s synopsis, biographies of the cast and crew, and stills from the film. If you have any reviews or awards, be sure to include them as well.
5. Have a backup plan
Finally, it’s always a good idea to have a backup plan in case your film doesn’t get accepted into any festivals. One option is to submit your film to online platforms like Vimeo or YouTube.
Or you could try self-distributing your film by making DVDs or Blu-rays and selling them online or at local retailers.
Conclusion:
No matter what you decide to do, just remember that there are plenty of options available if your film doesn’t get accepted into a festival.