Are Film Festivals Still Relevant?
Being a filmmaker, you hear a lot of grumbling about festival entry fees and whether or not festivals and having laurels even matter anymore. Some of the complaining is justified when it comes to festivals that will give anyone an award as long as they pay.
With the advent of FilmFreeway.com it’s easier than ever before to submit your film to dozens of festivals. But the reality is, they can’t all be free. Without an entry fee they quickly become overwhelmed by filmmakers spamming the submit button.
With fees for shorts averaging between $35-$55 and features $60-$100, it’s worth looking into which festivals have good reputations. Noam Kroll has a great article about the state of the festival circuit and how to potentially avoid wasting money on fees.
If you’ve ever been to a festival it’s easy to see how people get taken advantage of. Filmmakers pour their hearts, minds and money into their projects. Many are desperate to make sure they don’t miss any opportunity to market themselves and their films.
One plus side to submitting your film to festivals that have in-person screenings is that you will have a chance to network with other filmmakers. It doesn’t hurt to get out there and shake some hands and talk to other artists who might be able to teach you something or introduce you to someone.
The trick is to do your research on the festivals you submit to, and work those submission budgets into your overall budget so it isn’t a surprise.
Prioritize festivals that you think you actually have a chance to get into and might lead to some real-world experiences.
Check out our Festival Deliverables Guide for more info about preparing to submit to festivals, DCPs and specs.
For more info about DCPs check out this article:
Sources: