You are in, and now you have all sorts of wonderful problems — the kind most filmmakers wish they could enjoy. You know, you have to do all the things you have to do for a film festival. I have tried to collect the various blog posts I have written or have found written by others that will really prepare you. There’s a lot more to be written. But this is a good start:
If you got in, perhaps you read this MUST READ post:
“How To Make The Perfect Sundance Film” by Ted Hope (excerpt from “Hope For Film” book); NoFilmSchool.com, October 7, 2014
And once you the details of how to make a prize-winning film, there are quite a few other things worth recognizing:
Attitude:
- “Too Much Too Soon: The Seductive And Devastating Effects Of Early Celebrity” by Morgan J. Freeman; January , 2014
Distribution:
- “Distribution Advice For 2014” by Thom Powers; Jan 8, 2014
- “Tips For Navigation Digital Distribution” by Orly Ravid; Sept 13, 2013
- “7 Reasons To Release Your Film For Free“; by Todd Sklar; June 21, 2012
- “If I Were A Filmmaker Going To Sundance (aka What Can A Distributor Do For You That You Can’t Do For Yourself With A Little Bit Of Money); by Orly Ravid; Dec 21, 2011
- “The Power Of Free“; by Peter Broderick; May 22, 2012
Making Money:
- “how much money can one’s film make from Festival screening fees?” by The Film Collaborative, December 2013
Preparation:
- “5 Tough Love Tips For Getting Your Film Into Film Festivals“; by /bent; August 20, 2014
- “10 Things Every Film Festival Wants Filmmakers To Know“; by Laura Kirby; April 1, 2014
- “12 Steps To Avoid Going Broke Applying To Film Festivals“; by Dan Mirvish; Sept. 10, 2013
- “16 Things Film Festivals Hate About Filmmakers” by Elliot Grove / Raindance; September, 2014
- “20 Points To Consider In Approaching Your Festival Premiere“; by Jon Reiss; December 21, 2009
- “50 Ways To Sell Your Movie“; by Roger Jackson; December 4, 2012
- “Festival Survival Guide For Filmmakers” by Nancy Schafer
- “Film Festivals Offer The Life Lessons For Longevity” by Kellie Ann Benz
- “What DO You Want From A Film Festival” by Wendy Mitchell; October 21, 2013
Producers’ Rep (aka Sales Rep):
- “16+Thoughts On Picking A Producers’ Rep” August 1, 2012
Publicists:
- “Do You Need A Unit Publicist? Yes, Here’s Why” Film Independent: July 15, 2014
- “Indie Film Publicists List” (Needs an update!); Dec 4, 2009.
Q&A:
- “How To Do A Festival Q&A” by Scott Macauley; Dec 3, 2012
Rejection:
- Why Do Film Festivals Reject Good Films?” by Anthony Kaufman; October 31, 2013
- “Why Did My Film Not Get In?” by Jon Gann; February 22, 2013
Sales:
- “Breaking The Rules: To Screen Or Not To Screen Before Your Festival Premiere“; by Steven Beer;
Social Media:
- “Top 10 Twitter Tips For Filmmakers“; by Thom Powers
Strategy:
- “12 Steps To A Saner Festival Game Plan“; by Dan Mirvish; Sept. 3, 2013
- “5 Tips For Filmmmakers On How To Navigate Film Festivals“; by Tom Hall; Sept. 20,2013.
- “Here Are 10 Things Filmmakers Want Festivals To Do“; by Laura Kirby; April 8, 2014.
- “On Film Festival Premiere Requirements: Who’s It Good For?” by Brian Chirls; April 30, 2009
IF YOU KNOW OF OTHER REALLY GOOD POSTS TO HELP PEOPLE PREP FOR FESTIVALS, Please share them here!!!
And if you have friends attending ANY film festival with their movie for the first time, please share this post via this link:
