Submit to a film festival 1/3

Submit to film Festivals

Brilliant talk by at the Plymouth Rebel Film Festival 
by Katie McCullough and Ian Bignall of Festival Formula




Visit every film festival platform 
There are lots, it's free,
Film Freeway is the best known. 
You can search by country and category such as 'animation' and add filters for submission fee and length of film. By far the best site because it's free to use and includes most festivals. 
It reminds you of deadlines and it's easy to upload your bio, headshot, stills and trailer. Your profile is easy for programme makers to scan through.

The only disadvantage: it's so easy to register for film festivals that some 'fly-by-night' festivals feature which have no website and aren't 'affiliated' ie aren't acknowledged as genuine on the film circuit; you may not get an official 'selected laurel'.
Registration is free and you may not need to look further.

 But Film Freeway doesn't include all film festivals: some ask for submissions direct such as the BFI London Film Festival. 

 Here's a review of ten festival submission platforms.
Here are some examples of the other film festival platforms:




 Click here to visit:

Film Fest   shortfilmdepot  movibeta
know your film, its assets and its strengths/weaknesses

You pay to submit a film to most festivals so choose your target wisely. 
Starting out as a filmmaker, choose the most selective niche festivals: 

 human rights  horror  disability  BAME  fantasy  romance  music  faith  documentary  dogs  cats  women director  adventure/sports  science fiction  film noir comedy  student  drama  migrant  environment  erotic  food  LGBT  terror thriller  Western debut

 also look for any combination of the above: eg music and disability was a theme in December 2018 Together! Disability Film Festival in London.
set a budget for your submission and stick to it
Caution
Beware of unaffiliated monthly or on-line festivals on Flm Freeway. They may take your submission fee and you may hear nothing from them. 

 Next blog: the cheat sheet

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