How To Submit To Film Festivals—10 Tips for Filmmaking Success
Submitting your project like a screenplay, short film, fashion film, feature film, or music video project to film festivals can be a great way to get your work seen by film industry professionals, build buzz around your project, and potentially secure distribution deals.
However, I know from experience that the film festival submission process is very competitive, so it’s essential to know how to submit to film festivals to increase your chances of getting accepted.
In this blog, I wanted to share ten tips for successfully submitting your film project to film festivals based on my personal experiences because I know nothing is sexier than adding a few fancy laurels to your film’s marketing material and sharing them on social media!
Table of contents:
How To Submit to film festivals?
To submit your film to a film festival, you must create an account on the world’s number one film festival submission platform, FilmFreeway.
Inside this online portal, you can upload your film project and all its marketing material and submit it to as many festivals worldwide from one central place.
Creating an account is FREE, and you only pay for the film festivals that require you to pay a submission fee.
Once you’ve submitted a project to a film festival, you can keep track of the submission status, upload all the required marketing material like still, behind-the-scenes and making-of photos, film crew biographies, and even create your own festival laurels.
Although this is the number one platform to submit your films, some film festivals are not connected to FilmFreeway, and you’ll have to submit your project via the film festival’s website directly.
In my experience, the festivals not on FilmFreeway are typically smaller festivals, like fashion film festivals.
Tips for submitting to film festivals
Below, I’ve outlined a few tips for submitting your film project to film festivals based on my previous experiences and best practices.
Research film festivals.
As you can see in the print screen above of my profile and project on the FilmFreeway platform, I submitted five projects to 77 film festivals. 19 film festivals selected the work; some projects won awards or were semi-finalists.
In terms of selection ratio versus submission, this number is out of balance if you ask me. That is because, in the beginning, I just submitted my projects to every possible festival I could find that more or less seemed like a good fit. But as you can imagine, not all film festivals are created equal and are focussed on displaying a different kinds of movies.
If you want to save yourself from throwing money down the drain and the depressing feelings that come with the ‘Unfortunately, we are not able to include it in our program this year’ emails, it’s essential to do your research and find the film festivals that are the best fit for your film.
Consider the genre, audience, and prestige of the festival, as well as any submission fees and deadlines. You can often find online what kind of work they displayed in the past and what projects won awards on previous editions.
Budget Film Festival Submission Fees.
Although there are a lot of free film festivals, the best ones that will help you gain some of the right eyeballs on your project and gain proper award status will cost you serious money. Most festival submissions range anywhere from $30 to $1000, depending on the length of your film.
Now you might wonder, why is length a factor for the fees? That’s because the longer your movie, the more significant chunk it will take from the film festival’s programming, the fewer projects they can schedule, and the fewer marketing opportunities they will have.
In other words, if the festival only has one screening room and takes place over the course of eight hours, it can schedule eight one-hour movies or 48 ten-minute short films.
Nonetheless, these film festival submission fees can start to add up at the end of the day, so calculate them as your marketing budget before you start filming.
Get your film in the best possible shape.
Although some film festivals claim that they also accept works in progress, I believe you must ensure your film is in the best possible shape before submitting it.
This includes completing any final edits and touch-ups, ensuring that the sound and pictures are of high quality, and making sure all credits are correct. Submitting a film that is not fully polished can hurt your chances of getting accepted to a festival.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
You can do as much film festival research as you want, but if the film festival committee doesn’t think your film will fit in their program or match their current choices, it won’t be selected.
Therefore, the following advice I have for submitting to a film festival is not to put all your eggs in one basket. Consider submitting your film to as many festivals as possible to increase your chances of getting accepted.
Instead of spending your entire $1000 marketing budget for one prestigious film festival, divide it into a couple of high submission fees and a larger number of smaller fees submissions.
Follow the submission guidelines.
Although your film will only have one final version, each film festival has submission guidelines that require you to submit different material. If you want to ensure your film is selected, read these guidelines for each festival carefully and follow them to the letter.
This includes filling out all required forms correctly, submitting the correct format of your film, and meeting all deadlines. Failure to follow submission guidelines can result in your film being disqualified and losing your submission money.
Create a compelling film festival package.
In addition to your film, you must submit other marketing materials as part of your film festival package. This may include a synopsis, a director’s statement, the cast and crew bios, high-resolution stills, and behind-the-scenes images.
Make sure to put thought into these materials and present them in a professional and organized manner so the festival can use them in marketing the event.
Make a trailer or teaser.
Many film festivals will require you to create a trailer or teaser as part of the submission process. A trailer or teaser can help give the festival organizers a sense of your film’s tone and style and can be a great way to pique their interest.
Make use of social media and online platforms.
In today's digital age, having an online presence and using social media to promote your film is important. Many submission forms will also ask you to include these, so create a website or blog for your film and use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram to share updates about your project. The bigger your existing audience and the more buzz you’ve created around your film, the more interesting it is for a festival to select your project for broadcasting.
Don’t be discouraged by rejection.
‘Unfortunately, we cannot include it in our program this year.’ The harsh reality is that I received this email more than I wanted.
If you start submitting your project to film festivals, you’ll receive this message more often than you like. Believe me; you’ll never get used to the feeling that comes with it.
But it’s important to remember that rejection is a normal part of the film festival submission process, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that your film isn’t good. My advice is not to be discouraged by rejection. It’s all part of the journey.
Keep submitting to other festivals and continue to promote your film. If no festival accepts your film for their program, you can always decide to publish your film online on platforms like Vimeo or Youtube directly.
I’ve noticed that sometimes this approach will give you far better results than keeping your project behind closed doors for a possible festival circuit. And most festivals nowadays don't require a premiere status for a project and are fine with accepting work that can already be viewed online.
Take advantage of networking opportunities.
Once your film is selected or, even better, nominated for an award, I highly encourage you to attend the festival and taking advantage of the networking opportunities. In my experience, film festivals can be a great place to network and meet other industry professionals.
It can be nice to surround yourself with like-minded folks who encounter the same struggles and hurdles as you do. Whenever I attended a film festival, I left it with newly found energy and great connections.
Conclusion
Here you have my tips for submitting your film to film festivals! By following these tips, I hope you’ll be able to increase your chances of getting your film accepted to film festivals and getting your work seen by other film industry professionals.
Frequently asked questions about film festivals (FAQs)
What is a film festival?
A film festival is an event that showcases a selection of films from around the world, often in a particular genre or theme, to an audience of filmmakers, distributors, and film fanatics.
Film festivals can range in size and scope from small, local events to large international ones and form a way for filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with audiences and industry professionals.
Why should I submit my film to a film festival?
Submitting your film to a film festival can provide numerous benefits, including:
Exposure
Film festivals allow you to showcase your film to a broader audience, including industry professionals and critics. This can increase the visibility of your movie and open up opportunities for distribution and future projects.
Feedback
Film festivals often provide feedback on submissions, which can be valuable for filmmakers looking to improve their craft and grow as artists.
Networking
Film festivals offer the opportunity to meet and connect with other filmmakers and industry professionals, which can help build relationships and advance your career.
How do I choose the right film festivals to submit to?
Choosing the right film festivals to submit to can be challenging, as many options exist. One approach is to research festivals that align with your film's genre, style, and themes.
Look for film festivals with a history of programming films similar to yours and those with a reputation for supporting emerging filmmakers.
It's also a good idea to consider the size and scope of the festival, as well as any specialties or focus areas.
How much does it cost to submit a film to a film festival?
The cost to submit a film to a film festival will vary depending on the festival and your submission package.
Some festivals charge a flat fee for submissions, while others offer tiered pricing based on the submission type (e.g., feature film, short film, student film).
Submission fees can range from free to a few dollars to several hundred dollars, depending on the festival. Budgeting submission fees as part of your overall film festival strategy is essential.
How do I promote my film at a film festival?
There are several ways to promote your film at a film festival, including:
Creating a press kit
A press kit is a collection of materials that provides information about your film and can be used to promote it to festival programmers, critics, and audiences.
A press kit should include a film festival synopsis, a film festival trailer, production stills, key cast and crew members' bios, and other relevant materials.
Utilizing social media
Use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to share updates about your film and engage with your audience.
You can also use hashtags related to the festival to connect with other filmmakers and attendees.
Hosting a Q&A or panel
Many festivals offer opportunities for filmmakers to participate in Q&As or panel discussions after their film screens.
This can be a great way to engage with audiences and share more stories and anecdotes about your film and your experiences as a filmmaker.
Networking
Take advantage of networking opportunities at the festival to meet other filmmakers, industry professionals, and potential collaborators.
What are the different types of film festivals?
There are many different types of film festivals, including:
International festivals
These festivals showcase films from around the world and often have a global focus or perspective. Examples include Cannes Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, and Sundance Film Festival.
Genre festivals
These festivals focus on a specific genre, such as horror, comedy, or documentary. Examples include Sundance Film Festival (which has a strong focus on independent films), Fantasia Film Festival (which focuses on genre films), and Hot Docs (which focuses on documentaries).
Regional festivals
These festivals showcase films from a specific region or area and often focus on supporting local filmmakers. Examples include the Seattle International Film Festival and the Austin Film Festival.
Special interest festivals
These festivals focus on a specific theme or subject matter, such as LGBTQ+ films, environmental films, or films made by women.
Examples include the Toronto International Film Festival (which has a strong focus on diversity and inclusion), the Wild & Scenic Film Festival (which focuses on environmental films), and the Women in Film Festival (which showcases films made by women).
What's one thing I should know before jump-starting my festival circuit experience?
A quick tip: Networking is key! Make sure you attend workshops, panels, and events to make those industry connections that can elevate your independent film.
How can attending specialty festivals give my horror short films a better chance?
Specialty festivals like Fantastic Fest often focus on genre films and can provide a platform for your horror story to stand out, gaining attention from fans and distributors alike.
What should I consider about the submission running time to ensure my film fits festival criteria?
Festivals often have specific categories for running time—short films under 30 minutes and feature-length films under 60. Check each festival's requirements to decide where your work fits best.
How can film school help me prepare for film festival submissions?
Film school can provide foundational film studies knowledge and hands-on experience in directing and producing, which is crucial for creating a great film and navigating the festival circuit.
What does 'Un Certain Regard' mean in the context of film festivals like Cannes?
'Un Certain Regard' is a section at the Cannes Film Festival focused on films that present unique stories or creative visions, offering a prestigious platform for new directors.
How early should I plan my festival submissions to get into venues like LA CineFest?
Start planning your submissions a few months in advance. Venues fill quickly, and having your work ready early increases your chances of being featured.
What are the odds of having my first project featured as a world premiere at a significant fest?
While it's challenging, your odds improve if you produce a high-quality film with a compelling story and ensure it hasn't been screened publicly. Festivals love world premieres as they attract more attendees and media attention.
Why is feedback from festival staff important for my documentary's development?
Feedback can offer insights into your film's strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to refine your work or better understand how it resonates with different audiences.
How do festival run considerations change if I have a feature vs. a short film?
A feature often requires more strategic planning for a festival run because of its length and potential for distribution deals. Shorts, on the other hand, can be easier to place in more festivals due to their shorter duration and less demanding scheduling requirements.
Can you explain the value of film festivals for films produced by independent filmmakers compared to those by significant studios?
Independent films often rely on festivals for exposure, networking, and sales opportunities, while major studio films might use festivals more for prestige and launching awards campaigns.
How can I use social media to increase the visibility of my films at festivals?
Create engaging content like behind-the-scenes videos, posters, and interviews. Use festival-related hashtags and tag the event to attract the public and industry professionals to attend.
What role does the quality of subtitles play in my international festival submissions?
High-quality subtitles can significantly enhance your film's accessibility and viewer experience, making it more appealing to international festivals and broadening your audience.
What should I include in my press kit for documentary film festival submissions?
Ensure it has a compelling synopsis, high-resolution stills, director's bio, a trailer, and any notable accolades or reviews to capture the festival staff's and attendees' interest.
How important is having a professional poster when screening at film festivals?
A professional, eye-catching poster can significantly boost your film's visibility at the festival, drawing attendees to your screenings and making a memorable impression.
