One of the primary things I’m looking to get out of this festival run, from both Testament as well as my debut Moment of Truth, is that vital stamp of approval that will separate me from the thousands of other wannabe filmmakers. That stamp will then help me sell my film and get it seen, as well as helping me continue to grow an audience that will build and keep coming back for me and my brand of filmmaking. That stamp of approval primarily would be entrance into at least one major or mini-major for each film, or a run of medium-sized festivals with a few victories sprinkled in. I can then piggyback off of that in selling my film digitally, if it doesn’t appear that any distributors are likely to bite.
I’d also like to take advantage of the many niches (DIY,
sci-fi, religious/spiritual, environmental, social justice) into which
Testament can fit to build a following among all those film audiences, who will
likely respond to much of the content I will create throughout my artistic
career. My research into Christian/spiritual festivals has been kind of
sobering, though — lame lame lame. Probably not the best route for me. I’m
still looking into the niche festivals, and just haven’t had the time to
research enough at this point.
FESTIVAL TARGETS
Sundance
- Website: sundance.org/festival
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Director: John Cooper
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Started: 1978 as U.S. Film Festival in Salt Lake
City, shifted to Park City in 1980, became Sundance in 1985
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Entry deadlines/fees: $50 earlybird (Aug. 9),
$80 regular (Aug. 30), $105 late (Sept. 27) — all deadlines RECEIVED BY, not
postmarked by
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Submission requirements: 50 minutes or longer,
world premieres only though exceptions are made for out-of-competition
programs, must be completed after Jan. 1, 2013 to qualify for 2014 festival
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Submission materials: Single DVD preferably in paper
sleeve or slim jewel case, no press packet
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Why Sundance: Submitting is almost as much an indie filmmaker's rite of passage as
anything, since the odds are so long. But for $50 on the earlybird, it’s worth
doing as the amount of credibility and visibility that comes with acceptance is
so extraordinary. A hail mary, but one every filmmaker probably wants to take
if he has a film he feels is worthy — yes, even if he likely has no chance in hell.
Festival de Cannes
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Website: festival-cannes.fr/en.html
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Leaders: President Gilles Jacob, Director of
Film Department Christian Jeune, 2013 director Steven Spielberg
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Started: 1946
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Entry deadlines/fees: 50 Euros DVD (March 11 for
2013, not listed yet for future events)
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Submission requirements: 60 minutes or longer,
world premieres only, must be completed during 12 months preceding festival,
distribution only in country of production
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Submission materials: Single DVD or Blu-Ray+DVD
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Why Cannes: Not even sure I’ll do this one, but
it’s cheaper than Toronto, so it’s got that going for it (though shipping may
make up some of the difference). Other than that, it’s got the same things going
for it as Sundance — being an established member of the top tier, which can
launch a successful small theatrical run, attract distributors or fuel a bigger
festival run.
San Francisco International Film Festival
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Website: festival.sffs.org
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Leaders: President J. Patterson McBaine
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Started: 1957
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Entry deadlines/fees: $50 early (Oct. 7), $60
regular (Nov. 4), $95 late (Dec. 9)
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Submission requirements: 50 minutes or longer, premieres
in Bay area, must be completed by Jan. 1 of year of submission, may have
distribution
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Submission materials: DVD/online screener
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Why SFIFF: While not a top-tier festival, San
Francisco is a solid next-level festival with a history for welcoming true
indies and is on the cutting edge of getting those films to the audiences that
would welcome them. The festival also claims to embrace films that address
social change. That all makes sense for a city with its history.
Tribeca Film Festival
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Website: tribecafilm.com
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Leaders: Chief Creative Officer Geoffrey
Gilmore, Artistic Director Frederic Boyer, Programming Director Genna Terranova
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Started: 1957
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Entry deadlines/fees: $45 early (Oct. 18), $65
regular (Nov. 29), $100 late (Dec. 27)
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Submission requirements: 40 minutes or longer, premieres
in NY area, may have limited distribution not in U.S.
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Submission materials: Completed entry form, fee,
two DVDs with title+run time+format+director name.
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Why Tribeca: Another longshot, but one worth
taking. A higher-tier festival with a very established brand and star-studded
juries in one of cinema’s hometowns. The festival accepts a lot of
Hollywood-style indies with names, so I’m not sure about this one yet. Like
most of the above, a film print is required for exhibition, so another
crowdfunding round would likely be necessary to pay for that.
Florida Film Festival
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Website: festival.sffs.org
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Leaders: Program director Matthew Curtis
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Started: 1991
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Entry deadlines/fees: $50 early (Nov. 8), $70
regular (Dec. 6), $100 late (Dec. 13)
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Submission requirements: Minimum 41 minutes
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Submission materials: DVD, 51 percent U.S.
funding, synopsis/cast/credits/stills
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Why Florida Film Festival: Florida’s biggest
name festival, with pretty good cred established — and it’s right here in town,
so they might like to push the occasional homegrown film. Kind of pricey,
though, costing the same as Sundance and Cannes.
Indie Grits Film Festival
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Website: festival.sffs.org
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Leaders: Co-directors Seth Gadsden and Andy
Smith
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Started: 2007
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Entry deadlines/fees: $25 early (Nov. 8), $35
regular (Dec. 6), $45 late (Jan. 3)
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Submission requirements: Minimum 30 minutes
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Submission materials: DVD/online screener
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Why Indie Grits: The festival is centered on DIY
films in the Southeast, and as I’m trying to position myself as an “expert” in
this field, this would be a good spot. It’s also fairly established, making
Moviemaker’s Top 20 Coolest Festivals list, and cheap. This could also be a
chance to pick up a victory, as there are two juried trophies for features and
another audience award, all with cash prizes.
Other possibilities: Seattle International Film Festival,
South by Southwest, Fantastic Fest, Fort Myers Film Festival, Daytona Film
Festival, Orlando Film Festival, Central Florida Film Festival, Naples
International Film Festival
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