6 Steps To Submit To Film Festivals

In today's video, I'm going to show you how to execute a 12-month festival circuit for your film.
It's important you know how to do this to give your film the best chance of landing at a major festival. You will also be able to plan your production timeline in a way that maximises the time available to you. You will no longer be flying blind when it comes to this important part of the production process.
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• 6 Steps To Submit To F...

[@dimitrinasennik]

I’m from Estonia, I will be impressed by getting into film festival in Estonia 🔥🤓

[@AlexiOuzas]

Tallinn Black Nights is an awesome festival

[@NOMOFilms]

Thanks for this. It is very helpful. How many films have to finished that didn't get any traction in the first 2 tiers of film festivals and what did you do with them for a release?

[@AlexiOuzas]

Hey, I've had a few that didn't hit top 2 tiers. A film can still sell even if it doesn't play those festivals, if it's a commercial film. For example, we had an action film that sold really well despite not playing any majors. We always team up with distributors to release the film, regardless of festival play.

[@ozzythemighty2767]

totally informative video ..thank-you. I m about to enter the short film circuit next week with my 8 min drama. Any advice?

[@AlexiOuzas]

Reach out to the festival programmers to introduce yourself and the film

[@rafilmstudioramenbarman2295]

thanks

[@AlexiOuzas]

You're welcome!

[@edemswanzy5301]

Hey Alexi...great video. Do you have a list of mid-tier festivals? I have a list, but curious on a few that might have missed.

[@cameronleehorace]

I have spent a fortune submitting my latest short to film festivals. My previous shorts I only submitted to a hand full and didn’t get into many but this time I have invested a lot into this film and submissions I hope we get some recognition for our efforts. We have had a great time at a festival which was a great celebration for the film I hope we get a good run. It makes me worry how it will do if it will be dead money submitting since I am just an MA student right now without an income and the money I have spent is quite a lot considering it comes from student loan money. I think I might have a bit of an addition like it’s only £10 and £20 here but then you find you have spent quite a few hundred. How do I say enough is enough and not be tempted by others?

[@AlexiOuzas]

Just stop applying, especially if you're using loans to fund it. Your premiere is likely going to be your best festival so most festivals after that are diminishing returns. IMO: You should invest that money in yourself by taking online classes and learning how to make more money.

[@cameronleehorace]

@@AlexiOuzas You are definitely right. I am just a little addictive personalty so It is hard to say 'stop applying' since I know I have to do that but I have all the intentions to do that but end up relapsing and submitting again. It's all on loan money but it is not a loan I have to pay back as how it works in the UK is the student loan for living you pay back in instalments when you earn over a certain amount of income so there is no worry in having to pay it back anytime soon. I say enough is enough but I said that like 5 festivals ago, it is ok since I reached out to my parents and said about this problem they think it is good that I have tried to get the film out there but they are helping me manage my finances so I can't waste more money on them.

[@donsonfilms]

Hi Alexis can you please guide me in what i should say when setting a meeting with a film distributor or a sale agent?

[@AlexiOuzas]

Why are you meeting with them?

[@donsonfilms]

@@AlexiOuzas yes

[@MadmooseChasenNuttall]

Great video thank you dude. I have a question for a short film we're almost done editing. Should I start submitting as soon as I'm picture locked mid way through the year, into next year? Or wait until January so I don't miss any submission dates?

[@AlexiOuzas]

Thanks mate. Could you rephrase the second part of the question as I'm not sure I understand it. Generally, I advise submitting from picture lock for a 12-month period starting from your first submission

[@MadmooseChasenNuttall]

@@AlexiOuzas Thanks for the quick reply! I'll rephrase: If I just finished a short film this month, should I submit to festivals now, or wait until January? I'm unsure if a 12 month festival run can be over the course of 2 years or if it's advantageous to start in January so it's over the course of 1 year. Thanks again.

[@AlexiOuzas]

@@MadmooseChasenNuttall you can decide to either start submitting from the picture lock, or from when the film is fully completed. It doesn't matter which month of the year either of those fall in. It's really your call in terms of whether you are comfortable submitting a picture lock or you prefer to wait until the film is fully completed

[@tipsybean]

I’m trying to find out if I can submit a short film shot on an iPhone with using only a gimble & mics. Meaning i wont be using any expensive equipment of any sort or having it look like it was professionally done.if that makes sense thanks

[@AlexiOuzas]

Best to check the guidelines of the film festivals you want to submit to but generally speaking, it should be OK

[@TheButchBerryCompany]

What's a picture lock? What's the website to sign up for the newsletter?

[@AlexiOuzas]

It's when the edit is complete

[@seizethedaystudios2058]

@@AlexiOuzas Do you include subtitles in the picture lock if it is an international festival?

[@seizethedaystudios2058]

A lot of comments i have had from cast and crew is that they have to wait to long to see the film as once it is submitted to a festival it can not be shown on other platforms for the most part. Whats you take on that?

[@AlexiOuzas]

@@seizethedaystudios2058 you can hold a private screening with cast and crew only if you'd like to show the film while you submit to festivals.

[@AlexiOuzas]

@@seizethedaystudios2058 if they ask, yes. If it's English language most do not require subtitles but it's best to check the guidelines.

[@eventsource101]

do you submit through filmfreeway or used a sales agent??

[@AlexiOuzas]

If you have a sales agent, they submit for you. If you don't have one, use FilmFreeway or the film festival's website.