I guess this blog was inevitable.  I don’t know why it took me so long to decide to post it. 

I’m the producer and right now that entails all of the nuts and bolts of our post-production including press kits, promos and film festivals.  Film festivals, which include press kits, have been taking up the majority of my time lately.  I’ve been looking forward to this actually.  We’ve never done anything this big nor have we been able to run the festival circuits like we hope to this coming year. 

There are tons of resources for film festival goers and hopefuls - websites, books, seminars, radio shows.  Even the festivals themselves host workshops.  I love it.  I’ve searched everything.  I’ll take any advice anyone’s willing to give.  But there’s the rub.  It’s been my experience that the people who have really worked the circuit are the most unwilling to talk about it.  If you’re not one of them, my most sincere apologies.  If you’re the helpful type, I’m all ears!  But most of the time I’ve found everyone to be very tight lipped. 

Why is that?  Are we afraid of each other?  I’m certainly not.  So I’ve decided to share as much as I can (and more if you ask!) on here in the coming months.  Film festivals are overwhelming!  There’s a ton of information from every festival re: what they like, want, need, require.   For instance, you can find yourself in serious trouble if you’d like to attend both the South by Southwest Film Festival and the Austin Film Festival but you hit Austin first.  South by Southwest requires an Austin premiere while Austin Film Fest has no premiere requirements.  Yikes!  We’re in that boat!

So I’ve made an fairly extensive Excel spreadsheet - 32 columns and over 300 festivals at the moment to be exact.  It is not by any means comprehensive.  I’d never assume to have it all down yet.  I know I just pulled the plug on the dam and the water’s overflowing my bucket.  But I do feel like I’ve made some headway in the last few months.  Below are 5 things I’ve learned since I started working on this - 5 Things to Know From a Film Festival Newbie.  I would be said “Newbie.”

5 THINGS TO KNOW FROM A FILM FESTIVAL NEWBIE

1. 1. Research Everything
   

When I began to look through the film festival files online and at USC I realized there were still pieces of the puzzle I didn’t have.  There’s just that much information.  Do your research.  Know what’s out there.  Please don’t go to one festival only to shoot yourself in the foot with 5 others.  Which brings me to...

2. 2. Organize!
   

It would be very easy for us to apply to everything in the coming months.  Everything.  I want to.  But in looking ahead through the whole year I can see requirements for spring festivals that fall festivals don’t have.  By organizing my information (yes... maybe I went a little overboard but my Excel sheet is SO helpful!) I could see that South by Southwest conflicted with Austin.  And they weren’t the only ones like that.  If you’re not an organized person please, I’m begging you, find someone who is. 

3. 3. Know Your Audience
   

We’re a comedy.  So our application to the St. Louis Drama Fest really probably doesn’t make sense.  Simple enough I know, but honestly, I’ve seen it happen as I’ve been researching.  We don’t fit in a Horror fest, Asian fest or All-Canadian film festival.  If you do more power to you!  I LOVE niche festivals.  I wish there were more for us. 

Beyond that - do your research! (yeah, #1)  Know the history of the festival you’re applying to.  Do they love short comedies?  What’s their track record in accepting them?  How have they ranked in past festivals?  Festivals are expensive so do yourself, your bank account and your investors a favor and apply to ones that like your kind of film. 

4. 4.Know What’s Required of You
   

Yep, they all seem to come back around to research.  Requirements for every festival are different.  Very different in some cases.  If you’re accepted into a festival often times they will immediately ask for more information - photos, bios, posters, and other promo materials.  If you don’t have them you risk expulsion, a less desirable screening time or at the very least you walk away looking pretty silly.  Know what you need and be prepared. 

5. 5. Be Tenacious!
   

This is your baby!  You’ve scrimped and sacrificed; begged, borrowed and pleaded for this film.  You’ve probably even bled for this film!  Don’t give it up without a fight.  Work the system, work your networks and work your social media.  Create a following on Facebook or Twitter.  Utilize everything you can think of to “get your film out there.”  If you believe in your project don’t let it die!!

There you have it.  My first 5 newbie findings.  Maybe you already knew them.  I hope you did!  But I hope as we continue through this process that we’ll be able to help those who haven’t quite gotten to this step yet and save a few people a couple of headaches.  And if by some chance you think I know something that you don’t (ha... ha...) I’m happy to help.  Don’t hesitate to contact me and ask!

To all of our supporters - I hope this was encouraging.  We’re working our little tail feathers off.  As always, thanks for the love, support and prayers.  We like you too.