Film festival submission success comes down to targeting the right festivals, keeping your film tight, and submitting early to save money and beat the competition. A strategic approach to festival selection and film preparation gives you the best shot at getting programmed.
Look at the last three years of a festival's programming to confirm they screen films like yours. Split your submissions into thirds: one third ambitious reach festivals, one third realistic targets, and one third guaranteed category fit festivals. Watch out for scam festivals on platforms like [FilmFreeway], especially online only events or ones that hand out many awards with no photos of previous events.
Keep short films under 10 to 15 minutes so programmers can fit more into a block. Avoid long credits, submit by early deadlines when slates are wide open, and for features have a full marketing package ready including a trailer, poster, stills, synopsis, director's notes, and director's photo. Networking with programmers and fellow filmmakers at events also opens doors.
Submission strategy
Research festival programmingCheck the last three years of a festival's slate to confirm your film fits their style.
Apply the rule of thirdsSplit submissions into reach festivals, realistic targets, and guaranteed category fit festivals.
Avoid scam festivalsSkip online only events, excessive award fests, and festivals with no event photos.
Keep short films under 15 minutesShorter runtimes help programmers fit your film into a block.
Trim your creditsLong opening or closing credits are a known programmer pet peeve for short films.
Submit by early deadlinesEarly submissions cost less and face a wider open programming slate.
Prepare a feature marketing packageHave trailer, poster, stills, synopsis, director's notes, and photo ready.
Network at festivalsMeet filmmakers and befriend programmers to open future doors.
Choose Festivals Wisely
Target festivals that program films similar to yours. Look at the last three years of a festival's programming to see if your film fits their style. "I started thinking: "What festivals PROGRAM films LIKE MINE?”"
Balance "reach," realistic, and guaranteed category-fit festivals. A good strategy is to divide submissions into thirds: one-third ambitious "reach" festivals, one-third realistic targets, and one-third festivals where your film is a strong genre or category fit. "Use the rule of thirds: 1/3 "reach” festivals, 1/3 realistic festivals, 1/3 guaranteed category-fit festivals"
Beware of scam festivals on platforms like FilmFreeway. Avoid online-only festivals, those that give out many awards, or those without photos of previous events, and research new festivals. "Beware that some of the festivals on there are basically scams, who will take your money and offer little in return."
Optimize Your Film for Submission
Ensure your short film has a concise runtime. Shorter films, especially under 10-15 minutes, have a better chance of being programmed because festivals can fit more films into a block. "Run time under 12-15minutes"
Prioritize a strong story and high production value. A compelling narrative and a professional look are crucial, and sometimes acting quality and a tight story can compensate if production value is simpler. "Make a great film"
Avoid lengthy credits, especially for short films. Programmers prefer shorter credit sequences to maximize the number of films they can include in a block. "A pet peeve of mine has become long credits (at the beginning or end of a short film)."
Submission Best Practices
Submit early to increase your chances and save money. Early deadlines are often cheaper, and the programming slate is more open, giving your film a better shot. "it’s alway best to submit to early deadlines. Cheaper, plus the programming slate is wide open."
Prepare a comprehensive marketing package for feature films. For features, ensure you have a trailer, poster, film stills, a short synopsis, director's notes, and a director's photo ready. "Just make sure you have a basic feature marketing package ready to go as well, such as trailer, poster, film stills, short synopsis, director’s notes, director’s photo"
Network and build relationships at festivals. Attending festivals, meeting other filmmakers, and befriending programmers can open doors for future opportunities. "Network as much as possible. Go to as many events as you can (talk with the festival programmers to get some info on when/where the festival events will be)."
Do you want to know more about how to network effectively at film festivals?
Bottom line
Submitting your film to festivals successfully requires a strategic approach to festival selection and film preparation.
FAQ
How do i choose the right film festivals to submit to?
Look at the last three years of a festival's programming to see if they screen films similar to yours. Split your submissions into thirds: reach festivals, realistic targets, and guaranteed category fit festivals.
Are there scam film festivals on FilmFreeway?
Yes. Avoid online only festivals, ones that give out many awards, and festivals without photos of previous events. Research any new festival before submitting.
What is the best runtime for a short film festival submission?
Keep short films under 10 to 15 minutes. Shorter films have a better chance because festivals can fit more of them into a single block.
When should i submit my film to festivals?
Submit to early deadlines. Early submissions are cheaper and the programming slate is more open, giving your film a better shot at acceptance.
What should i include in a feature film marketing package for festivals?
Prepare a trailer, poster, film stills, a short synopsis, director's notes, and a director's photo. Have everything ready before you submit.
Do long credits hurt my film festival chances?
Yes. Programmers prefer short credit sequences so they can maximize the number of films in each block. Keep credits concise for short films.
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