The film festival 'circuit' is a vast series of seemingly unconnected events and happenings, taking place all over the world on a daily basis. Ranging from the pizzazz of Cannes and Venice to the grunge chic of the End of Pier Festival in Bognor Regis. There are film festivals devoted to documentaries, others focus on dance films, and one even devotes itself solely to films about mountaineering.
The main target of any short filmmaker is to gain exposure for their work. There is little value in spending months crafting a masterpiece whose sole audience is the three conscious members of your family - post Christmas dinner. There are over a thousand opportunities to screen films to a paying audience every year, and a successful screening at the right festival can lead to vital contacts or even (fingers crossed) - the budding filmmakers' holy grail: paid work.
Most film festivals are international events, and the format of each festival is similar around the world. New films (shot in the past two years) are submitted directly to the festival office by filmmakers and production companies. The festival staff views these films, and a precious few - often less than 10% of those submitted - are selected for screening. The organiser then advertises the festival, which is attended by a variety of industry delegates and members of the public.
The most famous festivals show full-length feature films (Cannes, Venice, Sundance, Berlin), but contrary to popular belief, many of these festivals screen short films as well. Commonly, shorts are shown before the main feature, but they can also appear in their own programme. There are also some major film festivals that devote themselves entirely to short film (Clermont-Ferrand in France, and Tampere in Finland are the biggest). Programmes consist of a compilation of many short films, usually grouped together by a common theme or nationality.
Which Festival?
With over 1,000 festivals to choose from, it is wise to have a guide. www.filmfestivals.com is a good place to start, as is www.britfilms.com/festivals.
It can be difficult to gain detailed information about specific festivals on these sites, so a more subjective alternative is available in the books listed below. The main factors to consider are: types of film shown, location, number of people attending the festival, and entry deadline. It is wise to apply to festivals in your own country, as most festivals will give preference to local filmmakers - this fits with regional funding incentives, and the films will not need subtitles. However, it is also a good idea to submit to some foreign festivals too, as the biggest events take place outside the UK.
You should also research themed festivals. If you have made a thriller, it will be more likely to be screened in a thriller festival than in a festival of general interest. As a catchall measure, shooting a film with no dialogue increases the chance of success on the global stage.
Despite the above strategies, the only sure-fire method for success on the festival circuit is to send the film to as many festivals as possible. Suffice to say, any budding filmmaker will become over-familiar with their local post office.
The Application Process
All film festivals require the applicant to fill in an entry form, which is generally available as a download from the festival website. Entry forms differ, though the information required is usually similar (contact details, title, duration, synopsis, format, crew, nationality). The entry form should be submitted along with a preview copy of the film, usually in VHS or DVD format. PAL is somewhat universal, though some festivals in the USA may prefer an NTSC copy. Many festivals also require additional material, which can make the application process even more time consuming. To counter this, it is advisable to prepare the following in advance: stills from the film, a longer synopsis, an English dialogue list, a director's photo and bio.
The process can be simplified by using www.withoutabox.com. But beware - most of the festivals participating in this programme charge an entry fee.
Entry Fees
Entry fees cover the festival's cost of viewing potential films as part of the selection process. Some festivals receive thousands of entries per year, and have to charge a fee to pay staff to view all these films. Other festivals can afford to waive this fee. Paying an entry fee is not a guarantee of showing a film at a festival. Some major festivals charge an entry fee (Edinburgh, Clermont Ferrand) and some do not (Cannes, Berlin, Venice). Festivals in the USA are most likely to charge a fee, whilst European festivals are commonly free to enter (with some exceptions).
Being selected to show a film at a festival
Showing a film at any festival is a major achievement. So many obstructions stand in the way of selection (curatorial issues, genre, duration, personal taste), that securing a screening, however small, is a significant step towards fame and fortune - if only for somewhat less than 15 minutes.
Each successful submission adds to the credentials of the film, and tends to lead to more screenings. Some festivals have a 'premiere' policy, but this is usually territorial - most festivals do not expect a global premiere. If your film shows at one festival, it is likely to show at others, as festival organisers tour the circuit hunting for the best films to show at their own events.
Most festivals require a high quality version of the film for screening purposes. DVD or DV tape may be acceptable, but many festivals still prefer Beta-SP, so you may have to transfer your master to this format to meet the criteria. Some major festivals require a 16mm or 35mm film print. This can prove costly, especially if you shot or completed on one of the video formats.
The Festival Itself
Many people imagine that showing a film at a major festival is an enjoyable combination of paparazzi, red carpets and ball gowns - followed by an exclusive diet of champagne, cocktails and canapés.
Representing your film at a festival can be very enjoyable, but the first time you sit in a cinema at your own premiere, do not be surprised if you are shaking with fear. Unlike at your local multiplex, film festival audiences tend to be there to watch the films. You will have their undivided attention, and the tangible physical presence of an audience can be somewhat unnerving. It is tempting to hide anonymously in your seat, but more often than not, the festival organiser will ask directors or producers to make themselves known to the audience. It is wise to have a few words prepared, but make sure your comments are in keeping with your film (short).
Despite the stress, there are many benefits to attending a festival to represent your own film. Terrifying as it may seem, audience reaction can be a valuable guide to the strengths and weaknesses of the finished film. You will also have the rare opportunity to see other short films. Furthermore, you will meet other directors, producers and crew, and perhaps even an industry delegate. Feedback is always useful, and usually negative comments are sparing.
In many ways, showing a short film at a top festival is preferable to showing a feature. Short films have limited commercial value, and as such, attending a festival is more about celebrating the success of the film, as opposed to desperately trying to meet with buyers or distributors. Short filmmakers should still aim to make some contacts, but this can be approached in a more relaxed way, perhaps during one of the many parties that occur during the average festival.
Festival Perks
Academy award nominees receive $20,000 goodie bags, and you can do the same - in a small way. Showing a film locally is often a good way to secure a free screening for family, friends and crew, whilst showing a film in a foreign festival can be an excellent opportunity for global travel. European film festivals (in particular) are well-funded events, which can result in free flights and accommodation for selected filmmakers. This may be supplemented by free drinks functions and exclusive parties which all helps make a minor filmmaker feel like a rising star.
Awards
You can win an Academy Award for a short film, as British director Andrea Arnold did in 2005. Or maybe you should just aim for a BAFTA? In reality, any award is a good award to a short filmmaker- as it allows you to refer to yourself as an 'award winning filmmaker'. Cash prizes are generally small, but success leads to success - award-winning films are more likely to be screened at other festivals.
The British Festivals that show shorts
It should come as little surprise that the British Scene is smaller than most, with only a couple of major festivals, backed up by a good number of mid-sized festivals. Beginning at the top, Edinburgh IFF and London IFF are Britain's most prestigious feature film festivals. They only show a limited number of short films, so a better starting point is Brief Encounters (Bristol), which also includes a category for films of 90 seconds or less. Other notable events include Bradford FF, the funky Portobello FF, and the ICA's cutting edge onedotzero. London's Raindance festivals are well organised and strongly attended, though it should be noted that like Edinburgh, they charge an entry fee.
Links
Cannes Film Festival: www.festival-cannes.fr
Venice Film Festival: www.labiennale.org/en/cinema
End of Pier Festival: www.bognorfilmworkshop.org/festival.htm
Dance on Screen Festival: www.theplace.org.uk
Taos Mountain Film Festival: www.mountainfilm.net
Sundance Film Festival: www.sundance.org
Berlin Film Festival: www.berlinale.de
Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival: www.clermont-filmfest.com
Tampere Short Film Festival: www.tamperefilmfestival.fi
www.filmfestivalpro.com
British Council Film and Video Department: www.britfilms.com
International Film Festival Guide, Shael / Shoberg, Festival Products
The Film Festival Guide, Adam Langer, Chicago Review Press
www.withoutabox.com
Edinburgh International Film Festival: www.edfilmfest.org.uk
London International Film Festival: www.lff.org.uk
Brief Encounters (Bristol): www.brief-encounters.org.uk
Bradford International Film Festival: www.nmpft.org.uk/bff/2005
Portobello Film Festival: www.portobellofilmfestival.com
Onedotzero Film Festival: www.onedotzero.com
Raindance Film Festival: www.raindance.co.uk
Robb Horsley, Filmmaker, 2005
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