Thank you for making this video! I think more people need to hear the hard truth of what film festivals have become. The game has changed and festivals are no longer the best way for us to get our work in front of audiences. A well made and to the point video!
I agree 100%. 6 years ago I co-wrote a short film that went through the film festival circuit and won a lot of awards, including some international awards. Where is that film and the director now? The film was released on RUclips just last year and is struggling to get any views. There's no information about it online. The director has not made any other films in 6 years. I've come to realize that film awards are just events where filmmakers go to watch each other's work. Good for connections, but not for the general audience.
Film fests are a worthy game for sure and everything you list here is legit But remember film fests are very competitive than they were even 5 years ago pre pandemic Especially with proliferation of cheaper gear and ability to record RAW on cameras sub 2000, its become pretty easy to make a somewhat legit looking short films So your options...make a film that is really fucking good and stands out, my first recommendation would be to get off RUclips for filmmaking advice since that is what everybody is doing and once you actually get into a film fest and watch some other films along with yours, youll be awestruck by just how similar they look. They all have the same lighting techniques, same color grade, and same everything - cause more than likely they watched and learned from the same channels. Develop your own voice by avoiding outside influences. Def have a social media account dedicated solely to one film, this is how you will build connections by having people follow your account and get news on different festivals/events you get into. Once you're at the festival think of it as a night out and just talk to random people about anything, eventually you'll build a connection and establish a point of contact. That's it. So more you do this bigger your circle will be and once u get into higher profile festivals like Academy Awards qualifying etc, your circles will have more prominent figures.
This interesting and well-considered video does indeed deserve more views. May I respectfully suggest changing the title? I had no idea what FilmFreeway is and still don’t 🤣
I'm very mixed on festivals, it's a crap shoot yet at the same time I would be that delusional person who submits to Sundance with that lottery ticket mentality.
I hear that "The big four" is useless to submit to unless you have some significant star power attached to the film or it was personally recommended to the decision makers.
@shagral Star talent definitely helps. Im looking at these films that win at the big four and they either got repped talent, a nepo baby, or knows someone who knows someone. It can be incredibly discouraging while at the same time, these studios will slap a indie label on their film if it isnt some blockbuster. What a joke. I still strongly believe they have their place, but once again filmmakers have to plan out at the very beginning stages of even making their movie (particularly features) and just brace for the worst. While showing at those top tier fests may not guarantee you a sale, it still helps with your credibility (whether you win an award or not) and let's not forget the experience of actually being there. Also winning a trophy for all your troubles just feels good lol.
Thank you for making this video! I think more people need to hear the hard truth of what film festivals have become. The game has changed and festivals are no longer the best way for us to get our work in front of audiences. A well made and to the point video!
how does this only have 30 views? this is so well made 💯
I need to step up my title & thumb game! Thanks for watching tho ✌
I agree 100%. 6 years ago I co-wrote a short film that went through the film festival circuit and won a lot of awards, including some international awards. Where is that film and the director now? The film was released on RUclips just last year and is struggling to get any views. There's no information about it online. The director has not made any other films in 6 years. I've come to realize that film awards are just events where filmmakers go to watch each other's work. Good for connections, but not for the general audience.
Thx for sharing! Sad to hear about the director though... Hopefully they'll come back to making films one day.
Comment for the algorithm. Good luck on future endeavors.
Thanks, you too!
Thanks for your honesty.
Always!
Great video!
I could not agree with this more.
Film fests are a worthy game for sure and everything you list here is legit
But remember film fests are very competitive than they were even 5 years ago pre pandemic
Especially with proliferation of cheaper gear and ability to record RAW on cameras sub 2000, its become pretty easy to make a somewhat legit looking short films
So your options...make a film that is really fucking good and stands out, my first recommendation would be to get off RUclips for filmmaking advice since that is what everybody is doing and once you actually get into a film fest and watch some other films along with yours, youll be awestruck by just how similar they look. They all have the same lighting techniques, same color grade, and same everything - cause more than likely they watched and learned from the same channels. Develop your own voice by avoiding outside influences.
Def have a social media account dedicated solely to one film, this is how you will build connections by having people follow your account and get news on different festivals/events you get into. Once you're at the festival think of it as a night out and just talk to random people about anything, eventually you'll build a connection and establish a point of contact. That's it. So more you do this bigger your circle will be and once u get into higher profile festivals like Academy Awards qualifying etc, your circles will have more prominent figures.
This interesting and well-considered video does indeed deserve more views. May I respectfully suggest changing the title? I had no idea what FilmFreeway is and still don’t 🤣
hey thanks for the suggestion! I hate how big of a difference this stuff makes 😤
I don't think most of the festivals even look at the trailer, Festivals should return people's money if they are not selected
I'm very mixed on festivals, it's a crap shoot yet at the same time I would be that delusional person who submits to Sundance with that lottery ticket mentality.
I hear that "The big four" is useless to submit to unless you have some significant star power attached to the film or it was personally recommended to the decision makers.
@shagral Star talent definitely helps. Im looking at these films that win at the big four and they either got repped talent, a nepo baby, or knows someone who knows someone. It can be incredibly discouraging while at the same time, these studios will slap a indie label on their film if it isnt some blockbuster. What a joke.
I still strongly believe they have their place, but once again filmmakers have to plan out at the very beginning stages of even making their movie (particularly features) and just brace for the worst. While showing at those top tier fests may not guarantee you a sale, it still helps with your credibility (whether you win an award or not) and let's not forget the experience of actually being there. Also winning a trophy for all your troubles just feels good lol.