May 2008

Submitting your short films to local, national and international festivals can be a great way to gain accolades and recognition for your work, as well as providing opportunities for finding distribution and giving you the chance to begin building your reputation in the industry.

However, knowing which festivals to submit your films to and having the discipline to keep on top of submission deadlines can be rather bewildering and time-consuming. This page offers some pointers on where, how and when to apply to a number of the most-renowned film festivals across the world…

WITHOUTABOX.COM

One of the easiest ways to submit your film to many of the festivals is via www.withoutabox.com. This online service allows you to fill out one entry form, select which festivals you would like to enter, send along copies of your film and then withoutabox.com will do the rest. Over 208 countries have registered their festivals with withoutabox.com and it is by far the simplest way of entering a wide range of festivals across the world in one year.

However, remember that not all of the festivals you may want to enter will be signed up to withoutabox.com and for these you will need to enter via conventional methods.

BRIT FILMS

This British Council website has a directory of international film festivals which you can browse by country, month or festival category. The directory offers details of submission dates, categories and submission formats as well as contact numbers and email addressed for festival organisers. Visit www.britfilms.com for more information.

REELPORT

This site is an online digital film network which allows producers and directors to upload their films free of charge to the online catalogue. From here the film can be distributed via digital cinema screens, VoD, IP-TV and Mobile. The site also provides digital services for festival submissions. The services are free for 20 catalogue or festival entries, and then there is small charge per entry. They can also assist with rights clearance, encoding and encryption. The site contains information on upcoming festivals and guidance for submissions.

This is a unique site which makes films accessible at all times to people from all around the world. For more information visit www.reelport.com

RECOMMENDED FESTIVALS

There are many festivals to choose from when deciding to enter your film. Our list of Recommended Festivals lists our favourites and top choices.

FESTIVALS CHECK LIST

Submitting films to festivals can be a full-time job and you have to be prepared for rejection! Different festivals have different requirements for entry, and often one thing you have or haven't done may mean you are not be eligible to enter your film for all festivals. If you are seriously considering entering your film to festivals, then take a look at our Festival Check List

FILM MARKETS

If you decide to submit your film to a festival it's worth noting if the festival has a market as well as an official competition. If there is a market attached to the festival ask for your submission tape to be placed in the market's videotech. This is the place where industry professionals (sales agents, buyers and festival programmers) have a chance to view your film. Even if you are not selected for the official competition it means your film can still be viewed by key decision makers. Two of the most important videotechs exist at the Clermont Ferrand Film Festival and the Edinburgh Film Festival further details of which can be found below.

PUBLICITY

If you decide to attend a festival you should go armed with as much publicity as you can carry! The suggested format is a generic postcard featuring a strong production still from the film and including all of your own or your sales agent's contact details. These postcards can be used for the duration of your film's marketing life, and can have stickers featuring screening times and venues added for each festival you attend.

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What are Film Festivals?

Brian Mills