DEAR FILMMAKER...

Dear Filmmaker...

All rejection letters from film festivals start off with these words.

If I wake up and I don't have a rejection letter in my inbox I think there's something wrong with my internet connection.

Occasionally you'll get an acceptance letter. These start with the words 'Congratulations ....' or 'We are pleased to tell you...'

You will get many more rejection mails than acceptance mails. But everytime you get an acceptance, you forget about the rejections.

The hard numbers are that festivals, on average, select about 10% of total submissions. Some, like Sundance, accept far far less (closer to 0.5%). But generally speaking, this stat means that you should expect 9 rejections to every acceptance.

And you know what you should do if you do get an acceptance? GO TO THE FESTIVAL.

Attendence means several things:

- You film will get more exposure. If you are not there, your film has the danger of being an 'also ran' screening.

- You, the filmmaker, will get more exposure. You cannot be interviewed if you are not there - and although some festivals do Q&As over skype or equivilant -  if you are there people and press can talk to you personally about your film - often resulting in media exposure. This is good.

- Networking. You get to meet other filmmakers, and people in the industry - and these meetings can lead to all sorts of things.

- You get to see other great movies which are almost always inspiring.

- You get to see how your little masterpiece stands up against other work in real screening environment - very different from showing it on DVD or youtube! You learn a lot about your filmmaking skills. A real litmus test.

- Awards: Although by no means a guarantee, attendence certainly does not harm your chances of winning an award.

- And talking of awards - making a film is hard work. Film Festivals are more than just screenings (clue's in the title) and there are always parties or other events. And those are, in themselves, a reward for your hard work in making a film that was good enough to be selected. Congratulations!

- When it comes to film festivals, it really is all about taking part, and not the winning - BUT -  if you do win an award - here's another stat: Most films do not win awards. Of those that do, the vast majority will only win one. So an award, no matter how small,  is really something to shout about. Getting selected for a festival in the first place makes people take you more seriously as a filmmaker (no matter how superficial that sounds) - and if you win an award... well, suddenly you're a professional.

And there are plenty of other reasons you should attend festivals that are screening your work. Everytime I have done so, I have come back somehow richer. You learn so much, so many unexpected things.

Besides, often the festivals will help you financially with accomodation and flights - so, really, you'd be mad not to go.




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