Best film festivals for shorts...

[CthulhuRises]

Recently a producer/director interested in one of my short scripts has decided that they'd like to direct it and enter it into some film festivals. I'm well aware that shorts do little for the writer, and it's not something I'm going to lose time over obviously, but the director mentioned that if there were any particular festivals I'd like to enter, to let him know. My knowledge of what festivals best behoove shorts is quite limited, so does anyone know of any particular film festivals that might be especially valuable for shorts (and possibly the writer) that I could recommend?

Thanks.

[lobster]

Re: Best film festivals for shorts...

These are the festivals that are the most valuable for shorts (and their writers): http://www.oscars.org/awards/academy...festivals.html

If your short gets into any one of these festivals and wins a "Best" award, it qualifies to be considered for the short film Oscar that year. But just getting into one of these is a huge accomplishment and a great opportunity for networking with industry folk.

However, competition is fierce for these festivals. Generally short filmmakers use a strategy of trying for some of these first, but if that doesn't work, they start applying to less prestigious fests.

Most film festivals accept shorts, so my advice to you is, if you don't get into the top flight festivals, try submitting to festivals that are in your local area. Then you don't have to spend a fortune in airfare and hotel fees to go to the festival, see your film on the big screen, and enjoy the fruit of your labor. And you still might meet someone who could get interested in your next project

[CthulhuRises]

Re: Best film festivals for shorts...

Thanks, lobster!

[hscope]

Re: Best film festivals for shorts...

This is a good resource: http://www.britfilms.com/festivals/

Also check out withoutabox.com - if you enter films into festivals via this site you can fast track your IMDb entry.

There are so many festivals to choose from, but beware of mounting entry costs. We spent more entering our short into fests than we did on production!

[TheCleaner]

Re: Best film festivals for shorts...

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[AustinFilmFestival]

Re: Best film festivals for shorts...

Submit your film to Austin Film Festival!

Austin Film Festival is currently accepting submissions for its 2014 Film Competition. Known as "The Writer's Festival- since its inception 21 years ago, Austin Film Festival celebrates films built on strong storytelling. AFF recognizes the importance of the creator at the core of filmmaking and screens the highest caliber narrative, documentary and animated films - all of which demonstrate the power of a well-told story. Each year we honor the winners of our competition alongside legends of the industry, who have included Jonathan Demme, Harold Ramis, Vince Gilligan, Johnny Depp, Ron Howard, and Judd Apatow. Additionally, the Jury Award winners of our Narrative, Documentary and Animated Short categories qualify for an Academy Award. The Regular Bird Deadline for the film competition is June 16th and the Late Deadline is July 15th. More information can be found at http://www.austinfilmfestival.com/submit/film/.

[MartinYayWriting]

Re: Best film festivals for shorts...

Short films are such a crapshoot. I know of a local film here that got into Cannes (I think the student version) and was done on zero budget, with no real script, non-trained actors, and wasn't even anything unique or extraordinary. Somebody just liked it in the judging committee. I've done tons of short films locally which have helped me get small paid gigs (writing) and with networking. Once I move to Los Angeles in August, I'm hoping the trend can continue and lead to bigger and better things. People say that short films are waste of time and you can't "make money" off them. That's complete BS. The film industry in general is 99% networking. Writing, producing, or directing a short film is a great way to get into the film community of wherever you live. That's where you start building your contacts and getting your name out there. I have a short film that I made with a local director who is now getting ready to do his first feature film. If he needs a writer, guess who's going to be up for consideration?

[hscope]

Re: Best film festivals for shorts...

Short films are such a crapshoot. I know of a local film here that got into Cannes (I think the student version) and was done on zero budget, with no real script, non-trained actors, and wasn't even anything unique or extraordinary. Somebody just liked it in the judging committee. I've done tons of short films locally which have helped me get small paid gigs (writing) and with networking. Once I move to Los Angeles in August, I'm hoping the trend can continue and lead to bigger and better things. People say that short films are waste of time and you can't "make money" off them. That's complete BS. The film industry in general is 99% networking. Writing, producing, or directing a short film is a great way to get into the film community of wherever you live. That's where you start building your contacts and getting your name out there. I have a short film that I made with a local director who is now getting ready to do his first feature film. If he needs a writer, guess who's going to be up for consideration?

I agree. Apart from the contacts, shorts are incredibly valuable in demonstrating how your writing translates to the screen and how what you write can create major problems for the director and crew. It was a real eye-opening experience and although I've been an extra in both small and large budget movie and TV productions, nothing prepared me for producing short films.

I now include links to the three films whenever I query and they've opened quite a few doors for me (even if they did slam shut soon after!).

[AlexLora]

Re: Best film festivals for shorts...

This might be helpful:

http://www.thetakes.com/festivals/#.U-PlT16pebL
http://www.filmfestivallife.com/FFLs...-Festival-List
http://film.britishcouncil.org

Some online distribution platforms
http://http://en.movibeta.com
http://www.shortfilmdepot.com/en
http://uptofest.com/
http://www.clickforfestivals.com
http://www.reelport.com
http://www.filmfestplatform.com
https://www.withoutabox.com