How to get accepted at film festivals (full guide)

Getting your short film or feature into film festivals is tough, even with a strong film. Here's how I finally got accepted to a bunch of film fests.

📹 My current filmmaking gear:

Business inquiries:

00:00 - Intro
00:47 - Your Film as a Package
05:16 - Getting Organized & Strategic
09:56 - Budgeting Appropriately
11:59 - Leveraging Your Network
12:54 - Standing Out
16:43 - Runtime/Programmability
18:40 - How It'll Be Easier Next Time

About me:
I've been making short films for 20 years, starting at age 11. I directed my first feature film, Bad is Bad, in 2010. Made for only $6,000, the film went on to reach over 7 million views and garner critical acclaim. More recently, my short film, Will "The Machine", screened and won awards at film festivals around the world. Released online in 2019, it reached over 1 million views in just a month. I also work as a video editor, cutting ads for clients such as Apple, Netflix, and Beats by Dre.

DISCLAIMER: Links in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product with the links that I provide, I may receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

[StandardStoryCo]

Live/in-person festivals are about to open back up, who's submitting this year?

[MaxsLEGOStopMotion]

As a 14 year old I’m finally getting into filmmaking and I’m still learning each day by watching tips and more. I of course make films myself but have a long way to go still, hopefully in 2 or 3 years from now I can get myself into one I’ll work hard! And your films and tip videos like this one really motivate me and informe me thank you, big inspiration man :)

[womackfilmworks]

Hi, I'm the former programming director of the 307 Film Festival and I remember your movie. (and it won an award if I remember correctly) Just wanted to say I loved it and I love the video. Keep making great films!

[omidfilms]

I had so many rejections in the beginning, I was so depressed but festivals are a numbers game and once I got my first big acceptance the snowball effect happened and one turned into another and as my film was gaining steam the pandemic hit 😂 but I’m still grateful I got into a handful of festivals before the shitstorm.

[bikefixer]

My film festival horror story took place in 2001. My second feature film was accepted to the first Tribeca Film Festival. So much easier in those pre-digital days when there were 500 submissions for 75 slots, as opposed to today when the big festivals get 30, 000 submissions. But the problem was we had shot our film on 16mm, and the festival wasn't set up for that format (they did have 16mm the following year (when we were no longer eligible, of course). We didn't have money for a 35mm blowup, so we were dis-invited. On the flip side, I was lucky in the 1990s when festivals were a bit more desperate for content. In 1991, I had a film in the Dallas International Festival, and my first short film tied for 1st place at Breckenridge with two filmmakers who later became Oscar winners (Alexander Payne and David O. Russell). In 1997, we won best new feature at the Long Island Film Festival (over Steve Buscemi's directorial debut, Tree's Lounge).

[HollyHargreaves]

This video is great. As a fellow filmmaker who enters Oscar qualifying film festivals, I feel your rejection and fee pain. New subscriber, glad I stumbled upon your channel.

[shontelhorneonline]

The info in this video is honestly the foundation of a business all about strategizing how to get films into festivals. This is gold.

[riennederson]

I'm a festival founder and programmer (Black Laurel Films) and this advice is solid. Programmers have to remove their personal preferences for a film and stick to the storytelling and technical aspects. There are tons of variables you have to consider and you cover them well. Thanks for doing this! :)

[NebulaDreamscapes]

LOVE your channel and the info you give out. I wrote scripts back in high school, but stopped after I got out and on the work front. Now, 53 years old, I'm working to get back into script writing and begin a small film making hobby, using the resources and landscapes available to me. You do an awesome job in your videos and really inspire those of us to get it right the first time. After watching several of your videos over the last several days now, I think I'm armed with a great lineup of understanding what to do and not do going into my first mini film. I just wish I would have done this years ago, but better late then never right? ;-) I'll keep you updated on my progress. Thank you SO MUCH for talking about this info, I think it has helped move me in the right direction. BTW, I LOVE horror, so going to do something fun with a corn field and a nightmarish story line. Thanks for listening! - Will

[ryanmoore]

Hey! just stumbled on this-- but I saw your film in a festival and I use it in many of my filmmaking classes to showcase subtext in story and character wants/needs. Love your film- many thanks.

[charlieopalc]

About to submit my first film into festivals and I’m so pumped! This helped alot.

[CillitPrang]

I love you. You’re my hero. Don’t stop,

[mattgray]

ALL OF THESE ARE TRUE! And most of them are so simple. Please, people, a little effort goes a long way. Just because you’re finished editing doesn’t mean you’re finished with your movie.

[covalentproductions]

I've been making videos which started out as a joke but I have developed a passion for it, I am currently working on the finale of the series I have been making which I plan on making a lot better than the last one. I am super proud of it so far. I don't think it's worthy of a film festival but it's rewarding to have people comment on your video saying that it's funny or that it looks good

[FlightPatternProductions]

This channels filled with such amazing information, it’s unbelievable. I’ve felt stuck in that uncanny valley when it comes to filmmaking, but I’ve been watching your videos and I feel a little more comfortable with my approach next time around. Thanks for putting these together.

[nyceflix]

I'm grateful to the one programmer who gave me a lot of these jewels. I couldn't understand why these guys started following me, but the film wasn't getting in. 40min was a painful cut & now I needed to shorten that?!? It wasn't until PBS forced my hand. I was still within the typical one year production window & my resubmit rate was much better, & national tv to boot! These rules absolutely apply to documentary as well.

[tonibetzner]

Thank you for the spreadsheet. You've done half the leg work for me. I'm so glad I stumbled on your channel. You are so informative and entertaining. Thank you

[Kilometers_KPH]

A few months ago I won my first film fest in South Florida, but what you're saying is something I should keep in mind


Thank you

[queenkreviews]

It’s so hard to find honest information about submitting to film festivals🎉

[Buddlightyear]

Always love what ya do man! this good advice even for just content creation period