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Ten Tips for Festival Entrants
By Michael Carr (Director of Telluride IndieFest)
Here are 10 things for you to consider when entering a film and/or screenwriting festival:
1) If you want your entry returned, then always include a self-addressed, stamped envelope
(SASE).
Otherwise, it may get tossed once the festival is over.
2) Having an *email* address is very desirable - for it greatly facilitates the
communication process.
Email helps keep the costs of a festival down - and entry fees, as well!
3) Once you have submitted your entry, restrict your communication with the festival - for
they are quite busy previewing entries and coordinating the event.
A properly run festival will provide you with all the information you need (in a timely
fashion) - so, don't bug them.
4) Follow the instructions and guidelines that each festival provides ('to the letter'),
for there are good-reasons for these instructions.
Don't send a 138 page script if 120 pages is the max they are asking for.
5) Find out as much as you can about each festival you are thinking of entering. If they
have a web site, check it out.
Ask friends and associates, check out the online newsgroups, contact previous entrants of
the festival - what do the 'trades' (magazines) have to say, etc.
6) Only send what the festival requests (ie. your entry). Do not send press kits, posters,
promotional materials, etc.
Most festivals will ignore this material, preferring to evaluate each entry on its 'pure'
artistic merit.
7) Understand that judging entries is a very-subjective process, and there is a lot of
*outstanding* material out there in the "indie" world.
The 'cream' DOES rise to the top, however - in spite of this very subjective process.
8) If your entry is accepted by a festival, be prepared to speak about (and promote) your
material. You never know who may be interested!
Radio, television, newspaper and personal interviews provide invaluable experience for
'pitching' your material. It is also great exposure!
9) If you are participating on any festival panels, workshops or seminars, keep your
presentations concise (yet clear), and stay'on topic'. Remember the "KISS"
philosophy - "Keep It Short and Sweet" (stay 'focused', and don't ramble on).
10) Do something 'unusual' that will get the festival's attention. Be very creative -
because, "if you get 'em to giggle, you've got 'em"! ie. a 'return confirmation'
postcard that *highly praises* the merits of your entry - addressed to yourself.
(This has already been done, so come up with something new, unusual, and/or interesting -
perhaps even bizarre).
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