One of the best ways to get your new films noticed is to have them shown at Film Festivals. These festivals happen across the globe and are becoming increasingly popular. However, you need to know how the selection process works to ensure you have the best chance to be selected.
1. Format
Many festivals show their films in movie theaters. Movie theaters use only one movie format, which is called the DCP. If the filmmaker doesn't have a copy of his/her film in the DCP format, the film cannot be screened in a majority of cinemas. If the event takes place in a small club or any other rented facility (not a movie theater), in this case there is a projector that can display DVD and Blu-Ray formats. Ensure you know the format that is acceptable for the festival you are submitting to.
2. Subtitles
In all non-English speaking countries, if the film was not created in the local language, subtitles are a must.
Creating subtitles is easy, there's lots of software out there that you canuse. However, make sure that you know the language that the festival will use and NEVER use Google Translate to do your subtitling!
3. Film quality
A huge number of films submitted to festivals are of very poor quality, according to some basic parameters: poor image quality, bad sound, etc.
Having a low quality film is a major obstacle to screening at any festival.聽
4. Transfer of film copies
For a film to be screened at many festivals, a copy must be transferred to the festival. Many filmmakers believe that if a movie is uploaded to one of the two known aggregators, FilmFreeway or Withoutabox, or to Vimeo or Youtube - then the transfer problem is solved. However, this is not always true. Ensure you understand how to transfer your high-quality film to your selected festival.
Following the rules above will give you a much better opportunity of having your film screened at a film festival. For those of you who are ready to give it a go, the link below may be of help with your first submission.