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Okay, so I’ve been diving deep into the world of film festivals lately. It all started because I watched this indie flick that just blew my mind, and I was curious where it might pop up next. That led me down a rabbit hole of researching international film fests.
First, I just Googled “best international film festivals,” like anyone would. Got a bunch of lists, you know, the usual suspects. Cannes, Venice, Berlin – all the big ones. But honestly, those felt a little…intimidating? I wanted something a bit more accessible, maybe something that championed different types of films.
So, I started digging deeper. I spent a good chunk of an afternoon just clicking through festival websites, reading their mission statements, looking at past winners, seeing what kind of vibe they gave off. It was kinda like online dating, but for film fests.
Here’s what I did:
- I made a spreadsheet. Yep, a spreadsheet. I listed the festivals, their locations, deadlines, and a quick note about what kind of films they seemed to favor.
- I checked out FilmFreeway. A lot of festivals use this platform for submissions, so it’s a great way to discover new ones and see what their requirements are.
- I read articles and blog posts from filmmakers who had actually submitted to these festivals. Their firsthand experiences were super helpful.
Then, I started narrowing down my list. I looked for festivals that:
- Had a good reputation for discovering new talent.
- Offered workshops or networking events (I figure, even if my film doesn’t get in, it’s a chance to learn something and meet people).
- Were located in places I wouldn’t mind visiting! (Hey, might as well make the most of it, right?)
After a few weeks of intense research, I ended up with a shortlist of about five or six festivals that seemed like a good fit. Now, I’m not gonna name them here, because I don’t want to jinx anything. But let’s just say they’re all over the map, from Europe to Asia, and they all have a unique focus.
The next step is to actually submit my film (or, you know, a film – I’m still working on the script!). That’s gonna be a whole other adventure, I’m sure. But for now, I feel like I’ve got a pretty good handle on the international film festival scene, and I’m excited to see where it takes me.
Honestly, the whole process has been pretty eye-opening. There are so many amazing film festivals out there that aren’t Cannes or Sundance. It’s really inspiring to see all the different ways that filmmakers are getting their work seen and connecting with audiences around the world.
Wish me luck!
