A client recently asked me about the value of submitting a short film to a local film festival. After my recent romp at the 20th Annual HollyShorts Film Festival here in Los Angeles, I had to dish on the deets! My not-so-short answer was the stuff of epic emails, and so, I figured best to expand on it as a blog! In fact, it's particularly timely because my epic proof-of-concept short film, "Sanctuary" (Instagram: @SanctuarytheShortFilm ) just announced its premiere at the 9th Annual Silicon Beach Film Festival screening on Sept. 6th at 7:30 pm at the historic TCL Chinese Theater right here in Los Angeles. What luck! While our team was a little bummed not to be accepted into HollyShorts, we also fully recognize what an incredible privilege it is to screen it in town and at such a prestigious venue. Now it's up to us to make the most of it!

And that's what I hope for you, too - but how do you make the most of a local film festival? Aside from picking out the perfect outfit and practicing your poses, of course. It's true, a film festival looks like all fun and parties, red carpets and press junkets, so how can a local festival ever compare? At the heart of every festival, however, is the initial and essential motivation to stay in business. We're all either selling something, buying something, selling our services, or looking to hire others. The more press coverage of a person or a project, the more likely that person is to stay in business.

Successfully taking full advantage of screening your short film at a film festival can feel a bit daunting, to be sure. Catching lightning in a bottle, however, only seems impossible until you realize the key to success is simply to increase your available bottles. Today's blog is all about amplifying your accessibility through local film festivals. PLEASE NOTE: These efforts do not guarantee your success, but they do increase your chances, which is all any of us can do.

Let's assume you have a festival budget, so you already know you're going to submit your film to festivals. Now, where to submit them? You CAN submit them overseas, but make sure you invest in festivals you're prepared to visit in person. This is the clearest reason to go to local festivals - if it's within driving distance and you don't need overnight accommodations, then it stands to reason that a local festival is your best option for in-person attendance.

LOCAL MEANS:

• It is easier & cheaper to travel
• You can spend more time at the festival
• Your name gets in the hands of professionals who are watching the films, even if they aren't attending in person, which means you increase your exposure
• You can meet other locals - and that is important!

But before you start shaking hands, make sure you know what you want to talk about. Take a moment to ask yourself...

What Do You Want to Do NEXT? Are you...

Looking for a job?

This could be ANYTHING, including what you're known for through the project; if this is your primary reason for attending the festival, then be prepared to share your direct contact information, your resume (to show what else you've worked on), and any portfolio samples or references to know why they would hire you. This is where your Dot Cards and HiHello profiles can help, but so can your Stage 32 App! Be sure to add new connections so you can direct message them!

Looking for your next project?

This could be a challenge, a change in title, or other ambition that is more about the task and less about the pay; if this is your primary reason for attending the festival, then be prepared to talk about what excites you about what's up next. Looking forward to working with celluloid? Or at a particular location? Or with stunts or a hot new composer? Or perhaps you're looking to expand into a new genre? This is the time to connect the dots between what you've done and what you'd LOVE to do next.

Looking for local crew and/or cast?

This could be adding to a roster or hiring for a specific project; this could also be helpful if you're hosting an event - networking event, panel, workshop, book signing, etc. If this is your primary reason for attending the festival, then be prepared to collect direct contact information and follow up quickly so people remember who you are.

Looking for support for a project in progress?

Already on to your next project? This is a great opportunity to cross-promote! If this is your primary purpose for attending the festival, then be sure there is a quick way to follow up on the project. Social media presence, website, or even just an email with project information.

Once you know that, you can better determine...

WHO Do You Want to Meet?

Fans:

Every person you meet can become a fan, so don't skip an opportunity for them to meet you! *You can gain fans from any film festival submission, BUT people are more likely to become your fans after they meet you in person. My quick way to add fans? Follow each other on Instagram, followed by a quick DM or "direct message"

Employees:

Go to watch others' work and become their fans, too! It's a great way to add to your roster of potential people to hire. *With the advent of the internet and the unfortunate situation during the pandemic, there are lots of festivals that now offer online screenings, including Stage 32! If you're looking to hire, be sure to check out the latest official selections HERE.

Employers:

Every employer starts out as a fan, but you have to be ready for the ASK. "I'm available for commercial and narrative script writing." or "I have been working as a camera operator for the past 7 years, but after DPing this short film, I want to DP a feature."

Collaborators:

Have projects of your own? Use your newly refreshed pool of AWESOME FILMMAKERS to invite to the party! *This is a great opportunity to utilize RB's Rule of Three - give three times before you ask for something in return. This could be as a fan, as an employer, or even connecting them with someone else who helps them in an arena you are otherwise unable to. Showing up and providing value helps to set up an expectation for the relationship so when an opportunity finally presents itself for a collaboration, you can move forward with confidence.

Managers & Agents:

These are committed collaborators, so if approached, be sure you know what you want from a representative. Managers often get copies of screeners as well so that regardless of whether or not the show up in person, they'll know to reach out to you if they like your material. Agents are less interested in short films, but if you're festival-bound with a feature or a pilot, then consider the terms of the sale you'd like to make.

Financiers & Distributors:

This is a very specific relationship, but knowing how they can contribute to your project and your career will help to prepare you for success. There are only two options for a film festival - either distributing your current film or financing the expansion of your current film (if your short is a "proof-of-concept")

Producers & Investors:

Another set of committed collaborators, but they may be interested in your next project without monetary support. They may, however, come with in-kind benefits. These relationships may take more courting if they are not immediately hiring or investing, but if they start as fans and have the capacity for more, it's absolutely worth your time to make that initial connection. PLEASE NOTE: There are certain rules you should be aware of so as to not get caught up in any "too good to be true" offer. For example, most investors require vetting or must be connected through a broker. Even if they are eager to invest, be sure to run any offered contracts past a qualified lawyer first. For producers, they will not charge you to produce (unless they are working for you as a Line Producer or Creative Producer OR they are working for you as a consultant). Understandably, one of the reasons these connections take longer is because the nature of the relationship simply takes more time to build up to that level of trust. Greater risk requires greater trust, and trust takes time.

Do me a favor, though. Be thorough and be patient. Attend as many festivals as you can, even if it's just to support a friend's film or you're hoping to have your film in it next year. It's a numbers game, so the more festivals you can attend, the better! Go prepared to connect, and make time to follow up after you've made the connections. Finally, be gracious - the more you can give back during your time of triumph, the more value you put back into the entire filmmaking community. As RB likes to say, "When one rises, we all rise."

Okay, so you know what you want and you know who can help you get there. Great! You're all set to get going on the film festival circuit!

Want a Little Help to Prepare for Your Networking Opportunities?

Get involved in the Stage 32 community and practice your networking skills by joining in on conversations every day in the free Stage 32 Lounges and the supportive Writer's Room community!

Ways to challenge yourself to network:

1. Comment on at least 2 Lounge Posts every day! Share words of encouragement, answers to other member's questions, or links to resources when you have them. Support one another and contribute to conversations. Be seen by others in the community! 2 comments a day is such an easy way to connect and build your network.

2. Post in at least 2 Stage 32 Lounges every week! Ask questions when you have them. Share stories of your experiences, what you're learning, your victories, and your setbacks. Provide tips and tricks to your fellow creators. Post video tutorial links and trade articles. Start a conversation about something you want to geek out on. It's even easier if you have the Free Stage 32 App, which you can download HERE.

3. Send at least 3 network requests every week! Continue meaningful conversations with people that you're meeting in the lounges. Offer other members help, feedback, and support through private DMs. Do 3 nice things for a new contact before you ask for help in return.

4. Attend in-person meetups or better yet, start one of your own! You can RSVP for or coordinate regular meetups for locals in your area for FREE on Stage 32's meetup page and promote it in the Stage 32 Your Stage Lounge! If you're interested in becoming the host of a free monthly Stage 32 Meetup in your local area, contact our Head of Community Ashley Smith at community@stage32.com!

Here Are Some Fantastic Stage 32 Webinars to Learn How to Prepare:

• Make An Award-Winning Film
• Plan Your Film Festival Strategy
• Which Film Festival Is Right For My Feature or Short Film?
• Make a Networking Strategy for Yourself at the Festivals

Have a short film you'd like to submit? LOOK OUT FOR Stage 32's Annual Short Film Contest, which screens at the Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival! Learn more about it HERE!

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

Got an idea for a post? Or have you collaborated with Stage 32 members to create a project? We'd love to hear about it. Email Ashley at blog@stage32.com and let's get your post published!

Please help support your fellow Stage 32ers by sharing this on social. Check out the social media buttons at the top to share on Instagram @stage32 , Twitter @stage32 , Facebook @stage32 , and LinkedIn @stage-32 .