The Film Festival Circuit
Film festivals are arguably the most important springboards for documentaries. -Sarah Jo Marks in International Documentary Magazine
While more and more documentaries are making it to the local Cineplex, the reality is that the documentary genre is still a very independent, word-of-mouth field. What does this mean for Doc Institute students and alums in search of an audience for those first-year shorts and thesis projects? It translates into an education of a different kind…into the world of film festivals. Read on for a few tips on developing your film festival strategy along with a list of festivals to consider.
Know your film and take the time to find festivals that fit.
With most festivals requiring entry fees, it pays to do your research and know which festivals make sense for your film. Before submitting an application, review festival programs from years past to get an idea of the kinds of docs that make it onto the schedule. Don’t overlook topic-specific festivals that might offer the perfect niche for your film (i.e. environmental, social justice, cultural, children’s, women’s issues, GLBT). “It’s sometimes better to be the toast of a smaller festival than be overlooked at a larger festival,” writes Chris Gore in his Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide.
Your film only premieres once.
Think strategically about the festival where you would most like to premiere. Does it sync up with a realistic completion date for your film? Seasoned filmmakers warn against rushing your time in the edit suite just to make a particular festival’s deadline. Also keep in mind that programmers often favor films that will be premieres for their festivals. Read the fine print on festival applications about whether or not your film must be premiering on the international, national, regional or state level in order to be considered for the event.
Get the word out at the festival.
Your job is not done once your film makes it on the festival circuit. In order to guarantee an audience, you have to do the work to fill the seats. Think creatively about promotional items and/or events that could lure festival attendees to your screening. Increase visibility by hanging posters on street corners and in businesses surrounding the venue. Design eye-catching postcards and customize them with screening information for each festival appearance. Form a street team who can serve as a mobile advertisement for your film.
For a total immersion in all things festival-related, check out The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide by Chris Gore.
Festivals to Consider
Festivals for Documentaries Only
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
Entry Deadline: September
Festival Month: February
DocFest – New York International Documentary Festival
Entry Deadline: By invite only
Festival Month: Spring
Doc/Fest Sheffield
Entry Deadline: Early June
Festival Month: Early November
Explorers Club Documentary Film Festival
Entry Deadline: Early September
Festival Month: Mid-January
Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
Entry Deadline: Mid-October
Festival Month: Mid-April
Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival
Entry Deadline: Mid-December
Festival Month: Late April-early May
Hot Springs Documentary Festival
Entry Deadline: late April
Festival Month: late October
International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA)
Entry Deadline: May-October
Festival Month: Late November-early December
SilverDocs: AFI/Discovery Channel Documentary Festival
Entry Deadline: January-March
Festival Month: Mid-June
Visions du Reel International Documentary Film Festival
Entry Deadline: Mid-January
Festival Month: Late April
Premier U.S. Festivals
AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival
Entry Deadline: June (early), July (late)
Festival Month: Early November
Cinequest San Jose
Entry Deadline: May-October
Festival Month: Early March
San Francisco International Film Festival
Entry Deadline: November
Festival Month: Late April-early May
Seattle International Film Festival
Entry Deadline: Early February
Festival Month: Late May-June
Sundance Film Festival
Entry Deadline: Mid-September (shorts), early October (features)
Festival Month: January
SXSW
Entry Deadline: Early December
Festival Month: Mid-March
Telluride Film Festival
Entry Deadline: Mid-July
Festival Month: Early September
Tribeca Film Festival
Entry Deadline: Early December
Festival Month: Late April-early May
Premier International Festivals
Berlin International Film Festival
Entry Deadline: November
Festival Month: February
Cannes Film Festival
Entry Deadline: Mid-March
Festival Month: Late May
Rotterdam International Film Festival
Entry Deadline: November
Festival Month: Late January-early February
Toronto International Film Festival
Entry Deadline: Early June
Festival Month: Early September
Venice International Film Festival
Entry Deadline: Mid-June
Festival Month: Early September
The World Film Festival (Montreal)
Entry Deadline: July
Festival Month: Late August-early September
Top Festivals for Shorts
Aspen Shortsfest
Entry Deadline: December
Festival Month: Early April
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival
Entry Deadline: October
Festival Month: Late January-early February
International Short Film Festival Oberhausen
Entry Deadline: Mid-January
Festival Month: Early May
New York City Short Film Festival
Entry Deadline: August
Festival Month: November
Palm Springs International Short Film Festival
Entry Deadline: May
Festival Month: August
Short Shorts Film Festival
Entry Deadline: November
Festival Month: Summer Tour
Slamdance International Film Festival
Entry Deadline: Mid-October
Festival Month: Mid-January
Tampere International Short Film Festival
Entry Deadline: Early December
Festival Month: Early March
Top Student Competitions for Documentary
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Annual Student Academy Awards
Entry Deadline: April
Awards Ceremony: June
Academy of Television Arts and Sciences College Television Awards (Student Emmys)
Entry Deadline: Mid-January
Awards Ceremony: March
IDA/David L. Wolper Student Achievement Award
Entry Deadline: June
Awards Ceremony: October
Student Resources
Student News
- Work in Progress: The Man Behind the Curtain
- Fall 2008 Class Schedule
- Top Ten Tips: Shooting in another Country
- Top Ten Tips: Working with Child Subjects
- Meet Sarah Zaman
- The Film Festival Circuit
- Student Reaction to Workshops with Peter Gilbert
- Liz's Adventures in Guyana
- Peter Gilbert to visit the Institute
- Meet the Class of 2008