Whenever there is a gap in between my appointments, I visit the video library or maybe even manage to attend a screening in the cinema to look for new acquisitions – and just to enjoy some good films. Not to forget about socialising! At most of the booths, you will receive an invitation for a reception, a picnic, a cocktail or a party. In the afternoon and evenings you can go to the indicated locations, where you will always find familiar faces as well as some food and drinks – the ideal opportunity to catch up with friends and meet new people. When you start attending festivals and markets, these gatherings can be a bit tiring – especially when you are new in the business and have the impression that everybody knows each other, while you are feeling lost among all those people, companies, organisations and films. However, that’s just the unsettledness of the beginning. Already at the next festival, you will recognize people – after all, the world of film business is not as big and overwhelming as it might look from outside, and especially when working with shorts, you will meet the same people again and again.
While attending film markets, I have met some fantastic people – so visiting other festivals is not only about watching new films, but also about meeting these inspiring people again! At the end of the market, I return home with a suitcase full of films to watch, exhausted and tired, but satisfied and with a smile on my face. In the coming weeks I have to follow up with the people I met, write a lot of e-mails, work through the pile of films next to the DVD player, finish the sales deals we’ve made, send out screening materials and do a lot of paperwork – before packing my suitcase and travelling to the next festival!
Whenever there is a gap in between my appointments, I visit the video library or maybe even manage to attend a screening in the cinema to look for new acquisitions – and just to enjoy some good films.
WOSH by Daazo.com - the European Shortfilm Centre 52
At a film market, days pass by extremely quickly. Sometimes we are invited to participate in a panel or to attend a pitching forum, sometimes the market offers special events such as presentations of different TV channels and their programme profiles.