So, you have completed your short movie. Although your family and friends love your work, it’s time to screen it to the real world. Let’s bring it to the audience and professionals!
You will need to build the credibility of your film by having it selected for a lot of festivals around the world. And do not hesitate to pick the ones that include short movie markets for buyers, distributors and film directors if you’re thinking about the near future. In order to decide which festivals are relevant, look where your film fits, where you think it might be successful, and which festivals give prizes or merits. Make some research asking yourself which ones are the most appropriate for your film. Imagine which festivals may help in furthering the festival run, which can last up to two years. There are so many film festivals around the world, it is really up to you to decide your strategy based on your ambitions and budget. Concerning the A-lister Festivals, be ambitious but realistic about your work. Wait for the answer from the few festivals of your dreams which require a Premiere, but keep sending to the smaller ones in other territories, and please don’t be disappointed if you are rejected from an A-lister festival since there are lots of other well-established places that you can submit to.
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The A-Lister circuit begins with the Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival (January), the largest short movie festival and market in the world. Next, you could try the International Film Festival Rotterdam (also January), which offers a quality selection of worldwide short movies honoured by the prestigious UIP award. Don’t forget to send your work to the Sundance Film Festival (January again!). To be screened there opens a path to the Oscar qualifications. Then we get back to Europe with the Berlinale (February), and its strong short movie competition. Don’t forget to apply for the Berlinale Talent Campus which is a creative academy and networking platform for 350 up-and-coming filmmakers from all over the world. Another great pick is the Tampere Film Festival (March) in Finland , which is one of the world’s oldest and best short movie festivals which hosts about 500 short movies at its market. In April, you could try to compete at the Aspen Shortfest or Tribeca Film Festival (founded by Robert De Niro) which can be very influential for your film. The Cannes Film Festival (May) is one of the most glamorous places to