An Indie Filmmakers Guide to Film Festival Submissions online

Independent filmmaking is a fantastic alternative for first-time filmmakers or those working with a limited budget, but there are other reasons why some people choose to make movies outside of the studio system. Due to the lack of a significant budget and a large staff, the filmmaker with an independent film has greater freedom to tell the story they want.

What Is an Indie Film?

An indie film is any motion picture, long or short, that was not made by a major studio or production company. It’s very uncommon for indie films to have budgets anywhere from a few thousand dollars (“micro-budget”) to several million.

Things to Consider Before Making an Indie Film

• Script 

Whether you’re adapting an existing story or dreaming up your own, every film begins with a script. Indies have more creative freedom than their Hollywood studio rivals, but that doesn’t mean they can do anything they want. Projects that need a large amount of computer-generated imagery (CGI), a large number of foreign locations, or substantial special effects should be avoided by indie filmmaking filmmakers, especially those filming their debut feature film.

• Budget 

To what extent would your budget need to be expanded in order to produce this film? How much effort do you plan to put forth? How much money do you need to raise to make your project a success? Unless a rich producer or an independent studio is willing to assist you out, you will need to raise money. Spending on things like screenplay rewrites, insurance, and sound design should be included in before and after the actual production costs. 

• Cast 

When advertising a film, a famous actor or actress may do wonders for its box office success, but they also demand a huge price from the studios. Take into account the worth of each casting option. Don’t spend too much for a cameo in the hopes of boosting the movie’s earnings. Rather, invest on a single performer who can raise the bar for the team.

What You Need to Know to Start Making Independent Films?

You’ll have to utilize people from your own cast and crew instead of paying Hollywood actors’ salaries. Even though there is no definitive method for making an independent film by independent film maker, there are criteria that may be met.

1. Find your script first.

Writing the script is the first stage in film production. Verify if the concept can be carried out on a low-cost basis. Because of the high cost of special effects, expensive sets, and extensive makeup, a science fiction picture is generally not the best choice for a filmmaker’s debut feature-length film. 

2. Managing your money well 

To determine the cost, you must first have a concept of what you want to convey. The budget will determine every aspect of production, from casting to camera crew to location to permits to post-production facilities. You should still bring in some more seasoned pros even if you’re going to be the film’s writer, director, and star (preferably ones who are familiar with shooting on a budget). Understanding how much money will be needed for each section of the production can facilitate budgeting.

3. Join forces with certain other people

If you want your show to be a success, you need to cast the roles that are crucial to its success. If you’re in charge of directing a film for the first time, it’s crucial to hire a seasoned cinematographer 

4. Getting a cast 

SAG-eligible actors have access to a broad array of low-budget agreement choices, but the fees may build up. The current day fee for an actor is $125 under SAG-AFTRA low-budget rules. To some, it may not seem like much, but if your shooting lasts eight days, that’s $1,000, and you still need to have enough money in your cast budget to pay for any additional actors you’ll need 

5. Get prepped for your filming days

Create a production bible containing all the information you’ll need to know while filming, including your shot list, scene layouts, character notes, shooting schedule, and backup plan. Problems of many types might happen on every set, such as the loss of a location or the cancellation of an outside scene due to severe weather. Make use of the environment, particularly if the weather is included into the script. 

6. Mind the post-production

The editors of a film are responsible for turning a good film into a great one. It doesn’t matter how wonderfully each segment is shot if you don’t have an editor to bring it all together. If you don’t know what you’re doing with editing software, you should save up and hire an expert. The usage of sound is also vital. 

7. Submit your movie to competitions

You may now publicly distribute your video once you have finished shooting and editing (and showed it to your peers for feedback). Sundance and SXSW are two of the most well-known independent film festivals, but flying in from out of the country may be costly. The best way to have your independent film seen by a large audience is to enter it in festivals by best independent filmmakers.

Tips For Submitting Your Indie Film To a Festival

1. Carefully select which events to celebrate.

The application procedure for the event is time-consuming and expensive. Each application requires its own set of documents, cover letter, synopsis, etc. It’s crucial to remember that every premiere film festival has their own tastes and ideas regarding which films should be featured.

2. To avoid forgetting any details, keep reading!

If you want to be hired, you’ll need to submit an application that’s long and detailed, and you need to do it well. If you aren’t sure about the solution to a technical topic, you should look it up online. Don’t be that director whose staff wasted time getting in touch again to ask for details they already have.

3. Stop dragging it out.

Remember that there are hundreds, if not thousands, of hopefuls for each contest. Since they must read everything they receive, they have little time to write elaborate summaries and biographies.

It’s crucial to make a good impression on prospective viewers even before they’ve seen your work, but you shouldn’t go into too much detail in emails or other written communications.

4. Communicate with the programmer.

At the festival’s entrance, you should meet the person who can let you in or keep you out.

Such a connection may be made in a few different ways:

i) If you can, take advantage of other festivals and events to get your film seen.

ii) Being familiar with any of these names might set you apart from other aspiring filmmakers.

5. Be very careful with the world premiere

If you submit your film to the festival as a World Premiere, it may get more attention and publicity. It’s important to note that there can only be one World Premiere, so you need to plan carefully. You might want to ask a lesser-known festival if they have seen your work since you had your sights set on a more prestigious event.

6. Be careful with any supporting materials or paperwork you submit.

Whether you provide a DVD or an electronic file, your support will be evaluated based solely on its merits. If you’re going to use a physical backing, make sure it’s in good working order and of sufficient quality in terms of both packaging and labeling.

Please make sure the video you’re sending us is of good quality, and do not change the password after you’ve already sent it.

7. Do not be too demanding.

Keep in mind that festival organizers see a lot of movies every year, so a response might take some time. Phone calls every day to find out whether they’ve decided might decrease your chances of acceptance.

8. It’s normal to feel let down if you don’t make the cut.

Because of the overwhelming number of entries they get each year, film festivals must annually reject many deserving films. You shouldn’t let this deter you from submitting your film to other festivals.

Conclusion

The world of film festivals is both exciting and draining. It’s tempting to deviate from your original plan when things are going well, whether that means spending more on festival travel than you planned or spending more time at pointless after-event parties.

How you spend your time at the event, though, will depend on your reasons for there. It’s up to you to determine what your goals are, but following these tips may help you have a rewarding film festival experience.