Participate

If your film is one of the films being screened, you should speak to the organizers ahead of time –like three weeks– if you’d be willing to do a question-and-answer period with the attendees. If organizers know ahead of time that you’d like to participate, they will help to promote your appearance at the screening(s). Participation of filmmakers at an event can help pique interest by attendees.

At smaller festivals, you may be asked by the organizer to participate in a panel discussion. At a panel discussion, you and fellow filmmakers will answer questions moderated by a facilitator.

If there are special events happening, don’t always assume that you’re invited. At smaller film festivals, filmmakers are usually allowed to all of the event for free; however, at larger film festivals, it’s sometimes assumed that you are only allowed to certain events and have to pay –or receive a discount– for larger events. The charge at larger events is usually because the event is a fundraiser and the organizers’ goal is to make money, so their outreach/audience is going to be different.

Always read your acceptance letter/email, or email your contact well before the event. (You don’t want to buy a $3,000 ball gown and find out that you don’t have a ticket.)

Network

You should always plan to bring your business cards. Some filmmakers invest in mini-cd/dvd business cards. You don’t have to go that far, but your business cards should advertise your web-site with links of your work at the site. mini-cd/dvd business cards should be saved for distributors, agents, and studio reps…not your cousin and his friends.

Attend other screenings

This is your chance to see what your peers are doing in the industry. How are they marketing their film. Can you collaborate with them or work on their next project –or vice-versa? Maybe their lead actor would be willing to work on one of your projects.

Viewing your peer’s work can give you ideas that you never thought you had. Some filmmakers who only do feature-length films decide to try their hand at a short or animation. It’s really an opportunity for you to grow as an artist and as a professional.

Viewing other films is always a positive experience for all filmmakers.

Free Passes and Tickets

Festival organizers usually provide one to three free tickets for you and your guest(s); however, this isn’t standard. It is your responsibility to read your acceptance letter/email carefully and to ask your contact if passes are included.

Smaller festivals are more negotiable because their goal is to get people into their theater seats. Larger festivals will put the kibosh on large numbers of tickets/passes. Be considerate and don’t expect free tickets/passes for your nine siblings and their children. Remember, the more money the a festival makes, the bigger the opportunity it will be there when your next film comes around.