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What are the advantages and disadvantages of submitting a film to a festival before seeking distribution?

Reid Kleinstein

Submitting a film to a festival before seeking distribution can have both advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a deeper look at them:

Advantages:

1. Exposure: Submitting a film to festivals can give it more exposure than it might have otherwise. It can put a film in front of an audience that might not have otherwise seen it. This exposure can help to build buzz and generate interest in the film.

2. Networking: Festivals are full of filmmakers, producers, and other industry professionals. By submitting a film to a festival, filmmakers can take advantage of the opportunity to network and meet important contacts that could help with future projects.

3. Testing the waters: Submitting a film to a festival can be a good way to get a sense of how audiences will react to it. Festival audiences tend to be more vocal and opinionated than regular moviegoers, and their reactions can provide valuable feedback to filmmakers.

4. Prestige: Being accepted into a festival can provide a certain degree of prestige and validation for a filmmaker. It can be a stamp of approval that can help with future distribution deals and other industry opportunities.

Disadvantages:

1. Restrictions: The submission requirements for festivals can be very strict, and not all films will be eligible for all festivals. This can limit the types of festivals that a film can be submitted to and can be frustrating for filmmakers who feel their film doesn't fit neatly into any one genre.

2. Cost: Submitting a film to festivals can be expensive, with submission fees ranging from a few dollars to hundreds of dollars per festival. This can be a real barrier for independent filmmakers who may not have the resources to submit to multiple festivals.

3. Time: The festival submission process can be time-consuming and require a lot of effort on the part of the filmmaker. This can take away from time that could be spent on other aspects of the film, such as post-production or marketing.

4. Lower revenue: By submitting a film to festivals before seeking distribution, filmmakers risk lowering their overall revenue potential. Festivals often require an exclusive window for exhibiting films, which can limit the film's availability and its potential for wide distribution.

In conclusion, submitting a film to a festival before seeking distribution can have both advantages and disadvantages. Despite the drawbacks, many filmmakers feel that the potential for exposure, networking, and validation outweighs the costs. Ultimately, the decision to submit a film to a festival should be based on the individual filmmaker's goals, resources, and priorities.