Navigating the film festival circuit can be as challenging as producing the film itself. For emerging filmmakers, festivals are invaluable for exposure, networking, and potentially launching their careers. However, getting a film into festivals is not just about making a great movie; it’s also about clever marketing and understanding the festival landscape.
Marketing Tip 1: Know your audience
A critical success factor for any short film is knowing your audience. Understanding who your audience is will shape not only the creation of your short film but also its marketing strategy and the choice of festivals you submit to.
Practical steps in identifying your audience
Research Similar Films:
Look at films with similar ideas to yours and identify their audiences. Examine how these films succeeded in reaching their viewers and where they may have fallen short. Learn from them.
Create Audience Personas:
Personas are the backbone of any marketing strategy and a great way to focus your efforts. Consider demographics, psychographics and media consumption habits. Ask yourself, ‘Who would be interested in watching my story?’
Social Listening:
Read social media comments and conversations about similar films or genres to learn about audience interests and likes.
Marketing Tip 2: Plan your promotional footage
Start planning what promotional stills and behind-the-scenes (BTS) footage you need before filming. Why plan BTS and promotional content early? Well, there are many reasons;
Clear Direction: Knowing what kind of promotional material you need in advance allows you to create a cohesive and consistent marketing message that aligns with your short film’s vision.
Time Efficiency: When you’re in the thick of production, time is precious. A plan allows you to capture BTS content without disrupting the filming process.
Storytelling: BTS content can tell the story of your film’s creation, engaging your audience and building a community around your project even before its release.
Marketing Assets: The more material you have (stills, interviews, video diaries, etc.), the more assets you have for various marketing campaigns and festival submissions.
Tips for Planning Promotional Content
The Role of a Professional Photographer
If your budget allows, hire a professional photographer to take key BTS and promotional film shots. Professional photographs in your arsenal offer numerous benefits that can enhance the film’s appeal, marketing, and archival value.
Enhanced Visual Appeal: High-quality, professional images significantly elevate a film’s aesthetic for festival juries and film audiences.
Expertise in Storytelling: Skilled photographers can capture the essence of scenes with dynamic compositions and adept lighting management, enhancing the story’s visual narrative.
Marketing Reach: Using professional photos across posters, social media, and press releases can expand the film’s promotional reach and engagement potential.
Efficient Workflow: Photographers can capture valuable BTS content without interrupting the primary filming process. .
Valuable Archival Content: High-resolution images serve as key archival material for future retrospectives or special editions, adding long-term value.
Cost-Effective Investment: While hiring a photographer adds to initial costs, the benefits of increased festival acceptance, audience reach, and overall film impact generally far outweigh the investment.
Marketing Tip 3: Build a Strong Online Presence
Before you even think about submitting your short film, ensure you have a professional online presence, such as a website, dedicated page or social media channel for your film. Include important information, a compelling synopsis, cast and crew details, and eye-catching visuals. A solid online presence can help build anticipation and credibility.
Document your journey and share it. Create a buzz by posting about the production process, interesting anecdotes, and sneak peeks.
Create engaging teaser content like trailers, posters, and behind-the-scenes footage.
Tailor your material for different platforms. What works on Instagram might not work on Facebook or X. Make sure your content is easily shareable and formatted correctly for each platform
This continuous engagement can build an invested following for your film’s festival journey.
Marketing Tip 4: Use festivals to spotlight your film
Festivals are a valuable way to showcase your short film. There are a few simple steps to maximise the benefits of your film festival submission.
Understand the Festival Landscape
Each festival has its character and audience, so it’s essential to research to find a good fit for your film’s genre, style, and audience. Use platforms like FilmFreeway to streamline the submission process. Remember to look beyond the big names. Smaller festivals can offer more personalised attention and may be more receptive to films from independent filmmakers.
Maximise Every Film Submitted
For smaller festivals, each film submission is an opportunity to promote both the film and the festival. Even if a film isn’t accepted, just the act of submission and the festival’s acknowledgement can be used as a marketing tool, celebrating the film’s attempt to engage with the festival community.
Network
Network at festivals, even if your film isn’t showing. Building relationships with other filmmakers, festival programmers, and attendees can lead to opportunities for collaborations and screenings.
Feedback and Adaptation
Pay attention to feedback. If your short film isn’t accepted, find out why and use that information to improve your marketing strategy or the film itself. Adapt your film’s length or content based on the trends and preferences of your target festivals.
Create a Compelling Press Kit
A well-crafted Electronic Press Kit (EPK) can make a significant difference. It should include a synopsis, director’s statement, high-resolution stills from the film, bios of the key cast and crew, and any notable facts that make the film stand out. The more professional and polished your EPK, the more serious festivals will take your film.
Keep Marketing Alive Post-Festival
Even after your film has been accepted into a festival or secured distribution, continue your marketing efforts. Through Q&A sessions, social media, and filmmaker interviews, engage with your audience. Positive buzz can lead to more opportunities and increased visibility.
Marketing Tip 5: Authenticity is Key
In your marketing efforts, don’t compromise your authenticity. Whether through a heartfelt director’s statement or a quirky, self-aware social media post, let your genuine passion for your film shine through. Authentic marketing resonates with audiences and festival juries alike.
Conclusion
Remember, marketing your short film for festivals is not just about getting your film shown; it’s about creating a presence in the industry. All marketing material should promote your film and tell a story about who you are as a filmmaker. With a smart strategy, even films that aren’t selected can gain traction and attention, setting the stage for your next project.
Embarking on the film festival circuit is a journey of storytelling within your film and the narrative you create around it. A thoughtful marketing approach can make all the difference in achieving festival success.