Resources for Filmmakers
We love filmmakers. And we want all of you to succeed. Here is a list of film festivals we love — some we have partnered with, others who have a reputation as “filmmakers’ festivals.” The book selections should be considered bibles for independent filmmakers — a must-own for your library.
Festivals
Aspen ShortsFest
Since 1979, Aspen Film has hosted a major event every season which caters to film lovers of all ages and interests. Committed to originality, the non-profit screens over 200 films and hosts over 100 filmmakers and special guests every year. They are just as equally dedicated to sharing the work of their local film artists and providing free educational programs to people of all ages. At Aspen Film, there is something for everyone, from the greatest film fanatics to the occasional followers.
Big Island Film Festival
For five years, the Big Island Film Festival has celebrated independent films alongside its beautiful coasts and starry skies. Voted as one of “Twenty Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee” by MovieMaker Magazine, the BIFF is known through its “Talk Story” theme as it selects an assortment of narrative features and shorts. Social events as well as a fundraiser help to highlight the best of the Hawaiian spirit and music. Filmmakers and audiences alike will find themselves engulfed in the uplifting force of the Hawaiian culture to certainly make for a truly unforgettable experience.
Flatland Film Festival
The Louise Hopkins Underwood Center for the Arts in Lubbock, TX presents the Flatland Film Festival. Since its inception in 2004, the film festival has continued to grow and gain international attention. Filmmakers from all over the Lone Star State, the country, and the world compete in order to gain screen time at the festival. Films ranging from original shorts to feature-length documentaries are shown and celebrated at the festival parties. FFF is a great opportunity for filmmakers to share their talent and for film enthusiasts to show their love for the arts.
Greater Reading Film Festival
Formerly known as “Berks Movie Madness,” the Greater Reading Film Festival is a program of the Berks Art Council in Reading, PA. Filmmakers are able to share their talent as well as compete for a cash prize in the categories of Feature Film, Short Film-High School, Short Film-College, and Short Film-Adult/Post-College. The festival is known as Reading’s premier source for revolutionary independent films!
Holly Shorts Film Festival
HollyShorts Film Festival (HSFF) is an annual film festival showcasing the best and brightest short films from around the globe. HollyShorts is devoted to the advancement filmmakers through screenings, Q&A sessions and networking events. The HollyShorts Film Festival showcases the top short films produced 30-minutes or less.
Landlocked Film Festival
Landlocked presents independently made documentaries and narrative films and videos of lengths ranging from 2 minutes to 2 hours. An added bonus is that many of the directors, actors and film artists who made the movies will be at the festival. It's fun. It's intriguing. It's educational. Don't miss out!
2010 Milwaukee Film Festival
Milwaukee Film is an independent organization founded in 2008, which hosts the leading annual film festival for its city. Filmmakers from across the globe submit their films, which helps to cultivate the cultural arts in the area. The festival welcomes all new work and supports the creative work of its local artists.
Oxford Film Festival
Since 2003, the Oxford Film Festival has celebrated independent films from all corners of the nation. The non-profit organization invites young filmmakers to showcase their talent as well as to interact with their audiences. The annual four-day event (currently being held in February) screens between 75 and 100 films of varying lengths and categories (animation, documentary feature and short, experimental, narrative feature and short) and its participants get a chance to learn about the industry through panel discussions and socialize with the filmmakers. Welcoming new work that ranges from funny to bizarre, the Oxford Film Festival is a true haven for the “independent spirit”.
Prescott Film Festival
The city of Prescott, AZ has filmmaking roots that date back to 1912. This is celebrated on an annual basis through the Prescott Film Festival, which creates a platform for the art of independent filmmaking in the area. The festival welcomes innovative ideas put into documentary features and shorts.
Rappahannock Independent Film Festival
Located in Fredericksburg, Virginia, the Rappahannock Independent Film Festival is an annual event currently being held in August. The festival welcomes films from all over the world yet it emphasizes local and recent films from the historic city of Fredericksburg. Its participants can also enjoy musical performances, workshops and fun social events.
Red Rock Film Festival
The Red Rock Film Festival is a gathering for cinematic art in Zion Canyon of Southern Utah, USA. It is a retreat for independent premieres, films, and panels that both enlighten the senses and empower the mind. All genres are considered with a sense of well-being. Fans, critics, politicians, scientists, environmentalists and enthusiasts are all welcome, but ART is still going to come FIRST – for without art, there would be no inspiration to solve the world's problems. Let film as art lead.
Route 66 International Film Festival
In the spirit of the classic highway that assisted so many families on their cross-country travels, the Route 66 Film Festival looks for films of any length and genre which focus on some sort of journey—be it physical, emotional, intellectual, or spiritual.
Rushes Soho Shorts
Rushes Soho Shorts is held in London, every July, the event attracts short format work from across the world and is recognised as one of the United Kingdom's foremost short format champions. Maintaining a significant bridge between the independent and commercial film making communities, in 2009 the festival attracted 1200 entries from professionals and newcomers alike, with 140 films in the final selection. Countries, in competition included Japan, Luxembourg, France, China, Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Australia, Iceland, Peru, Germany, Ireland, Slovenia, The Netherlands and the USA.
Trinidad and Tobago Film Company
The Trinidad and Tobago Film Company was created in 2006 as a national agency in order to establish the country as the leading Caribbean film location and production center in the international television and film market. TTFC serves as a liaison with filmmakers, government ministries, the community, and the production houses. Its services also include research and location scouting. TTFC is dedicated to serving filmmakers and their crew from the beginning up until the closing of the production.
Vail Film Festival
Founded in 2004 by actors, filmmakers, and film aficionados, the Vail Film Festival hosts artists and audiences from all over the world to attend its annual four-day event. During this occasion, one of the world’s most famous ski resorts provides the festival’s attendees with several activities that range from screenings to panel discussion to live music to nightly galas, and much, much more.
Vancouver Queer Film Festival
As the city’s second-largest film festival, the Vancouver Queer Film Festival dedicates 11 days each August to global innovativeness in the independent arts. The event brings people of all backgrounds together in order to appreciate film and the performing arts, engage in discussion, and connect with artists. Thanks to this occasion, the city of Vancouver gets out of the summer with a bang!
Books
The Angry Filmmaker Survival Guide: Part One Making the Extreme No Budget Film
by Kelley Baker
“If you want to be a filmmaker -- that is, if you actually want to spend your life making films, and not just entertaining pretty little Tarantino daydreams of glory -- you need to listen to Kelley Baker.” (by reviewer A. Frazier on Amazon)
Film Festival Secrets: A Handbook For Independent Filmmakers
by Christopher Holland
Every year thousands of filmmakers like you unleash their newly completed movies upon the film festival circuit. Whether you’re a first-timer with a comedy short or a seasoned veteran with a documentary feature, you all face the same set of problems. You all ask the same questions. You all want the pleasure of seeing your film play before a festival audience and gain the recognition it deserves. This is your book. Film Festival secrets will help you select the right festivals for your film, prepare your festival screener, save money on festival fees, create marketing collateral, and craft a screening sell out plan. And that's just the beginning.