FILM FESTIVALS

Film Festivals

Film festivals can evoke a roller coaster of emotions for independent documentary filmmaker. Anticipation as you submit, disappointment if you're declined or jubilation if you're film is accepted. And then there's the cost.

So how do we know which film festivals we should be applying to and if we should even be applying at all? Let's take a look.

Are film festivals right for your film?

As we discussed in the Empowering Filmmaker tutorial there was a time, not so long ago, when it was almost unfathomable that a documentary film could be successful without a distribution deal, which had commonly emanated from a film festival screening.

Thank goodness that is not the case now. 

Thankfully documentary filmmakers of today have a whole range of options open for them to pursue, and many empowering ways to get their film out to an audience.

In fact, it is not uncommon for filmmakers who have a strong, active, niche audience to not include film festivals as part of their distribution strategy at all. 

They know they have a market and an audience and would rather place their time in getting their film directly to them.

That being said, film festivals can certainly be advantageous and have their place within your distribution strategy. It is just important to consider why you are applying, who you are applying to and what you hope to gain from the experience.

Our film festival decisions for Elvis of Cambodia 

We thought we'd share our film festival strategy for Elvis of Cambodia and give you some insight as to why we have made the choices we have.

Even though (through our work with The Documentary Life) we have been invited to multiple well-known film festivals to screen our film we have decided to take a different course. We quite early on, through our goals and intentions exercise, decided that the main objective we had with Elvis of Cambodia was to make an amazing film and get it out to as many Cambodian citizens and refugees as we can.

That is why we have decided with our distribution strategy to not make film festivals a significant part of our plan. We intend to screen at just two - Cambodia International Film Festival, Phnom Penh and Cambodia Town Film Festival, Long Beach, California. 

We will instead embark on worldwide (self-booked) theatrical tour focusing on places with a prominent Khmer (Cambodian) contingent.

This is what feels right for us with this project. You must discover what feels right for you and yours. 

The takeaway being.. Don't just decide to submit to film festivals, because you feel like you're meant to in order to have a fully rounded distribution strategy. 

Tailor your strategy to what works for you (your goals and intentions), your film (what you hope to achieve with it) and your audience.

Possible advantages to having your film appear at festivals

1. They can help you build your audience

Your film will be presented to a multitude of film lovers – after all is it not film lovers who attend these events? – opening it up to a whole potential other audience outside of your niche.

And speaking of your niche...

2. They give your fans a chance to see your film

You will be giving your niche audience potentially their first opportunity to watch your complete film. Plus, if you are attending the event yourself then you will be able to interact with them directly and extend the experience to other events or activities.

3. They can help spark dialogue and move your movement forward

As we said, film festivals are for film lovers and one thing that participants love to do is to dialogue about what they have just seen, and if moved, may well form a desire for active engagement with your film topic. 

This can work well towards mobilizing a community drive, movement or change you are trying to encourage with your film. Ensure you have all the resources and next steps available for people to utilize.

4. You can make it your theatrical screening

As we discussed in the theatrical screening tutorial, as an independent filmmaker booking, organizing and promoting theatrical screenings yourself can be time and resource intensive. A way to overcome this is to use film festival screenings as your theatrical release in various towns, cities or countries. 

The film will be screened for you, as will the festival be promoted. That leaves you to engage your audience to attend, perhaps create an event around or outside of it and promote your axillary items, such as, your DVD, community screenings and all other manner of merchandise.

And you never know, if it goes well, you may find that it’s worth arranging a theatrical screening at a local theater!

5. Gets your film in front of those that can support your distribution options

Having your film screen at some of the larger film festivals can help support your film’s other distribution options and provide an opportunity for you to network. 

For example, if broadcast television is something you’d like to explore you may be able to liaise with television executives attending the event or your film may even be bought at a film festival (although chances are not high, it does happen).

You will certainly have the opportunity to meet with sales agents, publicists and, even distributors, who you could have conversations with to discuss the possibilities of working together.

6. There’s a festival for everyone 

With the influx of film festivals worldwide there truly is a film festival for everyone and a place for every film. What an amazing opportunity to connect even more intimately with your niche audience and other filmmakers creating content on a similar theme to your own.

7. Great to have awards connected to your film 

Regardless of the film festival who bestows it, it always looks good having your film receive an award. Placing that recognition on your website, press release and other publicity materials gives it an air of credibility and authenticity, which will not go amiss.

8. Marketing and publicity 

Having your film screen at a film festival can create buzz and energy around your film that you can leverage to gain greater sales potential. 

Remember that one of the biggest challenges we independent filmmakers must try to overcome is generating publicity and awareness of our films on a budget. 

Any opportunity to get our film out into the public eye can be a great thing.

9. You can utilize good reviews and press 

You will be able to utilize reviews and coverage of your film generated by your presentation at a film festival, within your marketing strategy and materials. 

You can, and should, post excerpts on your website, within your social media and on all relevant marketing materials.

How to apply to film festivals

• Filmfreeway - FilmFreeway, for those who don't know, is an online film festival submission service utilized by many film festivals for receiving applications and is the best place to get your film festival journey into full swing. Think of your FilmFreeway account as an online resume for your film and take sending out an application as seriously as applying for a job (that you really want).

• Apply early - Applying early to film festivals helps your film distribution strategy in a multitude of ways. For example, you will be ahead of the crowd! Just like film grants, many filmmakers apply at the last minute and inundate programmers. 

By applying early you give decision-makers more chance to watch and include your film in their festival (you may even influence the theme if your film aligns with others they receive). 

Another reason to apply early is the all important, and potentially restrictive, submission fee. If you have several film festivals to which you'd like to apply then you can save hundreds of dollars by applying at the early bird deadline.

Which brings us to...

• Create an up-to-date submission calendar - You will want to create a calendar which houses all the film festival deadline dates that you need. You should include the early deadline date (as discussed above) and make note of if that date is the date of postmark or the receive-by date.

• Track your submissions - As you are applying and hearing back from film festivals ensure that you are tracking that information and correspondence on your tracker. This will let you keep up-to-date with the state of play - who you have contacted, who has accepted or rejected your film and what materials and deliverables are pending to be sent out.

We have provided you with one to edit with your own film festival submissions. Simply click here, go to file (on menu), make a copy and edit as you see fit. You will want to delete the samples we have provided as these are for data entry reference only.

(Entries are samples and for reference only)

• Check the submission rules and guidelines carefully - If you've completed the grant funding tutorial you'll know we love a set of guidelines and scream from the rooftops the importance of following them. 

We know you're excited to get your application sent out but make sure you double and triple check that you've done what is asked of you. Even the little things, they're just as important. 

If you're not going to cover yourself by ensuring your submission is what they're asking for, then what is the point of applying? Enough said.

• Utilize personal threads, filmmaker statements and cover letters - When you have the opportunity to speak directly to the festival programmers or committee you need to take that chance and run with it. Use this as an opportunity to affiliate yourself with the festival in some way. 

- Is the festival in your home state? 

- Did a key crew member go to school there? 

- Was the festival recommended to you by an alumni? 

Connect yourself to the festival in some way. Point out what sets your film apart from other films, what is unique and different? Show them what they're getting when they select your film.

• Connect with assistant programmers - At some film festivals films will go through a first round viewing by assistant programmers who, although won't make the final decision, can axe your film at the first hurdle if they want to. It can be a great idea to connect with those initial round vetting assistants by sending them a friendly email and giving them a brief intro akin to the filmmaker statement you made on submission.

• Put your screener on Vimeo - You should certainly check what the film festival is asking for, but more than 9 times out 10 you will share your film online rather than send a DVD. The best resource for this seems to be placing it on Vimeo and password protecting it. Again, check what they're asking for, but unless they specify a platform then having your screener on Vimeo is a great idea. Just don't change your password before they've watched your film!

• Fee waivers and discounts - A way to reduce those pesky film festival submission costs is to reach out to the film festival and ask for a fee waiver or a discount. 

Some rules though: Don't beg, don't lie, state clearly the reason why you're requesting the fee waiver, provide any advantageous supportive context, such as, being a minority filmmaker, if you're from a third world country, if your film is operating from a non-profit, etc. 

And also consider: Is this the way you want to start your relationship with this festival? Only ask if needed, if you can pay you probably should.

• Consider contacting a sales rep - If you are considering attempting to gain a distribution deal for your film, via a film festival opportunity, then it would be advantageous to discuss with a sales rep how viable your chances are. 

If they feel that you have a good shot of interest in your film then you will want to bring them on before applying to the major festivals. You may also need or want to hire a publicist to help you promote your film and make sure you’re noticed.

How to improve your chances of acceptance

Just like film grants, film festivals have been accused of being a members only club only accessible to a chosen few who are known in the industry 

• Have something to say - Your film doesn't have to be for everyone (in fact it can be great if it's not!), but it does have to elicit an emotive response to have an impact and catch the eye of the film festival committee. Remember that film festivals are looking for impactful art which maintains and raises the standard of their event.

• Enter big and small festivals - Our advice is to not pigeon hole yourself or your film into a certain size, genre or highly-known film festival loop. There are over 3,000 film festivals of all different sizes and experiences out there, you'll be missing out it you only submit to the top tier ones. The important thing is that they are right for your film, not that they're the biggest name in the biz.

• Think local - Film festivals have a preference for film's centering around their home states and cities so consider this when forming your strategy. Film festivals will often want to support local filmmakers so if you're a filmmaker from a certain area make sure that is know in your application if it's relevant to the festivals location.

• Live pre-screening to a test audience - Feedback is king. You are too close to your film to be objective, as may be the people around you (plus they probably love you). You need to have a screening to a bunch of people who don't care (so much) that they hurt your feelings. The truth-tellers are what you need, so you can gain perspective on your film and make any tweaks and changes which will improve it. This should be done before you start submitting to festivals.

• Know the film festival inside out - It's so easy to apply to film festivals these days. Just a click of a button and whoosh your application goes out into the ether. 

But have you considered if you've done your due diligence on the festival before submitting? 

We've already talked about (our favorite) the guidelines which you need to scrutinize to within an inch of their life, but have you also given the festival website a good look over and seen what previous films have screened there?

• Choose the right festival - Why are you applying to this festival? Are you looking to network? Find distribution? Show your film to your niche audience? 

Don't just apply for the sake of it, know exactly why you've chosen this festival and what you hope to achieve. Being proactive and selective with your film festival submissions gives you a greater chance of acceptance, because your clarity and the connection will be much more clear, streamlined and effective. This will come through in your application. 

Also consider the genre and tone of the festival. Not all festivals are right for all films. Do your homework and discover if your film 'fits' with what they're looking for, and if they fit what you are looking for!

• Tailor your application to the festival - We all know when something is written or created just for us or when it's a generic correspondence being sent to all. Ensure that your application falls into the former if you want film festivals to seriously consider your film. 

Your application should clearly show that you are writing directly to that festival with the references you make and the information you're providing. It's worth the effort for the personal touch. Remember, programmers are people and people like to connect.

• Complete your submission fully - Film festivals are not just asking for information and materials for the sake of it. They are asking because they need to have certain data to make their decisions. 

If you don't supply them with everything they're asking for it is very easy for them to rule you out and move on to the other hundreds or thousands of films that they're received. Please don't rule yourself out by submitting an incomplete application.

• Have your network and materials ready - Having a large and active social media following, a significant email list, an awesome and professional looking trailer, your film poster designed and ready to go, a well constructed press kit, exceptional and high quality production stills and your film synopsis carefully and articulately constructed are all advantages to getting your film selected. 

The more prepared, organized and professionally delivered your film can be, the easier it is for film festivals to say yes to featuring you.

What to be wary of

• Being unrealistic - As documentary filmmakers we get used to hearing no, a lot. And film festivals will be no exception. As hard as it may be to hear, be prepared. Less than 2% of films get accepted into Sundance. In reality the odds are against you and you should be aware of the from the outset.

• Fake festivals - How do you know if a film festival is legit? There are some telltale signs you can look out for. 

- Are the call for entries of the festival year round? Chances are they're in it for the money, not the art. 

- Does it suggest a long and illustrious history on it's website, but you've never heard of it? A simple google search should either confirm or deny these claims. 

- Is the administration location different from the festival location? Most festivals are locally run so if the locations don't match it warrants further investigation. 

- Is it an 'online festival'? Run for the hills. 

- Do they actually screen film? Then it's not really a film festival!

- Does it have a name very similar to a real and credible film festival? Such as the Alaska International Film Festival (fake) and Anchorage International film festival (legit).

Also, avoid middle men, other than reputable platforms such as FilmFreeway, and film festivals consultants, these are people looking to cash in on your hopes and dreams of a festival run.

• Spending too much  - Festival submission fees can really add up and so setting yourself a budget will really help to keep the costs in check. Having a schedule of where you'd like to apply and the early deadline fee amounts in hand will help you stay within your allocated funds.

• Starting small and then going big - If you do have your heart set on submitting to the bigger, more prestigious film festivals then you will want to do this first. Some festivals may not accept you if you've already screened your film, especially if you've held the world premiere. Once you have exhausted the larger festivals move on to regional and niche festivals that fit the bill.

• Your film completion date - When putting together your list of festivals take into account your film completion date, as many festivals require you to submit within two years of your films completion.

• Not being conscious of the film's premiere  - When you're film is complete you are going to be eager to share it, but wait! You must be very conscious and strategic about where and when you release your film if film festivals are going to be part of it's future (and that's off and online). Make sure you know the requirements of the festivals you will be submitting to, and find out if their festival must be the film's premiere, in order for your film to qualify.

• Ensuring you have your releases - You will need to have your personal and location releases and music clearance paperwork up-to-date and ready to roll. Many films are rejected from film festivals because of not having cleared music rights, don't let your film be one of them.

• Rushing your film just to get into a festival  - We're sure this has happened to many filmmakers. You think you'll be ready by the deadline of a certain film festival, one that you had your heart on submitting to, only to find that your film is actually taking longer than expected to complete (surprise, surprise). 

Do not rush the completion of your film just to ensure you reach that deadline. You are making your film to make a great film, not so you can play it at festivals (that is a by product). 

• Sending in your film incomplete - Imagine all the complete films that film festivals receive. Then consider sending them your incomplete film, necessitating their imagination of how it will eventually look and feel. Don't do it. If it isn't ready, it isn't ready.

Also, if you submit your film when it isn't ready and it's rejected you may not get another chance. Many film festivals will only allow you to submit once per project. Use that chance wisely.

• Thinking that overnight sensations exist - Although it can seem that some filmmakers just pick up a camera and suddenly stumble on to the world stage with a breakthrough film that takes the world by storm. 

The reality is they have likely been very hard at work for many years before they have a project that 'breaks through'. Don't put your film's success on the line based on whether it's the next box office or film festival smash hit.

• Annoying the programmers - Although we advocate for making contact and making a connection with the festival the very last thing you want to do is to annoy or over-inundate the programmers with too many emails. 

Also, keep the emotion out of your correspondence (or at least keep it to an acceptable level). We know you're passionate about your film and may be very passionate about it being accepted into a particular festival, but don't let that manifest in sending aggressive, desperate or emotional excessive correspondence.

• Losing your temper - There can be a lot of emotion that is built up around applying to and screening at film festivals. It is important that you keep this emotion in check, whether you are accepted or not. 

The film festival world is a small world and you want your reputation to proceed you in a positive manner, not as a warning. Remember you're in this for the long game and being rude won't help you on that journey.

When you're accepted

• Make sure you have all the info you need - When will your film screen? What kind of file export do they require? What deliverables are required? And by when are they needed? Knowledge is power and makes the whole process run more smoothly. The information should come to you, but also don't be afraid to ask.

• Book your travel and accommodation - You may be provided with travel and accommodation by the festival, but in case you aren't you'll want to begin arranging where you'll stay and how you'll travel. Keeping options open and affordable is key.

• Respond promptly - Whether you are contacted through email, by telephone or carrier pigeon, however the film festival communicates with you, your response should be immediate. They don't have time to chase you and you run the risk of your film not screening if they can not get a hold of you. Endeavor to be in contact within 24 hours of receiving correspondence.

• Promote your film - We've said it before, but it bares repeating. The onus is one you, the filmmaker, to promote your film. Not on the film festival. They will be promoting their festival which is awesome as it brings eyes to the event. However, you need to put in the time and effort to be promoting your film screening yourself. 

For example, ask you partners to inform their people, get yourself out there in the press, reach out to local organizations of your niche audience and let them know where you'll be and when (for the screenings and additional events). Once you're accepted you'll want to put together a strategy for promotion.

• Make the most out of the event - You applied and where accepted! Make the most out of the experience of being at the festival. Talk to other filmmakers. Network with the organizers and execs. Meet directors of other film festivals. Attend events and screenings of other doc films. Connect with your audience, both during your screening and outside of the festival. 

Filmmaking is in large part about your network and relationships, utilize this as an opportunity to be there in person talking to people face-to-face. Get out there!

• Refine your pitch - You certainly don't want to sound scripted, but you certainly do want to sound engaging and articulate when talking about your film. Ensure you refine, and commit to memory, your elevator pitch and log line and utilize them to describe your film and generate further conversation. 

• Upsell your merchandise and branding - There should be no issue with letting your audience know that you have DVD's, t-shirts and any other items of merchandise for sale in lobby after your screening which can act as a way of recouping some of the costs of the trip. We also recommend you wear a t-shirt around the festival with your film's key art to generate conversation and perhaps even some sales!

• Be grateful - Festivals are mostly run by film lovers and take a great deal of work to put on. Many of the people assisting the events will be volunteers who give their time and energy to making the film festival as successful and enjoyable as possible for all. Showing gratitude and saying thank you to those from the bottom to the top of the organizational tree is a great way to be warmly remembered and put some good juju out into the filmmaking world.

Documentary film festivals from all over the world

We're not suggesting this be your submission list, but we want to share with you some of documentary film festivals from all over the world. 

>> Documentary Film Festival List <<

(Note: We do not accept responsibility for the legitimacy of these festivals. Please continue to do your due diligence)

Observing these festivals and the films that play in them could offer you some insight into what festivals are looking for (although that often changes), how the films are presented and which film festivals you may wish to attend. 

If there are particular film festivals you know you'll wish to submit to then what better way to get to know them and generate contacts than to attend them ahead of time. You will garner a wealth of know by attending film festivals, both local and national. 

Also, consider signing up for their newsletter to receive their latest announcements and updates.

Top Resources

Just in case we didn't provide you with enough content here check out this blog article entitled 114 Resources with Tips, Tricks and Advice for Submitting to Film Festivals.

We feel we must share this article just to give a little bit of perspective on the not so great side of festivals. This article, 15 Things I Hate About Film Festivals, highlights the more frustrating aspects of film festival submissions.

Tips to Support your Distribution Strategy

We've put together nine additional tips and considerations for you to contemplate when crafting your distribution strategy.

Many of them bring you full circle to the modules and tutorials we have covered in The Academy.

We hope they will reinforce just how important it is to the success of your film that you hit these marks on the way to making your film, because by utilizing these elements you will make your filmmaking journey a much more enjoyable, efficient and impactful experience.

1. Have your documents and strategies in order

There are various documents and strategies, which are integral to the making and distribution of your documentary film. 

Your distribution strategy is one piece of that puzzle, but so is your documentary film proposal, your film budget and film fundraising strategy, to name a few. 

The more you contemplate, construct and refer to various documents and strategies you form during the course of making your film the more effective and efficient you will be at executing your intentions and reaching your goals. 

Every step of your filmmaking journey affects the next, so setting a strong foundation for your film and building on it every step of the journey will give your distribution strategy, and indeed your film overall, the greatest chance of opportunity and success.

2. Ensure your film has an online presence

It is almost imperative today that any film being made have a dedicated website, whether it will be self-distributed or not. 

Your film website provides a hub of information for any interested party to access. This can include information on the story or topic of your film, a visual representation of your film as a trailer or promotional video and the intention you have for your film. 

This can draw the visitor toward your project, but can also go far beyond that.

• Your film website is integral to your distribution strategy in that it allows you to build and curate your film’s image, branding and message long before your film has been made.

• It strongly facilities your ability to build an email list, something that will prove an important keystone aspect of your distribution, marketing and outreach strategies with your niche audience, partners, supporters and beyond.

As well as your website you will want to strongly consider having a presence on some carefully selected social media platforms. 

There you can regularly engage with your fans, followers and potential audience before, during and after your film has been made. 

This allows you to receive all the benefits that this type of communication can provide, such as, information, connections, feedback, encouragement, as well as, permits you to give relevant and actionable calls to action to mobilize them to comply with your most pressing or important requests.

You can find more information on creating a website and developing your social media channels in Module 4.

3. Have an up-to-date press kit available

Having an accessible press kit allows you to quickly and easily provide content to outlets and publications that can help support your marketing strategy through the generation of free publicity.  

Having a downloadable version available on your website is a great idea, as is forming one from very early on in your film’s inception. 

For more information on why you will wish to create a press kit and the content you’ll wish to include see Module 8.

4. Ensure you accrue some basic promotional assets for your film

As you are making your film you will want to accrue content to utilize in the marketing and promotions of your documentary film. 

You will wish to have some high-resolution production stills, which should include images of your key crew, interviewees, sets and locations. 

You will also find it very beneficial to have captured some great quality behind-the-scenes footage, which includes interviews with your key crew members and narrator and cast (if you have one), locations and sets. 

These resources will be utilized throughout the promotion of your documentary film, which will help support your distribution strategy.

For more information on capturing behind-the-scenes content and production stills see Module 8.

5. Create a dedicated distribution budget

You will have allocated as certain amount of funding for your distribution and outreach strategy when you created your initial film budget, however, you will likely find it advantageous to develop a dedicated distribution budget as your film progresses.

• How much have you allocated to the release and promotion of your film?

• As you are constructing your distribution strategy are you realizing you will need more money than initially allocated to execute it?

• Have you exceeded your film production budget meaning you have less money than expected to get your film out into the world?

• Will you need to source additional funding?

Which brings us to..

6. Consider your additional distribution funding

In an ideal world we would source and secure all the funding we need to make our documentary film and get it out into the world right from the start and then get to work in making and releasing it.

Realistically, however, it is not uncommon to find that as we complete the making of our film we need to generate other sources of funding to execute our intentions and further develop opportunities as they evolve.

You will be ahead of the game if you already have an eye to how you may generate this additional funding long before you ever need it. 

Avenues of opportunity to look at include:

- Applying for outreach grants

- Running a crowd funding campaign

- Bringing on sponsors 

- DVD and merchandise sales and presales.

7. Build your distribution team

Whether you are funding, making or distributing your film you will want to have a team of people around you. 

They may be professionals, volunteers, friends and family or fans and supporters but whoever they are they have one goal in mind, to support your film in achieving whichever objective you have set forth.

When it comes to your distribution strategy who you bring on to your team will depend largely on:

- Which distribution options you will utilize

- How much time and energy you can or want to devote to it yourself

- Your role and responsibilities and the other roles and responsibilities you already have covered

- Yours and your teams skill set and contacts and if they meet what’s required

- The level of financial vibrancy and other resources you have access to 

- And other factors we have discussed throughout these tutorials

Professional expertise

Some professionals you may wish to bring on to the project or roles you may wish to create include:

- Theatrical booker

- Sales agents

- Publicist

- Digital marketing consultant

- Distributor

- Aggregator 

- Education consultant

It is as important to have a distribution team as it is to have a production team. This team includes some or all of the following: strategist, producer’s rep, foreign sales agent, webmaster, outreach coordinator, theatrical and semi-theatrical bookers, print and online publicists, and fulfillment company.

Remember: If you decide to self distribute your film that does not mean you have to do everything yourself, far from it.

8. Make sure your contracts are clear and you seek advice where necessary

Whether you need to hire an accountant or a lawyer or seek advice from another professional always ensure you know what you are signing, be comfortable and confident in what you are agreeing to and take the precautions necessary to ensure you are making wise choices.

Avoid the mistakes many have made before you and do not sign or agree to something until you have done your due diligence. You must do your research before you sign on that dotted line.

Speak to people who have gone before you, those with experience working with a particular company or organization. Find out how honest, effective, reliable and collaborative they have been.

After all, no matter what is on offer, it is better to walk away with no deal rather than a bad deal.

9. Releases and copyright

10. Be open and flexible

You will develop your distribution strategy - just as you have constructed your other documents and strategies – to help inform and guide your film project, however, it is equally as important that you remain flexible and open to the possibilities that may come your way. 

There are potential opportunities for promotion, marketing and sales which may be open to you - as the world begins to know about your film - that you could not have foreseen prior to it’s release. 

Be strategic, prepared and organized but do not be limited by whatever strategy you comprise in the initial assessment of your film’s release and promotion, you could be missing exciting and viable opportunities if you do.

Top names and resources in the field of documentary film distribution

Peter Broderick 

Final Thoughts

When deciding which distribution options to work toward we hope that you will be ambitious, but equally realistic. Filmmakers can often underestimate the amount of time and energy it takes to get their film out into the world. You should expect to spend a considerable amount of time, effort, planning, liaising and thinking on your feet to get your film in front of its audience. Therefore it is imperative that you take an educated and considered approach to your distribution strategy.

Every film is different and will require a different emphasis on certain distribution opportunities and approach to marketing.

As you move forward throughout your filmmaking endeavors take into account the seemingly constant evolution of self-distributing opportunities that are being presented and available to you in this new world of independent film distribution. 

They will continue to be ever changing and expanding as the growth and the empowerment of the independent documentary filmmaker continues.