Once you are at the festival, the job is simple but easy to mess up: watch films, talk to people, enjoy the screening, do not make every conversation about your next project and follow up like a normal person.
Festivals often hide useful things in the schedule: talks, producer meetings, filmmaker breakfasts, market sessions, press windows, parties and short-film blocks you actually want to see.
It sounds obvious, but a lot of filmmakers skip the films and only chase the room. Watching work by other selected filmmakers gives you better conversations and better relationships.
If someone asks what you are working on, tell them. But do not treat every programmer, producer or filmmaker as a captive audience for a feature pitch.
Use this before you spend money, travel, or make the festival part of the wider route.
Arrive early enough to handle passes, tickets and screening logistics.
Watch at least a few films outside your own screening.
Go to Q&As, talks or meetings that fit your work.
Keep the social side fun without letting alcohol ruin the useful parts.
Follow people afterwards with a specific, human message.
Talk normally, ask about other people's work, watch their films, avoid pitching constantly and follow up afterwards with a specific reason for staying in touch.
You can, but they are less important than a clear website, a working social profile, a short answer about the film and a good follow-up message after the festival.
Avoid only talking about yourself, pitching at everyone, skipping the programme, ignoring festival emails, drinking too much and treating other filmmakers as stepping stones.
These pages are designed to work together: strategy first, then selection quality, attendance, travel support and what to do once you are in the room.
A practical film festival budget guide covering submission fees, early and late deadlines, hidden festival costs, travel, short film budgets and when a festival is worth the fee.
Read guideA practical film festival deadlines guide covering early-bird, regular, late and final deadlines, submission calendars, premiere rules and when a deadline is worth paying for.
Read guideA practical guide to film festival premiere status, covering world, international, national, regional, city and online premiere rules for independent filmmakers.
Read guideA practical guide to film festival fees, covering submission fees, FilmFreeway fees, late deadlines, award-category fees, value checks and red flags.
Read guide