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6 Tips on How to Submit to Festivals and What a Distributor Can Do For You

By Claudia Garcia de la Huerta

This past weekend On Screen Manitoba partnered with WNDX to present a panel discussion on programming for festivals that featured TIFF Short Cuts Canada programmer Alex Rogalski and Executive Director of the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre (CFMDC), Lauren Howes.

On Friday afternoon, WNDX and OSM offered industry members an opportunity to sit down with Alex and Lauren for some one-on-one time before the next day’s panel.

The goal was to give Manitoba film & video artists an opportunity to discuss their work, their approach and how best to market their works with a seasoned film festival programmer and distributor. The unique paring proved to be very insightful and those that took advantage of this opportunity did not leave disappointed.

After the sessions were over, OSM got a chance to sit down with Lauren & Alex. We asked them to list the top 3 things filmmakers should know and heed when it comes to submitting to festivals and what to consider if you’re thinking of going with a distributor.

We started with Programmer Alex Rogalski.

Submitting to Festivals:

1. Research, Research, Research!

Not every film fits with every festival. Know whom you’re submitting to. A 15-minute romantic comedy is not going to be accepted to a documentary festival that specializes in 10-minute films.

2. Save your money and time on packaging.

Don’t send unnecessary material. Programmers receive thousands of submissions. A well-labeled DVD with your name, film title, a run time and contact detail is all you need. The film itself needs to impress, not glossies and cast lists.

3. If you’re not getting rejected, you’re not submitting enough!

If a festival rejects you it does not mean your film is bad. It just may not fit the festival. Keep submitting!

Lauren Howes on Distribution:

1. Distributors handle all submissions to festivals.

And more importantly, distributors don’t pay submission fees. That means YOU don’t pay submission fees.  It also means that they act as a buffer when those rejection letters come in . . .

2. Distributors have already developed important relationships with festivals.

They’ve built up their networks so you don’t have to. They also have a better handle on what each festival is looking for

3. The CFMDC turns 45 in 2012!

This means 45 years of experience and a catalogue of films that would make anyone envious! “It’s pretty spectacular company to align yourself with!” says Lauren.

Both Alex and Lauren agreed that no matter how you get into the festival, once you’re there, it’s up to you to get your name out there and make the best use of your time.

1. Get out of your comfort zone.

Make a point of meeting someone new at every event you attend during the festival. Sticking only to the people you know is not a good use of your time.

2. Research who you’re meeting with.

Take the time to do some research before you go to the festival. Find out who’s going to be there and if you can, send them an email introducing yourself and letting them know you’d really like to meet them.

3. Show up to your screening!

“You’d be surprised,” says Alex, “by how many times I’ve introduced a filmmaker at and screening and they’re not there! This is your time to shine. Don’t blow it by not attending.”

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ALEX ROGALSKI

Alex Rogalski is a Short Cuts Canada Programmer for the Toronto International Film Festival. In this role, he is responsible for introducing audiences to excellence in short-form Canadian films. Rogalski also programmes for the Hot Docs International Documentary Film Festival and the Human Rights Watch Film Festival in Toronto.

Rogalski is also the Co-ordinator of the One Take Super 8 Event. His Super 8 programmes have been included in the Images Festival, Pop Montreal and the WNDX Festival of Avant Garde Film. He coordinated Canada’s Top 10 – Short Films in 2008, and curated film programs for the Pacific Cinematheque (Vancouver) and Winnipeg Cinematheque.

Rogalski has a Masters of Arts in Communications and Culture from York University in Toronto and continues to participate in academia. Most recently, Rogalski was an invited guest lecturer at Ryerson University, Concordia University, Montreal, University of Regina, Saskatchewan and Oberlin College, Oberlin, Ohio. He is also a board member of the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre.

LAUREN HOWES

Lauren Howes has been working as the Executive Director of the Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre since 2006. Previous to her move to Toronto, she worked as the Distribution Manager of Video Out Distribution part of VIVO Media arts in Vancouver. Through her work in distribution she attends numerous film festivals and media art markets worldwide promoting Canadian media art. She has presented curated programs in Dublin, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Hamburg, Paris and Seoul. She graduated in 1996 with a BFA in Film Production from Simon Fraser University. Howes is currently the Chairperson on the Board of the Media Arts Network of Ontario (MANO) and served on the Board (2008-2010) of the Independent Media Arts Alliance.

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