Filmmaking Stuff’s Post

Heading to the European Film Market (EFM)? Master your 2-minute pitch—it’s your best chance to grab attention in a fast-paced market. Learn how: 👉 Link in comment

Filmmakers: The European Film Market (#EFM) is your chance to make deals and move your project forward. Get actionable tips here: 👉 Link in comment

As challenging as it is to produce an independent film, everything that comes after can be just as difficult. From researching which festivals to apply to, getting the film in front of the intended audience, to finding the right partners for distribution, each step can bring stress and confusion. It often leads us to ask ourselves, “Am I doing the most I can with this piece of art?” For many of us independent film producers, our instinct is to submit our work to film festivals. Personally, I’ve found that with so many festivals out there, it can be hard to determine which ones are worth applying to. How much value do we truly gain from a laurel or from an in-person screening versus an online one? Christine and I had an experience with the Spotlight International Film Festival that completely shifted my perspective on the value these programs can provide to independent filmmakers. Not only did it give us an opportunity to screen "Seen", but it also granted us access to the #AmericanFilmMarket. This experience demystified so much of the journey between completing a short or independent film and getting it in front of the audience it’s meant for. The knowledge we gained made the entire trip to Las Vegas worthwhile—not to mention the opportunity to share our art, connect with talented filmmakers, and learn more about this industry. Grateful for this experience and excited to share "Seen" with everyone in 2025! 💜

Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn the secrets of film financing at the FILM FINANCE MASTERCLASS on Saturday, December 14th at 6:00 PM! Discover the proven strategies for film packaging and gain insight into what investors are looking for. Link in bio for more details and to get tickets. #FilmFinance #Masterclass #InvestingInFilm #FilmPackaging #GetYourTicketsNow

Don't miss out on the opportunity to learn the secrets of film financing at the FILM FINANCE MASTERCLASS with Lisa Osinloye on Saturday, December 14th at 6:00 PM! Discover the proven strategies for film packaging and gain insight into what investors are looking for. Register here: https://lnkd.in/dHB-Uz9q #FilmFinance #Masterclass #InvestingInFilm #FilmPackaging #GetYourTicketsNow

Everyone’s talking about where the Sundance Film Festival will live in the future, but a more compelling question may be this: How do independent filmmakers plan to distribute their films and create real careers when even Sundance — wherever it may be based — is not enough? That’s not a knock on Sundance, or on any festival; it’s recognizance that the world has changed. Many films don’t sell, even at Sundance. The decline in theatergoing, the change in streamers’ strategies, the rise of arthouse events: No one knows what the new normal is, but today putting faith in selling a movie at its premiere and living happily ever is not even a fairy tale; it’s a toxic myth. #IndependentFilmmaking #FilmDistribution #SundanceFilmFestival

Sundance just announced their Official Selections for their 2025 season… but along with the associated acceptance notification emails comes a slew of rejection notifications. For those of you who had your fingers crossed for an early Christmas surprise and are instead left with a Sundance-branded lump of coal, take heart… Some 2024 Sundance Stats: 17,435 total submissions Features: 5,000+ Shorts: 12,000+ Of the 5,000+ features submitted, approximately 2,700 were international Of the 17,435 films submitted, 4,200 were docs (shorts & features). What was Programmed: 135 total films (.0077% of all submissions) 82 feature-length films (.015%) and 53 short films (.004%), both scripted and documentary And, if you’re not already an alumnus, or didn’t go through one of their Sundance Labs, or don’t have a Hollywood star in your cast, your chance for an acceptance is probably even lower. This is why Sundance is considered a “lottery ticket” festival. Can an unknown filmmaker be accepted? Sure, it can happen. But can you count on that ‘win’ to pay next month’s rent, so to speak? If it’s any consolation, you’re in good company, with many Hollywood directors having been rejected by Sundance early in their careers, including Richard Linklater, Ava DuVarnay, Damien Chazelle and Christopher Nolan! The good news is, there are plenty of reputable festivals capable of giving your film great exposure! While not all film festivals are created equal, many are fantastic opportunities for networking, to build your fanbase, for press, to gain reviews, and potentially may lead to distribution. As a festival programmer for the Garden State Film Festival, I can tell you we're currently in the process of making our schedule for our 2025 event... and we're going to end up rejecting some very good films, as we do every year. Believe me, some of these decisions are tough. It’s important to remember that, if a film festival rejects your film, they are not rejecting YOU. Your film was just not a good fit for them for whatever reason that year. It's so subjective, and reasons can vary... Please know that most festival programmers are filmmakers themselves, and we understand the sting of a rejection. We feel your pain. We're always rooting for you and, if you are not accepted this year, please don't let that discourage you from submitting your next film to us in the future. Keep making your art - we're all in this together! Spend the time to do the research and you will find festivals where your film is celebrated, and you will find your film family! If you haven’t yet watched my free webinar, I recommend you set aside 40 minutes and learn how you can Master Your Film Festival Strategy Like an Insider (Without Making Costly Mistakes in the Process)! Start planning now for your 2025 Festival run! https://lnkd.in/epPGzngW

New Rules: navigating film’s unfixed future Launched earlier this year New Rules is a series from WeTransfer that aims to demystify the ever-changing creative industry today and explores how to thrive as an artist when so much around you seems to be in a constant state of flux. This series on the film industry, with insider knowledge from a fantastic group of filmmakers and producers, including Opal Films’ own Octavia Peissel https://lnkd.in/ea8NgfBG

#Cannes2024 | Co-productions have become increasingly common in the film industry due to their potential to combine resources, expertise, and creative talent from multiple countries, resulting in diverse and culturally rich content. This roundtable will serve as a valuable platform for fostering collaboration, sharing expertise, and building partnerships to promote co-productions between India and other regions in the global film industry. Lohita Sujith FICCI https://lnkd.in/dNbQeG_X

What impact does redefining theatrical success have on the film industry? Redefining theatrical success can lead to a more sustainable and audience-centric approach in the film industry, encouraging innovation in content creation and distribution strategies. Read more: [Link to the Hollywood Reporter article](https://lnkd.in/dKyVeWDv)