How to Pick the RIGHT Film Festivals

Before you submit your film to festivals, you’ve heard the advice: do your research. But what does that actually mean? In this episode of The Film Festival Guide, I break down exactly how to research a film festival the right way — from checking past programming and premiere requirements to spotting scams, analyzing festival staff, reviewing nonprofit finances, evaluating sponsors, travel costs, venues, and partnerships like the Film Festival Alliance. If you’re an indie filmmaker who wants to stop wasting money on the wrong submissions, increase your chances of getting selected, and build a smarter festival strategy, this is your step-by-step guide to navigating the film festival circuit like a pro. Intro 0:00 Beginner Level Research 0:53 Advanced Level Research 3:14 #independentfilm #filmmaking #indiefilm #filmfestival #filmmakerlife #filmfestivals