The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide

Special Thanks = 9 Introduction—the Film Festival Bug = 11 A Brief History of Film Festivals = 14 Politics = 17 Celebrity Etiquette = 19 What Makes a Great Festival = 21 Staying Alive: Tips for the Festival Traveller = 23 Essential Film Festival Terms = 25 SECTION 1-WINNiNG THE FILM FESTIVAL GAME Apply Yourself = 30 Getting Into the Best Festivals for You = 30 10 Important Factors to Consider When Applying to Festivals = 30 Forming a Festival Strategy = 33 Seeking Acceptance = 35 Avoiding Mistakes on the All-Important Festival Application = 35 Getting a “Thumbs Up” From the Gatekeeper: Behind the Scenes With Geoff Gilmore, Director of the Sundance Film Festival = 38 SECTION 2-CREATING HYPE: EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT MARKETING Introduction to Guerrilla Marketing = 52 “Out of the Box” Quick Marketing Ideas = 53 Poster the Town = 54 10 Elements of Great Movie Poster Design = 56 10 Most Common Mistakes of Poster Design = 57 Publicity: What You Need to Know = 59 On the Publicity Trail with PR Pro Linda Brown = 59 Journalist David E Williams on Getting Press = 63 Publicity Terms You Should Know = 64 Margot Gerber on Publicity and Press Kits = 64 The Parties = 67 Get Invited, Make an Impression, Crash, Avoid Spilling Something = 67 The Party Dos = 68 The Party Don’ts = 69 Crashing Film Festival Parties = 70 10 Lines to Use When Crashing a Party = 71 Putting on a Successful Party = 73 Create Buzz and Leave Them Talking = 73 SECTION 3-STORIES FROM THE FRONT LINES The Voices of Experience = 76 Questions & Answers = 77 The Filmmakers = 79 Arthur Borman = 79 Borman’s Advice and Lessons = 84 Joe Carnahan = 86 Mark Edgington = 95 Short-Sighted: How Some Festivals Treat Their Short Filmmakers = 99 Brian Flemming = 101 Sarah Jacobson = 106 Dan Mirvish = 115 Lance Mungia = 121 Joal Ryan = 133 Joal Ryan’s Advice on How to Win the Film Festival Game (Or At Least Not Be Reduced to Tears While Playing): = 143 The Decision Makers = 144 Peter Broderick, Acquisitions Executive = 144 Stephen Gates, Agent = 147 Patrick Lynn, Producer’s Rep = 150 SECTION 4-FILM FESTIVAL LISTINGS The Top Ten Film Festivals = 156 1. Sundance Film Festival = 157 2. Toronto International Film Festival = 160 3. Telluride Film Festival = 161 4. Cannes Film Festival = 163 5. Los Angeles Independent Film Festival (LAIFF) = 164 6. New York Film Festival = 165 7. Slamdance International Film Festival = 167 8. Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) = 171 9. South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW) = 172 10. Taos Talking Pictures Festival = 175 Domestic Film Festivals (U.S. and Canada) = 177 Foreign Film Festivals (Alphabetical by Country) = 233 APPENDICES Index of Festivals by Name = 284 Listing of Festivals by Month = 291 Listing of Festivals by Genre = 297 Best Bars = 302 Best Places for Breakfast = 304 Power Invitation List for Festival Screenings and Parties = 306 Filmmaker Resources = 310 About the Author = 312

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