Introduction For new filmmakers, choosing the right festivals to submit your film can be a challenging task. Smaller festivals and side competitions at major events can offer excellent launchpads for your work. Whether you've just finished your first project or are planning your next, here are some festivals to consider.
For Short Films: While many festivals include short film programs, it's often difficult for shorts to stand out against high-profile narrative and documentary features. A festival like Aspen Shortsfest, which focuses solely on short films, might be a better option. This festival not only highlights short films but also makes them eligible for Academy Award consideration.
Raindance, operating both as a film school and festival, has educational hubs in Mexico City, Dubai, and London. Its annual festival in London features a strong shorts program, thanks to its connection with the film school. This provides young filmmakers an opportunity to screen their work to a targeted audience of industry executives and buyers.
For Films Highlighting Marginalized Experiences: Each summer, queer filmmakers from around the world converge in Hollywood for Outfest. This festival showcases shorts, features, documentaries, and episodic TV shows, providing queer filmmakers a platform to present their work and network. Other LGBTQ+ festivals include the Seattle Queer Film Festival, Atlanta's Out on Film, and New York City's NewFest. Quality films often get selected for multiple festivals, building their reputation.
Cannes and Venice also offer independent awards for LGBTQ+ films: the Queer Palm and the Queer Lion, respectively. The Berlin International Film Festival has a similar award, the Teddy.
BlackStar, a newer festival based in Philadelphia, focuses on Black, Brown, and Indigenous storytellers and has quickly become a favorite among filmmakers from the Global South. The New York Latino Film Festival provides a venue for Latinx filmmakers, offering professional development, networking opportunities, and a chance to highlight films for the local and national press.
For Region-Specific Films: Festivals often prioritize local filmmakers. The Atlanta Film Festival, one of the largest in the U.S., favors Southern filmmakers and benefits from Georgia’s booming film industry. Austin hosts the SXSW Film & TV Festival, known for premiering both TV series and movies and offering panels, mentorship, and workshops. The Austin Film Festival focuses on writing competitions for screenplays, teleplays, playwriting, and podcasting.
For Genre-Specific Films: Horror is currently enjoying a resurgence, with festivals like Montreal's Fantasia leading the way in genre cinema. Known for its inclusive, fan-friendly atmosphere, Fantasia is essential for horror fans. In the U.S., Fantastic Fest in Austin shares a similar vibe, celebrating both the latest horror hits and artful genre films.
For the Big Leagues: Cannes is perhaps the most prestigious film festival, where top auteurs premiere their latest works. New filmmakers should consider the Un Certain Regard or La Cinef sections, as well as Directors’ Fortnight and Critics’ Week. Venice International Film Festival, the oldest in the world, also reserves sidebars like Orizzonti and Venice Days for experimental and unconventional films.
Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland is known for its outdoor screenings in the Piazza Grande and its experimental nature, making it a friendly environment for cinephiles. Sundance, the premier American film festival, starts the cinematic year with new trends and talents. Applying to Sundance’s lab or mentorship programs is a great way for new filmmakers to break in.
By Sal Framondi,
CEO/Founder, OPPRIME.tv
Producer, Black Filmmakers Matter
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