How Festivals REALLY Choose Films

Film Festival Tiers Explained (And Why They Might Be Hurting You)    • Film Festival Tiers Explained (And Why The...  

How do film festivals really select films? Today I pull back the curtain on the 3 secret stages of film festival programming that determine which films get accepted and which don’t. Whether you’re submitting short films, features, documentaries, or music videos, understanding the festival selection process can give you a major advantage. I’ll show you exactly how programmers think, what scorecards actually mean, why genres matter, and the tough decisions programmers face when building film festival blocks. If you’re an independent filmmaker using platforms like FilmFreeway and wondering why your movie isn’t getting into festivals, this breakdown will give you real insight into the decision-making process that many festivals use - from small local events all the way up to the Big Five.

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