DAAART + The CU + Dallas Film Commission: Why You Should Submit to a Film Festival

Why should you submit your film to a festival? And how do you do it effectively?
This panel discussion, part of the Ginger Roots AAPI Arts Festival, dives into everything you need to know about getting your film in front of audiences and programmers. Whether you're submitting your first short or refining your festival strategy for your next feature, this workshop brings actionable advice from local industry professionals.

Presented in partnership with DAAART (Dallas Asian American Art Collective), the Dallas Film Commission, and The Cedars Union.

Panelists include:

Allison Lopez (Moderator) – A Filipino-American filmmaker based in Dallas whose work centers underrepresented voices and stories.
Website: allisonlopezfilms.com

Austin Flores – Location Specialist for the Dallas Film Commission, assisting productions with finding Dallas locations and connecting with local crew.

Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith – Internationally recognized Film Festival Strategist and founder of The Film Festival Doctor. With over 10 years of experience, she has helped filmmakers win more than 2,500 awards.
Website: thefilmfestivaldoctor.com

Topics covered:
The do's and don'ts of festival submissions
What film festivals are really looking for
Festival tiers, local vs. international strategy
Importance of networking at festivals
Audio quality, budgeting, and marketing
Resources for Dallas filmmakers
And much more!

Interested in opportunities like this? Attend CU programming in person for access to full workshops, live Q&As, and direct connections with Dallas's creative community.

About The Cedars Union
The Cedars Union is a nonprofit arts incubator in Dallas, Texas. We support North Texas artists through studio space, tools, community, and programming like this. Learn more or become a member at https://www.cedarsunion.org