Raindance Founder Elliot Groves Tips on Film Festival Submissions
Step2Inspire.TV are proud to give you some tips from one of the most knowledgeable and inspiring people in the Film industry, Elliot Groves.
Elliot is one of the major players in Independent film not only as the founder of the prestigious British Independent Film Awards but also the founder of one of the best Festivals in the world, Raindance. If there’s anyone who can give advice about submitting your film to Film Festivals its Elliot!
1. There are thousands of Film Festivals around the world how does Raindance stand out from the rest?
Raindance has always featured films by first time filmmakers - it is our mantra, I suppose. Discovering new talent. Our film selections over the years have tended to feature extreme films: extreme filmmaking, extreme topics and extreme storytelling.
2. What can we expect from Raindance this year?
As I write, we are just putting the finishing touches on a programme which this year we think will make audiences gasp, shudder and laugh, depending on the film. We think that each of the 70 features and 100 shorts deserve to be seen.
3. What are your top 3 film festivals in the world and why (apart from Raindance)?
The top 3 are: Cannes, Toronto and Sundance, because of the number of industry executives that attend. If I had to pick a number 4, it would be either the SXSW in Austin Texas, or the Rotterdam Film Festival - both of which are rising stars on the festival circuit because of the programming they deliver.
4. As the founder of Raindance what do you look for when accepting films for your festivals?
It's very simple: Story, story and Story.
5. What are the 3 most important things when submitting a film to festivals?
- Make sure you submit on time with all the requested materials, and make certain you have good production stills.
- Look at the festival website ahead of time and try to see if your film fits in with what they showed last year
- Make sure your press kit is clear and concise
It is also very important that filmmakers develop a social media presence in order to offer this asset to a festival come ticket selling time.
6. From your experience give us 3 things a filmmaker should never do when submitting a film to festivals?
- Submit a film with poor sound
- Submit a film with uncleared music rights
- Submit a film in a fancy package ie no ribbons, bows, bottles of champagne etc. These cutesy items are ignored.
It is important to try and build a relationship with the festival programmers. This won't ultimately help your chances if your film isn't very good, but will put your film submission nearer the top of the "to be watched" pile.
7. Many filmmakers have problems with music copyright permission, any tips on music use within a festival film?
Uncleared music is probably the single most common reason we reject films at Raindance. It is also probably the issue filmmakers understand the least. Make sure that in the worst case you have a 'gratis' license from the rights holder of any music you have used.
8. Is it a good or bad thing to enter a film into as many relevant festivals as possible?
It's impossible to answer this question without knowing about a specific film. One thing to be aware of is festival politics. Look at the festival you are submitting to, before you accept their screening offer. See if there are any premiere restrictions in other film festivals and see whether or not you can live with issues like world, national or city premieres. It is heartbreaking to accept a festival offer only to discover you have self-disqualified yourself from another festival.
9. Can you give festival winners any advice about what to do next?
When you win an award, update your website, and create the appropriate laurels to go on your posters and press kit.
10. What advice can you give to new entrants hoping to apply to film festivals?
When you submit to any festival in the world, remember that a stranger will be looking at your film. It is up to this person to like your film enough to select it. If they see your film and dislike it, remember that their opinion is subjective, and is one or two people's opinions only. Move on. Submit to another festival and never ever take rejection personally.
Please visit Raindance to find out more about this years festival.
