How to Get Into Film Festivals: The Indie Strategy That Worked for Us

Film festivals are terrifying. Between the submission fees, long waiting periods, and rejection emails that start with “unfortunately,” it’s easy to feel like you’re shouting into the cinematic void. But getting your film accepted isn’t just about luck, it’s about strategy.

In this week’s episode of Indie Film Podcast, Chuck and Victoria pull back the curtain on how to get into film festivals without connections, nepotism, or an uncle named Ron Howard.

Step 1: Start With a Goal

Before you hit “submit,” know why you’re submitting. Are you looking for feedback? Networking? Distribution?

Your goals will shape which festivals make sense for you. For example, if you just finished your first short film and want early reviews, start small. Online-only festivals are perfect for building buzz and collecting laurels fast.

ProTip: Many of these online fests offer add-on reviews that double as backlinks and quotes you can use on posters. Yes, some are money grabs, but they can also be smart marketing tools if you pick wisely.

Step 2: Build Momentum With Smaller Wins

Don’t fall for the “submit to the big ones first” myth. While the advice sounds good, festivals like Sundance, TIFF, or SXSW rarely program films that haven’t already made waves elsewhere.

Start with smaller, first-year, or niche genre festivals that align with your film’s tone and audience. Not only will you have a higher chance of being selected, but those early laurels make your project look credible on FilmFreeway. And yes, some of the judges can see that (if you update your FilmFreeway profile, hint).

Step 3: Respect the Runtime

One of the biggest secrets in learning how to get into film festivals is understanding how judges actually watch films. Most are volunteers with a mountain of submissions and limited time, which means shorter films get priority.

If your 15-minute short isn’t landing, try trimming it to 8 minutes. Tighter pacing and faster storytelling can make the difference between “next!” and “official selection.”

“If you’ve got a 15-minute short film and it’s not doing well, cut it to eight and see what happens.”

Step 4: Recut. Resubmit. Repeat.

A rejection isn’t the end, it’s feedback. Festivals can be valuable testing grounds for improving your work. If you pay for critiques or receive audience notes, use them.

Even small tweaks to pacing, sound, or editing order can completely transform your film’s reception.

Editing isn’t failure; it’s evolution.

Step 5: Track, Update, and Market Like a Pro

On your FilmFreeway project page, update your laurels, awards, and screening history regularly. If festivals see your film has previous wins or positive reviews, it signals momentum.

And yes, you can absolutely write a short cover letter to programmers. Keep it professional, highlight your wins, and invite them to see how your film fits their programming goals.

The Horrors of Film Festival Season (and How to Survive Them)

Submitting to film festivals will test your patience, your budget, and your self-confidence. But it’s also one of the most rewarding experiences an indie filmmaker can have.

In the end, how to get into film festivals isn’t (just) about knowing someone, it’s about knowing your film, setting realistic goals, and playing the long game.

Want the Full Breakdown? Check out the latest episode of Indie Film Podcast for deeper insights into using film festivals as a tool to promote your film, not the final goal of your film.

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