In their new Spring issue, the editors of MovieMaker Magazine have once again compiled their annual list of the “25 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee,” easing the daunting and expensive task moviemakers face of selecting the right festivals for their works. Eschewing the big-name festivals that all moviemakers know by heart (Cannes, Sundance, etc.), the editors set out to spread the word about
25 alternatives that might not be on every moviemaker’s radar.
“The benefits of having your film screen at any of the bigger fests—like Sundance, Cannes or Toronto—are obvious,” says Jennifer Wood, MovieMaker’s Editor. “But with only so many spots to fill in any given year, a moviemaker’s chances of getting accepted into one of the big three are small. Still, with thousands of festivals the world over, a moviemaker can’t give up on the festival circuit altogether if he or she does not get into his or her first-choice fest.”
As the economy remains waist-deep in a recession and new film festivals continue to sprout up faster than ever, MovieMaker’s list is even more vital to moviemakers already struggling with high production costs and low budgets. “By the time a moviemaker has completed a project and deemed it fit for audience viewing, there’s usually not too much money left over for film festival submission fees,” says Wood. “Especially in today’s economy, moviemakers have to do everything they can to stack the odds in their favor to have the best chance of acceptance. Which means narrowing down the list to fests that can really show a return on a moviemaker’s investment.”
Featuring festivals from all across the United States and Canada, the full article can be found in the Spring issue of MovieMaker and an abridged version is now online at http://www.moviemaker.com/festivals/article/25_film_festivals_worth_the_entry_fee_2009_20090414/
Here, then, is the complete 2009 list of 25 Festivals Worth the Entry
Fee:
Action on Film International Film Festival
Angelus Student Film Festival
Ashland Independent Film Festival
Austin Film Festival
Bermuda International Film Festival
Boxur Shorts Film Festival
Calgary International Film Festival
Dark Carnival Film Festival
DC Shorts Film Festival
Doorpost Film Project
Elevate Film Festival
L.A. Comedy Shorts Film Festival
Mammoth Film Festival
Marfa Film Festival
Myrtle Beach International Film Festival
Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival
Ottawa International Animation Film Festival
Oxford International Film Festival
Palm Springs International Shortfest
Poppy Jasper Film Festival
Red Rock Film Festival
Screamfest Horror Film Festival
Silverdocs
Syracuse International Film Festival
Whistler Film Festival
For 16 years MovieMaker has featured insights into the marquee cinema names of today, the giants of yesterday and the trendsetters of tomorrow, all in a glossy full-color package designed to entertain as well as instruct. MovieMaker’s editorial focuses on the art and business of making movies and is always geared not only to movie industry insiders but to all fans of quality motion pictures.
For more information on MovieMaker
contact Andrew Gnerre at 212/766-4100 or andrew@moviemaker.com
