Saturday, January 24, 2009

IFBRT & film festivals

My current approach to film festivals (effective starting now), re: IFBRT, is:
1 - if a festival is interested in taking a look at IFBRT then they can contact me,
2 - if I think the festival will be useful for IFBRT I will send them a screener DVD,
3 - if the festival wants to program IFBRT then I will pay the submission fee, fill out the paperwork, etc. (unless the submission fee is waived, which would be good)
4 - when IFBRT screens at a fest I will promote the event through my blogs & other available means, and also will try to attend the screening if at all possible

This approach is slightly different than the typical way indie filmmakers deal with festivals. Usually it is a gamble - filmmakers pay the submission fee, fill out the paperwork, mail in a screener DVD & hope that the festival accepts the film. Since I am a DIY/self-distributing filmmaker I do not have to take that route (so far I've produced or co-produced close to 50 screenings of my movies - in Maryland, Washington, D.C., New York City, Seattle - playing the films to over 2000 audience members). And I am totally comfortable with releasing films - both at theatrical screenings & on home use formats - w/out any festival play, if need be.

However, IFBRT would be a good film to screen at festivals, if we can work out a mutually beneficial arrangement, as described at top.

- Sujewa

2 comments:

1Way or Another said...

Sounds like a plan. Any thing you feel is necessary, as long as you plan to screen at one. Can only increase IFBRT's visibility. Sounds good.

Sujewa Ekanayake said...

Yeah, if it is convienient I'll screen at fests. Since I am a DIY filmmaker fests are not necessary for me - but, I guess they can't hurt.

Indie Film Blogger Road Trip - Episode 1: Visiting Obenson & Harris in Brooklyn

BREAKTHROUGH WEEKEND Teaser Trailer

Good Reads (Under Construction)