Film festivals are, in a word, awesome. The film festival cycle goes like this: you, a crazy person, makes some crazy art, a person (who may also be crazy) decides they like your crazy art, they show your crazy art on a big old screen, and then you make more crazy art, repeating the process. My first festival selection was for a film I had made called “Balley’s Western Adventure.” When I got notified, it felt like being selected for Cannes. As an artist, the highest honor you can receive is somebody else saying “that thing you made is pretty cool.” I was overjoyed, and when my film played on the silver screen it was amazing, even though Robert Ebert would have had some choice words to describe it. There’s a wonder that comes with festivals, and seeing not only your own work but the work of other artists can remind you why you love filmmaking in the first place – because filmmakers are storytellers in a way that no other medium can capture. Not all student films are made equally, but sometimes you see another filmmaker’s work that is something truly special, that surprises you, and festivals give the opportunity to put this amazing work on full display so the next Tarantino or Nolan can be discovered. If you enjoy making films, submit them to a festival. Even if you don’t get in, you now have the confidence to put your work out there and take the steps you need towards pursuing further adventures in film.
Now on to the scary bit: public speaking. Dun-dun-dunnn! If your film does get into a festival, the programmers ask you to fill out a couple forms, you head to a theater, they screen your film, and you might catch a glimpse of Ken Jeong in the wild (see above photo). But after the screening comes the dreaded Q&A. If you are a socially awkward nerd who knows every line of Puss in Boots (2011) from memory, speaking in front of a crowd about your film feels like being chased very quickly by a flock of angry spiders. You walk up to the stage, stare out at dozens of people, and try to stammer as little as possible. It’s initially terrifying, but becomes more and more natural with a bit of practice, and can even prepare you for interviews in later life (although heaven help the moderator who asks you what your favorite movies are). Through the community that festivals create, they’re a great way to meet incredible people who have the same love for the craft as you do and that you can have lasting relationships with as a fellow artist. Plus, you can nearly faint outside an AMC from being in the presence of the guys that made “Spider-Verse.”
Ultimately, a film festival is very rewarding and invaluable. It’s a time to celebrate your art and the art of talented creators around you. It’s a testament to the work that you’ve put months of effort into, and an inspiration for what’s to come. Through the different festivals my brother and I have been featured in, we’ve experienced so many great films, made connections, and learned so much about how to succeed in the industry. We’re incredibly grateful for their acknowledgements, and whatever hobby you’re into, whether that be film, writing, sports, art or music, there’s a community out there for you too, just waiting to be found.
