Product Description

The recent boom in independent film-making has been both a boon and an added challenge for aspiring directors. While the chic status of festivals like Sundance makes it easier for a few hot new directors to find major distributors, other worthy films risk being lost amid a sudden flood of contenders. Chris Gore, editor of Film Threat magazine, has written The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide to help the aspiring actor rise above the tide. The book is full of practical down-and-dirty advice. Every aspect of submitting to and attending film festivals is covered, from an exhaustive listing of festivals and their entry deadlines (the Turku, Finland, Lesbian and Gay Film Festival deadline is in July, so get cracking) to what to wear to the industry party you will be crashing (big pants with big pockets, the better to stash giveaways and whip out business cards). You can even find a listing for the best bar in the Ukraine (Eric's in Kyiv) and a sidebar of handy tips that will keep you on your projectionist's good side.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1069012 in Books
• Published on: 2000-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 456 pages

Review
"The next best investment after your camera..." -- Brave New World, Autumn 2001. "Put together with wit and savvy, this is the one-stop reference source for all..." -- Film Review, August 2001. "The next best investment after your camera..." -- Brave New World, July 2001.

From the Author
Film Festivals Are My Passion...
I wrote this book to give filmmakers honest and useful information as well as to provide inspiration. I grew tired of watching incredibly talented filmmakers fail because they made the wrong decisions when it came time to promote and sell their movie at a festival. This book gives filmmakers the resources they really need to succeed in the indie film world.

There's much more to this book than listings of festivals. I spoke to filmmakers, festival directors, agents, publicists and even a graphic artist who designs movie posters. I've included the answers to the most common questions asked by filmmakers on topics such as: entry fees, odds of being accepted, best bars, hotels, hangouts, money-saving travel tips, promotion and marketing, how to write a press kit, how to get a deal, tips on applying and plenty more. The appendix has listings of agents, distributors, screening rooms, plus contact info for important people in indie film. I've been attending film festivals for over ten years and I believe I have compiled the most complete reference book on the subject.

About the Author
Chris Gore

Customer Reviews

Great book for beginning aspiring indie filmmakers.
A realistic, entertaining and practical guide to the life of afeature in the festival world. It includes interviews with Geoff Gilmore (Director of Sundance), Dan Mirvish (co-founder and organizers of Slamdance), Peter Broderick (President of Next Wave Films, Acquisitions Exec), and stories from many independent filmmakers and how they've succeeded and failed. Quite illuminating is the commentary on the politics of festivals, info on the importance and role of publicists, and considerations about the festival application process itself. Most importantly Gore lists the contact information, deadlines, and descriptions of most to all of the festivals in the world that you could possibly be interested in entering. Providing incisive tips on where to submit your film, how to promote your film, agents and how they work, film fest mistakes and lessons, how to create an engaging movie poster, how to crash parties, and how to schmooze, Gore maps out the festival world with a refreshing and healthy "go get 'em" attitude.

An outstanding guide to getting your film out there.
Having been frustrated with where to begin and which festival to enter with my film. The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide is an amazing book that covers the in's and out's that you need to know. I feel that I am now very educated on what to do as well as what not to do in the film festival game. If you have a movie that you're trying to get out there than you need this book, otherwise your just spinning your wheels.

Survive the inane, irrelevant pseudo-hipness
If you think film fests are all about how much alcohol and other substances you can abuse, or who looks cute in black, this will amuse you. If you need a book that provides actual business-oriented insight, you'll want to look into any of the other books on the subject. This is film business lite, designed for amateurs dreaming of scoring babes and seeing their names in lights, stroking their own egos. Not for the professional filmmaker or film aficionado.