Really glad you touched on the 'submit local, support your local fests'. So many people complain about submission fees, but if you submit locally, you're also supporting your local industry (if the festival is legit, that is) I guess it's all about research huh?
Yes for sure. Always nice to support the local film scene when you can. And I think you can get a lot out of getting to know the locals in your area at the festivals near you. It has helped us both meet great collaborators as well as even find gigs through. Thanks for watching !
@@FilmJams oh well, I need everything :D but according to what you said, I'm not sure if I fit the story in about 8-10 minutes. I like when scenes breath, when there's space in them and time. I think it may be about 15 minutes.
@@vancouverdiaries5955 haha nice :) Some fests definitely take longer films. I think your chances just increase when it's shorter. But if you have an awesome 15 minute film, I'm sure you'll get in to some festivals.
for the “keep it short” advice...can i make a film that is originally longer, but submit a shorter version for the film festival and upload the longer version online?
Absolutely! I recommend submitting a condensed version to festivals with condensed credits as well. From talking with a few festival directors, they all hate long scrolling credits for a 5 minute short and a lot of people do it, believe it or not. Keep your film and credits as short as you can, then when you show it at your own premier, or on your own website, use the extended film and extended credits. That’s what I personally do myself. Good luck!
Thanks for watching! Yes you can put your film on UA-cam. However some festivals prefer to have films that have not screened before as it helps them promote it as a “World Premiere” - festivals are businesses too, so if they can get more attendees from a world premiere they’ll likely select those before non-world premieres. But I have screened our films at festivals that we released on our channel first. So it’s something to consider for sure but not an absolute.
You can also check out Skyship Chronicles here: www.SkyshipChronicles.com - and on our production company’s website has some of our other ones: litewavemedia.com/florida-film-production/
Hey ik you didn’t cover this, but I am planning on making a dcp for my short and I heard if you don’t use 1:85:1 or 2:35 it will end up pillarboxing. My camera only shoots 3:2 and was just wondering what you may suggest. Should I change aspect ratio in post or just keep it in its original ratio. Some festivals don’t even accept 3:2 from what I’ve seen. Would love the advice and thank you.
Whenever I have a specific aspect I want to use at a festival I contact the festival directly to see. Every festival is completely different and what works at one festival many times won’t work at another. They each use different projectors and equipment. We made a 16:9 DCP for our last film and didn’t have too many issues with it. 3:2 likely to have more issues so if I had to give general advice it would be reframe it in a more common aspect before you make a DCP.
@@FilmJams only asking because the last festival I looked at allowed either. In terms of converting the aspect ratio in post, which would be better. I don’t mind some skinny pillar boxing if 16:9 is easier to convert to from 3:2. Thank you for your reply btw!
I’m trying to submit a script to a film festival but they are asking for a password link to the script for viewing. What services or sites can I use to upload my script that allows them to have the password? Thank you
hey jams, i am a filmmaker form China here looking for some advice about submitting. Thanks for your tips and they are very helpful. I am not a native speaker but i really need to know something that maybe can help me get a lower budget.😵 Lately i've been trying to submit my film to some festivals through the platform in our country . They charge 5000 dollars for identify which festivals that is right for us, which is the same as the tip 'Find the Right Festival For you' you talked above. As this information gap will cost me so much money, i really need someone more experienced about film festival : Is it possible for me to submitting myself and be efficient? And how?😢Should i watch the films that got award to analysis which festivals to submit?
Hello over to China! Thanks for watching. Wow $5000 is a lot of money just to advise which festivals to submit to. I would recommend doing some research yourself online. Use websites like No Film School and yes check out the award winners from previous years to see which festivals might be a good fit. Good luck!
@@FilmJamsThanks again!! Actually i am not so good at using websites for these websites are all in English and so different from ours. If there is a summarized data about award films, everything could be easier for me.🥶if not, i can also make a film list through the festival websites myself! I am gonna make it!!!
@@user-pp8gx5mr7j I typically use google translate which works pretty well when I need to access a site in another language. Just google “top film festivals worth submitting to” - good luck!
question I have a horror indie I wrote and directed it has been in 19 festivals and has won 9 awards and Best picture form Italy best actor best director in the US etc and is on amazon prime I have a distributor I have entered in more festivals my question is Should I let them know I have won awards etc or keep it quite.? SO far I have kept it quite Thanks
Michael Moutsatsos hi there Michael - I would definitely market the awards and continue building the hype. For what reasons would you would not want to show your awards?
I am working on a feature documentary and it is on Vimeo with password. More than 300 people viewed it, in 10 days. Question, Is it not a good idea to share the film online? Would it damage my submissions to film festivals? - Ching
If you’re trying to get into a top tier festival they typically like to have the world premier and not have it available online. But on the other hand if you release online at it creates a lot of buzz, it may also make festivals want it. Could go both ways - I’d say go with what your gut says depending on the content and the festivals you’re hoping to get in!
Is it advisable to submit a 1 minute short to a contest that requires a 20 min film duration or under without them mentioning the minimum start duration?
@@FilmJams A few of the festivals are legit. The bigger ones they look at Holly Wood actors. Or they put someone who is very popular ahead of the game. I just want people to see my movies. I've won so many awards I could care less about all that. I've found sometimes its better to get it up on a platform then fiddle with festivals all the time. They are fun. All the awards I've won weren't in Tampa. Orlando LA,Japan, places like that I've gotten awards. Mexico really liked my Vampire Film.
@@kellythompson25 thanks for sharing your experience. We’ve had good experiences with most of the local fests like Sunscreen, Gasparilla, and TBUFF. They’re run by local filmmakers with a passion for helping others. I agree with you though I think so many festivals have popped up that it’s sort of diluted their power to help filmmakers distribute their films. That’s one of the reason we started this UA-cam channel! It’s faster and direct access to our audience. Anyway happy filming and good luck out there!
Definitely. There are some smaller festivals in every city that are great to start with. I used to live in Boston and right outside New York and there are definitely festivals in those cities that cater to locals. We made some great connections in both cities. Festivals want people there to buy tickets. If you’re local you’re much more likely to have a crowd show up than someone in another state. It makes sense for them to want you there. Go for it!
Sounds like you haven’t found the right producer! We’ve funded about 50 shorts over the years. Time to get networking! Go out and meet people or use your own funds. Shorts can be done for next to no money.
Show them your business plan. Shouldn’t be asking for money without one! That being said short films are not easy to make money with but look at UA-cam channels that specialize in short form content like Machinima or Dust as starting points for monetizing.
- Eat tacos with Jason Statham - 😂 🤣 😹 - Hope you can see this comment btw - Jus' posted a new vid & now I can't pin the lyrics or reply to commenters - Apologies in advance - I'm not ignorin' ya' - 👍
Best video yet! Congrats on film and thanks for the great intel!
Christopher John wow thanks so much Christopher! Appreciate the comment! :)
Really glad you touched on the 'submit local, support your local fests'. So many people complain about submission fees, but if you submit locally, you're also supporting your local industry (if the festival is legit, that is) I guess it's all about research huh?
Yes for sure. Always nice to support the local film scene when you can. And I think you can get a lot out of getting to know the locals in your area at the festivals near you. It has helped us both meet great collaborators as well as even find gigs through. Thanks for watching !
@@FilmJams I just sent you all a email.
Love your video full of information and instructions💙💙💙👍👍👍💯
Thanks! Glad you found it helpful! Appreciate you stopping by our channel 😁🤘🎥💥
Awesome tips! Thanks!
Thanks Radical! Appreciate it!
Uncle Billy shooting out of his league a bit ain't he? :). Cheers mate this is really helpful and more honest than a good chunk of info out there
Haha Uncle Billy always was an overachiever ! Glad to hear the video was helpful. Thanks for watching! 😀👍🎥
Most important: Make a good movie.
Definitely gotta have that Sab
That was helpful. Thanks
You’re welcome! Glad it was helpful 😄👍
Kind of helpful. I'm going to make a short movie this winter about ghosting and my plan is to submit to festivals and competitions.
Anemic Productions glad it was helpful! Sounds like a cool topic for a film. Good luck! Let us know if you need anything!
@@FilmJams oh well, I need everything :D
but according to what you said, I'm not sure if I fit the story in about 8-10 minutes. I like when scenes breath, when there's space in them and time. I think it may be about 15 minutes.
@@vancouverdiaries5955 haha nice :) Some fests definitely take longer films. I think your chances just increase when it's shorter. But if you have an awesome 15 minute film, I'm sure you'll get in to some festivals.
Good tips!
Thanks!
for the “keep it short” advice...can i make a film that is originally longer, but submit a shorter version for the film festival and upload the longer version online?
Absolutely! I recommend submitting a condensed version to festivals with condensed credits as well. From talking with a few festival directors, they all hate long scrolling credits for a 5 minute short and a lot of people do it, believe it or not. Keep your film and credits as short as you can, then when you show it at your own premier, or on your own website, use the extended film and extended credits. That’s what I personally do myself. Good luck!
You are so fun! Thanks for the tips.
Thanks very much! Glad you liked! 😆👍🎥
Excellent tips, but one question. Is it okay to have your film on UA-cam before you submit to festivals? Thank you.
Thanks for watching! Yes you can put your film on UA-cam. However some festivals prefer to have films that have not screened before as it helps them promote it as a “World Premiere” - festivals are businesses too, so if they can get more attendees from a world premiere they’ll likely select those before non-world premieres. But I have screened our films at festivals that we released on our channel first. So it’s something to consider for sure but not an absolute.
tq so much
SAVIK GURUNG sundar no thank you!! ;)
New subscriber. Do you have a link to your short films?
Armando Jimenez Films thanks for watching! Yes here is a link to a playlist with some of them: ua-cam.com/play/PLMX4BQsnjAt81fFiuV871mYOz1qBSZ-_o.html
You can also check out Skyship Chronicles here: www.SkyshipChronicles.com - and on our production company’s website has some of our other ones: litewavemedia.com/florida-film-production/
Any suggestions in the Tampa area for crew for a feature on a low budget?
We’re shooting a low budget feature right now here in Tampa Bay. Feel free to reach out to www.LitewaveMedia.com
Hey ik you didn’t cover this, but I am planning on making a dcp for my short and I heard if you don’t use 1:85:1 or 2:35 it will end up pillarboxing. My camera only shoots 3:2 and was just wondering what you may suggest. Should I change aspect ratio in post or just keep it in its original ratio. Some festivals don’t even accept 3:2 from what I’ve seen. Would love the advice and thank you.
Whenever I have a specific aspect I want to use at a festival I contact the festival directly to see. Every festival is completely different and what works at one festival many times won’t work at another. They each use different projectors and equipment. We made a 16:9 DCP for our last film and didn’t have too many issues with it. 3:2 likely to have more issues so if I had to give general advice it would be reframe it in a more common aspect before you make a DCP.
@@FilmJams I see. So I was thinking either 16:9 or 1:85:1. Which would you suggest for my 3:2 image?
@@FilmJams only asking because the last festival I looked at allowed either. In terms of converting the aspect ratio in post, which would be better. I don’t mind some skinny pillar boxing if 16:9 is easier to convert to from 3:2. Thank you for your reply btw!
@@ifazhowl5381 if it was me I’d do 16:9 but honestly it’s partially personal preference and how you want your film to be viewed.
I’m trying to submit a script to a film festival but they are asking for a password link to the script for viewing. What services or sites can I use to upload my script that allows them to have the password? Thank you
I just use standard PDFs which allow you to embed a password. Then upload and link it to google docs.
Johnny Banana! That could be MEEEE.
Haha! It could very well be! lol :D
Do you always have to represented by a film school in order to participate ?
A film school? Nope anyone in the free world can submit to a film festival!
hey jams, i am a filmmaker form China here looking for some advice about submitting. Thanks for your tips and they are very helpful. I am not a native speaker but i really need to know something that maybe can help me get a lower budget.😵
Lately i've been trying to submit my film to some festivals through the platform in our country . They charge 5000 dollars for identify which festivals that is right for us, which is the same as the tip 'Find the Right Festival For you' you talked above.
As this information gap will cost me so much money, i really need someone more experienced about film festival : Is it possible for me to submitting myself and be efficient? And how?😢Should i watch the films that got award to analysis which festivals to submit?
Hello over to China! Thanks for watching. Wow $5000 is a lot of money just to advise which festivals to submit to. I would recommend doing some research yourself online. Use websites like No Film School and yes check out the award winners from previous years to see which festivals might be a good fit. Good luck!
@@FilmJamsThanks again!! Actually i am not so good at using websites for these websites are all in English and so different from ours. If there is a summarized data about award films, everything could be easier for me.🥶if not, i can also make a film list through the festival websites myself! I am gonna make it!!!
@@user-pp8gx5mr7j I typically use google translate which works pretty well when I need to access a site in another language. Just google “top film festivals worth submitting to” - good luck!
question I have a horror indie I wrote and directed it has been in 19 festivals and has won 9 awards and Best picture form Italy best actor best director in the US etc and is on amazon prime I have a distributor I have entered in more festivals my question is Should I let them know I have won awards etc or keep it quite.? SO far I have kept it quite Thanks
Michael Moutsatsos hi there Michael - I would definitely market the awards and continue building the hype. For what reasons would you would not want to show your awards?
Is any specific camera requirements for Berlin or Cannes film festival for flim submission ?
No specific camera requirements. Good Art comes in all resolutions!
Oily wheel gets the deal lol. I’m taking that one playa
Haha 😆 it’s yours! Feel free to share :) and thanks for watching!
I am working on a feature documentary and it is on Vimeo with password. More than 300 people viewed it, in 10 days. Question, Is it not a good idea to share the film online? Would it damage my submissions to film festivals? - Ching
If you’re trying to get into a top tier festival they typically like to have the world premier and not have it available online. But on the other hand if you release online at it creates a lot of buzz, it may also make festivals want it. Could go both ways - I’d say go with what your gut says depending on the content and the festivals you’re hoping to get in!
@@FilmJams I appreciate you!
Anytime! 😊
Genre ftw ! 🤗
it's DA best!
Lots of great Genre fests! Dragon Con is one of our favs.
Is it advisable to submit a 1 minute short to a contest that requires a 20 min film duration or under without them mentioning the minimum start duration?
Reach out to them and ask… most festivals have customer service emails.
I did, they don't answer so I decided to ask for advice here because I didn't just want to submit but to compete for a prize.
@@Met9171 Well if it was me, I wouldn't submit to a festival that didn't answer my questions.
Thank you neither would I.I'm still waiting for their answer.
Best of luck! Hope it worked out
Please how to submit film to awards show
What do U mean
Not in the Tampa Bay so much. Orlando and Miami are more open to new film makers.
You haven’t had a good experience in Tampa?
@@FilmJams A few of the festivals are legit. The bigger ones they look at Holly Wood actors. Or they put someone who is very popular ahead of the game. I just want people to see my movies. I've won so many awards I could care less about all that. I've found sometimes its better to get it up on a platform then fiddle with festivals all the time. They are fun. All the awards I've won weren't in Tampa. Orlando LA,Japan, places like that I've gotten awards. Mexico really liked my Vampire Film.
@@kellythompson25 thanks for sharing your experience. We’ve had good experiences with most of the local fests like Sunscreen, Gasparilla, and TBUFF. They’re run by local filmmakers with a passion for helping others. I agree with you though I think so many festivals have popped up that it’s sort of diluted their power to help filmmakers distribute their films. That’s one of the reason we started this UA-cam channel! It’s faster and direct access to our audience. Anyway happy filming and good luck out there!
what if you are local to Hollywood or new york should we still apply locally?lol
Definitely. There are some smaller festivals in every city that are great to start with. I used to live in Boston and right outside New York and there are definitely festivals in those cities that cater to locals. We made some great connections in both cities. Festivals want people there to buy tickets. If you’re local you’re much more likely to have a crowd show up than someone in another state. It makes sense for them to want you there. Go for it!
I will update short film soon
What do you mean?
What is the video format for submitting a short film
Just depends on the festival and how you submit. A lot of places accept Vimeo links.
@@FilmJams is trailer and poster of the short film mandatory to submit
@@veerpalpal3982 not at all festivals …the bigger ones may want those things tho - but normally not til after you get in.
@@FilmJams thanks
But where do we get the money? No producer is interested in shorts.
Sounds like you haven’t found the right producer! We’ve funded about 50 shorts over the years. Time to get networking! Go out and meet people or use your own funds. Shorts can be done for next to no money.
@@FilmJams What do I say when that ask about the return on investment?
Show them your business plan. Shouldn’t be asking for money without one! That being said short films are not easy to make money with but look at UA-cam channels that specialize in short form content like Machinima or Dust as starting points for monetizing.
Wheres Ash?
I AM GROOT!!!!! She got a full time job :( we’ve been having new guests on the show each week until we find a new co-host.
Which typ film easy for submission??
Short films are probably the easiest to submit and get accepted with. Is that what you meant?
Can i submit non english luangage movie
Each festival has different rules. Most US fests require at least subtitles if you are non-English. Contact them directly to find out.
give tips for festival film Shoot/lighting
Sorry can you explain what you mean? Not sure I understand
@@FilmJams FILM FESTIVAL,,,
@@rupomsreel4835 Still not sure what you mean, but please let us know some details, and we'll try to help :)
- Eat tacos with Jason Statham - 😂 🤣 😹 - Hope you can see this comment btw - Jus' posted a new vid & now I can't pin the lyrics or reply to commenters - Apologies in advance - I'm not ignorin' ya' - 👍
OfficialMNIB hahaha! We all can dream right :)) sorry to hear about the comments on your vid! But we hear you loud and clear over here at Film Jams!