How Are Festival Films Chosen?

With the Sundance Film Festival happening now through February 2nd in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah, filmgoers everywhere are keeping up the popular festival. Festivals are a great way for filmmakers to get their work out there, but not many know how to make the most out of the festival experience. Festival programmers work through thousands of submissions to curate a strong lineup each year, but what is it they’re really looking for?

What is a Programmer?

A programmer is someone who selects media that will be shown to an audience. The three main types of programmers are cinematic programmers, who select films for movie theaters; television programmers, who plan lineups for television networks or streaming services; and festival programmers, who create festival lineups. The latter role is more unique because, rather than focusing on sales, commercial success, and the interests of different demographics or the average consumer, festival programmers care more about curating a diverse lineup that will create a conversation, or “buzz”, within the film community itself. 

A large part of a programmer’s job is networking and screening. Although a festival only happens once during a year, programmers comb through submissions daily, connecting with filmmakers and building relationships within the industry. Two aspects that a festival programmer must consider are applicants to screen and industry professionals who will be in attendance. Having a deep understanding of the industry is crucial to a programmer’s job, as they must ensure that they are aware of what will pique the interest of the film community. Additionally, they consume a variety of genres at varying levels of quality. But, when competitive festivals like Sundance receive upwards of 10,000 submissions, what makes someone’s film stand out?

How Do Programmers Choose?

Story is a driving factor in a programmer’s decision to screen a film, especially at the festival level. Festivals are meant to be a step ahead of the industry, similar to how runway fashion sets the tone for commercial fashion throughout the year. This means that unique, new, and interesting stories are something programmers actively search for in submissions. Beyond just having a unique story, filmmakers with a point of view will often portray stronger emotions. This point of view could be more emotional, through a personal connection with your film’s subject, or more technical, using unique color, lighting, and sound techniques that make your film unique to you. Especially when programmers are watching 5-6 films a day, every day, standing out requires invoking strong and genuine feelings in the viewer. 

Many festivals will also have a filmmaker statement attached to the submission, and this is a great place to introduce your personality alongside the film to convey a stronger perspective. Drea Clark, a programmer for Sundance, shared the importance of these personal narratives, especially for niche or regional festival applications. The personal statement can work in two ways, first to strengthen the personal connection to your material, and also to highlight the potential audience that your film might have. Because programmers search for a diverse lineup, having a clear audience and market for your film can help it stand out. Rather than just having a general “coming of age” film, for example, focus on unique aspects of your story to help define your audience. Tying your identity to your film’s identity, and using those elements to curate a strong perspective and audience pull, will help your submission stand out to programmers. But, if you do get selected, what actually happens to your film?

How to “Succeed” During a Festival Run

There are different types of success associated with festival runs, and it all depends on the personal needs of yourself and your project. Are you hoping to network with industry professionals? What about fellow up and coming filmmakers? Are you looking to curate an audience connection? Or do you have commercial goals for distribution? Knowing why you are submitting your film for festivals is an important first step in understanding what selection might mean for you, your film, and your career. Additionally, this will ensure that you are making the most out of your festival experience. 

The most crucial step in festival submission that will make the experience more meaningful in the long run is to research your festivals! Submissions can be expensive, and although it may seem like you have a better shot applying to every festival you find, selecting festivals that fit the genre and style of your film will actually help your chances while saving your resources. Not all festivals take long form content, for example, and there are many festivals that focus on highlighting different identities and voices, such as LGBTQ+ or BIPOC perspectives. Attending festivals will impact the way you view festival audiences since you get to experience and understand the communities that will be there. Each festival is unique, and a smaller, regional festival will have a very different turnout than one like Sundance or Cannes. Again, festival submission costs can add up quickly, so knowing your goals and understanding each festival’s unique perspectives and audiences will make your experience more worthwhile. 

Another aspect of film festivals that might impact the success of your festival run is the world premiere of your film. Unlike general festival submissions, where you can submit to as many as you would like, your film only gets one world premiere. This, again, makes knowing your audience so important: what kind of people do you want experiencing your film for the first time? Let the answer guide your festival submissions. 

Festival selection can often seem daunting or impossible, but remembering the core of your film is the best way to make it stand out. Being a young filmmaker means that you have a point of view and creative vision that you believed in enough to pursue, and letting that voice guide your submissions will help you on the road to success. Festivals are also a great resource for filmmakers who want to network or keep up with the current state of the industry. Submissions should be treated just as carefully, and researched just as thoroughly, as any other element of your production. Knowing how to use festivals to your advantage is a great tool for filmmakers, and from networking to personal submissions, festivals are an incredible way to get yourself and your work out into the world of film. 

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