Film Festival Scams

Typical film festival entry fees range from $20 to $50. Many entry fees are somewhere in the middle or lower. Independent filmmakers should be cautious of submitting to film festivals that charge huge entry fees. This is especially true for film festivals that are fairly new. Unfortunately, there are film festivals that are operated by scam artists and individuals whose sole purpose is to make a quick buck.

The most expensive entry fees are usually charged by well-known prestigious film festivals. Unless an independent filmmaker is submitting to a festival such as Cannes, there is no reason to pay and expensive entry fee. High entry fees are one sign that a particular film festival is a scam. These scams are also evident in the procedure for submitting independent films. Most film festivals have an office location and entry fee checks are made out to the festival itself or a sponsoring organization.

If a film festival submission form requires filmmakers to make checks payable to an individual, chances are that it may be a faulty operation. This is not to say that filmmakers should not submit to a film festival because of that one particular factor.

There are many other facts to consider when determining if one should bypass a particular film festival. It may not be easy to tell if certain film festivals are legit. However, it will be easy to make a decision based on certain aspects of the event.

Many times, film festivals that have only been in operation for less than 5 years should be examined carefully before submitting a film. The proliferation of Withoutabox has made it easier to locate and access film festivals from around the world. This gives filmmakers a chance to also locate film festivals that are quite unknown. Film Festivals that lack a long history will not be taken very seriously. This is where it gets tricky. Finding new festivals can be a double edged sword.

If a filmmaker is rejected by Sundance, Slamdance and other preferred festivals, unknown local and regional festivals offer a chance to screen films in front of an audience. Many film festivals that are not as popular as Sundance or SXSW can still be useful even if a film is playing well on the festival circuit. In this day and age, independent films can never have enough screenings, press or awards.

Filmmakers should still think twice about submitting to a film festival that does not have a long history. There are numerous entertainment magazines that cover the film industry. All of them publish articles and reviews that mention film festivals. Independent filmmakers should use these publications and film related websites as a guide when selecting a film festival to submit to. There are also books that list film festivals around the country. Legit film festivals will be in these places.

There are groups and organizations who have held film festivals in small towns. Local film festivals give area filmmakers a chance to screen their work. Film festivals in small towns can also garner the interest of others who may visit the area from far away. While small town film festivals can be great, independent filmmakers should research the event thoroughly before submitting a film. Important information such as the festival environment, biography of programmers and past festivals should be considered.

Inquire about the event by contacting the local film office or commission where the film festival is going to be held. Film commission staff members will be helpful in deciding if the local film festival is the best place to screen your film. If no one in the film commission is aware of a local film festival, it should be a red flag for filmmakers. The purpose of the film commission is to make a particular city or town appealing to outside producers in the film and television industry.

They want to bring Hollywood to their hometown. If the film commission staff in Arizona is unaware of a small town "ABC Film Festival" just miles outside of Tucson, that is not a good sign. Independent filmmakers want to screen their film in as many film festivals as possible. The more a film plays, the better the chances may be for finding distribution or gaining popularity.

Since there is no guarantee that a particular film will be accepted into a film festival, filmmakers try to mail out several submissions increase their chances of landing a screening. While this is evident, independent filmmakers do not have never-ending wallets. No one wants to waste their money on a film festival scam. It is not a pleasurable experience. Film festival scams are discouraging, expensive and stressful for filmmakers who are trying to get their work seen.

Independent filmmakers must be cautious at all times when selecting unknown film festivals. In the indie film world, fake "Festival programmers" are greedy individuals who do not have a conscience. They are nothing more than scam artists who have found creative ways to rip off independent filmmakers. By doing careful research and making appropriate decisions, filmmakers can protect themselves from film festival scams.