Understanding the logistics of film festivals is one thing but how do you make the most of your time while you’re there? Beyond the typical audience experience, you are encouraged to attend film festivals for other compelling reasons. For example, you will have countless films and scripts that you will want to share with the world after working with your instructors to refine and perfect them.
Attending film festivals can provide invaluable opportunities to showcase your work to industry professionals, make important connections and gain exposure that can lead to future career opportunities. Over the course of your studies, you will be taught about the specific industry roles and where your unique talents lie. Here are my top seven reasons why every film student should attend the best film festivals in the world:
Many large film festivals will premiere films that later get more widespread distribution. However, the majority of films screened at film festivals are only available through those festivals. By attending a film festival, you will have the opportunity to see a film that you may not be able to see at any other time. This allows you to experience new stories, concepts and deliveries not accessible anywhere else.
Additionally, many film festivals have special programs for short films, a format not easily seen outside of the film festival circuit. For film students whose work is often primarily short format, this allows you a chance to see well-crafted short films and stories to help inspire your own work.
Film festivals are filled with the filmmakers who spent countless hours producing their work. Most of these filmmakers want nothing more than to talk about the film, the process of creating that film and provide inspiration to young filmmakers, like yourself. For aspiring filmmakers, this is an excellent opportunity to learn from successful filmmakers and how others are finding ways to get their work made. Additionally, you will meet professionals from all aspects of the film industry: directors, screenwriters, producers, distributers, etc. For aspiring filmmakers, making these connections at a festival may lead to future internships or jobs.
Students in the BA in Digital Film degree program at Grand Canyon University (GCU), had the opportunity to go to the Windrider Sundance Experience while attending the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah in January 2023. Over the span of six days, the students met a wide variety of filmmakers from Oscar winners to a director currently working with Marvel Studios.
As an aspiring filmmaker, it is critically important to screen your work for others and gain feedback. In film school, your instructors will provide thoughtful, constructive feedback on the work you submit. At a film festival, you will be able to get feedback from the audience (did they laugh, did they cry, etc.) as well as from conversations you have after your screening.
Additionally, there are many festivals geared for students or with categories specifically for student work. By submitting your own films and scripts, you could receive feedback directly from industry professionals.
Film festivals are known for displaying cutting-edge and innovative filmmaking from around the world. As a film student, attending a festival can expose you to different cultures and perspectives that you may not have otherwise come across. This can help broaden your horizon and make you a more well-rounded filmmaker.
Film festivals are a great way to meet other film students and like-minded people who are passionate about filmmaking. Most festivals host mixers and meet-ups for festival goers to mingle with each other and with the filmmakers. This can be a great way to find collaborators and build a network of creative individuals that you can work with in the future.
Additionally, there are a few organizations that host meetings alongside festivals. The Windrider Institute, which hosts the Windrider Sundance Experience, brings together Christian students from around the country to meet and watch films in Park City, Utah during the Sundance Film Festival.2 GCU is proud to be a part of this community of filmmakers as it allows our students to meet their peers.
Film festivals often highlight new technologies and techniques that are being used in the industry. Attending a festival can give you the opportunity to learn about these new innovations and how they can be applied to your own filmmaking. You may even be able to land an internship with the company.
Let’s not forget that attending a film festival can be very exciting and a lot of fun! You will have the opportunity to see some great films, meet new people and attend events that will spark your creativity. It can be an exciting and memorable experience that you will never forget.
