Press Kit Essentials: What Should - and Shouldn't - Be In This Crucial Piece

Press Kit Essentials: What Should - and Shouldn't - Be In This Crucial Piece

A press kit is an essential part of any film’s production plan. Like a storyboard or line budget, it’s a behind-the-scenes necessity. And when done right, it can make all the difference in how the press, film festivals, theaters - and ultimately the audience - talk about your movie.

Film Festival Secrets Podcast #36: Crowdfunding Strategy with No Budget Film School Creator Mark Stolaroff

Film Festival Secrets Podcast #36: Crowdfunding Strategy with No Budget Film School Creator Mark Stolaroff

Veteran filmmaker, teacher, and fundraiser Mark Stolaroff takes a pause in the middle of the Kickstarter campaign for his new film “DriverX” to reflect on his filmmaking career and the psychology of asking friends and strangers for money. Mark is the creator of the "No Budget Film School” seminars and a role model to many indie filmmakers.

What You Should Know About "Festival Rights" and the Music in Your Indie Film

What You Should Know About "Festival Rights" and the Music in Your Indie Film

When licensing music for their projects, sometimes filmmakers will ask whether it's advisable to purchase only the "festival rights." Sometimes it's possible to save money on music licensing by obtaining permission to use a song in a film limited to play at festivals. It sounds great, but it is it a good idea?

Film Festival Secrets Podcast #34: Career Crowdfunding for Filmmakers

Film Festival Secrets Podcast #34: Career Crowdfunding for Filmmakers

Jen West and James Martin are partners in life, partners in filmmaking (they alternate between directing and producing on each film), and partners in a string of successful crowdfunding projects.

Now they face a new challenge -- distributing their most recent completed film online and on the festival circuit while raising funds for their first feature-length film. 

"Birth of a Nation" breaks sales records for Sundance and festivals worldwide

"Birth of a Nation" breaks sales records for Sundance and festivals worldwide

From the Hollywood Reporter: The Sundance audience gave the slave-rebellion drama an extended standing ovation, which was followed by mostly enthusiastic reviews. By the next morning, Fox Searchlight had plunked down a jaw-dropping $17.5 million for worldwide rights to the film, the biggest sale in the fest’s history. It also marks the largest sum ever paid for a finished movie at any festival, including Cannes, Berlin and Toronto. 

Film Festival Secrets Podcast #30: Negotiating With Film Festivals

Film Festival Secrets Podcast #30: Negotiating With Film Festivals

Sometimes filmmakers face the classic "bird in the hand" problem. Case in point: my friend Amy's short film "Pickle" was accepted by one festival, but her "dream date" festival is still on the fence. That's a problem, because showing at the first festival to extend an offer might lessen the dream festival's interest. Should she go ahead with the sure thing, or wait for her dream festival to make up its mind? 

Film Festival Secrets Podcast #29: Richard Gale, Director of “The Horribly Slow Murderer with the extremely inefficient weapon

Film Festival Secrets Podcast #29: Richard Gale, Director of “The Horribly Slow Murderer with the extremely inefficient weapon

This episode I'm joined by Richard Gale, creator of the short film "The Horribly Slow Murderer with the Extremely Inefficient Weapon," which is on its way to becoming a feature film thanks to a healthy festival run and a rabid YouTube fan base. Learn how Gale turned festival success into a cottage industry and a budget for a feature-length horror comedy.

Film Festival Secrets Podcast #28 - How can I pick the right festivals for my film?

Film Festival Secrets Podcast #28 - How can I pick the right festivals for my film?

One of the most frequent questions I get from filmmakers is: how can I narrow the field of thousands of film fests to pick the right festivals for my film? This short podcast covers some basic steps to help you winnow those large lists down in a hurry by examining your film before you examine the festivals.