Festival Submissions/Distribution

[RainbowDragon]

When submitting to festivals, I noticed generally they expect producers/directors to do the submitting. As a writer, has anyone found it to be worth or not worth submitting yourself (and coughing up the fee(s)) and why?

Extra credit: Explain the best distribution options available that it may be possible for writers to score for independent films made from their scripts.

Looking forward to everyone's opinions. Thanks!

[Joe Calabrese]

Huh?

[RainbowDragon]

Sorry, I'm talking about finished films, not scripts for screenwriting contests at festivals. . .

[Joe Calabrese]

The writer does not have the rights to submit a film to a film festival. Only the producer can, since they are the owners of it. Now if you are talking about submitting the screenplay for a film (if that festival has such a category) then sure.



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[RainbowDragon]

Good point-- again to clarify, what about in cases where the producer grants the writer the right to distribute/submit? Is it worth the time/effort/money and will it generally bring any exposure to the writer or will any/all glory go to the producer in such circumstances? :) Thanks.

[Joe Calabrese]

I don't see when a producer would ever want the writer to do anything with with the sale, distribution or anything having to do with the film after the film is made-- unless the film sucks so bad that the producer wants nothing to do with it.

[RainbowDragon]

Hehe sure that's possible, or maybe likes making movies but doesn't enjoy promoting them. Or figures double the promotion for the same amount of work if the writer is enthusiastic (naive?) enough.

I'm sure there are plenty of reasons that could happen. Sounds like either way the writer should stand down and leave any promotional efforts to the producer, then. Thanks for the feedback.

[scottVee]

Of course, if you're writer/producer/director/janitor you can do whatever you like. The submissions to festivals are clearly in the producer's hands, since it's their job to find a way for the project to make money.

As producer of a few short projects, I must say it's time-consuming, and most festivals take the submission fee without so much as a hello. Seems like the odds of making money this was are remote. After putting so much work into a project, the whole game of "hoping to get noticed" (a.k.a. "hoping someone cares") is a bit depressing.

Maybe I just picked the wrong festivals.

[RainbowDragon]

Yeah it seems a lot like the screenwriting contests: 1000 non-quarter-finalists and the handful who get something to put on their resumes. . .We feel your pain.

[Steven Howard]

Good point-- again to clarify, what about in cases where the producer grants the writer the right to distribute/submit? Is it worth the time/effort/money and will it generally bring any exposure to the writer or will any/all glory go to the producer in such circumstances? :) Thanks.

Is this a situation you think you're likely to find yourself in?

[Rainy Night]

At a recent seminar I attended they discussed short scripts and said that unless you are directing or producing it's a waste of time. There isn’t really any opportunity for recognition for the writer. Mostly shorts are for a director to show off his or her skills or for a producer to pitch a project.

My thoughts however, if you write a great short and a producer has success with it they'll give you a shot at writing the feature.

[seanie blue]

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