Film Festival Secrets 2.0
Film Festival Secrets 2.0
by Christopher Holland
Christopher Holland
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Mystified by film festivals? Research for the 2nd edition of the book “Film Festival Secrets” is underway and will include live Q&A with festival directors and veteran filmmakers. Join the community that will learn the secrets before they’re written down with early access to webinars and content!
Mystified by film festivals? Research for the 2nd edition of the book “Film Festival Secrets” is underway and will include live Q&A with festival directors and veteran filmmakers. Join the community that will learn the secrets before they’re written down with early access to webinars and content!
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Story
About The Project
There's a lot about the world of film festivals that will never change. Audiences still show up to watch movies in the dark with their fellow film lovers, and they're still thrilled to meet the creators of those movies at their local film festivals.
Accordingly, there are parts of the first edition of "Film Festival Secrets" that will stand the test of time.However, there are other bits of the book that really show their age. (That mention of MySpace in the marketing chapter, for instance, really has to go.)Just as the book itself must change, however, I think it's important to learn more about the ways filmmakers like you enter the festival circuit, what you want from the experience, and how you can better take advantage of what it has to offer. The best way to do that is not to lock myself away during the writing process, but to invite you to be part of the journey.I'm looking forward to getting to know a new community of filmmakers and their work as the new edition of "Film Festival Secrets" takes shape.Incentives
$1
A big THANK YOU on the Film Festival Secrets web site and access to exclusive contributor updates (including recordings of webinars held during the campaign).
$5
Get it before it’s gone! Download the FIRST edition Film Festival Secrets ebook package (normally $15) + perks from the $1 level. Download links are sent to new contributors daily.
$10
Get it before anyone else! Download of the SECOND edition FFS ebook package (PDF, Kindle, and ePub versions) when available. Plus: perks from previous levels.
$20
EARLY BIRD membership. Get all the perks of the $25 level for $20 - just because you got here first!
Claimed: 0 of 30
$25
Be part of the live audience. This level includes embership in the FFS contributors Facebook group where I'll be answering festival strategy questions each week. Members at this level will also get invitations to online recording sessions of podcast episodes, plus all previous perks.
$50
(YOUR NAME IN PRINT) - Your name will be mentioned in the acknowledgements section of the 2nd edition of the book, including the print edition. You'll also get a copy of the print edition mailed to a shipping address you provide. Plus: membership in the FFS contributors Facebook group where I'll be answering festival strategy questions each week, invitations to virtual recording sessions of podcast episodes, digital copies of the first and second editions, access to exclusive contributor updates (including recordings of webinars held during the campaign) and a thank-you on the web site.
$75
(SUPPORTING FESTIVAL) - Festival organizers, take note - your festival's name and web site URL will be featured in a special "Supporting Festivals" section of the 2nd edition of Film Festival Secrets, acknowledging your support of the book's creation. Your festival will also be featured in a campaign update calling out new Supporting Festivals and later be featured in its own entry on the main Film Festival Secrets blog when one of your call for entries deadlines approaches. + All perks from the "YOUR NAME IN PRINT" reward level.
$100
FILMMAKER SPONSOR - Each episode of the podcast this season will have up to 3 sponsor breaks, one of which will focus on a film with a current or upcoming festival run. If you are a filmmaker sponsor, I'll read a message from you and/or conduct a short (3 minute) interview with you about your film to bring the attention of festival programmers to your project. Episodes will be allotted on a first-backed, first-served basis. + All perks from the "YOUR NAME IN PRINT" reward level.
Claimed: 0 of 12
$125
(FILMMAKER SPONSOR) - One of the sponsor breaks in each episode will focus on a film with a current or upcoming festival run. If you are a filmmaker sponsor, I'll read a message from you and/or conduct a short (3 minute) interview with you about your film to bring the attention of festival programmers to your project. Your film will also receive placement in a sponsored post on the Film Festival Secrets blog and in an update to the Seed&Spark campaign contributors. Episodes will be allotted on a first-backed, first-served basis. + All perks from the "YOUR NAME IN PRINT" reward level.
Claimed: 0 of 12
$150
(FESTIVAL SPONSOR) - One of the sponsor breaks in each episode will focus on a festival with an upcoming deadline. I'll work with you to create a 2-3 minute sponsor read about your festival to promote your call for entries. + All perks from the "YOUR NAME IN PRINT" reward level.
Claimed: 0 of 12
$175
Short Film Festival Strategy Consultation - You'll get a verbal evaluation of your short film's strengths & weaknesses on the festival circuit, cover letter evaluation & suggestions to improve it, and 2 hours of phone/Skype consultation, including the verbal evaluation and open Q&A time. Plus the perks from the $50 YOUR NAME IN PRINT level. (Normally $199 without the extra perks.)
Claimed: 0 of 10
$200
SOLD OUT! FEE WAIVER BUNDLE - Submit your film to a bunch of great festivals for one low price! This bundle includes fee waivers for the 2015/2016 seasons of multiple film festivals, current list found here: http://j.mp/ffs-waivers . PLUS All perks from the $50 "YOUR NAME IN PRINT" reward level.
Claimed: 0 of 12
$250
One of the sponsor breaks in each episode will focus on a festival with an upcoming deadline. At this level, I'll include a short (2-3 minute) interview with a programmer/director from your festival to answer a specific filmmaker question about the festival process. In addition, you'll get a sponsor read of information about your festival for a total spot of about 5 minutes. This spot will always be featured in the first third of the episode's running time. + All perks from the "YOUR NAME IN PRINT" reward level.
Claimed: 0 of 12
$255
Festival Mastermind Group - Feeling alone and frustrated on the festival circuit? This mastermind group is the antidote -- you'll get perspective and support from me and your fellow filmmakers, and provide your own insight to your peers. Get practical feedback on your film from an online test screening audience, followed by individual consultation with Chris and a festival workshop with your fellow backers (including a live conference call to discuss each film). Features and shorts are eligible to participate. Group starts in September 2015, perks from the $50 YOUR NAME IN PRINT level delivered in 2016.
Claimed: 0 of 8
$300
Feature Film Festival Strategy Consultation: You'll get a verbal evaluation of film's strengths & weaknesses on the festival circuit, cover letter evaluation & suggestions to improve it, and 2 hours of phone/Skype consultation, including the verbal evaluation and open Q&A time. Plus the perks from the $50 YOUR NAME IN PRINT level. (Normally $349 without the extra perks.)
Claimed: 0 of 5
$500
Film Festival Strategy Clinic - Tactical, practical help with your film's festival strategy including 6 hours of phone consultation time. I'll watch your film and prepare a detailed analysis of its festival viability, including pros and cons from a festival programmer's perspective. In addition, I will prepare a target list of 40+ film festivals that I think would be most receptive to your film. Finally, we'll deep-dive into your film's web site (or how to create one), online presence, and press kit to make sure your marketing and distribution plan are top-of-the-line. A $1000 value PLUS the perks offered in the YOUR NAME IN PRINT reward level.
Claimed: 0 of 6
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Wishlist
Use the WishList to pledge cash and loan items - or - Make a pledge by selecting an incentive directly.
$1
A big THANK YOU on the Film Festival Secrets web site and access to exclusive contributor updates (including recordings of webinars held during the campaign).
$5
Get it before it’s gone! Download the FIRST edition Film Festival Secrets ebook package (normally $15) + perks from the $1 level. Download links are sent to new contributors daily.
$10
Get it before anyone else! Download of the SECOND edition FFS ebook package (PDF, Kindle, and ePub versions) when available. Plus: perks from previous levels.
$20
EARLY BIRD membership. Get all the perks of the $25 level for $20 - just because you got here first!
Claimed: 0 of 30
$25
Be part of the live audience. This level includes embership in the FFS contributors Facebook group where I'll be answering festival strategy questions each week. Members at this level will also get invitations to online recording sessions of podcast episodes, plus all previous perks.
$50
(YOUR NAME IN PRINT) - Your name will be mentioned in the acknowledgements section of the 2nd edition of the book, including the print edition. You'll also get a copy of the print edition mailed to a shipping address you provide. Plus: membership in the FFS contributors Facebook group where I'll be answering festival strategy questions each week, invitations to virtual recording sessions of podcast episodes, digital copies of the first and second editions, access to exclusive contributor updates (including recordings of webinars held during the campaign) and a thank-you on the web site.
$75
(SUPPORTING FESTIVAL) - Festival organizers, take note - your festival's name and web site URL will be featured in a special "Supporting Festivals" section of the 2nd edition of Film Festival Secrets, acknowledging your support of the book's creation. Your festival will also be featured in a campaign update calling out new Supporting Festivals and later be featured in its own entry on the main Film Festival Secrets blog when one of your call for entries deadlines approaches. + All perks from the "YOUR NAME IN PRINT" reward level.
$100
FILMMAKER SPONSOR - Each episode of the podcast this season will have up to 3 sponsor breaks, one of which will focus on a film with a current or upcoming festival run. If you are a filmmaker sponsor, I'll read a message from you and/or conduct a short (3 minute) interview with you about your film to bring the attention of festival programmers to your project. Episodes will be allotted on a first-backed, first-served basis. + All perks from the "YOUR NAME IN PRINT" reward level.
Claimed: 0 of 12
$125
(FILMMAKER SPONSOR) - One of the sponsor breaks in each episode will focus on a film with a current or upcoming festival run. If you are a filmmaker sponsor, I'll read a message from you and/or conduct a short (3 minute) interview with you about your film to bring the attention of festival programmers to your project. Your film will also receive placement in a sponsored post on the Film Festival Secrets blog and in an update to the Seed&Spark campaign contributors. Episodes will be allotted on a first-backed, first-served basis. + All perks from the "YOUR NAME IN PRINT" reward level.
Claimed: 0 of 12
$150
(FESTIVAL SPONSOR) - One of the sponsor breaks in each episode will focus on a festival with an upcoming deadline. I'll work with you to create a 2-3 minute sponsor read about your festival to promote your call for entries. + All perks from the "YOUR NAME IN PRINT" reward level.
Claimed: 0 of 12
$175
Short Film Festival Strategy Consultation - You'll get a verbal evaluation of your short film's strengths & weaknesses on the festival circuit, cover letter evaluation & suggestions to improve it, and 2 hours of phone/Skype consultation, including the verbal evaluation and open Q&A time. Plus the perks from the $50 YOUR NAME IN PRINT level. (Normally $199 without the extra perks.)
Claimed: 0 of 10
$200
SOLD OUT! FEE WAIVER BUNDLE - Submit your film to a bunch of great festivals for one low price! This bundle includes fee waivers for the 2015/2016 seasons of multiple film festivals, current list found here: http://j.mp/ffs-waivers . PLUS All perks from the $50 "YOUR NAME IN PRINT" reward level.
Claimed: 0 of 12
$250
One of the sponsor breaks in each episode will focus on a festival with an upcoming deadline. At this level, I'll include a short (2-3 minute) interview with a programmer/director from your festival to answer a specific filmmaker question about the festival process. In addition, you'll get a sponsor read of information about your festival for a total spot of about 5 minutes. This spot will always be featured in the first third of the episode's running time. + All perks from the "YOUR NAME IN PRINT" reward level.
Claimed: 0 of 12
$255
Festival Mastermind Group - Feeling alone and frustrated on the festival circuit? This mastermind group is the antidote -- you'll get perspective and support from me and your fellow filmmakers, and provide your own insight to your peers. Get practical feedback on your film from an online test screening audience, followed by individual consultation with Chris and a festival workshop with your fellow backers (including a live conference call to discuss each film). Features and shorts are eligible to participate. Group starts in September 2015, perks from the $50 YOUR NAME IN PRINT level delivered in 2016.
Claimed: 0 of 8
$300
Feature Film Festival Strategy Consultation: You'll get a verbal evaluation of film's strengths & weaknesses on the festival circuit, cover letter evaluation & suggestions to improve it, and 2 hours of phone/Skype consultation, including the verbal evaluation and open Q&A time. Plus the perks from the $50 YOUR NAME IN PRINT level. (Normally $349 without the extra perks.)
Claimed: 0 of 5
$500
Film Festival Strategy Clinic - Tactical, practical help with your film's festival strategy including 6 hours of phone consultation time. I'll watch your film and prepare a detailed analysis of its festival viability, including pros and cons from a festival programmer's perspective. In addition, I will prepare a target list of 40+ film festivals that I think would be most receptive to your film. Finally, we'll deep-dive into your film's web site (or how to create one), online presence, and press kit to make sure your marketing and distribution plan are top-of-the-line. A $1000 value PLUS the perks offered in the YOUR NAME IN PRINT reward level.
Claimed: 0 of 6
- Updates
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Current Team
About This Team
I've been working in film for about twenty years, first as one of the early internet movie bloggers (long before the term was invented) on a site I co-founded and co-wrote with my college roommate, Scott Hamilton. (Not that Scott Hamilton.) Stomp Tokyo (stomptokyo.com) was written up in the New York Times and Entertainment weekly as a "trash movie paradise" and eventually we published a compendium of our reviews as a book titled "Reel Shame: Bad Movies and the Hollywood Stars Who Made Them."
Upon moving to Austin, Texas I started working directly with film festivals (the Austin Film Festival at first) and for a hybrid distribution/tech startup called B-Side Entertainment. B-Side was ahead of its time (and sadly is no more), but it was there that I got my education in building an audience and in how festivals really work. I became acquainted with more than two hundred festival directors and got a broad survey of how film festivals large and small operated -- and how they saw themselves.Armed with this knowledge and with interviews from dozens of festival staffers and filmmakers, I published the first edition of "Film Festival Secrets" and began consulting with individual filmmakers on their festival strategy and film marketing/distribution plans.Seven years and 300+ clients later, I've watched the world change and the industry change along with it. There's a lot more I've learned about the way indie film works and I'm eager to get that knowledge down in the pages of a new edition of "Film Festival Secrets." -
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