Festival time

[twister!]

Anyone entering any work into any of this year's festivals?

[Kev Owens]

I should have! The UK Film Council have a short that I wrote and they funded on their books, but they aren't promoting it (which would involve the festival circuit), only trying to sell it!

There goes my multiple location schmoozing and boozing oportunities!

[twister!]

Is that 'A Blank Slate'?

Can't you promote/send it off yourself?

With regard to doing the circuit (shorts) - which fests would you include, Kev? I've shortlisted Brief Encounters, Chichester, Raindance, Hull and London Times/bfi (probably a very long shot that one...).

<font color="#a62a2a" size="1">[ May 06, 2004 05:08 AM: Message edited by: Justin M. ]</font>

[MatJimMood]

Kev,

How did you get the UK Film Council to read your script. Did you just send it to them?

[Kev Owens]

I entered a short script into the North of England's Film Council outpost Northern Film & Media. They were running a scheme to make 8 digital short films. My script; 'The Hard Sell' was selected and made at the end of last year. ('A Blank Slate' was a self funded project I did before that, which was accepted into Edinburgh, but as I found out shorts aren't very well catered for up there!) I don't think that the UK Film Council accept unsolicited scripts.

Justin, the festival circuit as I have found it is tricky. To be honest, it depends on what your intentions are for the film. I'd try and talk to a 'film programmer' if possible.

If you want to sell it, then abroad is your priority (British humour is apparently sought after in certain European countries). If you only want it shown to promote your talents, then your list is pretty good, but I'd always try to attend- as the people and contacts you make whilst there can be as valuable as having a film in the festival in the first place!

A book that is a must is 'First Facts 2' by Andrea Cornwell. If you want info sources, training, funding info, how to promote yourself in the industry get this book. (I'm not on commission, honest!) cover price ?16- WELL worth it... First Film website

[twister!]

Cheers, Kev.

[twister!]

Did you find that once Edinburgh had accepted nthe other fests said they wouldn't show it. I know some in their small print say they have to be informed if anyone else shows it.

I know that in my professional industry magazines are very much like that - if one mag features a piece of work then the others say no.

<font size="1">(btw I've got some design work in Creative Review 'The Annual' - out now! [img]wink.gif[/img] )</font>

[Kev Owens]

After Edinburgh we were in Limbo. A short film that is over 15 mins is a freak apparently! (A Blank Slate runs at 26 mins).

I know that Edinburgh won't accept films that have been screened anywhere else, so I suppose other festivals are entitled to make life more difficult for them too!

[Nigel]

Who knows for me....

For me this is usually left to the director/producer to argue about. There is a really good script that I am supposed to be shooting in the next three weeks but my contract is still being worked out. Futhermore, I feel like the director is destroying the script by cutting every corner he can and by trying to make it for a festival deadline. Who makes a movie based on a festival dealine??? That is one of the most stupid things I had ever heard.

Ahhhhhh.....

Good Luck