Things to Know Before Attending Your First Film Festival

Your first film festival is an experience that you will always fondly remember and cherish. Before you attend your first film festival, it helps to know exactly what you are getting into. It can be quite an overwhelming experience, especially on your first day. Here are some things you will want to keep in mind before you attend your first film festival:

Research About the Film Festival

It is vital to take your time and decide whether the film festival is worth attending in the first place. Have a look at whether it’s done well in the past and if it has received enough film coverage.

Make sure to learn about the jury members, panelists, and filmmakers that will be present at the film festival. This will help you make the most of your networking efforts. Also, have a look at their editorial policy.

The Film Festival Must Offer Opportunities for Learning

Film festivals usually don’t just have movies, but they also have plenty of interesting workshops and seminars on a wide range of topics. You will get to learn a great deal about filmmaking, distribution, and networking skills.

It is Best to Have a Companion

If it’s your first time attending a film festival, it is strongly recommended that you go with a companion, preferably someone who’s been to a few film festivals. Otherwise, there are chances of becoming confused about the venue and not knowing where to go.

The last thing you want is to be late for your own film screening. Otherwise, you can end up losing a precious opportunity to interact with the audience and receive opinions from filmmakers.

Have a Clear Schedule

The list of movies and events on the day of the film festival can be enough to make you dizzy! Hence, it helps to have a clear schedule and prioritize your activities. You will want to be prepared to make sacrifice a good movie or two in order to attend a helpful workshop or make the best of a networking opportunity!

Don’t Forget Your Business Cards

Chances are that you will find plenty of people who will show great interest in your work and will want to be in touch with you. Hence, they may ask you for your business card. If you haven’t gotten your business cards done, make sure to have them done in a visually attractive and clear way and carry them to the festival.

Don’t Miss the Parties

Lastly, remember that film festivals are all about having fun! You will find plenty of great after-parties to attend, where you will find many interesting people. Some of these parties will even have free food and drink. So, make sure to lighten up and have a good time!