Are you attending your first film festival? Don’t let the experience intimidate you! Whether you’re screening your debut feature film, a student short, or just going for fun and connections, there’s a lot to take in. But with these tips, you’ll be sure to get the most out of your trip and have a good time.
First things first, make a schedule beforehand of all the things you’d like to see and do. But don’t just watch films for twelve hours straight without doing some workshops and networking. Leave some gaps to improvise and go on adventures.
Next, find out who your driver is and have their information ready to go when you get in. And if you’re a filmmaker, seek out the PR coordinator. They’ll be your brand support and champion to any news outlets or bloggers out there.
It’s also a good idea to connect early with someone who’s been there before and can show you around. Having a buddy will make your experience more fun and less intimidating.
Don’t forget to bring business cards! You’re going to meet a lot of people and it might be hard to remember every person you talked with about staying in touch and possibly working together with in the future.
And last but not least, use all of your new connections to find out where all the after parties are being hosted. People go to film festivals to have fun, so make sure you do too!