Young Filmmakers Make Awesome Movies
"My favorite thing about the Utah International Film Festival is watching the movies that the kids in Elementry school made....
Year: 2026
Adopt A Filmmaker
Every year, filmmakers travel from across the world to attend the Utah International Film Festival. Through the Adopt a Filmmaker...
Make Your First Short 5 Minutes Max
You've been thinking about it for weeks. Maybe months. You have an idea—not even a complete one, just a feeling,...
Top 10 Indie Blockbuster Franchises
While massive studios manufacture hits, the independent film scene builds empires. Let's take a closer look at the 10 scrappy...
Plan Your Festival Strategy During Pre‑Production
You write the script, secure the funding, shoot the movie, endure the grueling post-production process, and then look up to...
What Great Cinematography Actually Looks Like
The Academy Awards reminded filmmakers of something important this year when Autumn Durald Arkapaw took home the Oscar for Best...
How to Perfect Your Film Pitch
Stepping into the Pitch Tank at the Utah International Film Festival can feel scary. You may have spent years writing...
Blueprint For Your 1st Short Film
If you’re a brand-new filmmaker with a goal to submit a short film to the Utah International Film Festival by...
Patterns of “Programmed” Shorts
When filmmakers ask, “What kind of short films actually get selected by festivals?” they’re usually hoping for a shortcut. There...
Do Film Festivals Really Watch Every Film?
Yes — real festivals do. But not all festivals are the same, and that’s where a lot of filmmaker anxiety...
Top 40 Actors Over 40
There's a certain kind of actor every filmmaker knows. The one who shows up memorized, makes the other actors better,...
Why Horror Is the Perfect Genre for Indie Filmmakers
When the lights go out, imagination takes over. That’s why horror has always been the filmmaker’s secret training ground —...
Use Festivals to Market Your Movie
Many filmmakers see festivals purely as exhibition windows, wishing that a distributor will magically swoop in. But festivals are far...
Before the Blockbuster, There Was the Short
When Utah filmmaker John Lyde was grinding through the early 2000s, he wasn't on a studio lot. He was editing...
Screenwriters are VITAL to Film Festivals
Submitting your screenplay to film festivals can be worth far more than the laurel you collect or the trophy you...
If Everyone’s Telling the Same Story, How Will Yours Stand Out?
Every year, the Utah International Film Festival receives hundreds of submissions from storytellers all over the world. And while each...
Is My Film Good Enough for Film Festivals?
This might be the most common question filmmakers never say out loud. You’ve finished your film. You’ve watched it a...
What Length Should My Short Film Be for Film Festivals?
If there is one factor that influences your chances of getting into film festivals more than almost anything else, it’s...
Why Did My Film Get Rejected?
If you’ve ever opened a rejection email and thought, “What did I do wrong?” you’re not alone. Every filmmaker hits...
What Makes a Film Stand Out to a Festival Programmer?
When filmmakers imagine a festival programmer, they often picture someone hunting for perfection. That’s not what we’re doing. We’re hunting...
How Many Film Festivals Should I Submit My Film To?
When filmmakers ask how many festivals they should submit to, what they’re really asking is: How do I do this...