When to Submit Your Film to a Festival
Are you really ready to hit that submit button to a film festival you have been following on IG or...
Month: January 2026
How Is BAFTA-Qualification Different from Oscar-Qualification?
“Oscar-qualifying” and “BAFTA-qualifying” are phrases that get used a lot in the festival world, but they don’t mean the same...
What Does “Oscar-Qualifying” Actually Mean for Filmmakers?
“Oscar-qualifying” is a misunderstood phrases in the film festival world. It sounds like a golden ticket. Like if your film...
Do Film Festivals Help Filmmakers Get Distribution?
This is one of the most common — and most misunderstood — questions filmmakers ask. The honest answer is: sometimes,...
How to Get the Most Out of Your Film Festival Experience
Long before you attend a festival — even before you submit — it’s important to understand why you’re doing this...
How to Prepare for Q&A’s at Film Festivals
For many filmmakers, the Q&A is more intimidating than the screening itself. You imagine tough questions, awkward silences, or being...
Genre Films Thrive at UIFF
When filmmakers hear the word “genre,” it’s often followed by concern: Will my horror, sci-fi, or thriller actually be taken...
What Gets Selected — and Wins — at the Utah International Film Festival?
One of the questions we hear most from filmmakers is a fair one: “Is my film a good fit for...
What Should I Expect at My First Film Festival?
Your first film festival can feel intimidating if you don’t know what you’re walking into. Schedules, screenings, badges, Q&As, strangers...
Do I Need to Attend a Film Festival in Person If My Film Is Selected?
This is one of the most common questions filmmakers ask after they receive an acceptance. The short answer is: it depends...
What Should I Include in My Festival Submission Package?
When you’re submitting your film to a festival, the materials you include can really help your project stand out. Here’s...
How Do Film Festivals Actually Judge Films?
For many filmmakers, the judging process can feel like a black box. But at the Utah International Film Festival, we...
What Kind of Festival is Right for My Film?
Once you’ve got a finished film in hand, the big question is: Where does it belong? Not every festival is...
Should I Submit My Film to Big Festivals or Smaller Ones?
It’s the classic filmmaker dilemma: do you go big and aim for the star-studded festivals, or do you keep it...
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...
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...
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...
Sister Wives – Film Review
Louisa Connolly-Burnham’s Sister Wives just wrapped up an impressive festival run, picking up the W at the Utah International Film...
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...
The Pearl Comb – Film Review
The Pearl Comb picked up Best Narrative Short Film at the Utah International Film Festival and has gone on to...
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...