Locations You Can Film for FREE
A lot of new filmmakers make the excuse that they don’t have any money to make their first short film,...
Month: February 2026
What Indie Filmmakers Can Learn From YouTubers Who Went Theatrical
For years, indie filmmakers and YouTubers felt like two different worlds. Film festivals on one side. Online creators on the...
Is Vertical Filmmaking Taking Over?
Vertical dramas are not just a trend anymore (RIP Quibi). They are now a real part of the film industry,...
Is premiere status really that important?
Few topics create more confusion among filmmakers than premiere status. Ask ten filmmakers what it means, and you’ll often get...
What actually gets a film rejected
One of the most emotionally loaded moments in a filmmaker’s journey is the rejection email. Just a polite variation of...
Make the most out of your 1st film festival experience
Your first film festival can feel a little surreal. There’s energy everywhere. Filmmakers talking shop in hallways. Packed screening rooms....
Should I add laurels to my poster?
On the surface, it feels like an obvious yes. You worked hard. Your film was accepted. Maybe it even won...
Where to get a DCP
If you spend enough time around film festivals, one technical acronym eventually starts to haunt your inbox: DCP. A DCP...
I Submitted to a Lot of Festivals. Is That Good?
Short answer: it depends on why you did it and what you expect to happen next. Submitting to a lot...
Tips for Promoting Festival Screenings as a Filmmaker
There’s a myth that festivals will fill your screening for you. Sometimes they do. Often they don’t. Even strong festivals...
Are Western Film Festivals Favoring Political Films?
Yes, there are film festivals throughout the United States that favor political films over other genres. That is part of...
10 Fundraising Ideas for Filmmakers (That Aren’t Crowdfunding)
Crowdfunding is the film industry’s version of standing on a digital street corner with a tip jar. Sometimes it works....
What should I look for before submitting to festivals?
With thousands of festivals and awards programs out there, being selective is smart. The challenge is knowing what to look...
When should I release my short film’s trailer?
Release it too early and it feels like momentum without a destination. Release it too late and you miss opportunities...
What’s the point of so many film festivals?
The frustration is understandable. Thousands of festivals exist, many with little visibility, unclear value, or no live event at all....
6 Email Tools for Filmmakers to Track Performance
Your network is one of your most valuable assets. Whether you’re pitching a script, reaching out to festivals, or starting...
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...
Why International Films Matter
One of the most important ways a film festival grows—artistically and culturally—is through international programming. For the Utah International Film...
International Films WIN at UIFF
While most of the films submitted to the Utah International Film Festival come from the United States, we’ve seen a...
Demystifying Film Festival Programming
Do you feel festival programming is mysterious and maybe a bit arbitrary? Why did one film get a prime evening...
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...