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...
Month: February 2026
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....
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...
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...
Hidden Cost of Over-Ambitious Scripts
At some point, every filmmaker writes an over-ambitious script. Big cast. Multiple locations. Complex scenes. On the page, it feels...
Write Within Your Resources
One of the biggest mistakes early filmmakers make is waiting for the “right” resources to appear. The better approach is...
Write with Cast in Mind
When you’re writing a script, it’s easy to imagine the perfect cast. The ideal age range. The perfect look. The...
Shorts Don’t Need To Be Perfect
When you’re making your first film, it’s easy to feel like it has to be perfect. The perfect script. The...