Rare Utah Locations (and where to find them)
I have been working as a location manager for over 8 years. Bring that time I have needed to find...
Warren Workman
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....
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...
Write with Location in Mind
When you’re writing your first script, it’s tempting to think big. Multiple locations. Big set pieces. Constant movement. But one...
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...
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...
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...
In Need of Seawater – Film Review
Directed by Richard Yeagley WARNING! This review contains SPOILERS! In Need of Seawater is a film that draws you in...
Bad Timing – Film Review
WARNING! This review contains SPOILERS! Directed by Lenni Uitto and Musa Ali Aden, Bad Timing is one of those short...
City in Observation – Film Review
WARNING! This review contains SPOILERS! Inspired by the Croatian filmmakers of the 1960s and ’70s, City in Observation (directed by...
Passion vs. Tradition: Inside the Story of ‘Fili’
Fili Tanuvasa, a recent graduate torn between following his father's footsteps in football or pursuing his hidden passion for acting,...
A closer look at ARTIFEX
Artifex takes audiences on a journey where history, myth, and the supernatural collide. Set to premiere at the Utah International...
Exploring Loneliness, Connection, and Humanity in “Animal”
Ethan Hawkins, a filmmaker known for his character-driven sci-fi stories, takes audiences on a deeply emotional journey with co-director Taylor...
The Purple Glasses: A Nostalgic Journey Back to 80s Middle School Friendship
"The Purple Glasses," a film crafted from the memories of director Susan Sullivan, brings to life the essence of middle...
Marketing Strategies for Indie Filmmakers
Marketing an independent film on a shoestring budget can be difficult, but many filmmakers have found creative ways to build...
Filmmaker – Spencer Fackrell
Premiering my feature film at the Utah International Film Festival was an unforgettable experience. The festival team worked hard to...
Filmmaker – Rachid Ait
An absolutely beautiful festival full of excitement. The passion that Dora and the entire UIFF team put into this is...
Volume 7 – Film Review
Directed by Panos Pappas & Despina Charalampous WARNING! This review contains SPOILERS! The future has always fascinated me—not just as...
What we imagined – Film Review
Directed by Shubhavi Arya WARNING! This review contains SPOILERS! Every so often, a short film sneaks up on me and...
Utah Enters the Vertical Drama Space
The Utah film community is on a new frontier of storytelling with the release of The Billionaire’s Secret Heir, now...
Bring the Movies to Your Town
The Utah International Film Festival is taking independent cinema on the road! Our Rural Film Screenings program brings award-winning short...