Attention, screenwriters and filmmakers! If you have a short film you haven’t yet released, or one that’s collecting dust because you don’t know how to get it out to the world, this article’s for you.
The truth is, the best currency in today’s media landscape is exposure—not just exposure to those who might attend a festival’s shorts program, but to a wide net of “accelerators,” or people in positions to help you push your career forward, such as executives, agents, producers, or financiers. Additionally, you can now reach people all around the world without leaving the comfort of your couch. Go where audiences are and get your short film onto as many platforms as possible.
These 10 steps will help you along the way.
The strategy
- Create online + festival strategies. Unlike with feature films, most festivals don’t care if you have your short film online already. Take advantage of this by submitting to online outlets as well as festivals early to increase your chances of exposure. Don’t spend a fortune on festival submissions either. Submit only to top-tier festivals and festivals you know you can attend in person, and keep the rest of your money in your pocket.
- Secure your premiere. If you’re premiering at a festival, follow the buzz with an online release soon after. If you’re premiering online, work to get as much coverage and press as you can. You can make a big splash online and then be invited to submit fee-free to festivals.
- Find partners. Connect with curators online to reach their audiences. Find influencers, organizations, sites, and Meetups focused on your subject matter and reach out to them to share your film.
- Don’t prioritize money. The vast majority of short film distribution deals yield very little profit. Remember that your goal is exposure and not chasing an elusive financial payout.
- Don’t sign away exclusivity. Hang on to your right to have your film be everywhere to maximize your chances of finding people who can aid your career.
- Go cross-platform. Get your film out to multiple sites and as many platforms as possible.
- Internationalize your film. Since it’s now easy and affordable to subtitle your film, reach an international audience by having it translated into different languages.
- Compress your release window. Release your film to the public over a few days or weeks rather than several months or years. Capitalize on the urgency and excitement of the launch.
- Launch, engage, and recalibrate. The most views will come in one to two days after your launch. Keep tabs on who’s connecting with your film. Once you’ve found your audience, home in on publishers, forums, Facebook groups, and communities that could share or feature a film like yours.
- Be prepared to pitch your next idea or project. Always have new ideas (and even scripts) at the ready so you can capitalize on the heat from your current one.
This article originally appeared on ScreenCraft.
