We get it—networking is tough. But as a filmmaker, you have to do it. Even if you’ve created your project from the ground up, you still need a distributor, a rep to champion it, and fellow creators to offer feedback and encouragement. Film festivals are the ideal places to make these kinds of connections, because they have it all in a centralized setting, from screenings to panels to mixers. Here are seven tips on how to get the most out of your experience.
Film festival networking tips
Do your research.
No two festivals are the same. Sure, they all feature a slate of projects screened throughout the event, but some have more specific themes than others. (You can find a few examples here.) Some are documentary-heavy, some highlight a particular genre, and others focus on experimental rather than mainstream work. Make sure to prioritize fests that align with your voice and career goals so that you’re more likely to meet like-minded creatives. Make time to attend not just screenings, but also panels, Q&As, and mixers. These are perfect environments to strike up meaningful conversations.
Prepare your pitch.
You wouldn’t go into a job interview without having a response ready for a prompt like: “So, tell me about yourself.” The same goes for networking at a festival, even if the conversations are more informal. Take the time to craft top-level talking points and an elevator pitch for both your project and you as a filmmaker so you don’t ramble. Do whatever it takes, whether it’s practicing ahead of time, recording yourself, or rehearsing with friends. The point isn’t rote memorization, but getting comfortable. Know your subject (i.e., you) so well that you don’t even have to think about what you’re going to say.
Actively listen and ask questions.
When we’re nervous, we tend to talk too much about ourselves. But the whole point of networking is to build a relationship, and that’s a two-way street. Show genuine curiosity in another person’s project, and you’ll find that it gets easier to determine where their interests and skills align with your own. You want to make an impression for the right reasons, and that means being attentive to others and passionate about your own work without hogging the conversation.
Don’t overextend yourself.
Film festivals are overwhelming. Since there are so many screenings and events, you may be tempted to attend everything; but that can be emotionally and physically draining. By trying to hit as many events as possible, you’re going to overload on names and conversations, making it that much harder to follow up. Also, if you’re exhausted, it will show. So be intentional when choosing your opportunities.
Talk about movies as an ice breaker.
Starting a conversation with a total stranger is scary; one false sentence can take all the air out of the room. But why overthink it? You’re at a film festival; talk about films! If the person you’re chatting with is a writer and/or director, ask if they have a project that’s screening at the fest; if they’re a distributor, ask what movies they’ve seen so far. The best way to combat nerves is to remember that, at the end of the day, every person you meet is there because they love cinema.
Have easily accessible contact info.
Networking doesn’t end when the festival does, so make sure you have your information on hand, whether that’s a physical or digital business card or links to your website or social media profiles. I’m personally a big fan of going old-school with a physical card, since the person you’re talking to will (hopefully) find it in their pocket at the end of the day. But a QR code or a link is great, too.
Follow up.
This is the easiest step to overlook, but it’s the most important one. Though you should wait a day or two for people to recover from the festival, always reach out. This isn’t the time to worry about “bothering” someone. If you spoke with them, send a message about how much you enjoyed the conversation. Reiterate your interests, send along any material you discussed (if requested), and keep the lines of communication open. There you have it; your network just got bigger.
