Animated Film Festivals

Gaining exposure as a film maker in animated film festivals
By Allison Vaughn, Photographer / Owner, Von Groveland Photography Festivals of animation play an influential part in gaining notoriety as an animator and/or a filmmaker in the entertainment industry. Fortunately, there are multitudes of film festivals for every one. With dedication to your work, animated film festivals may be the key to helping you as a filmmaker gain success.

Independent filmmakers who enter their films in animation festivals often feel they have more freedom of individuality and aim to make their mark in the field, showing off their own uniqueness. Though, like any competition, it is important to take notice of the following:

1. Partake in animated film festivals, not as a participant but as a viewer.

2. Determine if you would like to participate in national or international festivals of animation.

3. Pinpoint which animation festivals fit your film making goals.

4. Know, understand, and abide by the rules of the animation festivals.

Take part in animated film festivals, not as a participant but as a viewer

Attend local film festivals to gather an idea of the festival itself, the types of films they show, and the type of audience present. What are they reacting to? What brings them to laughter or tears? Get to know who your viewers are by becoming one. Many animation film festivals in the US tour yearly.
Try:  Use FilmFestivals.com to locate local film festivals in your area. Spike and Mike's Film Festival tours the US yearly, so make sure to check out when it is arriving in your area.

Decide if you would like to participate in national or international festivals of animation

National film festivals may play a more financially understanding part in the film maker's life. By participating in national film festivals, film makers are often prepping themselves for the "older sister," the international animated film festival. Decide which step you would like to venture first, small steps or one large leap across an ocean.
Try:  For international animated film festivals, the Melbourne International Animation Festival is well-known. The First Post hosts an online animation film festival, which is helpful wherever you live.

Find out which animation festivals fit your film making goals

Decide what type of film festival fits your film making goals. Judges or participants involved in the Annecy or Ottawa Film Festivals may have a completely different sense of humor than those participating in Spike and Mike's Sick and Twisted Film Festival.
Try:  View some examples on official film festival websites such as from the Wildsound Film Festival, or videos located at Film Festival World.

Know, understand and abide by the rules of the animation festivals

Every film festival has a different set of rules that must be followed in order to be accepted into the festival. It is important to not only follow the rules, but to pay attention and respect the deadlines and procedures.
Try:  Read the Annecy rules and procedures. Annecy is one of the oldest, most respected festivals of animation, and I find it is vital that you gain an idea of how to prepare for a festival before beginning your film making. Other festivals, such as Ottawa International Film Festival, may also help you gain an idea of submission procedures.

• Get to know your audience. Try your film out in a small audience before sending it to an animated short film festival. Allow the audience to give suggestions and then, if needed, make corrections. Remember, it is not entirely just about film making, but also about making an impressionable film that interests others.
• Give yourself enough time to step away before you submit your film to animation festivals. Put down your film for a few weeks to a month. This allows you time to come back and re-evaluate your film for imperfections and make changes for the better.