Film Festival Distribution and Consultancy
Сooperate with TV channels, film studios, film schools and independent authors.
Promote films to festivals without you forfeiting the rights. Distribute fiction, documentaries, animation, VR, music videos and experimentals. Both shorts and full-length.
Yulia Travnikova
Head of film festival distribution department
hello@festagent.com
hello@festagent.com
Pricing
We provide customized festival strategy and list of festivals for couple months ahead and submit films to them. If you'll need help with coordinating submission and participation — not a problem. Pay only for those steps you want to.
Submit short to a festival
8 € / submission
Platforms fee are included. Short film — under 30 min.
Submit feature to a festival
12 € / submission
Platforms fee included. Feature — over 31 min.
Coordinate submission
25 € / festival
In case your film becomes perticipant of festival contest, we take care of Emails, coordination, maintenance film copy to a festival
Festival Strategy
We watch at and analyze the film from the point of view of the festival's potential and offer a promotion strategy: which festivals you need to pay attention to, which ones will be a priority for the premiere.
We will write recommendations for the film by festival niches, categories, level of competitions, etc.
Bonus: promo code for one year free access to festivals directory
150 €
Consulting
Before the consultation, we are watching the film.
At the meeting we will discuss:
- the premiere status and festival strategy for the film;
- discuss premiere status and festival strategy;
- analyze your previous submissions and selections;
- discuss next steps and online release;
- answer your questions regarding your film or the festival run.
Consultations are held via Zoom.
Bonus: promo code for -50% discount to festivals directory
90 €
Submissions
48 000+
We have submit films on festivals around the world
Awards
1020+
Great experience of customized festival strategies
Films we promote was screened and awarded at Cannes Film Festival, Annecy, Berlinale, Rotterdam, Moscow Film Festival, Warsaw, Busan, Montreal, Camerimage, Jihlava IFF, Palm Springs, Tokyo, Krakow, Warsaw, Tampere and many others.
What we do
Developing a festival strategy, select appropriate festivals, submit entry forms, track results, help to organize your visit to the festival.
- Developing festival distribution strategy in collaboration with directors and producers and select festival list for months ahead.
- Submitting festival entry forms due to list and deadlines of the festivals.
- Delivering all necessary info for festivals for their printed catalogues and dcp copies for screenings. Coordination of the communication in case of selection or winning an award.
- Management of the submission fees. All info about fees is transparent and available in google spreadsheet with dates and screenshots of payments.
- Managing relationships with selection committees and festival's organizers.
- Collaboration with festivals in order to organize the travels for the director and/or the producer or other team members in case of selection or award.
Included in the price are the following issues:
Not included in the price are the following issues:
- Film promotion strategy: film analysis and highlightening the festival promotion potential;
- Selection and compilation of festivals list;
- Conforming the list of festivals with the author of the film;
- Filling in the festivals' applications in English;
- Work with selection commitees directly, some of them we know personally (sometimes it exempts from official sending of the film in a manner approved by the festival);
- Translation of the questionnaire into English (if you do not have a readymade translation);
- Writing synopsis and logline for the film, cover letters to festivals;
- Recording and printing on a DVD (as long as necessary), envelopes and other materials;
- Payment for postal services (2–7$ for one shipment);
- Payment for online platform fees in EUR or USD (an average of 2-6 USD per application);
- Correspondence with the organizers of the festivals in English;
- Informing you about film's selection;
- Assisting in sending DCP-copies of the film online (unless courier services are required);
- Consultations on the presentation of the film at the festival;
- Assisting in obtaining visas and organizing trips to the festival;
- Maintaining a progress report table;
- Tracking the results of the work of selection commiitees and the festivals results.
Not included in the price are the following issues:
- Fees for participation in paid festivals (entry fees);
- Additional services: video conversion, translation and subtitles, dialogue/ editing sheets, creating DCP-copies;
- Sending a copy for screening at the festival by courier services DHL and FEDEX (at first we always try to arrange a DCP transfer straight with the festival via online services).
- Line-up available 24/7We maintain google-spreadsheet with all necessary information: list of festivals, deadlines, submitting status, tracking numbers, fees, commentaries etc.
- Personal film cardWe create film page for every client, where you can see all important info about your film. Also we use film pages in our film lists for friendly festivals.
- Agency's film lists for festivalsWe are in direct contact with some festival selection committees and know their needs for current year. Due to their request we prepare list of films, selected especially for this festival.
Clients
Among our clients we have international studios like Disney and leading animation and film studios from Russia, film Schools from VGIK to FAMU, TV channels and independent filmmakers.
Request Film Promotion
Please make the card of your film (instruction) — it will greatly speed up the work and the process of collecting the materials.
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What should be ready before start (checklist)
By the time of signing the contract, you need to collect materials on the project — without them we will not be able to start working with the film. The list is below.
1. Preview copy with English subtitles
The copy of the film in full HD 1920x1080 resolution (up to 2 GB for movies up to 30 minutes, up to 4.5 GB for the feature films) with English subtitles in the format * .mp4 or * .mov.
2. Preview copy without subtitles
A similar file, without subtitles in the original language.
3. Subtitles file in *.srt format
Even if your subtitles are embedded in the video, you will still need a separate file. It is required for translations at the festival. The file must be prepared in advance.
4. Logline and synopsis
Synopsis is used in all festival profiles. Read the article on writing logline and synopsis.
5. Director's biography and filmography
Required in all, without exception, festival profiles.
6. Director's statement
We recommend writing the director's statement so that we can use it for personal submission straight to the festival selection commeet.
7. 5 shots and director's photo
Photos in print quality (300 dpi) — can be used in the festival catalogue. The face on the photo should be clearly visible. The file is needed in print quality (300dpi) — for festival catalogue.
8. Film poster and trailer
These are additional files, but it is better to prepare them too. Poster is used in all online materials and can be printed and hung on the venues of the festival. The movie trailer can also be used as a promotion at the festival.
Read: How to make a movie poster.
9. DCP copy
You can prepare it right before the first festival screening. One version is enough, to which you can add an additional package (subtitles, audio tracks).
Questions and Answers
We have collected popular questions and answered them
General issues
Festivals are the best way to show movies around the world, get a prize and money for the next project, travel and personally attend the screenings, find a distributor, make useful contacts in the industry, get feedback and read about your film in press. And in general, to be sure that the world get know about you. Among other things, the festival is always a holiday!
Strategy is an expert analysis of the film in the context of the festivals' choices. We evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the film, highlight the individual characteristics that are important for film festivals, and also offer you the certain directions for promoting your project — which categories of festivals should it be sent first of all, in which countries it can be well received, and which are not worth spending time for. We support the indicated directions with certain examples of festivals, from six to ten titles.
Of course you can. But, as it was mentioned above, there are more than 4,000 festivals in the world. Some of them are paid — submitting your film to them will cost a round sum. And festivals that are well known and easy to apply (in one click and for free) receive thousands of films each year. So the competition is huge there. You need a strategy in order to row down useless competitions, spend less money on paid film festivals, send your film where it will be potentially interesting and also taking into account the issue of premiere.
Included in the price are the following issues:
- Film promotion strategy: film analysis and highlightening the festival promotion potential;
- Selection and compilation of festivals list;
- Conforming the list of festivals with the author of the film;
- Filling in the festivals' applications in English;
- Work with selection commitees directly, some of them we know personally (sometimes it exempts from official sending of the film in a manner approved by the festival);
- Translation of the questionnaire into English (if you do not have a readymade translation);
- Writing synopsis and logline for the film, cover letters to festivals;
- Recording and printing on a DVD (as long as necessary), envelopes and other materials;
- Payment for postal services (2–7$ for one shipment);
- Payment for online platform fees in EUR or USD (an average of 2-6 USD per application);
- Correspondence with the organizers of the festivals in English;
- Informing you about film's selection;
- Assisting in sending DCP-copies of the film online (unless courier services are required);
- Consultations on the presentation of the film at the festival;
- Assisting in obtaining visas and organizing trips to the festival;
- Maintaining a progress report table;
- Tracking the results of the work of selection commiitees and the festivals results.
Not included in the price are the following issues:
- Fees for participation in paid festivals (entry fees);
- Additional services: video conversion, translation and subtitles, dialogue/ editing sheets, creating DCP-copies;
- Sending a copy for screening at the festival by courier services DHL and FEDEX (at first we always try to arrange a DCP transfer straight with the festival via online services).
- The festivals (and sections) chosen by the agents correspond to the theme and genre of your film, and the technical details correspond to the regulations;
- The film will be submitted to the festival on time. We do not guarantee (and no one can) the selection of the film into the competition programm;
- We work under the contract;
- Exclusive rights for the film remain totally yours. Under the contract, we have the right to sign the festival applications, to reproduce the film (DVD replication for festivals and private links);
- Prizes, diplomas and cash awards belong to you as the copyright holder;
- Security at all stages of work, the film will be seen only by selection commitees.
Festivals charge money for submission for two reasons:
- This is an additional source of the festival budget;
- It disciplines the filmmakers.
Yes. But keep in mind that 95% of the festivals in America, England and Australia have paid entries. If you are interested in these geographical areas, plan your budget for the fees. Most of the top festivals also need paid applications (Berlinale, Venice, Rotterdam and others). Sometimes it happens that a particular paid festival fits the film thematically. According to statistics, more and more festivals around the world every year turns to paid applications.
There is no general answer to this question. Each film has its own destiny - some will be taken for the competition, so to say "from the street", from the first application sent. And sometimes good films are not taken for months. Do not forget that a huge amount of projects are sent to the festivals: to the average festival from 3000, to the top from 10 000. From this amount only several dozens of authors are invited to participate.
Therefore the general recommendation — the more applications the better, especially for short films. It is better to do about 120-180 shipment submissions in a year. In this case it is possible to cover the whole range of festivals suitable for the film. But an individual strategy is always available, taking into account your personal budget and time resource.
Therefore the general recommendation — the more applications the better, especially for short films. It is better to do about 120-180 shipment submissions in a year. In this case it is possible to cover the whole range of festivals suitable for the film. But an individual strategy is always available, taking into account your personal budget and time resource.
There is no set standard. On average, the border of a short film runs at 30 minutes, then, from 30 to 60 minutes — a medium-length movie, more than 60 minutes — a feature one.
At the same time in different short films festivals the borders can be even 10 or 45 minutes. The most common are 15 and 30 minutes. At American film festivals the practice of certain border between a short and a full meter is accepted — 50 minutes. Anything shorter is considered a short film; anything that is longer is feature one. At the same time, films of average length, even if they fit into the rules of the festival, are difficult toset in a festival program.
There are even special festivals focused on medium-length cinema, but there are few of them, therefore, in terms of promotion, such films are the most difficult to work with.
Short films from 20 to 30 minutes can also be difficult to fit into the program, especially at festivals with a small competition, where the number of sessions is limited. There is also a microfilm format, usually up to 3 or 5 minutes.
There are festivals that are focused on this format, and it is also distributed in special competitions, where a narrow theme is set.
At the same time in different short films festivals the borders can be even 10 or 45 minutes. The most common are 15 and 30 minutes. At American film festivals the practice of certain border between a short and a full meter is accepted — 50 minutes. Anything shorter is considered a short film; anything that is longer is feature one. At the same time, films of average length, even if they fit into the rules of the festival, are difficult toset in a festival program.
There are even special festivals focused on medium-length cinema, but there are few of them, therefore, in terms of promotion, such films are the most difficult to work with.
Short films from 20 to 30 minutes can also be difficult to fit into the program, especially at festivals with a small competition, where the number of sessions is limited. There is also a microfilm format, usually up to 3 or 5 minutes.
There are festivals that are focused on this format, and it is also distributed in special competitions, where a narrow theme is set.
In accordance with Art. 1274 of the Civil Code of the Russian Federation for educational shows it is allowed to use other rightholder works without the consent of the author and without paying remuneration, but with the obligatory indication of thauthor's name and the source of borrowing. In all other cases for any public shows you need to acquire rights, regardless of the length of the music part. The exclusive copyright of works is limited (it generally expires 70 years after the author's death), but even if the work you are using is now in the public domain, there are related rights to recorded performances (for example, the orchestra playing the composition by Bach that you want use in the film) and phonograms.
Application Form and Files
There are no random questions in the questionnaire. Since the film festivals world is big we need the most various information about the film.
Is the music in the film original, or was it bought in the record library? — Film festivals that award prizes for soundtrack must know if the original music sounds in the proposed film, or from some resource.
Did the film have public screenings? — Depending on where the film has already been shown an individual strategy of promotion to top festivals is provided, taking into account the status of premiere.
Is the music in the film original, or was it bought in the record library? — Film festivals that award prizes for soundtrack must know if the original music sounds in the proposed film, or from some resource.
Did the film have public screenings? — Depending on where the film has already been shown an individual strategy of promotion to top festivals is provided, taking into account the status of premiere.
Of course we take into account your wishes and choose the appropriate festivals. For example, you want to participate in festivals of a particular region or country, or you want festivals with paid prizes — we will take this into account when making the list.
Biography should be short. Likely it includes the year and place of birth, education and professional success of the director (prizes, participation in festivals and well-known educational programs). If you are a human orchestra — name your main professional interests: Ivan Ivanov (born 1980) — director, screenwriter, cartoonist, bodybuilder and specialist in ancient Russian literature. In total the text should be packed in 3-5 sentences.
A few words from the director to present his film to the audience. Why this film is important for the author, and why he wants to show it to the whole world. Interesting facts about the film and the history of its creation. The form is free, but not more than 1500 characters with spaces.
Not we but festivals — the director's home address is often required to be indicated on the application form when the film is submitted. Sometimes to this address can be send festivals' souvenirs — postcards, catalogs and certificates of participation.
The open premiere of the film is usually the first festival screening. Previous screenings for friends, for the project team and their friends and friends of their friends are private screenings, even if they were held at the cinema (one-time, without selling tickets).
They are needed for translation of the film into other languages. Some festivals translate films into the languages of their countries, and to do this without any extra cost, the srt file (external subtitles) in English is suitable, or at least dialogue sheets with input and output timecodes of each phrase. Sometimes festivals ask to provide these documents when submitting an application, so that they will already have all the necessary files for translators to form the program. Otherwise the festivals request subtitles file from the filmmakers after forming the programm, and those do not always send them on time.
How to get started
Absolutely. Festivals are selected according to the individual film strategy, where priority directions of promotion are stated. You get the strategy before starting to work, so there will be no surprises for you on this issue. And, of course, you can be sure that your film fits the regulations of selected festivals (timing, year of release, etc.).
No, the final choice of film stands for the festival program director. The final program is influenced by many factors, but no one will meet the wishes of someone at the expense of the status of their event. The best way to get to the festival is to make a great movie!
This is an optional item when filling in the applications, but if there are important facts about the film that should be known by the festival, you must write about them. For example, you filmed several scenes of a film in Italy, which means you should note this when applying for Italian festivals. Or the film perfectly matches the stated theme of the festival. Or the previous film director has already participated in this festival.
Read: How to write a cover letter.
Read: How to write a cover letter.
We use all existing shipping methods: platforms, forms on festivals sites, vimeo-links, dvd with questionnaires by mail. Information about the submission method is entered into the festival table, so each application can be tracked — mailing by individual number on the Russian Post website, application from the platform — by status on the movie's internal page on the website, and so on. At some festivals, we send movies directly to the selectors.
The average period of the festival film life is a year or two. This is due to the fact that large festivals, as a rule, do not accept films created more than two years ago. Therefore it is important to start the festival promotion on time. If the film was shown somewhere once, and then it laid "on the shelf" for a year or two, it would be difficult to work with it.
As a rule, yes. Some festivals mention it in the contract, which is often the application on the site, that the film cannot be removed from the program after its public announcement. But in this case, there is also a high probability that the festival will agree to the author's request in this matter.
If the film is full-length, then, as a rule, the festival pays for the coming of at least one from a film crew to present the film at the screening, press conference, opening / closing ceremonies, etc. Details of the trip are discussed individually.
If the film is short, the festivals in rare cases cover all the costs of the trip, sometimes they pay only for accommodation, but in any case they will be happy to see you. You can always come to the festival and it is worth doing. FA will provide you with maximum assistance in dealing with the film festival up to the organization of the trip.
If the film is short, the festivals in rare cases cover all the costs of the trip, sometimes they pay only for accommodation, but in any case they will be happy to see you. You can always come to the festival and it is worth doing. FA will provide you with maximum assistance in dealing with the film festival up to the organization of the trip.
We determine paid festivals for a period of 1-3 months in advance, you make a deposit, from which we pay the fees. Due to frequent changes in the exchange rate, we either accept money in the currency of contributions, or recalculate it once a month.
Promote films to festivals without you forfeiting the rights. Distribute fiction, documentaries, animation, VR, music videos and experimentals. Both shorts and full-length.
Create DCP-copy of your film or video in 12 hours.
Translating film to any languages with native-speaking translators. Making subtitles according international standards.
Professionally develop the design of the poster, logo, business cards, invitations and site for the film.
