5 Important Film Festivals For Moviemakers

Film festivals are a great way to showcase yourbe successful in Hollywood. Some of the best movies
work. They are filled with writers, directors, producers,made had their premiere in Toronto, which makes it a
distributors, and everyone else involved in the filmserious contender for any filmmaker who wants to
industry that can help you with your future as ahave their work seen by the top players in the industry.
filmmaker.4. Tribeca
Even smaller gatherings and competitions can get yourTribeca is quickly growing to become the place to
movie out there -- and, more importantly, build buzz byshow for independent films. Started in 2002 by
getting people talking about it. Having your films seenco-founder Robert DeNiro, Tribeca is held in New York.
can lead to everything from new writing and directingIt attracts hundreds of thousands of people every
jobs, to finding an investor or distributor for your movie.year and brings independent filmmakers of all levels
The networking opportunities and contacts you maketogether. Like with other festivals on the list, Tribeca
during these types of events will benefit you personallygets maximum exposure for you and your film with
and professionally for years to come.top U.S. industry leaders in attendance.
Here are the five most important film festivals for5. San Francisco
moviemakers:The San Francisco International Film Festival is the
1. Sundancelongest running film festival in the U.S. It runs for two
The Sundance Film Festival is held in the state of Utahweeks every year, and focuses on film and video
in the United States. It is one of the biggest in the U.S.,productions that haven't yet received U.S. distribution. If
and features short films, feature length, andyou're a filmmaker in need of distribution, this is the
non-competitive showcases. Sundance attracts somebest festival for you, and gives you a lot of
of the biggest names in Hollywood, from actors toopportunities to network with the people that have the
producers, and is definitely a great place to networkpower to get your film to the masses. Attracting over
with real industry insiders and get your film seen by80,000 people, the San Francisco Film Festival rounds
people that can further your career.out our list of top film festivals.
2. CannesIn addition to these five, there are many smaller
The Cannes Film Festival is held annually in France, andfestivals that take place throughout the year in cities all
is one of the world's oldest and most highly regardedacross the country. Though they may not have the
festivals. Like Sundance, Cannes attracts the top filmsame cache as the events listed above, they can be
industry players, and also adds the European marketa stepping stone to bigger and better screening
to the mix. If your film is more of an art house project,opportunities. And you have to remember it's not just
it is more likely to shine at Cannes, where it is moreabout the awards, film festivals are a great place to
about artistic quality over commercially viable films.network, make business deals, and rub elbows with
3. Torontostudio executives. Of course, they're also a place to
The Toronto International Film Festival has grown tohave fun, watch some new movies, find inspiration and
become one of the most prestigious places to screensee where the future of cinema is headed. Each year
a movie in the world. What began as a showcase forthese events bring together movie lovers from all
other festival winners, Toronto has earned a lot ofwalks of life to socialize with like-minded people that
influence and is considered a top predictor of what willshare their passion for the silver screen.