This week, Daystar University hosted its annual film week. Over the years I have participated at various film festivals and this one was not different. The Daystar film week reminded me reminds me of the numerous film festivals over the years across the world.

So, why film festivals? I learned through experience on the benefits of such an event and as to why it has to be shared for understanding among key stakeholders. It is necessary to highlight the advantages so people in my country, and others, can understand what the big deal is with festivals.

With so many film festivals in existence across the world and more coming online daily, how do you as a filmmaker decide where to spend you energy?  Is it worth to submit your film to an unknown festival?  This can only be concluded that, it varies depending on who you are and how you participate, your project or audience.

To the filmmakers, festivals present a significant way to market their film, project concept, seek financing, and create networks at a reasonable and viable position. There are no doubt festivals present opportunities to network within the industry, get feedback from your target audiences, film critics to shaping your project direction and enhance film business relationships.

As we reflect about this topic, it is worthy to note, festivals offer room to share professional tips and information on topics from technical aspects of filming, collaborations are born and developed into co production relationships, enables film festival directors to collect films from far and wide and bring audiences together for a common agenda.

To underscore the significance festivals in the industry, we’ll focus on the benefits to the filmmakers. This relates to their work and story.  While on the other hand, goes to benefit the audience who support the work of audiovisual artists. It is therefore worth to note, festivals offer a two-way traffic, and the filmmakers need the audience while the audience needs the filmmakers.

Let us now unpack why festivals are important.

Marketing talent: – The best way for filmmaker to get his or her name out there is to submit a film and gain acceptance into film festivals. Whether the film passes muster or not with the audience, the filmmakers get recognition simply for completing a work and getting it screened. Festivals provide skilled professionals to showcase their talent and win over their audiences.

Promoting local content: Festivals give preference to filmmakers local to the jurisdiction when selecting films to screen. This encourages and supports the local filmmakers and gives them a platform from which they can leap to the next level. This helps in bolstering film sales from the audience of crew members, actors, friends and family who don’t have to travel far to support the film.

Relationships building through Networking: These festivals give filmmakers a chance to interact with fellow filmmakers, supporters, media and other stakeholders. I have personally made important contacts and friends from networking at festivals. It establishes mutually beneficial relationships and leads to many collaborative possibilities.

Promotions of tourism: Film festivals attract tourists from both in and out of the country. A filmmaker will usually travel across the country to attend and promote a screening of their film. It also attracts media and film fans who, on return home to talk about the festival and the city hosting it.

The Interests of locals Community:  Most film festivals favor a niche and will include films based in the region or focus upon a subject many locals will find relevant to their culture and interests. This helps bring particular fans to the festivals based on its niche.

Local Cinema:  As much as the connection between the festival promotors and the cinema halls hosting the festival may vary, the theater enjoys fringe benefits such as a potential boost in concession sales and positive word of mouth.

Community Collaboration: Festivals bring communities together and foster an atmosphere of town pride and friendship among the participants. This is enables networking in which friendships are formed and new creative/business opportunities established.

Recognition: Awards benefit the promotion of the festival as well as the filmmakers. No matter the size of a festival. The filmmakers can add “Award-winning Filmmaker” to their resume and the festival can claim their first award and first big break in the industry.

Education to participants: One benefit many do not realize about film festivals is the educational opportunities it presents. Most festivals hold workshops facilitated by respected film professionals in all fields. Festivals hold special screenings and programs for children teaching them about a specific aspect of filmmaking, particular social issues, economic or art.

Filmmakers bring life, culture, and art to the eager eyes of their audiences, and as the audience we have a very important job, enjoy and learn. The audience, in fact is the most important element, especially for any film. Film festivals bring out the best aspects about film and breaks boundaries. A film festival takes a lot of work, but the outcome is not only beautiful, but groundbreaking for the audience, upcoming and mature film professionals.

Timothy Owase is a film industry professional and a Chartered Marketer. Can be reached at: timothy.owase@live.com

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