7 Lessons I Learned from Film Festival Rejections

For many filmmakers, the film festival acceptance is one of your biggest dreams realized — even now as more people share and stream content from their homes than ever before, the allure of the festival hasn’t dampened. Not for me at least, and I imagine many of you too. The feeling of going up to the theatre, seeing your name and your film in the program, and most of all — seeing your work play in front of a real live audience. Not to mention networking with your fellow filmmakers and maybe even the chance to dare I say it, the industry movers and shakers who could finally help you get to that next level you’ve dreamed of reaching since you first set out to make your film.

But let’s face it — you know the reality. You struggle through writing your script, drag yourself through production and post, and finally pay your fee and submit. After what feels like an eternity of waiting, you get your ‘Judging Status Has Changed For <insert film that is your baby that you bled, sweat, and cried for> ‘ email from Film Freeway. And often (okay, almost always), it’s a “Thank You for submitting your film. We received many more submissions than we expected and…” well you know how the rest goes.

Another rejection! All that hard work for naught! When you are new to submitting to festivals and the rejections keep pouring in, it’s incredibly discouraging. I’ve been there myself. And I’m still there because every time you submit, whether it’s your first or your twentieth film, you will have to endure getting that…