Festival Strategy: How to Prepare Your Film for the Festival Circuit

UTB U4 | cinema

This practical seminar is designed for film students, emerging filmmakers, and producers who want to better understand the festival landscape and prepare their films for a successful journey to audiences around the world. It offers an introduction to the key principles of festival strategy, from selecting the right festivals and planning a premiere to building an effective promotional campaign. How do you identify the festivals that are the best fit for your film? Should you aim for Cannes or Berlinale, or would a regional or specialized festival be a better choice? What materials do you need to prepare for festival submissions and promotion? How long is the life cycle of a short film, and how can you make the most of its festival run? The seminar will guide participants through the fundamentals of festival strategy, share practical tips and industry insights, and provide valuable recommendations to help filmmakers navigate the international festival circuit and maximize the visibility and impact of their films. The session will be led by Alexandra Hroncová, a Prague-based film distribution manager and festival strategist from Cinefila. Over the past eight years, she has helped hundreds of short films reach prestigious international festivals, including Cannes, Berlinale, Annecy, Clermont-Ferrand, Sundance, Toronto, Tribeca, Vision du Réel, and even the Academy Awards. She works closely with independent filmmakers, young talents, production companies, and students, creating tailor-made festival strategies, conducting market research, managing submissions and distribution logistics, and coordinating PR and marketing campaigns. Drawing on extensive hands-on experience, Alexandra will offer participants a practical understanding of how to build a successful festival career for their films.

Language: Czech