Imagine being able to choose from a large selection of films showing over a period of days and often for the price of a regular movie ticket. The viewer is also treated to an introduction to the film and a Q & A (question and answer period) with those who were involved with the making of the film. It is a real film lover’s dream. It’s exciting to learn the inside scoop about how the film was conceived and how it came to fruition. Sometimes the directors and even the stars of the films make special appearances, which further enhances the experience for film lovers.
Why Film Festivals Help Promote Movies
Film festivals are great marketing tools for aspiring filmmakers. The best publicity a film can get is a word of mouth endorsement from discerning viewers. Film buffs have friends who also love movies, and they tell their friends. Film festivals take audience surveys and use the results as indicators for wider distribution of films. In short, film festivals can either make or break a film, and of course, the more prestigious the festival, the more likely a hit film will move out to a wider audience.
Ethnic and Niche Market Film Festivals Abound
The San Francisco Bay Area alone has numerous active film festivals, reflect the diverse region that it is. Some of these events include:
The Asian American Film Festival
The Latino Film Festival
The Jewish Film Festival
The San Francisco Lesbian & Gay Film Festival
The San Francisco Irish Film Festival
The Women of Color Film Festival … and more.
There are also short film festivals, documentary festivals, children’s festivals, animated films – you name it, there’s a film festival for every subculture, every interest group, and every conceivable type of film, which is great for those special niche markets and for aspiring film makers as well.
Film Festivals Attract Wide Enthusiastic Audiences
Film festivals are no longer just for the artistic community and /or for the Hollywood jet set. These diverse events are for anyone who loves film and wants a chance to sample innovative films before they hit the general market and to see excellent films that may never make it out of the festival market, but are worthwhile nonetheless.
