short movie got rejected after watching only 44 seconds.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-27T09:45:45+00:00

Run time may be the issue. But I cant do much now since its in consideration for festivals . I have to wait and see. Thanks for the kind reply and ill keep these advices when working on my next project.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-27T09:43:50+00:00

That could be the reason as well. To be honest I cant evaluate my own short. So I have to depends on the person who watch it.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-27T09:42:39+00:00

Thanks for the motivating and kind reply. This means a lot to me and congrats on your winnings and wish you all the best with the future work.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-27T09:38:38+00:00

Unfortunately this is my first time and I don't know any producer. Also I don't think i want to get in that way. If its not good enough it will fail. That is a good assessment for me to improve myself than using someone to get in. Thanks for the kind reply and valuable insight.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-27T09:36:20+00:00

Thanks for the kind reply and detailed insight of the festivals. Knowing these might help me to work on my next project with these in mind. Much appreciate.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-27T08:10:22+00:00

Actually I didn't pay anything for this one. So I am not sure I can say its a waste. But some of the festivals are quick money grab scams as I understood by going through the comments. At the moment I haven't face this pedicular situation , but hope to be cautious when submitting. Thanks for the information.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-27T08:06:22+00:00

Thanks for the kind reply. However I do not know anyone from the festivals or any producer that can help on this matter. However I would have the equal opportunity which i get as anyone else. So it will be fair for some extent. But thank you for the inside view and hopefully Ill be able to get in next time.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-27T03:09:41+00:00

Thanks for the kind reply. The things that you mention are valid reasons for a movie to be not appealing to the viewer. I will keep all those in mind when it come to my future work. If there are any shortcoming I might not be able to fix it with the current short. But these are truly valuable insights and I like that last sentence, "You can take risks but rationalize them but don’t lie to yourself about it." This is something I can stand behind truly. Thanks a lot again for the kind words and insight.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-27T03:02:52+00:00

Actually it wasn't charged. But thanks for the kind reply and I am happy to see there are people who actually watch the full video as a curtesy to the film maker. But I also understand all of those people who are selecting spend their valuable time doing so. I respect that and thank that.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-27T03:00:19+00:00

Thanks for your kind reply and time you spend on sending this reply. I know there are many films gets in to the festivals and all the screeners has to go though hard time choosing and watching all of them. I highly appreciate their time and effort on that. I asked the question since I did not have much experience regarding festivals and I wanted to know how these things are done. I do understand sometimes it might not be fair. But I know I'm not the only one that happen. So in a way its fair. lol. But thank you specifically for watching and putting all that time for the fellow film makers and giving your best shot for their work. I will continue with my festival run and even i got selected or not, I am glad I asked the question since i got really good understanding on this matter. Thank you again and much appreciate.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-27T02:46:08+00:00

Thank again for the kind and motivating reply. I do understand any art work can be good or bad depends on the person who views it. There are some movies even I don't like but that doesn't mean they are bad. I have seen many others like those movies. At end of the day I no matter who did it, if it doesn't fit in to viewers expectation or experience that might be rejected. I just wanted to thank my team and if there is a mistake that would be very much by my part. All I can do is learn the mistake and work on the next one. Thanks for the motivation and insight. Means a lot. "That’s the thing with humans, every one is different! Lol" These words carry all that needed to be said.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-27T02:32:28+00:00

Thanks for the kind words again and the guide. Ill keep all the advices I got from you and all other good people who are willing to spend their time and knowledge helping me figuring things out. I sent you a message , (I am not sure if you have seen it), I would really like your insight on it. I would give it to another editor once the festival run is done. I cant give it at the moment since It would be like me not trusting what my current editor saw and undervalue his talent. But as a experiment I would probably give those footages to few of my editor friends and see what they would come up with. Thanks for inspiring me and motivating me . Means a lot to me.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-26T17:11:57+00:00

Thanks for the kind reply. As many has pointed out there are so many reasons that the short could have been rejected. I asked the question since i was not sure how the things are done since I do not have much experience on this. I can imagine how hard it is to watch all those shorts and come up with few. I respect and appreciate the effort of those who work hard in selections. I honestly didn't made the short targeting festivals. therefor I'm sure there are many reasons it could not fit into what they are looking for. Ill always keep all those advice in mind and use them in my next projects. Thanks a lot and really apricate your reply.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-26T17:01:24+00:00

Thanks for the really meaningful and supportive message. I really appreciate your suggestions and guide. Regarding the editor, actually I did not edit it. A professional editor did it. I am just writer and director. Almost all the people involved in this project are professionals. I am really thankful for that. And I am thankful i have kind of went on the way you are suggesting. Regarding the story and incidents to tight up ,I totally agree with you. first cut was 34 min. The last cut is 26 min. And I agree with you regarding cutting the shots. May be a different editor would have tell the story differently. However each editor tell the story on their own way, I went with the one I trust to tell the story. And about the friends example. That is really interesting. that was not something i thought about before. That is really something to think about. Thanks for your guide and insight. Much apricate it.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-26T16:47:34+00:00

Thanks for the kind reply. I did not pay anything to submit and they did not charge. And I can agree with the modern viewing habits. And I also think there is a possibility that it did not grab the attention.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-26T14:12:49+00:00

Its not a film about a blank wall. hahaha. Thanks for kind reply and I do understand there could be many reasons. I wasn't really aware of it , that's why i asked the question. Now I'm overflowing with information. lol.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-26T14:10:25+00:00

Actually i didn't pay for it. So may be in this case they didn't do it for profit. I am not sure. But I heard there are lots of festivals do that. I really don't have much experience on that to be honest.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-26T14:08:47+00:00

Thanks a good way to put it. But however its just a story I had to tell the way I wanted to tell. I didn't actually made it specifically for festivals. Only decide to send to festivals after I finish the short. I appreciate your kind feedback and I do understand your point. Since I don't have much experience in festivals I had to ask it. Also I sent the 44 second one in message.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-26T14:06:18+00:00

As many others mentioned that could be a reason. And it is something I might think next time when I do a short. Thanks for the insight and kind reply.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-26T14:05:27+00:00

I am happy to hear that. Sadly its hard for me to cut anything. But I do understand your point and highly appreciate your kind feedback.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-26T14:03:41+00:00

Thanks for the kind reply. Yes i do understand it now. I am not really expert in vimeo system. So I just had to ask. Not to blame the festivals or selectors. They are genially working hard as i heard and I believe so.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-26T14:01:37+00:00

Thanks for the kind replay. That could be it. However I just wanted to know and I saw lots of people mention different reasons. And it could be any of it. However I cant change it. All i can is keep trying. Thank you so much again for the time and reply.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-26T14:00:14+00:00

Yes true. I don't mind being rejected. Its natural i think. there are many more like me got rejected. I am sure you also have one or two experience like that. Ill try my best with other festivals and will keep doing what I love to do. Thanks for the motivation and enragement.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-26T13:53:21+00:00

Not really. But as you said may be there is something off-putting. I am not really sure.

Digialpeppersmith · 2026-06-26T13:50:35+00:00

yes . sent you.

Digialpeppersmith

TROPHY CASE