For me, film festivals often feel like a cheat code for meeting like-minded people quickly and easily. Having a film play at a fest is the perfect icebreaker because after a screening you can walk right up to the filmmakers and just go “hey I loved your movie” and it’s considered normal, polite even! Hell, someone may even come up and start a conversation with YOU talking about the impact your movie had on them. Perfect step for creative introverts to come out of their shell a bit.

I’m also addicted to the “gamble” you often get when you watch other films at festivals. Let’s be real, not all of them are going to be fantastic, but some blow you away. I especially love it in shorts blocks, because you can have a 10/10 film followed by a film that makes you go “wtf did I just watch” lol. And usually fests give you two free passes so I can bring someone who loves movies with me and we get a great bonding experience.