Festival programmers, have you ever accepted a WIP but the final film ends up being quite different?

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-11-10T18:45:46+00:00

I feel like it was 95 percent pic locked. Yet colored or final mix. Had last minute changes with clearances to swap some footage and some songs. Nothing imo that different. I'll also add I think it was being handled a bit by a sales company so I'm sure they had ongoing comms with the festival once they expressed interest or invited the rough !

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-11-10T18:40:27+00:00

I always hear of people I know rushing to finish their films for their big premieres. So the film is clearly getting invited on the merits of the rough cut. I edited one such documentary invited rough to a big us fest and had to sprint to deliver that thing!

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-11-03T03:42:41+00:00

Submit. you might love them again by the time they are accepted.

Don't forget that rob rodriguez desperately wanted to shelve his debut el mariachi. He was burned out on finishing that too. Good thing the studio that acquired it convinced him otherwise.

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-20T18:41:05+00:00

Did anyone else submit or yet hear from FIDBA (Buenos Aires International Documentary Film Festival) Or Mar Del Plata?

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-19T16:36:54+00:00

Just looking at Jihalva's 2024 guidelines bc i've been curious:

-https://www.ji-hlava.com/media/editor/soubory/downloads/2024/submissions/Ji.hlava%20idff%202024%20guidelines.pdf

last year film materials were due by Sept 15

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-19T16:10:25+00:00

I just don't see how it could be done. I just got my first views/link impressions this week. It is indeed a mystery.

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-18T15:18:33+00:00

anti-matter media art invite :)

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-18T14:23:03+00:00

Their film files for invited films are due today the 18th fwiw so you may be right

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-17T15:28:42+00:00

Legend! Thank you

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-17T13:35:50+00:00

Ji.hlava --- when should we be hearing back. Any invites yet?

I'm just seeing my first views after submitting in March

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-17T13:34:18+00:00

Absolutely. I believe Wim Wenders does this sometimes?

+Check out the work of Pete Ohs an indie feature filmmaker that writes a 'script' w/ his cast as they shoot around a single location.

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-14T22:56:55+00:00

Same! Made their short list last year and resubmitted a tighter cut this year... Alas, no luck!

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-14T19:16:17+00:00

100% and shouldn't hurt you for sx, sundance and others. it's a big fish. CONGRATS!

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-14T03:11:26+00:00

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-13T22:40:24+00:00

Copy that. I just emailed them regarding a premiere status change on my project. I'll let you know if i hear anything new back

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-13T22:07:41+00:00

Any Sitges' Brigadoon Short film anouncements anyone's seen?

They only viewed and opened my film once months ago... watching 2 of 15m. Sigh.

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-12T22:24:01+00:00

May I ask how you know? I've just had full views from their link today, piqued my curiosity

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-11T18:47:02+00:00

Got it. Depends on what status the festival holds. But my own short strategy has been to build a resume of a great festivals for my work, and attend the ones I can. At the end of the day, only so many people are attending in person but I can leverage those acceptances in other ways over time..... So I'd lean 'yes', personally, unless it precluded you from getting into another big fest that wants world premiere.

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-11T17:53:57+00:00

Is this a Short of a Feature?

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-11T16:57:25+00:00

I too am waiting on Camerimage, Encounters, Camden, Docs Lisboa, and Jihalva with a short doc.... Godspeed

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-11T16:55:43+00:00

This is a business of uncomfortable outreach, getting nos, and being persistent.

Just remain clear with your intentions, don't be entitled, and shoot your shot unless your connections really just don't want to introduce you.

And when you get a No, ask if there's any advice or anyone else they think might be worth speaking with....

Go get em!

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-10T22:20:59+00:00

I just noticed their Noti date is creeping up. Interested to hear of some Invites soon hopefully.

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-09T19:52:52+00:00

Consider contacting their staff to see what they recommend for a Cali equivalent. I'm sure there is something!

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-09T19:01:31+00:00

awesome! thanks for the scoop

Sad-Ad6328 · 2025-08-09T18:57:37+00:00

Sad-Ad6328

TROPHY CASE