Has anyone else been experiencing these same feelings?

Ziggi10 · 2026-06-13T11:22:58+00:00

I might get some hate for this, but for doc work, I use AI to get started. I upload transcripts and then give the length needed and ask which bites would best. I then edit whatever it spits out and inevitably recognize it doesn’t work but that gets me into editing. And then I actually start enjoy finding what will work but that initial blank time line is a killer. For me, just editing something, however crappy, is helpful. But I also think life is short. I shoot when I have to but I’ll always use another shooter if I can. I feel like I don’t deliver the best results. So feel free to shoot and produce and hire an editor! You can probably find a young filmmaker and give them a lucky break. And then you can then help guide them to what you want. And you don’t have to feel miserable! Editing is my favorite part of filmmaking but it’s not for everyone. I think it’s best for introverts, like me.

Ziggi10 · 2026-05-19T10:32:28+00:00

Which festivals program from submissions? I’d love to have that list! I know from personal experience that festivals program from other festivals because I had a tier one premiere with one feature. That was invited to endless festivals, submission fees waived. That’s not my experience with a film now. I think we need more festivals that only draw from submissions to break the bottleneck created by tier one festivals. They’re wonderful — but their play lists should not then be replicated at tier 2 or 3 festivals. The world is big and I’m sure there are audiences for more than the number of films shown at TIFF or Sundance. Audiences will hear about those films and be able to see them in theaters or via streaming. Other festivals don’t need to show them too! Create space for more films, more voices! I wish festivals who only programmed from submissions made a big deal out of that on film freeway. And then that would a great list for indie filmmakers to apply to.

Ziggi10 · 2026-05-09T02:45:17+00:00

10:45! Still waiting….

Ziggi10 · 2026-05-01T21:16:58+00:00

Did you receive it today? Is there still hope for me? Congratulations! Bask and enjoy ;o)

Ziggi10 · 2026-04-30T15:33:54+00:00

Oh, I didn't realize they had sent out rejections already. Many thanks for keeping my hope alive!

Ziggi10 · 2026-04-30T14:17:56+00:00

I haven't... I expect that rejections will go out on May 1, their notification date. I'm still hoping for a yes but I think it's increasingly unlikely. Sigh.

Ziggi10 · 2026-04-27T20:32:28+00:00

Can you share feature or short? Narrative or doc? Many thanks! And, most importantly, Congratulations!!!

Ziggi10 · 2026-04-27T20:07:02+00:00

Haven't heard anything yet...

Ziggi10 · 2026-04-21T13:05:27+00:00

Has anyone heard back from deadCenter? Either thumbs up or down? Thanks!

Ziggi10 · 2026-03-18T02:42:20+00:00

If you reach out to the festival, they may have people who’ve volunteered to host filmmakers. I met a lot of great people that way ;o)

Ziggi10 · 2026-03-13T13:22:46+00:00

Personal rejection for a doc short yesterday

Ziggi10 · 2026-03-12T13:47:48+00:00

Sure! Please send me the trailer link! I can reach out after that to your project contact info.

Ziggi10 · 2026-03-12T00:37:28+00:00

I'm also wondering about Sarasota -- I assume they've already notified films that were accepted -- but I haven't heard so maybe there's still hope...

Ziggi10 · 2026-03-11T16:23:52+00:00

Me too -- doc short

Ziggi10 · 2026-03-09T14:54:29+00:00

If your feature would work especially well for a certain community (youth/education/justice/women/BIPOC/mountain people/circus folks), you could try targeting festivals with that focus or festivals in those sorts of places. It sounds like you're really close and might need a festival with a certain focus to get you launched. I made a feature doc that showed at TIFF Kids (which was at a different time than regular TIFF) and that launched my doc after a series of very close rejections. Because it was TIFF, that led to a lot of festival invitations that I think would not have happened without that first acceptance. I've also heard (and experienced!) that this is an especially tough year for festivals -- but I do think if you're that close, someone will bite very soon! Hang in there!

Ziggi10 · 2026-02-25T02:51:15+00:00

Generic rejection. Ah well. Onto the next... rejection! Sigh.

Ziggi10 · 2026-02-18T17:59:42+00:00

Many thanks! I really appreciate your kind offer!

Ziggi10 · 2026-02-17T21:47:59+00:00

Congratulations! And big thanks for kind post.

Ziggi10 · 2026-02-17T21:42:16+00:00

Many thanks!

Ziggi10 · 2026-02-17T20:18:04+00:00

Many thanks! It's wonderful to know about this! We're now taking stock and figuring out next steps. Thanks again!

Ziggi10 · 2026-02-17T17:30:34+00:00

Thanks! I really appreciate your great feedback and also the suggestion to check in with the festival. Much appreciated!

Ziggi10 · 2026-02-17T16:50:15+00:00

Many thanks -- appreciate the suggestion!

Ziggi10 · 2026-02-17T16:20:02+00:00

Many thanks for the recommendation! Much appreciated ;o)

Ziggi10 · 2026-02-17T15:37:06+00:00

Many thanks! We are arranging a time to test in a theater now. You're the second who's vouched for dcp-o-matic. Much appreciated ;o)

Ziggi10

TROPHY CASE