FILM FESTIVALS AND FRUSTRATION THAT ARE IRREVOCABLY PART OF THIS PROCESS
As some of you probably know by now, film festivals are a costly part of the filmmaking business. I have submitted Anna to over 30 festivals and didn’t get accepted to even one.
Yes, it was depressing, frustrating and hard to take at times.
Some of the festivals were unprofessional enough not to even got back to me regarding the submission, which is disrespectful towards all the hardworking filmmakers and enjoying because filmmakers pay the submission fee so at least the “We regret…” email is in order.
My film is genuinely independent, festivals are supposed to be supportive when it comes to indie films and filmmakers, but in many instances, it’s all about politics and who is in your film. I guess the subject matter didn’t help either.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I still can’t decide whether I would have approached the whole project differently or not. The judgment on that is still open.
I know what I have and what I don’t have in ‘Anna & Modern Day Slavery’.
At times I have to remind myself that I can’t compare my film with Hollywood’s low budget projects, which could be up to $25M. My budget was $12,500.
Having good constructive feedback from someone about the script would have saved me a lot of time and stress in post-production (honest feedback, not the bullshit stuff you hear from many script doctors).
Anyone brave or crazy enough to make an independent film should be applauded. I’m not only saying that because I did it, but whoever does that needs passion, dedication and determination to go against all the odds to finish the project. I take my hat off to all of my indie colleagues who have made indie films or are about to embark on this journey.
Every project we embark on is going to teach us something about life, the art we are trying to create and ourselves.
The main lesson for me so far was to be brave and be patient.