Part 4-Festivals

Which are feature film festivals that have important shorts sections?

One Festival which hosts a wide range of features but also has an important shorts section is http://www.leedsfilm.com/ (Leeds Film Festival). It has an ‘Official Section’ (http://www.leedsfilm.com/programme/official-selection/) at the festival which includes the Golden Owl competition. This section premieres British Feature films and some European films. 12 films are selected especially to be nominated for the award. However aside from this important part of the festival, LFF also has an important shorts section (http://www.leedsfilm.com/programme/short-film (http://www.leedsfilm.com/programme/short-film-city/). This section showcases short films from different continents and directors from different backgrounds, making it one of the most diverse and important shorts sections. Leeds town hall has become the place for screening shorts and short animations during the festival. In addition to this it includes a British section for shorts, which also includes a short film competition http://www.leedsfilm.com/film/best-of-british-uk-short-film-competition/. In addition one of the most important British film festivals, London Film Festival (http://www.bfi.org.uk/lff/), has important feature and shorts sections. It has important feature sections such as 'New British Film', 'French Revolutions', 'Special Screenings' and more. However it also has an important shorts section, 'Short Cuts'. This section hosts the best of British short films, animations and short family films. Another important festival is Encounters festival held in Bristol. It screens important feature films, however has two other sections that focuses on the short film format. The most notable being 'Brief Encounters'. ‘Over 1,680 short films have been received and will be processed through our pre-selection and programming process.’ This shows its importance within short film makers in the UK.  It showcases live action and animated short films and qualifed in the Academy Awards Short Film Category.  As well as these important film festivals, Edinburgh International Film Festival (http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/) also includes important short film sections such as ‘Coming Up’ and showcases collections and single short films from different directors. 

How do the festivals market and promote themselves?

These film festivals have different ways of marketing and promoting themselves. For example London Film Festival has many sponsors from different companies and industries such as Windows, American Airlines and MOfilm. In addition to this the festival has different media sponsors such as Empire Cinemas, Love-Film, Sight & Sound and Screen International. This means that the festival is advertising itself on different platforms such as cinema adverts, magazines and the internet with social networking sites such as MySpace, face book and twitter. Sites such as YouTube and Vimeo are  As well as this, the festivals receives funding from international companies such as ‘German Films’ which means the festival is being advertised on an international level. Leeds Film Festival also has partners which help to advertise and promote the festival, such as Vue cinemas, East Coast screening and the Yorkshire Evening Post. In addition to this, the festival used YouTube to advertise with its 2007 trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQuHiRlhUGI. Edinburgh Film Festival used more print advertising such as brochures to advertise and publicise the festival.

Kino Film festival held in Manchester has patrons who are involved with the festival, for example actor Steve Coogan who was born in Manchester works with the festival. Encounters festival and London Film Festival used competitions to get people involved in film making and short film making which helps to build up interest for the festivals themselves.  This shows different frstivals use different ways to promote and advertise their festival with different media platforms and marketing tactics.

Why is it important to be screened at one?

It is important to be screened at one of these festivals as for many short film makers it is very difficult to get recognition and be noticed by the industry. In addition to this these film festivals are some of the most important film festivals held by important film companies such as the BFI, which is one of the leading figures in UK film. It also important as the festival is an extremely good way to meet people within the industry and build up a reputation within big names in UK film. 

Who attends them?  

Many Different people attend these festivals. Talent judges and talent scouts and people high up in the industry often attend festivals looking for new talent and up and coming directors. In addition people who just enjoy film go to view a diverse range of films from different directors.

How are they supported?

Many of the festivals have sponsors and partners which they receive funding and support from, such as media partners which include cinemas like Vue and Odeon, and different partners such as Cars and Airlines. London Film Festival is run by he British Film Council, so this means the festival receives direct support by some of the biggest people in the industry.

What have you noticed about the structure/style of the sites?

All of the websites are very clearly laid out with sections on such as ‘Films’, ‘Events’ and ‘About’. In addition many of the websites have sub categories for specific genres or types of films such as features or shorts. Many of the sites also use drop down menus and links for each section to make the information more clear and available to the audience. The sites also clearly state the partners and sponsors for the festival as well as contact information, making easier for directors and film makers to get in touch with the festivals. Many of the sites also use bright colour schemes to appear more eye catching, however some use a darker and simpler background.

What are the other key national festivals for short films?

One main national film festival with an important short section is Raindance

 film festival, however the festival travels around Europe as well as having an important slot in the UK. The festival has a ‘Best UK short’ section and ‘Best international short’ section.  Hull film festival has an important short film section, known as ‘Glimmer’ and also put on competition for short film makers to enter the films to be screened at the festival.

What are the key international festivals for short films?

There are some key international short film festivals as well as those in the UK. For Los Angeles short film festival is a key festival for short film makers in America. This is an annual festival which showcases many different genres of short film such as Action, Comedy, Drama and more from different directors. Another important short film festival is the International short Film Festival held in Clermont, France. This hosts wide range of shorts from around Europe and other countries from different continents. Cannes Film festival, one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world also has a short film section: ‘Cannes Short Film’. This is a competition format like many of short film festivals, in which the winners receive a Palme D’or.