Should you Submit to Film Festivals?

If you’re a filmmaker, the question of whether to submit your film to festivals will come up sooner or later. It’s a tricky decision, and I’ve wrestled with it myself more times than I’d like to admit. Here’s the thing: there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It all depends on your goals and your film.

Let me share a little of my experience with film festivals and what I’ve learned along the way.

The Ghostumentary Gamble

Back in 2015, I finished Ghostumentary, my first feature-length film. It was a funny take on ghost hunting that felt like a funny mix of The Real World and Ghost Adventures. I loved it, but when it came time to decide if I should submit it to festivals, I froze. It was niche, quirky, and didn’t feel like it fit the mold of what most festivals were looking for. In the end, I didn’t submit it anywhere. Looking back, I might have missed some opportunities, but I also avoided the frustration of sending it to festivals that weren’t right for it.

Aiming High with Fugued Up

Then came Fugued Up, my first budgeted film. I thought, “This is it. This is the one.” So I aimed high—too high. I sent it to the big-name festivals: SXSW, Telluride, and others. It got into two, but all I got out of it was an “Official Selection” laurel. No awards. No fanfare. Distribution came from it, but it didn’t open any studio doors. To be fair, I didn’t think it would. I was still figuring out what I was doing.

Finding the Right Fit with TV in BED

My next project, TV in BED, was a Frankenstein of a film I pieced together. This time, I approached festivals differently. I targeted mid-sized ones, submitting to about 20. I got into a little under half, including a screening at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Part of the cast and crew came with me, and it was an amazing experience. That’s when I realized that festivals aren’t just about exposure—they’re about celebration. Seeing your film on the big screen with the people who made it happen? That’s worth something.

Weird Films, Weird Festivals

Then there’s God Dam, a weird horror comedy that doesn’t fit into neat categories. I didn’t even know where to submit it at first. Eventually, I found some smaller, cult-type festivals that were a perfect match. So far, it’s been doing well. I’ve also submitted short films like my 60-second horror Is It Cake?, which has been crushing it at festivals.

Should You Submit?

When people ask me if they should bother with festivals, my response is always the same: What are you hoping to get out of it?

1. If you want to win big or land a studio deal, aim for major festivals like Sundance or Venice. But know this: if your film doesn’t have A-list talent, it’s probably not going to get a second glance. Let’s be real: Jesse Eisenberg’s weird Bigfoot movie gets into Sundance because he’s Jesse Eisenberg. If he were an unknown, that movie wouldn’t leave anyone’s basement.
2. If you just want to win something, take a step back. Look at your film, your audience, and your genre. Then do your research. Find festivals that cater to your niche. Don’t just shotgun $40 submission fees into the void. Check if the festival is legitimate—do they have a website? Social media? Reviews? The FilmFreeway reviews are nice but not always accurate, sp ask around on forums like Reddit’s r/Filmmakers. Better yet, reach out to the festival directly.
3. If you just want to showcase your film, focus on local festivals. These are great for bringing together your cast and crew, celebrating your hard work, and snapping some photos for social media. Hype your film. Enjoy the moment.

The Dos and Don’ts of Submitting

• DO: Research festivals to make sure they’re a good fit.
• DO: Tailor your submissions to festivals that specialize in your film’s genre.
• DO: Set realistic expectations. Most festivals won’t change your life, but they can be a great experience.
• DON’T: Submit to a festival without reading their description. As the founder of The Tulsa Underground Film Festival (The Tuffest), I can tell you this happens way too often. We’re clear about what we want—low-budget indie films, preferably a little weird. Yet I still get submissions for dramas and documentaries that are completely off-base.
• DON’T: Assume a laurel will impress anyone. It’s great to add to your poster, but industry folks don’t care unless it’s from a top-tier festival.

Final Thoughts

Festivals can be worth it if you know what you want and where your film fits. Just don’t throw your money around blindly. Be smart. Be strategic. And most importantly, make sure you and your team enjoy the process. At the end of the day, the goal is to get your work seen and have fun doing it.

Who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll see your film at The Tuffest.