My Top Tips: 5 Essential tips for a Successful Film Festival Submission

Hey there, filmmakers! I’m Daniel Smales, the Festival Director, I want to make sure you get the most from your submission but also to provide some advice for the basics for any festival you submit your film. It’s a big step in your journey it can also be a costly one, especially if you not meeting the basics. I want to make sure you feel supported throughout the process. Whether this is your first festival or you’re a seasoned pro, here’s how to give your film the best possible reach with our platform and audience. You’ve made it this far and your ready to submit, so your vision and your piece is your magic, don’t ever be put off if not accepted into a festival it doesn’t mean it wasn’t good! As my dad taught me, you fall, you get up, and you try again, and you keep trying until you get where you want to be, never give up.

1. Your Visual Package

Let’s start with the basics of any submission. Your poster, imagery, and trailer are the first things that we see when you submit your film via FilmFreeway. Think of them as your hand handshake. You want it to be strong, confident, and leave a lasting impression. This isn’t always about getting our attention we watch all films regardless of this content, it’s about being prepared if selected by a festival. These are the marketing materials the festival will want from you to assist in getting the word out about the film. Make sure your poster is sharp, your images are eye-catching, and your trailer is nothing short of captivating.

• Poster: Don’t just slap something together. This is your film’s face. Make it memorable! A great design can do wonders in grabbing attention. 
• Imagery: Pick stills that tell a story, that spark curiosity. High-quality is a must!
• Trailer: This is your film’s elevator pitch. Keep it snappy, make it engaging, and leave us wanting more.

2. Consistency is Key

Even if your project is a work in progress, your submission must clearly reflect your vision. While elements like sound, SFX, or colour grading may be unfinished, the narrative should be complete. Don’t submit a film that’s still undergoing major edits, such as changing the length or replacing scenes. The story may evolve for the better, but the team may have made a decision on your submitted edit, an incomplete submission won’t represent the final film.

• Narrative: Got a killer plot? Make sure it’s tight and clear, even if the effects aren’t fully polished yet.
• Design: Your film’s look and sound should feel cohesive. If you’re still working on parts, just let us know in your submission.

3. Technical Specifications

We know tech stuff can be a drag, but it’s super important. If your film doesn’t play right, we can’t experience the brilliance you’ve created. So double-check everything before your submission.

• File Quality: No one likes a pixelated picture or crackly sound. Unless part of the project and intended for viewing quality. Keep it clean, crisp, and in the right format.
• Formats: Follow the guidelines on our Submissions page to avoid any hiccups.

4. Supporting Materials

We love getting to know the person behind the camera. Your filmmaker’s statement, synopsis, and press kit (if you’ve got one) help us connect with your vision. Don’t be shy this is your chance to tell us why your film matters. If you have a personal connection to the piece we want to know about it, we want to be part of the journey.

• Filmmaker’s Statement: Share your journey, your passion, your why. It makes your submission that much more personal.
• Synopsis: Give us a taste of your story without spilling all the beans.
• Press Kit: Got one? Awesome! Include it so we can get the full picture.

5. Maximise Your Exposure

You must be able to get as much out of this festival as possible and any festival for that matter. If your project isn’t findable, that’s a problem how will the audience talk about you and pass that information on? You never know who might be in the audience at the festival. Make sure your entire project has a well rounded marketing flow. Your poster should reflect what’s in your film, and your trailer should do the same, complementing the poster and the story.

• Branding/Marketing: Think of your film as a brand. The more collective your materials, the more memorable it will be to audiences and professionals. 
• Visibility: Use consistent branding across all film-related platforms. Ensure that your poster and trailer are immediately recognisable as part of your film.
• IMDb and Social Media: Ensure your film is listed on IMDb. This is super important if you get a nomination or award at the festival, as we list these through IMDb. If you don’t have one your marketing or potential distributors in the future don know about your or your film history of the film circuit. Additionally, consider setting up social media accounts for your film. While this is optional for the festival, it can be incredibly helpful after the event. Having a presence on social media allows people to follow your film’s journey, engage with your work, and stay updated on future projects. 

Further Information

Submitting early isn’t just about beating the rush, it’s also about saving money. Many festivals, including ours, offer discounted submission fees for early entries. Plus, getting your film in early shows you’re on top of your game. Take advantage of early bird deadlines to save on fees and get your submission in front of us sooner. Remember, follow-ups are not needed, we will inform you on the notification date if your film has been selected.

Our website, is packed with information and resources to help you along the way. Something we are working on all the time, from the Frequently Asked Questions section to our Submissions section, everything you need to know about the festival is right here.

If you have any questions, we’re here to help! Reach out to our festival team anytime at submissions@glowflareshortfestival.com. We’re dedicated to making sure your submission experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.