Filmmaking Lesson Learned #2: Feedback (constructive) is Awesome

So, with my first short film, I used Film Freeway to submit to over 20 festivals. Only 12 of those accepted the film, and we earned two wins, and the rest were either nominations or finalists.

Using Filmfreeway, you discover quickly that there are many festivals that use the same copy/paste responses when you submit something. Either you get a message saying "they had many films to choose from, and we are sorry yours wasn't selected... Try next year." Or you get the "you are nominated, download your laurels. Hope to see you at the festival!"

This is great and all, but I found myself favoring the festivals that specifically state they give reviews, judge notes, or feedback.

With this, you have quotes you can use for a promo trailer, laurels, and a review score. All really nice things to have. Here is an example of what I did with this info:


But, my favorite festival so far was WILDSOUND. They actually recorded the audience reaction and comments, which is something I will be able to really use looking ahead at the next films we make. With the feedback the audience provided, while not great, gives me a chance to grow and correct my mistakes. It's the right amount of lightheartedness, but critical info I need to keep going as a filmmaker. This type of thing is crucial for me, and I love the way they handled it. I highly recommend these guys, and I am not being sponsored to say that.

Here is the feedback video if anyone is interested:
 
First of all 12 acceptances out of 20 submissions is a very high success rate. So grats on that.

Yes feedback is always great. There's times you can improve, and there's others where you stick to your guns and go against the criticism. Great artists know when.
 
Watching that audience feedback video is interesting: regardless of what they all thought, all of these people in the audience have this shared experience and this shared connection that was facilitated by your film.

Isn’t that just so cool? That’s what I love about cinema.
 
Watching that audience feedback video is interesting: regardless of what they all thought, all of these people in the audience have this shared experience and this shared connection that was facilitated by your film.

Isn’t that just so cool? That’s what I love about cinema.

It is definitely cool to hear a common theme from the audience. It makes me excited about the next film.
 
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