How to read a film festival rejection-letter.

Cracker Funk

Cracker Funk

(Editorials in parenthesis)

Dear (Hopeless Dreamer),

Thank you for submitting (Your Life's Passion) to the (π)th (Assface Butt-Munch) Film Festival. We appreciate you taking the time and energy (and $$$) to send your (Blood, Sweat and Tears) to us for consideration. Regretfully, we did not select (The Most Awesome Movie Ever Made) to be presented at this year’s edition.

Every year, the quality(/quantity) of submitted films increases, and our (arbitrary) decision is harder(/more time-consuming). We recognize that the selection process is (Fucking Meaningless) and is not a reflection on the quality of your (Super-Genius) work. Over (25 Billion) films were submitted to us this year, a clear indication that the ability of filmmakers to get their vision to the screen is (Really Fucking Difficult). In our quest to bring (Butt-Munch) audiences a diverse and compelling line-up we (pretend to) view and seriously consider every submission.

The volume of entries received does not permit us to comment at length about your film (so take your rejection in stride, and stay the Fuck out of our Face). We were very impressed with the quality of submissions this year (but not necessarilly yours), and we certainly recognize that without the determination of (Hopeless Dreamers), (AFBMFF) would not exist (and we'd have to go back to posting movie reviews on Netflix, because none of us have ever made a movie, or have any fucking clue what goes into it).

We wish you the best of luck with (Your False Hopes), and we hope you keep us in mind (the next time you want to give away money).


Kind regards



Ass-Face Fuck-Mouth
Director of Ass-hole-ery
 
That was just a fantastic post. This is exactly how I feel too. Not only is it time consuming and emotionally draining to make your super genius movie, but the problem really begins when you start to like your film. You show it to others and they say they like it too. Then you start thinking that your film has a real shot at the festivals. Then you start thinking that you will wait a few more months so that it can 'premiere' it at AFBMFF. After that you spend a few more months waiting. Pretty soon the whole year goes by waiting for the rejection letters.

Then you go to a local AFBMFF and you realize that the crop of films they chose was total defecation. You don't even understand how the process that rejected your super genius film, even works.

For my part, I can tell you this. I made a little interrogation film. I showed it to groups of friends, and they all loved it. Everybody said I should send it to festivals.

So I spent $1500 paying for the festival fees and the dvd costs and the mailing costs from Canada. One 'program director' from a Dallas film festival wrote me an email saying I had real potential as a filmmaker and that he saw my film twice, and that he never does it. So he congratulated me on my film. I thought I was in for sure. Did he choose my film? No. Did ANYBODY choose my film? NO!!!!

Then I met a local, Toronto, festival organizer. He was a real nice guy, a true people person, a real charmer, the kind you need to be to run a festival I guess. After we met a few times, he said "sure, please send me your film." Again, I thought I was in for sure. Then he sent me one of those emails regretting to tell me how my film just didn't cut it. Then I went to see his festival. It was the most AFBMFF that there could possibly be.

So now I'm thinking I'm going to start my own film festival. Only super genius movies are allowed.

Here is my movie that got rejected. I haven't made it public quite yet. I plan to put it up at some point on youtube. Not just now. But if you want to take a look at my super genius movie that got rejected by about 20 AFBMFFs, then here's to the next ten minutes of your life.
I hope you enjoy it.
I hope you realize why I hate film festivals with such a passion
I hope you understand why I want to start my own film festival.
I hope I am able to start my super genius movies only film festival.
I hope you guys support me when I do.
F**k AFBMFFs across the world.
Here's the link:

http://www.falsestudios.com/clips/flow/bl.html
Thanks for watching.
Aveek
 
Sorry, CF. Don't let the bastards drag ya down. They got no taste. Remember why you're doing it...because you love it, not merely for acceptance from some festival panel(?) for whom you're just a number. Chin up.

Good film, Aveek. Thanks for sharing it.
 
Damn, CF. News like that stings, stinks and sucks big gorilla dong. Sorry to hear about it. On the other hand, it did inspire a hilarious reaction that made me laugh and nod and agree completely. Shit like that makes you (me, too) want to raise fists into the cloudy sky screaming "Damn you, world!"

I submitted to the Austin FF screenplay contest two years in a row and got two carbon copy rejection letters to prove it. Well, that's not true. Upon reading the letter (pretty much word for word in your OP) they were soundly ripped and strewn into the trash can or into the dumpster on my way back into the apartment from the mailbox.

If I have learned anything about festivals it would be that it's a numbers game, like the lottery. Much like getting a job and sending resumes out, it really helps to submit to dozens and dozens of festivals and contests. Although this can add up financially and I'm guessing none of us here are in a position to do this for every project we create, it certainly does help increase the odds in your/our favor.

The sad fact is that no one running the festivals really gives a squat about the blood, sweat & tears invested in the movie or script or whatever is being submitted. It's a fickle process that feels satisfying when you get the "you've been selected" email or letter and then heart-wrenching when it goes the other way.

So, in my pathetic Bill Clinton impersonation, I say to you: Ah feel your pain.

* what's the title of that movie about getting rejected to film festivals? I still have yet to see it.
 
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CF, you should start your own festival that requires submitted films to be accompanied by copies of at least 5 rejection letters... more letters will bump you up the list. Select your program based on the most rejection, and no other criteria.

I bet that would be a really fun festival!
 
knightly said:
CF, you should start your own festival that requires submitted films to be accompanied by copies of at least 5 rejection letters... more letters will bump you up the list. Select your program based on the most rejection, and no other criteria.

I bet that would be a really fun festival!
Click to expand...

:lol: What a great idea for a festival! Someone should do it. "Is your film rejected? Unwanted? Unloved? Fear not. We have a home for it." A way to make lemonade out of lemons. Hell, why not make some limoncello while you're at it? ;)
 
knightly said:
CF, you should start your own festival that requires submitted films to be accompanied by copies of at least 5 rejection letters... more letters will bump you up the list. Select your program based on the most rejection, and no other criteria.

I bet that would be a really fun festival!
Click to expand...

This is a genuinely excellent idea. I hope someone sees this and steals it :)

All I can say is that it must be tough work selecting films for festivals knowing that each film that's submitted comes with an entourage of hopes and dreams. In the end someone's always going to lose out and if it wasn't you then it would be some other filmmaker and this thread may have appeared on a different forum or in a different universe...

I looked up the Assface Butt-Munch Film Festival on Withoutabox and that is one steep admission fee...
 
knightly said:
CF, you should start your own festival that requires submitted films to be accompanied by copies of at least 5 rejection letters... more letters will bump you up the list. Select your program based on the most rejection, and no other criteria.

I bet that would be a really fun festival!
Click to expand...

That is just brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. I think it's going to be a criteria in my film festival.

indietalk is just fantastic. I don't know what i was doing away from this site for so long.

best,
aveek
 
Brilliant, Knightly.

The official festival of the knock-backs! It would be a hoot. You can imagine it to be a sort of novelty in a small town. Comedy would work best, i'd assume.
 
Someone needs a hug.
smiley_hug.gif


Nice rejection letter. :lol:
 
I was only half joking when I posted... I was running marketing ideas through my head for it at the same time...

"Cinema so off-putting, it can't be bothered to be accepted by the mainstream festival circuit."
"Scorned Cinema: There's nothing quite so vengeful."
"All world premiere cinema, because no one else will show them."
 
Cracker Funk, I take my hat of to you. That was hilarious. I'm sorry you got rejected, but we at (Random Cheer Up Inc.) would like you to know that you should keep on going and wipe your ass with your reject letter. Oh, and send it back.
Also, I want to see Antihero, no matter what AFBMFF says.
PD: I officially propose for indietalk to use AFBMFF to refer to all and any kind of asshole entity.


Now, let me get into my bllshitter mode, cause money is to be made.
Knightly, get yourself a big ol' picaxe, 'cause you're about to finde gold.

Cinema Rejects: You'll hate us, but we'll make you hate 'em.
AssBackwards Movies: You'll wish you had rented Pink Flamingos.
Let's talk bussiness.
 
knightly said:
CF, you should start your own festival that requires submitted films to be accompanied by copies of at least 5 rejection letters... more letters will bump you up the list. Select your program based on the most rejection, and no other criteria.

I bet that would be a really fun festival!
Click to expand...

Problem is....films get rejected for a reason. This is coming from a person who manages film festivals, was a screener and part of the submissions process for festivals, and currently works for one of the biggest guilds in Los Angeles.

However, I am a filmmaker at heart. Choosing films are a tough choice--especially when you're dealing with pleasing an audience. Do we show one GREAT 35 minute short film, or two crappy ones, one mediocre film, and one good film? A film festival is still a business, and if you want to stay in business...you have to sell tickets and produce a worthy product. We ran into this problem once in our documentary section. Two great showboarding documentaries--but will an audience REALLY want to watch two docs of the same topic? Nope. One had to go, and a lesser of value doc had to take its place.

Yes film festivals are made to showcase independent and commercially alternative films--but festivals are also made to please audiences. We showed this film called "Nude Nuns with Big Guns." Was it worthy of being in a film festival? According to the audience poll...probably not. But what it DID do was offer a variety of choices for people with different tastes (and a packet house I might add).

Are there shady festivals out there? Yes. Are their festival producers who accept films just because the filmmakers/company associated with the film are a sponsor of the festival? Yes. Are there judges and submission screeners out there who dont watch the entirety of the films submitted?? Yes. It sucks and the only way to change it is to be proactive. BIG question---How do we do that?

Great post you guys! I've gotten three rejection letters myself that all hurt. And the shitty thing is, one of the rejection letters was for the festival I was involved with in the submissions selection department. I ended up managing the festival the next year...great party festival...shitty film selection.
 
Thanks for the good cheers, all.

Of course, I wrote this in hopes of making a chuckle out of a frustrating place, so I'm glad it did it's job. I figured anybody who's been in the same shoes would see something of themselves in it.

I love the idea of a The Rejected Film Festival. I think it would be a requirement that the filmmaker has to attend. Only way their film gets screened is if they hand-deliver it. I think having a room full of filmmakers appreciating each others' work would really up the fun-factor. I'm actually seriously considering doing this. Richmond would not be the place for it -- would want to do it in a major metropolitan city.

By the way, I didn't mention that this rejection-letter was from one of the top-five most prestigious festivals in the US, and therefore extremely competitive to get into (SIFF). Before applying, I took a look at the films that have screened there in the past, and they all have really strong production values. My wimpy little $8,000 movie looks like a movie that was made for $8,000, so I knew all along that my odds of getting in were as slim as winning the lottery. Unfortunately, this realization didn't help stop the sting.

Nick, you mentioned that it must be tough for them select movies, as they know that each movie comes along with a dreamy-eyed filmmaker. To be honest, I'm not sure they care that much about us. The thought crossed my mind today -- why the heck can't they personalize the letter, just a little bit? The fact that they send generic rejection-letters is rather callous, in my opinion.

Yes, I understand that they get a million entries, so personalizing would take a little time. So what? I paid you money to watch my movie. The least you can do is give me one freaking sentence of polite niceties. Something quick, like, "Hey, I really enjoyed your movie, especially the scene when so-and-so does so-and-so; that part was hilarious." Then, after that one personalized line, you can go ahead and copy/paste the remainder of the obligatory generic letter. I figure they could get this done in one day. Everybody who helps with the screening process has to spend one entire day writing rejection letters. I don't think one day of their time is too much to ask.

Anyway, as PTP mentioned -- onward and upward.

So here's the question I have for ya'll -- which city would be best for the 1st annual Rejected Film Festival? Vegas? LA? SFC? NYC? Chicago? Or maybe it's better in a small town? Richmond, VA?
 
Cracker Funk said:
Thanks for the good cheers, all.

Of course, I wrote this in hopes of making a chuckle out of a frustrating place, so I'm glad it did it's job. I figured anybody who's been in the same shoes would see something of themselves in it.

I love the idea of a The Rejected Film Festival. I think it would be a requirement that the filmmaker has to attend. Only way their film gets screened is if they hand-deliver it. I think having a room full of filmmakers appreciating each others' work would really up the fun-factor. I'm actually seriously considering doing this. Richmond would not be the place for it -- would want to do it in a major metropolitan city.

By the way, I didn't mention that this rejection-letter was from one of the top-five most prestigious festivals in the US, and therefore extremely competitive to get into (SIFF). Before applying, I took a look at the films that have screened there in the past, and they all have really strong production values. My wimpy little $8,000 movie looks like a movie that was made for $8,000, so I knew all along that my odds of getting in were as slim as winning the lottery. Unfortunately, this realization didn't help stop the sting.

Nick, you mentioned that it must be tough for them select movies, as they know that each movie comes along with a dreamy-eyed filmmaker. To be honest, I'm not sure they care that much about us. The thought crossed my mind today -- why the heck can't they personalize the letter, just a little bit? The fact that they send generic rejection-letters is rather callous, in my opinion.

Yes, I understand that they get a million entries, so personalizing would take a little time. So what? I paid you money to watch my movie. The least you can do is give me one freaking sentence of polite niceties. Something quick, like, "Hey, I really enjoyed your movie, especially the scene when so-and-so does so-and-so; that part was hilarious." Then, after that one personalized line, you can go ahead and copy/paste the remainder of the obligatory generic letter. I figure they could get this done in one day. Everybody who helps with the screening process has to spend one entire day writing rejection letters. I don't think one day of their time is too much to ask.

Anyway, as PTP mentioned -- onward and upward.

So here's the question I have for ya'll -- which city would be best for the 1st annual Rejected Film Festival? Vegas? LA? SFC? NYC? Chicago? Or maybe it's better in a small town? Richmond, VA?
Click to expand...

Good point. a personalized letter does mean a lot. When I was in high school, I received a personalized letter about a submission--that in turn propelled me to go to film school. But a lot of film festivals are non-profits without the staff and the time to do that for everyone! Especially if you are receiving 800 submissions on average.

Of course..I think this festival would be best suited in Los Angeles. There are a great deal of filmmakers out her, like anywhere else, but to be overshadowed in the heart of the industry is tough. That festival could do good here.
 
nottAvillian productions said:
Of course..I think this festival would be best suited in Los Angeles. There are a great deal of filmmakers out her, like anywhere else, but to be overshadowed in the heart of the industry is tough. That festival could do good here.
Click to expand...

That was my first inclination, as well. Especially since attendance (of the filmmaker) would be an important factor. Except, maybe instead of requiring attendance, maybe attendance gaurantees a refund of the submission fee, or something.
 
Cracker Funk said:
That was my first inclination, as well. Especially since attendance (of the filmmaker) would be an important factor. Except, maybe instead of requiring attendance, maybe attendance guarantees a refund of the submission fee, or something.
Click to expand...

submission fees are a big part of funding for the festival. There are major expenses a film festival generates. You have to 1) rent out the theater because they lose business while festivals are taking up their screens 2) you've got to pay personnel to handle sponsors at the festival, clean the theaters, do ticketing, work as projectionist, 3) rent microphones, stages, etc if you need them. 4) filmmaker's lodging and travel if you offer it 5) promotional/opening night parties...etc

Sure you can get volunteers to do this, but you won't get volunteers everyday. If you refund the submission fees...then you're looking at losing at least a good $17k worth of profit considering 500 submissions at the price of $35 each.

Sponsors, sponsors, sponsors! =) Your best friends!
 
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