Should I Submit My Film to Big Festivals or Smaller Ones?

It’s the classic filmmaker dilemma: do you go big and aim for the star-studded festivals, or do you keep it local and build from the ground up?

Here’s the honest answer: both have their place, but the real trick is understanding why you’re submitting in the first place.

The big festival advantage

Submitting to larger, often Oscar-qualifying festivals can be a huge boost. It’s about getting your film in front of a massive, diverse audience and generating buzz.