Distribution : New director/film to the FF circuit by Melanie Star Scot

I've been told several times that the FF circuit can break your heart. I have just completed my first short film and am in the process of submitting to many FF's, large and small. I would love some feedback. Should a newcomer submit to only the "smaller" markets and then once you get some laurels submit to larger FF's? Or if you think you have a great product, should you just go out, guns blazing and submit to all as they open for submissions? BTW - here is a link to my trailer http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSh43nC6dkA&list=PLEDCC70DA1669B538&index...