Distribution : Ranking the top film festivals. What are your favorites? by Patrick Hampton

I've been to Sundance a number of times...They do a nice job, but the logistics of tickets and theater locations can make things a bit difficult to navigate. Austin does a terrific job. Very nice slate of films most years. Exceptionally well run.

As a festival I fully agree with you. Getting you work into it still is one of the best. I have only been there this past year. theater location and logistics of tickets are a bit difficult to navigate. If you aren't staying directly in the town make sure you have a car. Still the parties (O the after-parties!) and events are even better!

The A list (the Big 5) are: Cannes, Berlin, Sundance, Toronto, Venice.

trying to get tickets to TIFF as we speak

What about someone peoples personal favorites. Best to network, Best to show, best film festivals to start with? I started doing the 48 hour film festivals. Thats when I knew that film was what I was born to do.

@Jerome Great list! Its so true! And if you are able to sell it at the festival that is huge for your work! Not everything sells at festivals.

I've only been to two festivals thusfar. Austin and Calgary. Austin is a fun town. I had purchased a producers badge and it was worth every cent. Lots of parties, great bbq and networking opps.

@Darren VIP is the only way to go. Heading to The Indie Gathering International Film Festival like that.

Darren how much was a producers badge

I would put a caveat to the acquistions rankings. Cannes has a proper film market attached so you can sell your film to acquisition buyers without being selected for the festival. Its one of the most important festivals from that point of view. Most of the films in competition in Cannes have probably already been pre-bought anyway. So from the indie filmmakers point of view I would rank Cannes higher on that list.

I completely agree with your assessment, Darren. Austin, especially if you are a screenwriter, is a terrific fest...And the Producer's Badge is a great buy.

Anything that gets you closer to the talent in the festival is a great buy. That's why you want to win them so they just give you the badges and also discounts on lodging.

Why is it only from a US perspective that these rankings are made from? What about the rest of the world? As someone who has worked for over 15 years in international film sales, my preference and the ones I would recommend to any indie filmmaker to attend to really learn what the film business is about is Berlin and Cannes.

hey everyone! wanted to let you know that Shooter Entertainment, LLC is put on a film festival for Michigan films only! This is to promote Michigan made films, Michigan crews, and so fourth! Also, wanted to let you know that if you go to www.shooterentertainment.com and go to the Films of Tomorrow Film Festival page you can download the application and payment form! Fill them out now and get your submitions in as soon as possible! Help us make this a success and get those submitions in today!

I've personally been to Boulder, Sedona, Honolulu, Nashville, and San Diego. My Director/Producer also went to Waterfront, and the film played Three Rivers as well (but none of us made it to that one). I've heard Waterfront is highly regarded. I'm also partial to San Diego for several reasons: the parties are epic, we won Best Documentary there, and I live there. :-)

I am off to the indie gathering international film festival this weekend to accept a award for my pilot The Rise of Kings!