Sundance vs. SXSW: How to Get In and What's The Difference?

In this Stage 32 Next Level Webinar, Alex Sagalchik (Producer of 2016's highest grossing indie film and breakout Sundance hit, THE WITCH) will help you understand how to get your project ready to compete at a major film festival. He will take you from start to finish getting specific on what to do before you submit, during the festival and provide real-life case studies to give insight on the current film festival landscape.

Before you submit your film to a festival you have to take steps to make sure you are getting recognized within the industry. Just a few actions can determine how well your film is received and save you a lot of wasted time. Alex will share advice on how to get involved with the local film community and how that impacts your chances of success. He’ll provide an overview of workshops such as Sundance Labs, AFI and Film Independent as well as discuss smaller scale programs that are available to you throughout the country.

In Sundance vs. SXSW: How to Get In and What's The Difference? you’ll also learn how to tailor your film to the festival that you choose to submit to and the major differences between Sundance and SXSW. The decision of where to take your film has consequences on the viability of your project. Alex will provide his analysis on how to position your film to be a breakout success and what to do in the event your film doesn’t do as well as expected. For the strategic and prepared filmmaker, film festivals can provide life-changing opportunities and Alex is here to show you just how to take advantage of it including his own real-life case studies.

In addition to arming you with the knowledge of both Sundance and SXSW, Alex will take you through 4 different cases studies of his own films that have been in each festival! Who better to learn from than one of the most successful producers in the industry right now! Join us for this exciting webinar.

Part One: 

• Understand the independent film landscape
  • The types of films that get into Sundance and SXSW
• How to become recognized by the industry before even submitting to a film festival.
• Create Your Own Content and utilize Social Media platforms
• Invest in local film communities
• Competitive workshops like the Sundance Labs, AFI, & Film Independent programs
• How does a script get to a producer?
• How a sales agent can impact your film
• What do you look for in sales agents and what do you avoid?
• Understand the difference between foreign and domestic sales. Territory by territory.
• What kind of sales agents do you avoid?
• Benefits of big sales agents and small sales agents 

Part Two:

• How to make sure your film is being screened by a senior programmer
• How your submission can standout
• Importance of leveraging relationships and contacts to be a serious contender in a film festival 
• Key Differences Between Sundance, SXSW, and Other Film Festivals
  • Sundance 
    • Tailoring Your Project To The Sundance Audience
    • Industry and Arthouse
    • Sales focus
  • SXSW
    • Tailoring Your Project To The SXSW Audience
    • "Real" Audiences 
    • Focused Towards Festival-Goers 
  • Understand the other kinds of film festivals that exist. And the impact on the life of your project. 

Part Three: 

• Case Studies:
• Case Study #1: 28 Hotel Rooms - Learn how rejection one year can be turned into triumph and major interest the next year. 
• Case Study #2: The Truth About Emanuel - Examination of a Sundance Competition Title 
• Case Study #3: Long Nights, Short Mornings - Filmmaking is a marathon. See how a SXSW premiere perfectly fit this intimate film and allowed it to standout among the competition. 
• Case Study #4: The Witch: An unconventional film with an unconventional route
• Plus, a live & interactive Q&A with Alex!

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