The film was entirely shot in a modern Maya city called Santiago Atitlan in Guatemala. It's an amazingly picturesque place surrounded by a lake and three volcanoes. The lake is called Lake Atitlan and the most famous volcano is called San Pedro.
If you would like to see more photos or view the trailer check out the website - www.balancingthecosmos.com. Feel free to give me any feedback on the functionality of the website, since I designed it as well.
After working on the documentary off and on for the last four, almost five years, I have finally come to the stage where it's ready to submit to festivals and arrange screenings at other venues. We have our first official screening next month at the Maya Convention in Austin, Texas. In addition to that screening the director and I have submitted the film to several festivals and have compiled a list of "The Best Documentary Festivals."
For those of you who have a documentary film ready to submit to a festival, than consider these three suggestions before paying the fees and sending out DVD's.
1. Find the right niche film festival that fits the topic and style of your doc.
(This is much like niche blogging. If you don't find the right outlet for your target audience, than you will ultimately get rejection after rejection. For example, my doc is ethnographic, so I want festivals that either specialize in that area or that are open to a wide range of topics.)
2. Preview your doc before a test audience to receive feedback.
(If you are heavily invested in your film, meaning you have worked on it for awhile like I have and watched it countless times, than you will need a third or fourth eye to give it fresh notes.)
3. Make a contact with anyone of importance on a film festival staff or acceptance committee.
(I know it sounds a bit like bribery, but in the film business and festival circuit alike, it pays to know people who can put in a good word for your film or even push to have it accepted).
Now that I have shared my advice however limited it may be, I know plenty of you may know more than I. It is my hope that you would share you wealth of knowledge or plethora of experience regarding the film festival market and how to get your foot in the door.
Below is that list of "Best Documentary Film Festivals" I promised you at the beginning of this article. I have categorized them by US and Non-US and ranked them by most prestigious to less prestigious. You always want to find a festival that has a market to distribute or sell rights to your film for a TV or theatrical release. Other smaller festivals that may not be listed below are good for exposure but won't guarantee a sale or distribution deal.
US Documentary Film Festivals
1. Sundance Film Festival - Park City, Utah
The largest and most prestigious festival in the US and the press, sales agents, and distributors in attendance. The downside: Overpopulated, accepting less films without a star or controversial socio-political theme.
My submission: refused.
2. SXSW Film Festival - Ausin, Texas
More diverse in their topics than Sundance, great place to make contacts, and not as stiff of competition. The downside: Press and distributors don't attend every film, festival support is lacking. My submission: refused.
3. AFI Silverdocs - Baltimore, Maryland
A festival focused on documentaries only, boasts one of the best theaters to screen your film, conferences and social events to meet people, and generous festival staff. The downside: more strict on quality requirements, and not as personal as others. My submission: Not yet.
4. Full Frame - New York City, New York
Has a long history of supporting and promoting successful documentaries, surrounded by the academics of Duke, and plenty of industry presence. The downside: The festival founder Nancy Buirski left in 2008, and competes with other festivals in town. My submission: Later this year.
5. Los Angeles Film Festival - Los Angeles, CA
Strong Hollywood and Academy Awards ties, large cash prizes, treats docs the same as narratives, and paid for retreat prior to the festival. The downside: Very competitive, and has to be a world premiere. My submission: In March.
6. Tribeca Film Festival - New York City, New York
Better documentary programmer than years past, decent web presence, and cash prize for best documentary. The downside: Venues are spread out, ticket prices are too high, and poor communication with the press. My submission: Didn't, not the right fit.
7. True/False Film Festival - Columbia, MO
Quality and diversity more important here, great community support providing high attendance, and the most generous in paying for expenses. The downside: smaller industry presence, and less chance of selling. My submission: Didn't, but maybe next year.
8. Telluride - Telluride, Colorado
Local reviews for almost every major outlet, and smaller and more intimate. The downside: by invitation only, so you have to know someone there, and only screens a handful of docs. My submission: Can't, obviously have to get invited.
9. San Francisco International - San Francisco, CA
Excellent emphasis on documentaries, and connects the filmmaker with the established doc community. The downside: Tend to accept more serious social topics, and are disqualified from attending if you screened at LAFF. My submission: Won't, it's not the right fit.
10. Seattle International - Seattle, WA
The longest festival so chances of more screenings, shows more docs than any other fest, and superb sellout crowds. The downside: A month long fest requires more committment, festival staff not as helpful so filmmakers feel on their own more. My submission: Possibly soon.
Those are the most well-known and respected US festivals that showcase documentaries, but always look for other festivals that specialize in your topic like for Balancing the Cosmos we submitted to an archeology film festival and another cultural film festival. You can also try out smaller fests like Denver or Santa Barbara or even Slamdance in Utah.
Best Non-US Documentary Film Festivals
1. Toronto International Film Festival - Toronto, Canada
The second most prestigious documentary festival behind Sundance, one of the best fests for indie films due to industry support, and an opportunity for foreign sales. The downside: documentaries aren't the focus, have to work twice as hard for sales, and not as much attention from press and distributors as narratives. My submission: Didn't, not the right fit.
2. IDFA - Amsterdam
The largest international film festival, chance to pitch film at the legendary pitching forum, excellent for selling to TV or oversees. The downside: North American buyers don't attend, and don't expect much help from the festival making connections. My submission: Possibly soon.
3. Hot Docs - Toronto, Canada
Extensive industry presence especially for foreign release, the pitching forum rivals IDFA, exceptionally organized, and great audience participation. The downside: If you don't make the pitching forum might be difficult to get connected, and no real place to meet people. My submission: Waiting for reply.
4. Berlin International Film Festival - Berlin, Germany
A unique spotlight on documentaries since there are limited amount, huge industry presence from around the world, best organized festival, and easy to navigate. The downside: Won't get as much notice from the US market, and less docs means less chance of getting accepted. My submission: They said, "We thought about it a long time and wanted to, but couldn't."
5. BritDoc - London, England
An intimate festival with chances to connect and have fun, includes a pitching forum for British filmmakers, documentary focused festival, and good attendance from professionals in the field. The downsides: If you aren't a British filmmaker chances are slimmer since they only accept 10 international films, and more emphasis on pitch and less on screenings. My submission: Maybe.
6. Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival - Greece
Gaining a reputation of being the best documentary festival in Europe, excellent for connecting with filmmakers, supportive audiences, easy to navigate, and accepts films on smaller more neglected parts of the world. The downside: Not as much of an industry presence, no sales and pitch forum (which can be good or bad depending on what you like). My submission: Waiting for reply.
7. Rotterdam - Rotterdam, Netherlands
Argubably competes with other big fests - Berlin, Venice, etc, accepts a unique lineup of films, and very filmmaker and audience friendly. The downside: Not as internationally connected as other major players, and no pitching. My submission: refused.
8. Sheffield Doc Fest - London, England
A rival documentary fest to IDFA and BritDoc, boasts a market and pitch sessions, and also opportunities to connect with European commissioning editors. The downside: Not as generous to filmmakers, and not very convenient scheduling. My submission: Probably not.
9. Edinburgh - Scotland
Began as a documentary only festival so reveres docs still, a supportive festival staff, and takes place during an arts fest. The downside: Not a true market fest, and no pitch or sales forums. My submission: Possibly soon.
10. Morelia International Film Festival - Mexico Steadily increasing press and industry presence, supports local and international films, supportive audiences, and a true documentary atmosphere. The downside: The only one I have found is that it hasn't quite got a recognizable name yet, so still growing. My submission: Maybe, looking into it.
All in all those are the top 20 most promising documentary festivals for your documentary feature or short that you are shopping around at present or will in the future. I hope the information was helpful. If I learn of any new festivals to add to the list or showcase I will discuss them at a future date and stay tuned for more of my replies from festivals.
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