Advice for submitting to film festivals

What exactly are we looking for in a film submission? In a nutshell, we are looking for films that we like, and that we think other people will want to watch as well.

Matt Dentler, director of the SXSW festival in Austin, summed it up very well in an interview with OurStage.com. And while we may not be as well known a festival as they are (yet!), we think he makes some valid points, especially with regard to over-elaborate packaging and web presence.

To that I would like to add to those who submit through Withoutabox -- make the most of your WAB profile. Add synopses and press kits and photos and trailers and everything you can, rather than mailing all of that to festivals who haven't accepted your film yet.

Of course, it's now too late to submit to us for the 2008 festival, but it's good advice for future festivals.