Film festivals are known in the filmmaker community to be the opportunity for independent filmmakers to get a much-needed platform for their work, but the biggest film festivals in the world are hugely competitive. These days, independent filmmakers are even having to compete with well-known filmmakers who are making their films within the studio system to get a slot at one of those festivals. However, allies of independent filmmakers like Dennis Cieri — founder of the New York City Independent Film Festival and an indie filmmaker himself — have found ways to champion the voices in cinema who need it most.
Many major film festivals have begun to drift away from their initial purpose of providing a platform for independent filmmakers. Festival lineups have begun to be filled with movies made by the same famous directors and starring A-list actors — or even become a venue for films by the major studios to host their premieres. Although many of these films are excellent, they have plenty of opportunities to be seen by the general public. Independent films need the platform given to them by film festivals so that their work can be seen and, hopefully, promoted on a wider scale.
That being said, there remain some indie film festivals — like the New York City Independent Film Festival — that are still committed to the independent filmmaker, presenting films made outside the studio system with unique opportunities to be viewed.
Cieri knows a thing or two about the importance of festivals for indie filmmakers, being one himself. His filmography includes several travel documentaries about destinations and cultures ranging from San Miguel, Mexico to Belgrade, Serbia, and even Wisconsin. His newest film, “Lionfish,” a documentary about communities of divers working to save the coral reefs by fighting invasive species, is now in production — all while he works to put on the New York City Independent Film Festival.
“For many of these filmmakers, indie festivals might be the only opportunity to have their work shown on the big screen — and, in some cases, for it to be shown at all,” Cieri says. “However, filmmakers whose work is selected for an independent film festival should take advantage of the chance these festivals give them to increase their film’s profile.”
How indie festivals support filmmakers
One of the most important factors of a film festival is its ability to create word-of-mouth buzz around the films they feature. Since most film festivals are open to the public, cinephiles who attend screenings may find a film they love and talk about it with their friends or on social media, and this can be the birth of a viral indie sensation.
“This year, we had over 1,400 submissions that we narrowed down to our final selection of around 200 features and shorts,” explains Cieri. “There truly is something for everyone to see.”
Many independent film festivals also offer juried competitions, which allow films to be nominated or earn awards. Not only are these awards valuable accolades for filmmakers to add to their résumés — they’re also accomplishments that can be used to secure a film’s future.
“Many filmmakers who win awards at festivals like ours will use that recognition to help garner the attention of distributors,” says Cieri. “Some even place the festival laurels on their posters and promotional materials as part of their marketing.”
However, perhaps the most beneficial part of attending an independent film festival for filmmakers is the opportunity it presents to network with distributors and other industry leaders attending the festival. “We have plenty of people from the industry attending the New York City Independent Film Festival,” Cieri asserts. “For our filmmakers, this means they may have the chance for their film to be seen by industry professionals, or the opportunity to rub shoulders with leaders at parties and networking events.”
Even if attending a festival doesn’t translate into immediate success for the project a filmmaker shows, the experience can be valuable in the long run. By meeting and networking with fellow filmmakers, one could find a future collaborator or even potential funders for an upcoming project.
“The great thing about film festivals is that you never know who you might be sitting next to,” says Cieri.
How attending the New York City Independent Film Festival helps filmmakers
The New York City Independent Film Festival is being held from June 4-11, 2023 at the Producers Club on W. 44th and 9th St. The space boasts five areas for film screenings, as well as a bar and lounge area for attendees to mix and mingle with their fellow cinephiles and filmmakers. This historic bohemian enclave is an ideal venue for such an event, as it perfectly encapsulates the air of creativity that the festival was designed to capture.
Indie film festivals like the New York City Independent Film Festival offer filmmakers a valuable opportunity to form meaningful connections with others in the industry, as well as cinephiles to discover a great new independent film from a burgeoning voice in cinema. “We hope people attend the New York City Independent Film Festival, and other events like it, to support up-and-coming artists and filmmakers,” Cieri adds.
