(2009-04-16) Hope Film Promo Checklist

Ted Hope gives a CheckList of things a producer (Film Industry) should have ready for Marketing before seeking acquisition/distribution. The problem is that most filmmakers still think of festivals as a step towards acquisition. As Ryan’s comment points out, that is only true for your first two or three festivals. After those, if you haven’t secured distribution, your chances of acquisition are diminishing with each festival play. Festivals have an increasingly vital role to play in independent film. They are one of the critical steps in delivering a Truly Free Film Culture. As has been said here many times before (and I anticipate saying many more times in the future), festivals must be looked at as the launch in audience-building, marketing, and distribution.
If you do not have distribution, you are not ready to play film festivals if:...