DOHA: Film industry experts told emerging filmmakers to pursue artistic vision but also focus on smart marketing at Qumra organised by Doha Film Institute (DFI).
Experts representing international film festivals, distribution companies, funding agencies and the media were unequivocal in reminding the delegates that the process of filmmaking does not complete with post-production work.
“Live your artistic vision, no doubt,” advised Sydney Levine, Indiewire Journalist and Writer of SydneysBuzz, “but reach out to buyers, make sure you have the right selling agent and keep an eye on festivals as a way to make your money and find your funds.”
Sharing insights on ‘Buzz, marketing, reviews: How to make the most of PR on the festival circuit,’ she joined Mark Adams, Artistic Director, Edinburgh International Film Festival, and film critic Jim Quilty in highlighting the modalities of making their films heard and seen.
Adams said ‘charm offensive is the best way’ to engage with the media, especially during festivals, while Quilty underlined how creating a personal legend — how they came about to make the movie — helps create the right buzz. “The more people you meet, the more people know who you are,” said Quilty. He called on delegates to engage social media as an important tool in building the market buzz.
Calling on the delegates to leverage film festivals as the first entry point to the industry, Adams said emerging filmmakers must be astute about where the film is screening. “People respond to good work; the media loves a success story and they are not cynical.”
At a session on legal aspects of co-production, Jovan Marjanovic, Head of Industry, Sarajevo Film Festival, said “Co-production creates a bigger common market and gives filmmakers more space to reach newer and wider audience,” citing the success DFI has recorded in co-productions.
Other key sessions included ‘What is new in the world of documentary film festivals’, where Jean-Pierre Rehm, General Director, FIDMarseille; Emile Bujes, Programmer, Visions due reel; and Adriek Van Nieuwenhuyzen, Head of Industry Office, International Documentary Festival Amsterdam, discussed the growing opportunities in the documentary segment.
Matthieu Darras, Artistic Director, TorinoFilmLab, and Delegate for Central & Eastern Europe, San Sebastian Film Festival; Mille Haynes, CPH: LAB; and Gülin Üstün, Head of Meetings on the Bridge, Istanbul Film Festival, discussed the ‘development heaven’ festivals and labs provide.
Another engaging discussion on ‘Festivalsphere: A world of its own or an integral part of the film value chain’ saw discussions led by Carlo Chatrian, Artistic Director, Festival del Film Locarno; Bero Beyer, Festival Director, International Film Festival Rotterdam; and Mirsad Purivatra, Festival Director, Sarajevo Film Festival. The Peninsula
