Film festivals are essential for promoting and positioning your film. But how do you approach the festival strategy of your film? During this Deep Dive, teams of directors, producers, and editors can develop their film’s festival strategy together with festival curator Nikolaj Nikitin. The day before this Deep Dive, Nikolaj will also give a Masterclass on Festival Strategy.
Festivals are becoming increasingly important for securing funding and co-production partners, and for expanding your international network as a professional. It can be difficult to navigate the offerings of film festivals: which festival best suits your target audience? How do you find the festival terms and conditions to determine if you can submit your film? And how do film festivals curate the selection of films they screen?
In this Deep Dive, you can develop your festival strategy as a team of director, producer, and editor using edited footage from your film. You will do this with festival curator Nikolaj Nikitin, who knows the ins and outs of the international film festival circuit. Nikolaj is the Artistic Director of the European Film Festival Palić, curator of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), and was the delegate of the Berlinale.
To participate in this Deep Dive, it is important to bring an edited 10-15 minute clip of your film with English subtitles. Additionally, you must have attended the Festival Strategy Masterclass given by Nikolaj the day before. The Masterclass is included in the cost of this Deep Dive.
Who is this Deep Dive for?
Teams consisting of a director, producer, and/or editor.
Practical information
Date: Friday, March 21, 2025
Time: 10:00 to 18:00, followed by networking drinks
Location: Ms. van Riemsdijkweg 61, Amsterdam
Costs: €195,- excl. VAT. For the costs of this programme you could qualify for a contribution from Werktuig Permanente Professionele Ontwikkeling (PPO). PPO finances the professional development of everyone working in the creative or cultural sector, both employees and freelancers. PPO finances 1/3rd of your application for a workshop or training. The rest of the amount should be financed by your employer, client, and/or yourself.
For this workshop the cancellation policy is as follows:
- If you cancel more than 14 days before the workshop day, you will receive a full refund of the ticket price.
- If you cancel between 7 and 14 days before the workshop, you will receive a 50% refund of the ticket price.
- If you cancel within 7 days of the workshop day, you will not receive a refund.