ABSTRACT
Chapter 7 explores the critical role that the festival circuit plays in connecting sellers to buyers (& films to audience). Starting in 1930s with the Venice Film Festival, over the last century we have seen the rise of many major festivals (i.e. Cannes, Berlin, Toronto etc.) that all compete for attention on a jam-packed annual festival calendar. The success of a film in the festival circuit relies heavily on the teamwork of the producer, sales company & financiers, as well as timing and interaction with the press. In an interview conducted with Sandra Hebron, former Artistic Director of BFI London Film Festival, she outlines her career progression and provides details on management challenges she faced as a director and the process of curation and selection. Sandra advises filmmakers on how to be strategic in choosing the right festival for your film & improve your chances of success. In light of the adaptations made during the pandemic, Sandra theorizes about a ‘hybrid’ model for future festivals, where the online & physical world can be utilized appropriately.
