August 2009

In The Independent's new series Film Journal: The Making of an Independent Feature, filmmaker Valerie Weiss will share her experiences of financing, making, and marketing her first independent feature film Losing Control. Here, she discusses her inspiration for making the film and her method of fundraising.

Whether you’re a new or a seasoned filmmaker, festivals provide a supportive and constructive atmosphere to show your work. Considering the abysmal state of the current economy, The Independent decided to compile this list of film festivals that do not charge a submission fee. The list here offers a mixture of long-standing and relatively new, no-fee film festivals.

The Independent launches its new series of Exhibitor FAQs to provide resources and advice on how to get your film onto the big screen. Following in the tradition of the distributor and funder Q&As, the Exhibitor FAQ will feature a different theatre, museum or other screening venue with tips on how to approach the theatre, market your film, and find an audience for your film. This month, The Independent talks with Phillip Freedenberg, general manager of the Amherst Theatre in Buffalo, NY.