About
Independent analysis and practical guidance to help filmmakers navigate the film festival submission process.
Who runs this site?
Hi, I’m Anthony Straeger, an independent filmmaker, festival director, author, and researcher focused on how film festivals and submission platforms actually operate.
My career spans over 40 years. I have worked as a scriptwriter, filmmaker, event organiser, and project manager – a mix of professional experience and personal passion. Training as an actor helped me with public speaking and presenting, but becoming a festival director really shaped my understanding of how the submission world works.
From 2017 – 2022, I served as Director at the Berlin Sci-fi Filmfest and Haunted House FearFest. I’ve participated in many workshops, panels, and discussions about Indie film and film festivals. These experiences have directly influence
Why does this work matter?
Film festivals play an important role in independent cinema. However, the submission ecosystem around them has grown increasingly difficult to navigate. Rising fees and varying standards are one thing. But you also have to consider the emergence of fraudulent and ‘vanity’ festivals. They have resulted in a system that compels filmmakers to take risks without the essential information needed to make informed decisions. This website aims to help restore a sense of balance by revealing existing patterns, highlighting warning signs, whilst promoting transparency in areas that require it.
What you’ll find here
- Independent analysis of film festival submission practices.
- Research into scam and dubious festivals.
- Practical resources for filmmakers at different career stages.
- Writing and commentary on platforms and industry behaviour.
Credentials
I’m the author of two books that investigate the submission process at film festivals. Both books detail the submission methodologies, platform operations, and associated economic impacts. Both are grounded in my direct experience as a filmmaker, festival director and researcher.
The first book provides filmmakers with a strategic festival submission methodology. It starts by looking at the understanding. It ends by giving the knowledge to prevent costly submission mistakes.
The second book investigates the world’s number one platform, FilmFreeway. It examines festival platforms and explains how to interpret the different elements on each page.
Together, these two books present research that investigates the functioning of film festivals while showing filmmakers better methods to navigate these events and the system.
A note on independence
This site is independently run. I don’t accept payment from film festivals to review or promote them, and I don’t provide endorsements in exchange for access or visibility. – That independence is essential to the work and to the trust filmmakers place in it.
Where to go from here
Whether you’re submitting your first film or refining your festival strategy, this site offers comprehensive submission help to filmmakers who need support with their submission and their festival strategy. It is designed to help you understand the landscape of the film festival ecosystem.
The Resources section offers practical guidance and templates that assist in the filmmaking and submission processes.
The Scam Film Festivals section contains essential information on how to identify questionable festivals and their practices.
No matter your experience level, these pages give you the insight you need to make informed decisions and submit smarter