Red Flags & Warning Signs

IDENTIFYING SCAM FILM FESTIVALS

Since COVID-19, scam festivals have become more common. Many run only online or host ‘awards ceremonies only.’ This helps them cut costs and appear legitimate. They use persuasive tactics to attract filmmakers. Often, they offer huge discounts that are hard to resist. Here are the red flags and warning signs you should watch for.

UNVEILING THE DECEPTION

Scam festivals can be hard to spot. Many use flashy logos, fake audience photos, and glowing reviews to look credible. Their real goal is to collect fees without giving screenings or real opportunities. Some even appear on platforms like IMDb, fooling aspiring filmmakers. The largest platform is FILMFREEWAY, where you can check them further.

AVOIDING THE TRAP

How do you protect yourself from scammers? Start by researching every festival before paying fees. Be cautious of promises about reaching a larger audience. Check for real screenings and opportunities for filmmakers. Labels like ‘Official Selection’ or PNG laurels mean nothing without genuine recognition. Some festivals make winners buy low-quality certificates or trophies. Diligence and investigation are your best defense and help protect legitimate festivals.

GEOGRAPHICAL CONSIDERATIONS

It helps to know where scam festivals appear most. Countries like India and Italy have more of these events. Keep an eye out for red flags and warning signs to spot fraud. Each point may vary in importance depending on your situation.

20 Give Away Signs that a Festival is a Scam or Fake

No public screenings – Festivals that don’t have public screenings and only list themselves as “awards only” or are “online only” should be avoided.
Minimal contact information – Suspicious if the festival’s website doesn’t have easy-to-find contact details of at least one key team member.
Confusing name – Be wary of festivals with names similar to established film festivals as it may create confusion and imply prestige.
Administered from overseas – A festival with its base in a different country is a red flag, especially if the organizers don’t attend the event themselves.
High entry fees – Obscure festivals charging high fees may be a scam. Many festivals require no entry fee at all.
Accepting all films that pay a submission fee – Beware of festivals that automatically accept and select all films that pay a submission fee.
Unfeasibly long Call for Entries window – Beware of festivals that operate with an open call all year. They are set up to collect submission fees only.
Vague selection and judging information – Look for festivals that post details of their selection process and the people judging, including every member of the jury.
No verified winners list – Look for festivals with a verified winners list, as fraudulent festivals may aim to create a false history.
Minimal information about selected films – Look for festivals that provide detailed information about selected films, and no links.
A large number of awards – Legitimate festivals have a limited set of awards. Be wary of festivals with a list of 50 or 60 award categories. They give zero physical awards, as physical awards are costly to produce.
Prizes are limited to a certificate and laurels – Look for festivals that present physical awards to winners not a sent PDF for you to print off and pin on your wall.
Filmmakers must pay for their trophies – Beware of festivals that require filmmakers to pay for their trophies or to attend the event in order to collect them.
No printed festival programme brochure/catalogue – Look for festivals with a printed screening schedule or a comprehensive online catalogue.
Outdated website and social media accounts – Legitimate festivals have staff members administering their website and social media.
No proven sponsors – Look for festivals with relationships with legitimate businesses and film industry organizations.
It’s part of a chain – Be wary of festivals run by the same organizers around the world as it may be a money-making scam. They will accept you and then offer a discount code to each of their other festivals, which are just cloned.
Filmmakers’ travel expenses – Most smaller festivals cannot afford to pay or cover travel expenses or accommodation. But they certainly won’t ask you to pay once you attend. If you have to pay to attend – Don’t go!
A dubious festival’s history – Look at the reviews from past participants, how long it has been going, and who runs it.
Attending a fraudulent festival – Beware of poor venue quality, inaccurate program schedule, and a lack of attendees.