Scam Film Festivals
Stopping Scam and Fake Film Festivals Exploiting Independent Filmmakers
As a filmmaker, I understand the frustration of investing time and resources into events that fail to meet expectations. This page is an integral part of my book, An Independent Filmmaker’s Guide to Preparing and Submitting to Festivals. Having curated two festivals myself, I hold a deep disdain for sham festivals. Exploiting unsuspecting filmmakers by offering little to no effort in return for their hard-earned money is unacceptable.
TIRED OF FALLING VICTIM TO FAKE FILM FESTIVALS?
Discovering that your investment in a film festival was a scam is disheartening and an experience shared by thousands of filmmakers. It’s time to unite against these deceptive practices and uphold the integrity of our independent film community. By engaging with this page, you actively join the fight against fraud.
DON’T SETTLE FOR WORTHLESS ACCOLADES!
Instead of embracing an empty laurel or a printable certificate from a deceptive festival, it is time to adopt an assertive stance. Voicing your discontent through negative reviews and firmly stating that achieving recognition at a sham festival carries no honour is crucial in stopping these exploitative practices.
EXPLORE ESSENTIAL INFORMATION TO HELP THE FIGHT
Here are six pages that unveil and counter Scam Film Festivals. You can gain insight & strategies to safeguard you and other filmmakers. View the topics and links below:
- Introduction – Exposing the Black Art of Scam & Fake Film Festivals
- Red Flags & Warning Signs
- FilmFreeway – Addressing Fraudulent Film Festivals
- Your Responsibility – Your responsibility to research & verify film festivals
- Legitimate Film Festivals – Showcasing Opportunities for Filmmakers
- Fight Against Festival Fraud – & stop scams by signing the petition
CREDITS & EXPANDED INSIGHT
Acknowledging the enduring nature of this issue, respected voices across the industry have shed light on the problem through insightful articles and posts. Dive into the recommended readings penned by prominent figures, delving deep into the realm of scam film festivals. Here are a few to start:
SCREEN DAILY – Max Goldbart 2019 – Call for film festival regulator following spate of scam events
MEDIUM – Claire J. Harris 2019 – Indie Filmmakers Beware of Scam Film Festivals
FILM INQUIRY – Eugene Sun Park 2015 – Are Film Festivals Scams?
ISMAEL MARTIN – Blog 2017 – After the fake festivals: analysing pseudo festivals
SHORT FILM – Reinhard W. Wolf 2017 – Laurels for Greenbacks – Making Money with Short Films in a Thriving Festival Scene
EYE FILM – Sarah Famke Oortgijsen – 2022 – Fake festivals: innocently stupid or evil scam?
THE SPINOFF – David Farrier – 2018 – David Farrier goes to the Auckland International Film Festival and, guess what, it is total balls!
INDIE FILM HUSTLE – Podcast – 2016 – Top 5 Film Festival SCAMS Filmmakers Need to Be Aware Of!
INKSPIRE – Toronto Youth Shorts – 2018 – Scam Festivals: Signs of a Fake Film Festival
INDIETRIXVIDEO – – YOUTUBE – 2022 – How to avoid fake/scam film festivals
Action You Can Take
GET IN TOUCH – If you’re passionate about this cause and want to discuss it further, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Together, we can make a difference and stop the exploitation of independent filmmakers by scam festivals.
Submitting to Film Festivals & Scam Film Festivals has been combined into one project on Substack.
You’ll find practical insights, commentary, and resources to help you navigate the festival circuit. I invite you to take a look.