To
all my fellow filmmakers, storytellers, and aspiring artists in the
entertainment industry, all I have to say is, “submit your work!” Your project
is worth the entry fee. As an aspiring storyteller, I’m always looking for
writing contests, film festivals, or any platform that will allow me to
showcase my work. The deterrents seem to pile up; “good premise, but not
so marketable story,” or paying expensive late deadline fees, and not even
making it to the semi-finalists. For those that have felt the obstacles grow
larger, your work is worth the entry fee! I recently attended the 48 Independent Short
Film Festival, and it was a true rejuvenating experience. The opportunity
to view other people’s work, converse with fellow filmmakers, and to be part of
a creative group trying to break the mold, is the motivation every storyteller
should get to experience.
(Link above to search festivals)
In July of 2017, a couple of friends
helped me shoot a short film I had written. Originally, I offered the script to
friends to direct, but they would suggest changes that would ultimately
alter the story's theme. After explaining the situation to a
friend from my hometown, she suggested; “what if it’s not enough to write the
story, but you have to tell it, too?” After that short conversation, I started
putting in more hours at work, saving up for the budget. After casting sessions,
table reads, and rehearsals; we were able to pull it off. Don’t get me wrong, a
lot of obstacles arose, but they were taken down either by myself, or someone
involved in the project. This being my
first experience directing, I felt I was about to have a nervous breakdown
every fifteen minutes… but in a good way. After the editing, music, and credits
were done, we were finally able to submit the short film.
Our
short film was selected semi-finalist, but then was not selected. After a
couple of tries, we finally got the good news; we’ve been selected! The
excitement was mutually shared amongst everyone involved, specially when we
find out it was taking place at the director’s guild of America. Checking out the synopsis of the other selected films, my mind is
blown by the enticing stories being told. Alex Kahuam, for instance, tells the story of an immigrant student being held at the
immigration office at LAX. The young student is interrogated for hours, and
constantly intimidated, pressured to answer questions he is oblivious towards.
Another
short story narrated the life of a transgender woman returning home after her
father passes away, and reunites with her estranged sister and mother after
her surgery. The list of selections was embroiled with unique stories told
through a passionate eye.
For all those people doubting if the crazy entry fees
are worth it, please do it! You don’t have to enter every film festival out
there, but do research, and enter the ones that excite you the most. Being able to gather
with the cast, and crew, on the red carpet, and watch our work screened at the
Director’s Guild was truly gratifying. Much appreciation to the "48 Independent Short Film Festival" for providing aspiring filmmakers with a platform to showcase our work. Don’t be afraid to write those cover
letters, create those promotional posters, or pay those entry fees.
* On a side note, here's the trailer, to the short we submitted. It's a dark comedy about three couples of different age groups, that get together for a dinner party, but get hammered instead, and the night soon turns into a preview of upcoming events for the youngest couple, making them doubt current life choices. We hoped to convey a reflection of how within first generations, specially in the hispanic community, marriage is often taken lightly, failing to take exterior factors into consideration.
