The rise of independent horror filmmaking has spurred a growth of “indie” horror film festivals, promising promotional and distribution opportunities for selected motion pictures. Some filmmakers spend thousands of dollars on festival entry fees, only to be rejected everywhere. What occurs behind the scenes at these events? More than two dozen festival directors discuss how they secure money, sponsors and screening venues, and how they promote and run their events, as well as their criteria for selecting films. This book will help horror filmmakers take fuller advantage of festival opportunities, and assist festival directors in founding and improving events. Included are listings of 200+ film festivals and awards—current, defunct and prospective—and of previous award winners, spanning six continents and several decades.

Thomas M. Sipos is the founder/manager of the Tabloid Witch Awards and a past film judge for the World Horror Convention. He has worked as a script reader, actor or extra on more than 70 productions and has written for Filmfax, Midnight Marquee and other magazines.

Thomas M. Sipos
Format: softcover (7 x 10)
Pages: 318
Bibliographic Info: 34 photos, notes, lists, index
Copyright Date: 2012
pISBN: 978-0-7864-6572-9
eISBN: 978-0-7864-8796-7
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vii

Preface      1

1 How to Run a Film Festival on Pennies a Day!      5

2 How to Make an Award- Winning Horror Film!      37

3 Working the Film Festival!      65

Directory of Festivals and Awards      95

List of Award Winners (by Festival)      121

Notes      253

Index      257

“discusses how to run a film festival, how to make an award-winning horror film, and working the film festival”—Reference & Research Book News.