Last year, we ran the first edition of our Guide to the Top 25 Film Festivals for Documentaries. It has become, without a doubt, the most viewed posts in our history. Just google "top film festivals" and you can imagine how many filmmakers and others have come to this site to read these posts.
I've been particularly struck with the number of emails I've received from filmmakers this year whose films have premiered or are about to premiere at major festivals who have used these posts as a guide to their decisions.
What have they found? Honest assessments by other filmmakers, press and industry leaders.
So, filmmakers, press and industry folks, here's our call for your help in creating this year's guide.
After the jump is a list of film festivals that we are particularly interested in hearing your thoughts on. If there are great fests that we haven't included in this list, please feel free to write us about that festival. Email us with your honest assessments - was the festival well run, did it meet or exceed your expectations, what were audiences like? We are particularly interested in what the festival was able to provide in terms of hospitality - did they pay for your flight, your hotel, were they good hosts on the ground?
All replies will be kept anonymous - however, we ask that you not use the cloak of anonymity to bash a particular festival - we're looking for constructive criticism and information that will be of help to other filmmakers. Further, while we welcome comments from narrative filmmakers, please remember that this guide is specifically aimed at a festival's documentary/nonfiction programming.
List of festivals is after the jump. As always, please email about fests that we haven't included that deserve attention.
Please send thoughts on the following festivals:
AFI Dallas
AFI Fest
AFI Silverdocs
Ambulante
AmFest Moscow
Ashland Film Festival
Atlantic Film Festival
Berlin Film Festival
Big Sky Documentary Film Festival
Buenos Aires Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
Chicago Film Festival
CineVegas
Cleveland Film Festival
CPH:DOX (Copenhagen)
Denver Film Festival
DOK Liepzig
Edinburgh Film Festival
Full Frame Film Festival
Frameline
Gijon Film Festival
Hamptons Film Festival
Hot Docs
Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival
IDFA
Independent Film Festival Boston
Jihlava Documentary Film Festival
Locarno Film Festival
Mar del Plata Film Festival
Miami Film Festival
Morelia Film Festival
Nantucket Film Festival
Nashville Film Festival
New Directors/New Films
NewFest
New York Film Festival
Newport Film Festival
Outfest
Palm Springs Film Festival
Rome Film Festival
San Diego Film Festival
San Francisco Film Festival
Sao Paulo Film Festival
Sarasota Film Festival
Seattle Film Festival
Sheffield Doc/Fest
Slamdance Film Festival
St. Louis Film Festival
Sundance Film Festival
SXSW Film Festival
Telluride
Thessaloniki Documentary Film Festival
Toronto Film Festival
Tribeca Film Festival
True/False Film Festival
Venice Film Festival
Woodstock Film Festival
Thrilled to be on the initial list AJ! An honor for Ashland...
Posted by: joanne Feinberg | February 19, 2009 at 07:03 PM
Sheffield Doc/Fest - dynamic, great films and fantastic industry sessions.
Posted by: Anna | February 23, 2009 at 03:18 PM
I think, that Sheffield is one of the best places for filmmakers, producers and commissioning editors in Europe.
The MeetMarket gives us the opportunity to
discuss projects much more profound than at a traditional pitching forum.
As a commissioner you make your choice for the meetings in advance and can concentrate on those projects which are possible for your slot and budget.
Posted by: Hans Robert Eisenhauer | February 23, 2009 at 09:41 PM
Sheffield DocFest is an intimate Festival in the North of England with a unique atmosphere and an exceptionally successful industry marketplace. The MeetMarket is a favourite with an growing number of international commissioing editors. The MeetMarket schedules indivdual 20 minute meetings for selected projeccts with a minimum of 8 separate commissioning editors and often twice that number. A brilliant place to get to know UK commissioners, producers and filmmakers and to give your projects in development a great start of picking up co-production money.
Posted by: Christina B | February 24, 2009 at 06:57 AM
Sheffield has got to be the place to be for established film-makers, new talent and commissioning editors alike. The meet market, as well as the organisers' in depth understanding of what the market needs has served both my career and company fantastically well.
An intimate, friendly festival, punctuated by excellent events and workshops, Sheffield's a must.
Posted by: Jay Deakin | February 25, 2009 at 05:54 AM
sheffield is best doc fest in europe. intimate with best films and makers present, in cool norther location. check it out!!!
Posted by: sean | February 26, 2009 at 02:43 PM
AFI Dallas - Rocks!! Classy, fun and great programming.
Ashland Film Festival - Love it! Beautiful place, lots of fun and great films.
Berlin Film Festival - Awesome world fest. And awesome city - and there's the European Film Market, too.
CineVegas - Fun, fun, fun. And great programming. And it's in Vegas!
Sundance Film Festival - The one and only. What more needs be said?
Toronto Film Festival - Big, splashy, world-class. Not to be missed.
Posted by: Jacques Thelemaque | February 26, 2009 at 03:21 PM
sheffield docfest is a an amazing festival...
Posted by: claire f | March 09, 2009 at 09:09 AM