Sunday, April 26, 2015

And The Dance Goes To...

We will be announcing our slate soon.

Just a reminder, as with anything in life, what is said publicly and what happens in reality are not always 100% the same thing. We have deadlines to get out a press release about our slate - and that press release is always 100% true - but, it doesn't mean that it represents every film in the festival.

There are always one or two slots still open.

And yet, every year one or two filmmakers go on public tirades about how they had to hear that their movie didn't get into the festival via Indiewire. Here's a news flash for them, if their film was still being considered for those one or two slots, they just made a difficult decision very easy for us.

When the slate is finally complete, it's always a bitter-sweet time at DWF. We're ecstatic about the films that are in, but sad for our favorite movies - often by alumni, who have become friends - that are not. I also feel bad for the films that we have sent so many e-mails to, grilling them about their plans for the film, getting them excited about how well their movie is doing in the selection process, only to end up passing.

I've been there so many times with my film, my scripts, and my books. The near miss is more painful than the miss by a mile. When you're not even close, you get to think, "Maybe I'm not very good at this," and move on to something better. When you're good, but don't get what you're looking for, you have to keep going. You have to keep banging your head against the wall because you know you've found a soft spot.

Let's just hope the soft spot is in the wall, not your head.

Good luck to everyone who submitted. To those who do not get in, remember that one festival is not going to make or break a career. It's just one step on one path - and there are as many paths as there are steps.


10 comments:

Anonymous said...

So is it safe to say that if we haven't heard anything back from you guys at this point that our film will not be selected into the festival

RSMellette said...

We have in the past gotten in touch with a film for the first time this late in the game, but that's extremely rare.

We do send out pass letters, so you won't be left wondering until the end of time - but I would say that, if you haven't heard anything from us since the confirmation letter, and another festival reaches out - I think you're probably safe to take the other offer.

On the other hand, if we've been pummeling you with e-mails - don't do a thing without talking to us first.

Anonymous said...

Could it also be because I sent my short in late. I sent it in March 25 at the very last minute. So would that be a reason why I haven't heard anything and your still watching films to fill in those last spots?

RSMellette said...

That is a possibility. Make sure that you got a confirmation e-mail to say we got your submission, so you know there's not a problem with the e-mail address.

Anonymous said...

is it also safe to presume if we haven't heard back from you after round 2 letters that the writing is on the wall?

RSMellette said...

The writing might not be on the wall yet, but you can hear the shaking of the spray paint can.

I don't mean to make light of your situation. Chances are, a film that has only gotten a second round letter is "on the bubble." One or two slots are still open, so there's a chance there. Plus, some filmmakers freak out and pull their films (crazy, huh?)... but that has saved many a film from the bursting bubble.

Hang in there.

Anonymous said...

So if we made it to round 3 and still haven't hear pass or fail.... We are still have a ghost of a chance??? #fingerscrossed

RSMellette said...

Actually, you still have a good chance.

Congrats on making it this far, and good luck.

Anonymous said...

WHOOOOOOOOOOO! Thanks for responding while you are so busy!!! :)

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