Film festivals are without a doubt a very important piece of the film industry and a major attraction for filmmakers. But they aren’t the only thing that can be of value. Scattered across the country and around the world there are hundreds, thousands of organizations that offer help in many forms and this blog will be targeted towards some ideas on how to show more support to indie filmmakers.
A popular pop-up event to see in the community is a film screening followed by a panel discussion/Q&A with the film’s director, principal actors, or other integral individuals from a film. At these screenings and discussions, the audience is encouraged to pick the brains of these individuals and sap as much information and filmmaking wisdom as possible. Depending on where you live, you could talk with some very experienced people. Discussing with them can lead to insights on creative processes, techniques to achieve a look, emotion, or performance, what went into certain decisions they made and how it was conveyed to team members. Offering these experiences to indie filmmakers helps build inspiration for them to create their own art and allows them to get intimate with the minds of professionals.
Another popular support branch is financial support. I won’t dwell on this too much, because money isn’t always easy to come by and even harder to hand out comfortably. Helping crowdfund a project not only helps the filmmakers, but they can also come with incentives. Often, you’ll see campaigns offering perks such as exclusive behind-the-scenes content or a thank you in the credits. And it’s not just about donating money; it’s about supporting a project that you see potential in. Something that can leave a real impact on people, because that’s what film is all about.
Supporting a project also doesn’t have to come from a dollar amount. Some organizations have access to potential filming locations, props, or equipment which could be used during the film’s production. This could save budget costs for the producers and allow them to redirect their money into something else they might’ve had to cut or didn’t have access to.
Engaging with filmmakers on social media gives them what they’re always looking for. Visibility. Some organizations have large followings that reach across the country. Sharing a team’s project and generating more activity makes it more likely for them to reach new audiences. Upon reaching a wider audience, the project has the potential to bring the filmmakers a bright future. Social media is an important tool for marketing. Some people use it to promote selling their merchandise to generating revenue. Purchasing products from a filmmaker’s can help them fund a project, or rake in a profit for their current project.
These ideas are only a few of many options that organizations can do to help support filmmakers beyond film festivals. The important thing to note here is that the support you give needs to be backed by passion. If organizations aren’t passionate about what they are supporting, it doesn’t mean anything to anyone. Organizations who love indie filmmaking genuinely care about the projects, and want to see the filmmakers succeed and make a difference in the filmmaking community.