The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide (2nd Edition)

Rating:
Summary: MORE DETAILED THAN THE ONE PUBLISHED BY VARIETY
Review: "BE PREPARED--Those considering a visit to next year's Sundance Film Festival, or any other festival for that matter, should probably pick up a copy of Chris Gore's new book, The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide. We agree with Gore's claim that "it's the most complete guide" of its kind ever published. It's more detailed--certainly funnier and more intimate--than a similar guide published by VARIETY. Filmmakers should definitely pick up a copy, since it offers all sort of tips and inside info on getting your films seen and selected. Gore also includes listings of his favorite restaurants, bars and dive breakfast spots in each city where film festivals are held."

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Summary: FILMMAKERS SHOULD PURCHASE THIS TITLE
Review: "American independent cinema has skyrocketed in the 1990s, with venues like the Sundance Film Festival launching critical and box-office hits. Gore has covered this emerging market in his magazine, FILM THREAT, and as a judge at festivals throughout the country. Here, he provides a how-to guide for film festival applicants. By turns breezy and cynical, jaded and trite, Gore's guide reflects the tendencies of American independent cinema as a whole. And like his purview, it is quite interesting overall. Prospective filmmakers should purchase this title." Library Journal, January, 1999

Rating:
Summary: MORE DETAILED THAN THE ONE PUBLISHED BY VARIETY
Review: "BE PREPARED--Those considering a visit to next year's Sundance Film Festival, or any other festival for that matter, should probably pick up a copy of Chris Gore's new book, The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide. We agree with Gore's claim that "it's the most complete guide" of its kind ever published. It's more detailed--certainly funnier and more intimate--than a similar guide published by VARIETY. Filmmakers should definitely pick up a copy, since it offers all sort of tips and inside info on getting your films seen and selected. Gore also includes listings of his favorite restaurants, bars and dive breakfast spots in each city where film festivals are held."

Rating:
Summary: Great book for beginning aspiring indie filmmakers.
Review: A realistic, entertaining and practical guide to the life of afeature in the festival world. It includes interviews with GeoffGilmore (Director of Sundance), Dan Mirvish (co-founder and organizers of Slamdance), Peter Broderick (President of Next Wave Films, Acquisitions Exec), and stories from many independent filmmakers and how they've succeeded and failed. Quite illuminating is the commentary on the politics of festivals, info on the importance and role of publicists, and considerations about the festival application process itself. Most importantly Gore lists the contact information, deadlines, and descriptions of most to all of the festivals in the world that you could possibly be interested in entering. Providing incisive tips on where to submit your film, how to promote your film, agents and how they work, film fest mistakes and lessons, how to create an engaging movie poster, how to crash parties, and how to schmooze, Gore maps out the festival world with a refreshing and healthy "go get 'em" attitude.

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Summary: This book is a BIBLE for independent filmmakers!
Review: As a first time filmmaker who was interested in doing the film festival "circuit", I had no idea where to begin. Then I bought this book, and it soon became my BIBLE. This book is so clear as to what each festival is about, and Chris Gore spares no-ones feelings in telling it just like it is. In a city (L.A.) filled with people who couldn't give you a straight answer to save their lives, Chris Gore cuts to the chase. For anyone interested in making an independent film, trust me...DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND BUY THIS BOOK!! It will save you years of frustration, time, and ulcers, gray hairs, cigarettes, prozac, etc. My film "A.J.'s Dogumentary" (a documentary about obsessive dog owners) has been accepted at 3 festivals and has won "Best Documentary Feature" and "Audience Favorite" awards, and IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED WITHOUT THIS BOOK!!! Thank you Chris. I owe you one.

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Summary: An idea in search of an editor. Too much useless info.
Review: Best bars? Best restaurants? Who cares? Gore seems to think just jamming in every note he ever took makes a good book. WRONG. This is tedious when not ridiculous. I'll give it two stars instead of one, because you can find some useful tidbits here, but you have to wade through so many "cute" Gore observations that you can never find it. How 'bout a guide to the best restrooms at festivals next time, Gore? Or the best parking spaces? If you tell us where the best garbage cans are, I suggest you pitch two-thirds of your notes into that can, and focus on the third that really matters. Besides, this book is already out of date.

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Summary: I GOT INTO A FILM FESTIVAL FROM READING YOUR BOOK
Review: Dear Chris, My name is Chambers Stevens and I am the director of CHILDREN OF A LAUGHING GOD. We finished the film two months ago and this weekend we are in the West Virginia International Film Festival. I heard about the festival by buying your book.

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Summary: Excellent textbook for film schools
Review: Ever since Chris Gore's book was published, I have used it in my classes to teach both undergraduate and graduate level film courses. Students respond extremely well to the style that the book is written in and the pragmatic information that the book provides. Gore has done a terrific job at covering not only film festivals, but an insider's look into how young filmmakers and established festival directors think about the process of filmmaking. This book covers a critical area in film school curriculum to prepare students for the world of festivals. I strongly recommend this book and will continue using it for all my teaching. Steve Montal, American Film Institute.

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Summary: An outstanding guide to getting your film out there.
Review: Having been frustrated with where to begin and which festival to enter with my film. The Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide is an amazing book that covers the in's and out's that you need to know. I feel that I am now very educated on what to do as well as what not to do in the film festival game. If you have a movie that you're trying to get out there than you need this book, otherwise your just spinning your wheels.

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Summary: GREAT BEHIND THE SCENES LOOK AT COOL FILM FESTIVALS.
Review: HILARIOUS AND INFORMATIVE PERSONAL ACCOUNTS AND HOW-TOS AT ALL THE MOST IMPORTANT FILM FESTIVALS. FROM GETTING YOUR SUBMISSION ACCEPTED TO THE CHEAPEST BREAKFAST TO THE DOS & DONTS WHEN YOU'RE RUBBING SHOULDERS WITH THE PEOPLE WHO CAN MAKE OR BREAK AN ASPIRING FILMMAKER. A FAST, FUNNY READ.