Milestone map
Milestone map
3 milestones
Complete a Technically Submittable Short Film
4–12 weeks (project-dependent)
Complete a short film of any length that meets the technical submission standards of at least three target film festivals: minimum resolution, aspect ratio, audio specifications, and subtitle requirements where applicable. The film must have a final colour grade, mixed audio, and end credits. Export a festival submission master.
Proof required
Submit: a link to the completed short film (Vimeo or equivalent private link) with the final title card, colour grade, mixed audio, and end credits; a written technical specification confirming resolution, frame rate, audio mix format, and total runtime; and a list of three target festivals with their submission requirements confirming the film meets each.
What gets checked
- The film has a completed colour grade — not raw camera output with default settings
- Audio is mixed — dialogue is clearly audible and levels are consistent throughout
- Three real festivals are identified with submission requirements verified against the film's technical spec
Common mistakes
- Treating technical completion as 'the footage is shot' — a festival master requires picture lock, grade, audio mix, and titles
- Targeting festivals without checking technical requirements and discovering disqualification after paying submission fees
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Watch the first and last 60 seconds of the film — is it technically complete with titles and credits?
- Check audio: is dialogue clearly intelligible throughout?
- Ask the candidate to show the FilmFreeway page for one target festival and confirm the film meets its requirements
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
Submit to Ten or More Festivals
4–8 weeks (submission campaign)
Submit the film to at least ten film festivals across a range of tiers. Research each festival's audience, programming focus, and acceptance rate before submitting. Track all submissions in a spreadsheet with submission date, deadline, fee paid, festival tier, and decision status.
Proof required
Submit: a submission tracker spreadsheet showing at least ten festival submissions with festival name, tier, submission date, deadline, fee, and current status; and FilmFreeway submission confirmation receipts or equivalent for at least five submissions.
What gets checked
- At least ten submissions are documented with confirmation receipts — not a list of planned submissions
- Submissions include a realistic range of festival tiers — not exclusively top-tier festivals
- Each submission entry includes the festival's programming focus showing research was done before selecting it
Common mistakes
- Submitting only to the most prestigious festivals and getting rejected without learning — mid-tier rejections provide more actionable feedback
- Paying submission fees without researching programming focus — some festivals never programme the genre being submitted
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Count confirmed submissions in the tracker — do confirmation receipts match the numbers?
- Check festival tier diversity — is the candidate submitting to a realistic range?
- Ask: 'why did you submit to this specific festival?' for one mid-tier entry — was there genuine research?
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
Receive and Participate in an Official Festival Selection
1–12 months (waiting for decisions)
Receive and confirm an official selection notification from a legitimate film festival — not a vanity screening or pay-to-screen event. Accept the screening, confirm logistics (DCP or screener delivery, screening date), and participate in the screening. Collect the official selection laurel.
Proof required
Submit: the official selection notification email from the festival; confirmation the festival is a legitimate screened event (FilmFreeway listing or festival website); the official selection laurel image; and a photograph or screenshot from the screening event or festival programme listing your film.
What gets checked
- The selection is from a legitimate festival with an open submissions process — not a pay-to-screen vanity event
- Official notification clearly names the film, festival, and screening date
- Evidence of screening existence (programme, photo, or platform listing) is included
Common mistakes
- Accepting a 'selection' from a vanity festival that accepts all submissions for a fee — these are not legitimate festival credits
- Missing the DCP delivery deadline by not confirming logistics with the festival promptly
Resources
Foundationstart here
Depthgo deeper
What a verifier looks for
- Verify the festival is listed on FilmFreeway with an open submissions process and curatorial selections
- Confirm the selection notification names the film and festival explicitly
- Ask: 'how did you deliver the film to the festival?' — this reveals whether logistics were followed through
You'll sign in first, then come straight back here.
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