How to Plan an Indie Film Festival

Indie film festivals are incredibly popular and a fun way to get a group of film lovers together to view these often unusual films. You can put together your own Indie film festival for just a small group of your friends or make it a community event and sell tickets for a charity or local film program.

Instructions

1. Find a listing of the current Indie films or approach the local film school for entries from their students. This would also be a great way to get the community more involved in your event. Start at the source. Get the films you are going to use and make a schedule.

2. Market your event. The most important part of any event is the marketing. If no one knows it is going on, then no one will come. Network with the local newspaper, television stations and radio stations. Don't forget about flyers everywhere especially schools, movie theatres, media stores and other artsy hangouts. If your local university has a radio station, send information to it. They can publicize the event, and someone from the station might interview you.

3. Fill in the gaps. Find bands and other entertainment for the event. Depending on the venue, consider selling booth spots to local businesses or independent sellers. You should also enlist food vendors.

4. Advertise your platform. Make sure that the media knows the organization you are supporting. Work with a representative from that organization; they can bring their own ideas and marketing connections to your planning process.

5. Enlist volunteers. You will need ticket takers, ushers, concessions salespeople and other help. Enlist film students and offer them free admission for every film they work.

6. Plan a discussion after the film with snacks and beverages. Ask the filmmaking talent, including the director, screenwriters and actors to attend, if posssible, for an audience "Q and A."