Now entering its 12th year, Indie Memphis (October 8-15) utilizes Memphis’s rich cultural history to serve as a connecting point for regional filmmakers from all corners of the country, providing a showcase for films celebrating Southern stories and storytelling. The festival builds bridges that inspire filmmakers and film lovers to collaborate and connect amongst the unique creative landscape that is the home of Blues and the birthplace of Rock ‘n’ Roll.

This year Indie Memphis features The Conversion, a local narrative feature about America plunging into chaos after the digital conversion, The American Astronaut, Cory McAbee’s surreal Lynchian dark comedy musical, and Elvis: ‘68 Special, a free screening of the rock ‘n’ roll legend’s memorable NBC special. Indie Memphis offers the right mixture of music and film to create a cinematic experience unique to the city that hosts it. Check out the online schedule.

Other festivals starting this week include:

ThrillSpy International Film Festival (Oct 7-10)

Global Voices Film Festival (Oct 8-11)

New York United Film Festival (Oct 8-14)

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (Oct 9-11)

New Orleans Film Festival (Oct 9-15)

Southwest Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Oct 9-15)

Festivals starting next week include:

Seattle Lesbian and Gay Film Festival (Oct 16-25): Held every year since 1996, the festival has grown into the largest event of its kind in the Pacific Northwest, gaining industry and audience recognition for the latest and greatest in queer film, from major motion picture premieres to emerging talent. An important venue in the Seattle film scene—and the social event of the season—the festival provides unique opportunities for visiting and local filmmakers to engage with and entertain over 10,000 attendees.

Flatland Film Festival (Oct 15-17)

New Hampshire Film Festival (Oct 15-18)

Royal Flush Festival (Oct 15-18)

Urban Mediamakers Film Festival (Oct 15-18)

Philadelphia Film Festival (Oct 15-19)

Heartland Film Festival (Oct 15-24)

Reel Affirmations Film Festival (Oct 15-24)

Hawaii International Film Festival (Oct 15-25)

San Diego Asian Film Festival: (Oct 15-29)

Columbus International Film & Video Festival (Oct 15-Nov 24)

Dixie Film Festival (Oct 16-18)

San Fransisco Documentary Festival (Oct 16-29)

Boston Palestine Film Festival (Oct 17-Nov 1)

Shriekfest, the Los Angeles Horror/Sci-Fi Film Festival, runs from October 1st through the 4th. Located at the Chaplin Theater at Raleigh Studios, Shriekfest is dedicated to getting horror, thriller, sci-fi, and fantasy filmmakers and screenwriters the recognition they deserve. Along with the festival’s collaboration with Pretty/Scary, Shriekfest takes special effort to promote and encourage women in the horror genre.

This year sees the world premiere of Evilution, about a rogue Army officer accidentally releasing a weaponized alien life form on the tenants of his building, Dark House, where a group of young actors are hired to work in a haunted attraction that is actually haunted, and The Horribly Slow Murderer with the Extremely Inefficient Weapon, which is exactly what it sounds like. Check out those screenings and all the rest on Shriekfest’s schedule page.

Other festivals starting this week include:

Sound Unseen Festival (Sept 29-Oct 4)

International Black Film Festival of Nashville (Sept 30-Oct 4)

Camden International Film Festival (Sept 30-Oct 4)

KingDomWood Christian Film Festival (Oct 1-3)

Tacoma Film Festival (Oct 1-8)

Script2Screen Film Festival (Oct 1-4)

Dark Carnival Film Festival (Oct 2-4)

Scottsdale International Film Festival (Oct 2-6)

Festivals starting next week include:

Southwest Gay & Lesbian Film Festival (Oct 9-15): As one of the most attended GLBT film festivals in the Southwest, Southwest Gay & Lesbian is dedicated to presenting a diverse array of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual images through film media arts. Sponsored by Albuquerque-based nonprofit Closet Cinema, SWGLFF runs for 7 days and screens over 80 features, shorts and documentaries in 54 programs, representing over 15 countries.

ThrillSpy International Film Festival (Oct 7-10)

Global Voices Film Festival (Oct 8-11)

New York United Film Festival (Oct 8-14)

Indie Memphis (Oct 8-15)

New Orleans Film Festival (Oct 9-15)

Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival (Oct 9-11)

Fantastic Fest is the largest genre film festival in the US, specializing in horror, fantasy, sci-fi, action and just plain fantastic movies from around the world. Taking place in Austin, Texas from September 23 to October 1, primarily in Alamo Drafthouse locations around the city, Fantastic Fest is a mecca for cinephiles from around the globe. The festival also features world, national and regional premieres of new, up-and-coming genre films.

This year opens with Gentlemen Broncos, the newest film from Napoleon Dynamite director Jared Hess. The festival continues with Vampire Girl vs. Frankenstein Girl, a dark comedic twist on the high school love triangle, the 100 Best Kills Party, a compilation of some of the greatest and goriest movie death scenes, and the US premiere of George Romero’s newest zombie flick Survival of the Dead, with the director live in person. Fantastic Fest once again lives up to its namesake and promises a smorgasbord of genre films of all shapes and sizes. Check out the fantastic online schedule.

Other festivals starting this week include:

Global Peace Film Festival (Sept 22-27)

AFI Latin American Film Festival (Sept 23-Oct 12)

Urbanworld Film Festival (Sept 23-26)

San Diego Film Festival (Sept 23-27)

Friars Club Comedy Film Festival (Sept 24-27)

Peachtree Village International Film Festival (Sept 24-27)

Port Townsend Film Festival (Sept 24-27)

Edmonton International Film Festival (Sept 25-Oct 3)

Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival (Sept 25-27)

TromaDance Indiana (Sept 25-27)

Moondance International Film Festival (Sept 25-27)

B-Movie Celebration (Sept 25-27)

Festivals starting next week include:

Scottsdale International Film Festival (Oct 2-6): The festival’s mission is to be the undisputed Arizona leader in the use of film to foster a meaningful understanding of the world’s cultures, lifestyles, religions, and ethnicities. Film selection exemplifies how serious Scottsdale is about exposing its audience to other ways of life and rarely seen images. In addition to exposing new audiences to foreign films from around the globe, the festival has sought out high value, artistically important releases in the art and independent film world.

Dark Carnival Film Festival (Sept 28-Oct 4)

International Black Film Festival of Nashville (Sept 30-Oct 4)

Sound Unseen Festival (Sept 29-Oct 4)

KingDomWood Christian Film Festival (Oct 1-3)

Tacoma Film Festival (Oct 1-8)

Script2Screen Film Festival (Oct 1-3)

Shriekfest (Oct 1-4)

Camden International Film Festival (Oct 1-4)

Boston Latino International Film Festival (Oct 3-12)

Named one of “10 Digital Directors to Watch” by Daily Variety, Jon Reiss is a critically acclaimed filmmaker who has produced and directed three feature films most recently Bomb It (Tribeca 2007) about graffiti, street art and the battle over visual public space throughout the world. Based on his experience releasing Bomb It with a hybrid strategy and the classes he teaches at Cal Arts, Jon is now writing the book: Think Outside the Box (Office): The Ultimate Guide to Film Distribution in the Digital Era to be released this Fall.

In anticipation of his appearance on a panel at IFP’s Independent Film Week in NYC this week, we asked Jon for his thoughts on the evolution of distribution.

The panel you’ll be speaking on at Independent Film Week is about the current state of indie film distribution. What are some of the basic facts that the beginning filmmaker needs to know about film distribution these days?

The world has changed – a lot. Filmmakers can no longer rely on a white knight to swoop down and pay them millions and guarantee them a wide theatrical release with lots of publicity. Not sure if that really happened for that many filmmakers anyway.

But filmmakers shouldn’t just blindly rush out and DIY their release. Each film has its own unique qualities. Each filmmaker has their own needs and desires from their films. What is essential is that each filmmaker create a distribution strategy for his/her own film that makes sense for that film. It will be different for every film.

How soon in the process do you need to start thinking about distribution?

Distribution and marketing must start during production, better in prep, no later than post. You are killing yourself if you wait till after you finish the film. Filmmakers have to start to devote time and money to distribution and marketing – they can’t expect anyone else to do it for them anymore. Perhaps they might be one of the lucky 10 a year out of 5000 films that gets any kind of sizable advance – but those are not great odds. Better to be prepared. Also any work you do in production/prep/post will help you get that sale so it is not wasted effort.

A larger issue is that distribution and marketing needs to be as integrated into the filmmaker process as production design and cinematography and line producing. I feel that films need a producer devoted to this – who will not be pulled away from production. I’m currently calling this person the PDM – Producer of Distribution and Marketing – I’m sure there is a better acronym – but we need to create a place for it in our concepts, budgets and crewing in order for this work to get done. They will have their own coordinator and PAs as well.

What are some of the common mistakes that filmmakers make that could affect distribution?

Not having an overall release strategy – this is critical. So many filmmakers have gone out and done a theatrical release and not realized that the theatrical release is marketing, it’s rarely only an end in itself. So they don’t have their DVD or other rights ready to sell soon after or simultaneously with the theatrical – and then they have to reinvent the promotion yet again. This is just one example of how some filmmakers have shot themselves in the foot.

Not having a strategy in place before the festival launch is also a problem. The festival launch might be the best initial marketing for the film. This takes a fair amount of prior work and planning – but any 2nd or 3rd time filmmaker who doesn’t consider this option is not helping themselves. Similarly, for most films hiding the film before a festival premiere does not make much sense. You should talk to a consultant and sales rep to really see if an overall sale might be made – most likely not. If not, does it make sense to hold (hide) your film for the festival premiere hoping for that sale? – Probably not. Don’t just throw it to the wind – have a sales strategy, but one based on current market forces.

Let’s say I don’t really care about the whole business side of things, I just want to sell my movie and make another one. Does that still happen?

Not much – i think a few times a year. It helps if you keep your costs low. If you can make a film for $15,000 then a 20 year deal for $15,000 may not seem completely terrible to you. However if you make a film for $15,000, I am sure that your sweat labor is not included – but perhaps that is not important to you. However chances are that you will get tired of making films for $15,000 and giving all rights away for that sum. Its not a viable long term strategy. Better to start now to create a long term relationship with your fan base.

What about the opposite case – maybe I want to bypass the sales agents and distributors and take my film directly to the audience. How do I get started and can you give some examples of filmmakers who did this successfully?

I think that way of thinking is too black and white. The best model is a hybrid approach that uses all the tools available to filmmakers. Sales agents/reps can help as can some distributors. It all depends on the film, the company, what the deal is, what the filmmakers want from the film, the market at the time etc.

I would say in any case right now – consultants are essential – you need someone on your team who knows the lay of the land and can help you devise a strategy for your film. Then with that strategy go talk to sales reps and distributors. See what works for you. One great recent success is “Anvil: The Story of Anvil.” I’m very excited about “The Age of Stupid.” They seem to be doing everything right.

So start with your strategy. My articles in Filmmaker magazine and my book are also good places to start (can’t avoid the plug – sorry!) I will be launching a distribution tools website with the book.

There are some very interesting distribution companies coming up who are using the new hybrid models to help filmmakers carve a new distribution path. B-Side is very exciting as is Indieflix.

Jon has limited copies of the preview edition available only at personal book signings/appearances in September and October before the book’s official release in November:

Sept 22nd – IFP’s Independent Film Week Conference New York, 7pm to 8pm. Book Signing in the lobby outside Haft Auditorium immediately following the panel – STATE OF DISTRIBUTION – THE CURRENT & FUTURE INDIE MODEL 5:30pm-7:00pm at Fashion Institute of Technology (F.I.T.), Haft Auditorium 27th and 7th Avenue

September 24th – 12pm – 1pm at the DV Expo Pasadena Convention Center between filmmaker career development seminars.

October 2nd – Book Signing 2:15 – 2:45 pm and 5-6pm Vancouver International Film Festival Forum in the Lobby of the Vancouver International Film Centre, 1181 Seymour Street – Panel that day: 21st Century Doc Distribution Strategies, 1:00 – 2:15pm

October 11th – FIND Filmmaker Forum after my Distribution Case Studies panel 9am – 10:30 am at the Director’s Guild of America, Los Angeles

For a $5.00 coupon and to reserve a copy to ship in November go to: www.jonreiss.com/blog

Located in coastal Halifax, Nova Scotia, the Atlantic Film Festival (September 17-26, 2009) is a celebration of film and video from the Atlantic Provinces, Canada and around the world. Known for its warm and festive atmosphere, the festival is committed to screening an inspiring and engaging collection of films and videos from Canada and the world. AFF is now considered one of the top four film festivals in Canada.

Some of the films showing at the festival this year include Love and Savagery, a Quebec/Newfoundland/Irish collaborative production about a young geologist who falls for a girl set to join the local nunnery and Trailer Park Boys: Countdown to Liquor Day, a sequel to the hit Canadian comedy. Atlantic Film Festival is a sprawling extravaganza that offers something for all lovers of international film and Canadian culture. Investigate the festival’s online schedule.

Other festivals starting this week include:

Chicago United Film Festival (Sept 18-24): Premiering at the Chicago United Film Festival this year is The Shark is Still Working, a captivating documentary about one of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters of all time, Jaws. To gear up for the documentary, come out to the special screening of Jaws and see Steven Spielberg’s classic on the big screen. The Chicago United Fest also features 16 other exciting films to choose from, so there’s something for everyone!

Mid Atlantic Black Film Festival (Sept 16-19)

Vistas Film Festival (Sept 17-20)

Estes Park Film Festival (Sept 17-20)

Napa Sonoma Wine Country Film Festival (Sept 17-27)

Independent Film Week (Sept 19-23)

Festivals starting next week include:

Global Peace Film Festival (Sept 22-27): With a mission to educate and inspire through the art of film, the GPFF strives to move people beyond their political, geographic and personal boundaries to embrace peace. The festival opens with The Day After Peace, about the ten-year journey of filmmaker Jeremy Gilley to establish a worldwide ceasefire day, Dear Mr. Gore, a contemplative response to An Inconvenient Truth, and Palestine, Beer and Oktoberfest, which introduces a father/daughter team determined to make Palestine’s first beer.  Many filmmakers will be on hand to answer questions after the screening of their films.

AFI Latin American Film Festival (Sept 23-Oct 12): Now in its 20th year, the AFI Latin American Film Festival showcases the best filmmaking from Latin America and, with the inclusion of films from Spain and Portugal, celebrates Ibero-American cultural connections. This year’s selection of more than 30 films includes multiple award winners, international festival favorites, local box-office hits and debut works by promising new talents.

Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival (Sept 25-27): Since its debut in 1999, filmmakers from across the country and around the world have come to Birmingham to screen their work at Sidewalk and were thrilled to discover fresh, enthusiastic crowds eager to devour new independent cinema. With nine venues in Birmingham’s historic Theatre District, spontaneity rules the schedule of Sidewalk attendees. Low-priced weekend passes provide easy access to Sidewalk venues, encouraging attendees to seek out new films and sample programming they may not otherwise see. The result is a crowd rich in diversity and united in a hunger for new film.

Urbanworld Film Festival (Sept 23-26)

San Diego Film Festival (Sept 23-27)

Fantastic Fest (Sept 23-Oct 1)

Friars Club Comedy Film Festival (Sept 24-27)

Peachtree Village International Film Festival (Sept 24-27)

Port Townsend Film Festival (Sept 24-27)

Edmonton International Film Festival (Sept 25-Oct 3)

TromaDance Indiana (Sept 25-27)

Moondance International Film Festival (Sept 25-27)

B-Movie Celebration (Sept 25-27)

The Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival runs September 9-13, 2009. TVIFF’s tradition of presenting excellence in film and music has allowed the festival to feature emerging styles from North America and over 20 countries around the world. The festival is open to domestic and foreign films in five categories: Full Length Features, Shorts, Documentaries, Animation and Student Films. The festival has steadily gained popularity since its inception in 1995, and this year plans to be the biggest festival yet.

TVIFF’s social calendar starts with Opening Night Festivities, followed by daily and nightly filmmaker/musician receptions, industry workshops, a Lifetime and Career Achievement Awards Black Tie Gala, a Sunday morning Hot Air Balloon Ride, a Closing Night Wrap party, Best of Fest special screening presentations and much more. Check out the festival’s online film schedule for a full listing of screenings.

Other festivals starting this week include:

Chicago Underground Film Festival (Sept 10-17): CUFF stands out on the festival circuit for having a unique programming niche, garnering a following among hipsters, media, and industry alike. Each year, CUFF presents an accessible, savvy program of film and video which explores the many definitions and interpretations of the “underground” concept. Selected films often ignore limitations of genre, and are made with passion and drive. Alternative music films, political agitprop, formal experimentation, and high camp are not uncommon elements of the festival program.

SF Shorts (Sept 9-12)

Southern Winds Film Festival (Sept 10-12)

DC Shorts Film Festival (Sept 10-17)

Rome International Film Festival (Sept 11-12)

Cinesol Film Festival (Sept 11-26)

Trinity Film Coalition Film Festival (Sept 12)

COMMFFEST Community Film Festival (Sept 12-20)

B-Side has many great partner festivals coming up next week. Here are a few festival profiles for the week of September 7-13:

The Austin Gay and Lesbian International Film Festival (aGLIFF) cultivates the Central Texas lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI) film and arts community through the exhibition and support of the best in recent LGBTQI international, national, and regional films. Running September 8-13, 2009, aGLIFF is the oldest and largest festival of its kind in the Southwest, and seeks to educate the community, promote the best films, and create positive images regarding LGBTQI people.

The festival showcases features and shorts, mainstream and avant-garde. Symposia and panels explore current political and social trends. Special shorts programs focus on issues faced by LGBTQI youth, immigration of LGBTQI people,  gender identity and expression, adoption, marriage, military service, religion, racial identity, cultural issues, and hate crimes against LGBTQI-identified people. View aGLIFF’s schedule to see this year’s films and events.

Other festivals starting next week include:

SF Shorts (Sept 9-12): Showcasing six programs of mixed-genre shorts representing 20 countries, the eclectic selection of the San Francisco International Festival of Short Films allows very different films and subjects to rub up against each other. Some of the shorts in competition this year include Andheri, about a maid in Mumbai in search for a better life, Prayers for Peace, a stop-motion animation short drawn entirely on a chalkboard, and The Mouse That Soared, featuring a famous flying circus mouse and the humble beginnings of his aerodynamic career.

Temecula Valley International Film & Music Festival (Sept 9-13)

Southern Winds Film Festival (Sept 10-12)

DC Shorts Film Festival (Sept 10-17)

Chicago Underground Film Festival (Sept 10-17)

Rome International Film Festival (Sept 11-12)

Cinesol Film Festival (Sept 11-25)

Trinity Film Coalition Film Festival (Sept 12)

We had many great entries for the Visioneers’ ‘American Tunts’ contest and it was tuntacularly hard to pick the winners. But filmmakers Jared and Brandon Drake finally did it and we are excited to announce them:

GRAND PRIZE: MOST TUNTIFIED SCREENING

WINNER: Jonathan Cormany of Columbus, OH

Jonathan hosted the VISIONEERS screening for the most amount of people.

He has won a trip to a special VISIONEERS event in New York or Los Angeles with Zach Galifianakis in attendance.

BEST REENACTMENT FROM VISIONEERS

WINNER: Ian Edwards Mattoon of Lansing, MI

BEST “ZACH-A-LIKE” Zach Galifianakis Look-A-Like Contest

WINNER: Andrea Kannes of New York, NY

MOST BEARD-LY EVENT

WINNER: Spencer Bogart of Tempe, AZ

These winners have won a Zach Galifianakis signed limited-edition poster and Jeffers Corp office supplies/merchandise.

Check out visioneersthemovie.com to see all the entries and sign up to host your own screening of Visioneers!

The Rappahannock Independent Film Festival is an annual event dedicated to promoting excellence in independent filmmaking. Running August 27-30 in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia, RIFF features numerous screenings, special events, musical performances, workshops, film discussion, brunches, and awards. This year’s festival sees a special late night screening of B-Side’s own Visioneers, which is free and open to the public. RIFF will also feature a “Brew Interlude” for film discussion over pints, and a workshop with the “Angry Filmmaker” Kelley Baker on guerilla marketing and self distribution of your film. To check out other screenings and events, look at Rappahannock’s online schedule.

In June, B-Side launched the national screening program for the remarkable film about the power of music called CHOPS. As a result, CHOPS has screened at music and film festivals including Angel City Jazz Festival and the Maryland Film Festival throughout the summer. With a new school year just around the corner, B-Side has been working very closely with Jazz at Lincoln Center’s (JALC) education department to offer the CHOPS screening program to high schools across the country.

As Wynton Marsalis, musician and artistic director at JALC says, “without the commitment of educators who understand the importance of jazz and are willing to tackle its challenges, we couldn’t do what we do at the annual Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival.”

Included in a packet of Essentially Ellington materials provided to 1600 high school band directors were details about hosting a screening of CHOPS and information about creating an event that could be tailored to each school’s community. With many school districts cutting art programs completely from their curriculum, the CHOPS screening event is a perfect fundraiser, a meet-and-greet for parents, a showcase for a music program, or simply a fun way to gather the community for a night of entertainment and conversation. For more information about hosting your own screening of CHOPS click here.