How to Pivot and Experience the HollyShorts Film Festival in Person & Remotely
Photo credit - @dianasavone
Written by Dr. Rebekah Louisa Smith, The Film Festival Doctor
In my previous blog, which was published before the festival began, I mentioned that I was looking forward to attending and was preparing for my trip. Unfortunately, I had to cancel the night before as I was diagnosed with having a blood clot in my right leg (which had developed post vein surgery) and was not allowed to fly from Dallas to LA. As you can imagine it was a huge disappointment but I learnt very quickly how to pivot and engage & participate in the festival remotely.
Unexpectedly I learnt a new skill by doing this method of participation which any filmmaker could use who ends up in an unfortunate situation like myself or can’t attend for any other reason. HollyShorts are the type of film festival who have a brilliant social media team. They were continually updating their Instagram stories with pictures from the red carpet, Q&A screenings, networking events, the Japan House panels and sharing stories from other filmmakers. There were also Instagram lives which were engaging and filmmakers sharing plenty of other video content of their experiences which makes you feel like you are there at the festival as everything feels very immersive.
Hollyshorts online component is also very good and their partner platform BitPix updated longer form videos on a daily basis of all of the panels, opening and closing night and the films. Watching the industry panels was great as you really don’t feel like you are missing out since you can see and hear everything very clearly and make notes whilst watching each one.
2 of my clients were able to attend the festival (the other 3 couldn’t living in the U.K. and Australia) and one of them; Diana Savone’s film ‘PROPHET’, was nominated for the Best T.V. category which was brilliant news to receive on the day having yet another leg ultrasound!
After the festival had finished, I asked her how it went and she told me ‘my highlights from this year's Festival were watching endless high-caliber short films and getting the opportunity to meet so many amazing filmmakers from all over the world. I found the panels and events valuable and entertaining, and I also really appreciate the opportunity to watch many of the films I missed on Bitpixtv (like I was doing each day).’
‘I was so grateful to be nominated for my directorial debut. It was also a thrilling experience to tell Catherine Hardwicke at the closing ceremony at the Egyptian Theatre how I was a costume pa for her film "Twilight," and now I'm a director who was nominated for "Best TV."’
This makes me so happy as this is what I manifest every filmmaker experiences when they attend a festival. I also had selected for this year’s festival 2 podcasts. One of the filmmakers, Lauren Lograsso was able to attend with her show ‘Unleash Your Inner Creative’. This was her first film festival experience and she explained that it was a ‘beautiful opportunity to meet incredible creators from all over the world. I loved getting to go and meet everyone and walk the red carpet. It was a great accolade to add to the show and now it has another string to its bow by also having a film festival official selection. I also met some filmmakers who I want to invite as guests on to the show too.’
All 3 of us; myself, Lauren and Diana had a brilliant experience - both in person and virtually. Regardless of how many people complain about social media and the virtual components of film festivals they do still have their significant uses and work as the perfect plan B when having to pivot last minute and not feel disappointed or like you have missed out.
For further information about me and how I can help you get your film seen on the festival circuit, follow me on Instagram @rebekahfilmdr