So you’re going to a Horror Film Festival? You’ve got the invite — now what? Here are some tips and tricks to not only providing exciting content for the masses, but enjoying your experience too.
Start with the “Why?”
Festivals are a terrific way for filmmakers who aren’t going the traditional theater route to get their films shown to the public. Festivals are a massive help to indie horror films in particular (and you know how I love indie horror). Not only do audiences get to see films before their general releases, but they get to schmooze with people in the industry, something that humanizes filmmakers and garners love for the art.
On the flip side, you could be a fan wanting to get in on the latest in the genre, or a journalist working on special assignment. If you’re like me, it’s a little of both. Along with building creditability for Let’s Talk Terror as a bona fide horror journalistic outlet, I was given the chance to network with creators and quench my thirst for horror.
When participating in a festival, realize that people come and submit their work for many reasons. It isn’t about being invited to a super cool event — it’s about becoming a bigger part of the community at large and showing your support.
Is Your Infrastructure Ready?
Before I started covering festivals, Let’s Talk Terror was a fully-functioning site with a social media platform to boot. While I didn’t have subscribers in the millions (or even thousands), I still was posting consistently and had an engaged follower group. Covering horror festivals helped to grow that audience.
When going to cover a festival, ask yourself:
- Am I active on whatever platforms I’m using?
- Am I not only active, but consistent? (This includes in personal branding.)
- Do I have any prior coverage samples to work off of?
It’s not about being famous on the internet, it’s about filling a niche that readers and viewers want to come to again and again. Make your coverage make sense for your brand.
Time to Strategize
The planning stage is the most fun, second only to attending the festival itself. This is your time to shine. Months beforehand, I was planning out content schedules and prepping articles, everything from outlining in WordPress to Canva templates for plug-and-play, on-the-go coverage.
The strategizing stage is for exactly that: building your strategy. Will you write reviews? Will you do interviews or daily recaps? Are you posting to social media? Are you focusing on one type of movie: shorts or feature-length films? Knowing the answers to these questions will help you massively.
It is also crucially important to set realistic goals for yourself and don’t overdo it. A film festival may be exciting, but nothing is more stressful than biting off more than you can chew.
And of course, don’t forget to schedule some downtime — you gotta eat and sleep too!
During the Festival
The time has come for the best part: the festival! With your strategy in mind and your phone in hand, use it to your advantage by taking quick notes and small snippets of footage. Be in the moment, but know your downtime can also be used to put everything together in one polished product. For me, this is where the outlines and templates came in handy; I would fill in missing information in my articles the day of, and would simply put my minute-long clips into my already-prepped Canva reel templates. Then, all I had to do was export!
You’re at a festival with professionals in the industry, which means you too need to abide by some basic rules and decorum. Remember to respect embargoes, don’t spoil anything for those not attending (unless you clearly state you’re including spoilers), and network naturally.
Have fun supporting the films you love. Overall, just don’t be an ass.
Doing Interviews?
In-between films is a great time for interviews. From festival-held Q&As to after-hours meet and greets, take time to chat with the filmmakers — and attendees! While it’s important to ask the professionals about their work, it may be a nice angle to record the general vibe of the festival, or immediate reactions from the audience after a showing.
I find that horror fans are some of the most kind people on Earth and love talking to other fans. They bring insight from a multitude of places that can shed light on some stories. I spoke with filmmakers and fans at both KORK and Telluride and learned a thing or two about the movies we saw… and about life. Just as long as you’re respectful of people’s time, interviews should be a breeze.
After the Festival
When everything’s said and done, it’s time to wrap up your coverage. If you’re acting as press, get all your deliverables in order and sent to the right people. If you’re on your own, dot your I’s and cross your T’s and get everything published and posted. Always remember to tag people!
But the party doesn’t just stop when the festival concludes. Maintain your connections and stay in contact with people you’ve met; they could lead to other opportunities down the line.
You can also stretch your content even further. For example, if a movie is included in multiple festivals, follow its journey! Post “Best of” content, or pick a movie to do a more in-depth review on. Later, write about “This Time Last Year…” and then reference the previous year in the upcoming rendition of that festival. Content isn’t just reused, it is repurposed!
Avoid these Mistakes
Very quickly:
- Don’t overcommit.
- Don’t skip the small stuff, like Shorts or Seminars.
- Don’t post without context.
- Don’t forget to credit others (remember to tag/collab!).
- Don’t treat it like a vacation… unless, of course, it is one.
Back to the “Why”
Again, festivals are so, so important to horror, especially indie horror. Some of our favorite films wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for festivals and the outpouring support from fans. Festivals help keep horror alive in the same way horror keeps Hollywood alive.
Your coverage could motivate someone to see a movie or visit the festival itself. Every little bit helps, and every little bit makes your voice that much more big.
Oh, and Don’t Forget!
Whether you’re here on press duty or coming on your own volition, make sure to take time to enjoy the festival for yourself. You are allowed to — and absolutely should — enjoy the moviegoing experience like all the other guests.
In Conclusion
Attending and covering festivals isn’t just about admiration, clout, and collecting lanyards. If you’ve been personally invited — of if you’re investing your own time — you’re meant to be there. Show up and show your support… responsibly.
Plan ahead, work hard, and have fun!
