The first step for any filmmaker, when trying to promote their film, is to submit it to film festivals. There are so many festivals out there it isn’t even funny. The submission fee for festivals is anywhere between $0.00 and $75.00. For more information about all the festivals that are out there and their submission guidelines, check out www.filmfestival.com for a complete list.
If the festival thing didn’t work out for you, or you are looking for another way to promote your film, try the internet. Many online short film sites offer a venue for filmmakers to promote their work. Check out sites like UndergroundFilm.com, iFilm.com, Atom.com, iNetFilm.com and BrownFish.com. These sites may not be what you pictured when you first made your production, but every little bit helps.
If you are not interested in hosting your film on someone else’s site, maybe you can host it on your own. Add valuable content to drive the viewers and showcase your work from your very own site. It is a good way to build up a fan base and to acquire viewership. You never know, the online buzz may travel to all the bigwigs at the studios.
Mention your site to some of the internet movie news sites. Sites like Ain’t It Cool News has built a following and reputation for being legit by Hollywood insiders. Since then many other sites have popped up and given filmmakers a way to promote their films. Send them an email to inform them about our movie and start the ball rolling. If they mention it, people will see it. Some of the other sites that offer this are Film Threat, Rewind Video Magazine and Internet Video Magazine.
Press releases are also a valid way to get the word out about your film. There are several magazines that take press releases from indie filmmakers. Some of them are Independent Filmmaker, Millimeter, Markee, Film & Video and DV magazine. Search through their website to get their fax number or email address. Send them a formal and professional press release in the proper format.
Cable networks are also a market for promotion. Many of them have their own shows for short films; MTV is one of them. Not all of them pay for the films, but getting the exposure is what you should be looking for. For a list of networks that is currently seeking short films, click here. Read the guidelines for each and submit only what they want.
The only other tip I have to give you is to think outside the box. Remember that you are trying to sell, or promote, something and it is up to you to get your pitch in front of as many people as possible. One filmmaker actually got national exposure for his film by making a fool out of himself on a reality show. When it comes to promotion, you have to place yourself and your film in as many paths as possible. Sooner or later, someone or something will bump right into you.