Posted on by Joseph Bouvier

Drag Yourself to a Local Film Festival

Why You Should Drag Yourself to a Local Fest

Film festivals are chaos—the good kind – where you walk in thinking you’ll just watch some films and maybe meet a few people, and walk out overstimulated, slightly overwhelmed, and questioning your life choices (in a good way).

Festivals can be intimidating. There’s a lot of energy, a lot of people who seem to know exactly what they’re doing, and a lot of conversations where you’re not sure if you should jump in or quietly fade into the background. But all that aside, showing up is what matters. If you’re trying to break into filmmaking, meet collaborators, or just get a better feel for how this whole thing works, local fests are worth your time.

Brace Yourself

Festivals move fast. One minute, you’re watching a five-minute horror short that hits pretty hard. The next, you’re in a hallway, talking to someone who just made a film that is both simultaneously unpolished and inspiring. It’s the kind of thing that makes you question everything you thought you knew about storytelling.

For me, it’s best to have a plan. It helps me from getting lost in the shuffle. Do the prep—figure out which shorts, panels, and events speak to you. But don’t overschedule. Some of the best moments happen when you’re just hanging around, between screenings, and find yourself in a conversation with someone who reminds you why you’re doing this in the first place.

Find a Buddy

Festivals are a lot more bearable with someone by your side. If you don’t have a buddy, find one. Start a conversation in line or chat with someone at a panel. Having a festival partner makes everything a little easier—especially when there are only two film blocks, and you can’t compare notes on what’s worth seeing. At least you’ll have someone to escape with when that one “networking opportunity” starts dragging on for way too long.

One of the most powerful things you can do at a festival is introducing people and helping others out. I’ve learned that giving first creates stronger connections and fosters a better festival experience for everyone. By offering a valuable introduction or simply helping someone, you’ll build relationships that are much more genuine—and trust me, it pays off.

Connect, Don’t Pitch

You don’t have to be an extrovert to network at a festival. Just be genuinely interested in the people around you. Ask about their work, what films they’ve seen, what brought them to the festival. People love to talk about themselves, and they’ll open up about what excites them if you just ask.
Business cards are essential. Mine have a QR code to make it easier for people to scan and access everything in one place—my website, email, phone number, and all my socials. It’s basically one-stop shopping.

But don’t just collect cards—real value comes from following up after the fest. If you talked about collaborating, suggest a time to grab coffee or chat online. The festival ends, but your connections shouldn’t. Keeping those relationships alive is key.

Watch Films

It’s easy to get caught up in the schmoozing and forget why you’re actually there: the films. Support indie filmmakers, take in new perspectives, and get inspired. Even if you’re there mostly to network, watching the films gives you a natural conversation starter.
Make a point to step outside your usual genre. You might be working on a horror script, but that avant-garde short could teach you something unexpected about pacing or visual storytelling. You never know what might spark your noggin.

Hit the After Party

Most collaborations and genuine connections in indie film happen in the social situations.
Find out where people are going after the screenings and panels wrap. These laid-back settings are where conversations flow more naturally, and you never know what will come out of the event.

Don’t skip them—sometimes the real connections happen when it’s just a group of filmmakers hanging out after hours. I’ve made some connections and strong personal friendships at festival events and through Boston Indie Mafia events.

Final Thoughts

Local film festivals are one of the best ways to level up as a filmmaker. You’ll learn, meet people who get what you’re trying to do, and maybe even walk away with your next big opportunity. Plan ahead, be open to unexpected moments, and most importantly—have fun.

Here are the events I currently have on my calendar.

If you’re going to be there too, hit me up. Let’s connect.