As an emerging filmmaker, you think you need top-of-the-line, impressive gear to shoot a great film. Well, not always, you can shoot a film, with just some simple things on board, namely with the ubiquitous smartphone. It can turn out to be one of the best tools for new or seasoned filmmakers.
The Sundance hit film Tangerine shot entirely on 3 iPhone 5s and started the whole trend of mobile filmmaking. If you are one of those filmmakers who has already joined the smartphone bandwagon, the next step is certainly getting people to take notice of your film. Sundance film festival can be a great start to your filmmaking career. However, Sundance is not the only festival where you can showcase your talent. Other festivals are as important and eclectic as possible.
Smartphone film festivals are bringing great new talent to audiences worldwide. Here are a few outstanding fests that you can participate in as a smartphone filmmaker.
Toronto Smartphone Film Festival (TSFF)
TSFF is one of the fastest-growing festivals on this list. From its inception in 2012, it has been going on steadily for the past couple of years and has been gaining steam with its high-profile sponsors, namely, TD Bank, Samsung, and Entertainment One. Now in its 6th year, TSFF sees the submission of more than 600 films from 50 countries worldwide.
The TSFF mission statement clarifies for the participants that this organization is as much for amateurs as any professional filmmakers who want to develop the potential of mobile filmmaking. Emerging filmmakers, don’t miss the opportunity to submit your project to TSFF. It is one of the best platforms for promoting mobile talents.
Mobile Motion Film Festival (MOMO)
MOMO is new to the party. The festival takes place in Zurich, Switzerland. The movie emphasizes compelling stories and storytelling that does not impact the production values. Starting from a Kickstarter campaign, MOMO is now making its way to tablet and GoPro filmmaking.
MOMO is a festival for filmmakers of all backgrounds and skill levels. It has low entry fees and the promise to aspiring filmmakers to put their finest mobile work on the pedestal. With community support, MOMO can become the next big festival on the block.
Mobile Film Festival (MFF)
MFF has quite a presence online as it has 21,000 followers on Facebook. It is a huge festival when it comes to mobile filmmaking. Everyone can access the primarily French festival that takes place online invites films shot on mobile worldwide, it also promotes filmmakers from all over the world.
If you think you have the appropriate skills to promote an online film and have a memorable story to tell, you can certainly try the MFF. Organizers from the festival encourage votes for the festival contestants to be tallied along with the online views. This makes it possible for numerous audiences to watch the film. And yes, it showcases even the ones that don't win an award.
Smartphone Flick Fest (SF3)
Film Festivals Australia sponsors the Smartphone Flick Fest (SF3). It's a not-for-profit that specializes in catering to niche Australian film festivals. The festival is an international event and accepts films from around the world. Out of all the films submitted, ten are shown in Sydney and may stand for the jury award. The other ten films selected for free via the Film Festivals Australia compete online for being chosen by the SF3 People's Choice awards.
Cairo Mobile Film Festival Cairo, Egypt
The mission statement of the Cairo Mobile Film Festival, which is in its second edition this year, is ‘to create a meeting point for bonafide filmmakers. And this includes talented students, young artists, and cinema enthusiasts worldwide. Mobile filmmakers from Egypt, the Arab world, and Europe can share their common passion and knowledge of the cinema industry via this competition.
International Mobile Film Festival – San Diego, US
There is one enduring rule in IMFF2018, it only allows mobile phones. Their festival description enunciates that the purpose of the mobile film festival is to create interest and increase creativity in people of all ages. Besides that, it also tries to help filmmakers worldwide to reach their full potential even when they cannot get their hands on professional cameras. Isn't that wonderful!
Have you heard of these smartphone festivals? Let us know in the comments section below.