This week, two of the most influential festivals officially kick-off the 2010 festival season. From here on out, the stories on dozens of films will write, after surviving pre-production to post, their next chapters.

As you've probably heard ad nausem, the destiny of those films have rested more and more in the hands of filmmakers and producers over the last few years, and not distributors. Although, as Brian Newman has stated it in many a lecture, that destiny has always rested in the hands of filmmakers.

Well, we're not against talking and linking about marketing and distribution ad nausem. One thing that won't change, is there will always be new filmmakers and this will be the first time they're reading or hearing any of this information. To that end, Chris Holland has posted more good info about marketing on Film Festival Secrets in relation to Sundance and Slamdance and here's the beginning. Click the link below to read the rest...and keep in mind, you can apply this info to nearly every festival you're either applying to or attending.

Sundance/Slamdance Film Promotion Tips from Chris Thilk at Movie Marketing Madness

With the Park City festivals (Sundance, Slamdance, and other ‘dances that come and go with the years) just a week away, I thought this was a good time to check in with Chris Thilk about some of the philosophies and techniques of promoting an indie film at a large festival.

Let’s say I’m a filmmaker with a feature film playing at Sundance or Slamdance. I’m aware that million-dollar advance checks are few and far between, but I’d like to give my film the best chance possible for finding a distributor and/or an audience. What are some realistic expectations to set for this experience?

The expectations you have going in should be in direct proportion to the leg work you’ve put in prior to the festival, whatever it is. If, in support of your movie, you’ve already done some outreach to movie blogs that might be interested in the film, have built up an audience on Facebook or Twitter and generally can go in to the festival with some wind at your sails already your chances are much better.

Read the Rest

Also on Film Festival Secrets:

Profile on ATLFF's Managing Director Paula Martinez

Profile on ATLFF's Festival Director Dan Krovich