Festival strategy review
Festival Strategy Review: know where to submit before you pay another entry fee
Kerry reviews your trailer and materials, then meets with you on Zoom to map out the festivals worth approaching.
For documentary and independent filmmakers planning a festival run or rethinking one that has stalled. Every review is with Kerry David, whose projects have earned 75+ festival awards.
$399 one-time. Includes a 30-minute Zoom with Kerry.
Why it helps
The right festival list matters more than the longest one.
Submission fees add up fast, and premiere rules mean an early yes from the wrong festival can close doors to the right one. Many strong films collect rejections simply because they were sent to festivals that were never a fit.
A Festival Strategy Review gives you an experienced read on your film and a clear list of festivals to approach, so you spend your submission budget where your film has a real chance.
What you get
A focused review and a plan
- Kerry watches your trailer and reviews your materials before you meet
- A 30-minute Zoom with Kerry about your premiere and festival strategy
- Suggested festivals to approach for your film
What to send
- Your trailer link
- A synopsis or one-sheet
- Your festival list or submissions so far, if you have them
- Your premiere status and any deadlines you are working toward
How it works
Three steps
- Book your review ($399).
- Email your trailer link and materials to admin@documentary411.com.
- Kerry reviews them, then meets with you on Zoom for 30 minutes and suggests festivals to approach.
Who reviews your film
Kerry David
I began in Business Affairs at Paramount Pictures and have spent 25 years producing films, including Agent Cody Banks, My Date with Drew, and Like Dandelion Dust. My projects have earned 75+ festival awards and approximately $90 million in cumulative box office, and I am still taking films through festivals and distribution myself. More about Kerry David.
“Kerry’s wise and smart counsel helped us shape the film festival strategy for ‘Aloha Daze’. We abandoned the normal submission process after several rejections and looked at a neat strategy to promote the film to festival directors. After working with Kerry, ‘Aloha Daze’ was picked as the opening feature for the 2010 Big Island Film Festival. We won the Audience Choice award for Best Feature...”
Kim Spanoghe, Producer, Indie Kine Films (Aloha Daze)
“After being rejected from all the festivals we applied to, I felt hesitant and lost... We have completely changed our direction after talking to Kerry and submitted the film to smaller festivals around the world... We premiered at Los Angeles to a sold out audience, we got some press interest, more festival screenings, a couple of awards and distribution!”
Ester Brym, Director and Editor (Butterflies)
These are individual experiences. Every film is different.
What we don’t promise
A review does not guarantee festival acceptance, awards, press or distribution. Always confirm current dates, fees and eligibility on each festival’s official site. All sales final.
Questions
Festival Strategy Review FAQ
Do you watch the whole film?
The review is based on your trailer and the materials you send.
What happens on the Zoom?
A 30-minute conversation with Kerry about your premiere and festival strategy, including festivals to approach for your film.
Is this only for documentaries?
No. Documentary is the focus, and independent fiction filmmakers are welcome too.
Does a review guarantee acceptance?
No. Festivals make their own decisions. The review helps you choose where to spend your submission budget.
Can I get a refund?
All sales are final.
Other ways to get help
Need something different?
90 Day Film Festival Strategy, $99
A step-by-step guide plus a festival tracker, action workbook and festival budget workbook.
Documentary film festivals
A curated guide to documentary festivals in the US and worldwide.
One-hour consult, $500
A full hour with Kerry on any decision holding up your film.
Spend your submission budget where it counts.
Trailer and materials review plus a 30-minute Zoom with Kerry David. $399.