Sharjah24: The Cinema Hub at the Al Jawaher Reception and Convention Centre (JRCC) where the 9th Sharjah International Film Festival for Children and Youth (SIFF) is underway until October 15, 2022, set the stage for an illuminating talk on the innumerable ways and approaches that creative minds can imagine, create, produce and distribute short films successfully.

The one-on-one talk titled ‘Distribution for Short Films – Who is Buying My Film?’ hosted Guilio Vita, the artistic director of La Guarimba International Film Festival in Italy, who offered filmmakers and producers at the festival a deep understanding of the complex new world of distribution. 

At the session moderated by writer, director and producer Chadi Zeineddine, the Italian guest shared his film festival strategies for streaming, selling to television channels, establishing professional connections, while also exploring the business side of the format and selection of online platforms to help maximise reach and achieve greater impact for the work.

Guilio Vita advised young filmmakers at the session to visit international festivals and network with their peers to build their creative careers and endorsed SIFF as a wonderful festival for children, youth, families and the industry. While praising the opportunities at hand, especially with the abundance of streaming possibilities on the internet and the digital realm, he warned: “The doom of today is too much of freedom and choice.”

The Talk commenced with the Italian artistic director elaborating on the short film format and the platforms available for distribution, and how to find the targeted audience while establishing the goals of the filmmaker. He further discussed the critical aspect of marketing one’s creation commencing with strategically preparing the press kit, paying attention to drafting the material and incorporating the director’s perspective of the created film.

In addition, the Talk also touched upon how the film festival market works both in relation to content and cost alongside tactical consideration of attending the festival. Most importantly, aspiring film enthusiasts were guided on how to submit to festivals. “First have your family and friends watch the film, then take it to a larger community, and later to a wider circle locally and then enlarge the audience regionally and internationally,” he advised.

To enjoy a greater success rate in a short film’s nomination for recognition in international film festival circles, well-planned and diligently presented submissions are vital, both the guest speaker and moderator concluded.