Film Festival Red Flags

Not all film festivals operate the same way.

Some festivals screen films publicly, program with intention, and engage real audiences.
Others operate in ways that don’t meaningfully support filmmakers or their films.

This guide outlines common red flags to watch for when deciding where to submit your film.
It’s not about calling out specific festivals.
It’s about understanding how legitimate festivals usually work.

Why Red Flags Matter

Submitting to the wrong festival costs more than money.

It can waste time, stall a film’s momentum, and create false expectations about what festivals offer.
Learning how to evaluate festivals helps filmmakers submit with clarity and purpose.

How to Evaluate a Festival Before Submitting

Ask practical, observable questions before you submit.

  • Are there photos of past events on the festival’s FilmFreeway page or website?

  • Do FilmFreeway reviews come from filmmakers who actually attended screenings?

  • Does the festival list clear venues, event dates, and submission deadlines?

  • Does the festival offer opportunities to connect with other filmmakers or film fans?

  • What kind of work does the festival actually program?

  • Does this festival fit my goals for this stage of my film’s run?

If this information isn’t easy to find, that’s information too.

Red Flag: Little or No Transparency

Legitimate festivals clearly show how they operate.

Red flags include:

  • Missing venue or event details

  • No visible festival team or organizers

  • Vague or incomplete timelines

  • Websites that are confusing or outdated

If it’s hard to tell where films screen or who runs the festival, that lack of clarity matters.

Red Flag: Reviews That Don’t Match the Experience

Always check FilmFreeway reviews, especially from filmmakers who actually attended.

Pay attention to:

  • Mentions of real screenings from the previous year.

  • Audience engagement

  • Communication from the festival team

Be cautious if reviews only mention laurels, but not the actual experience.

Red Flag: No Evidence of Public Screenings

Legitimate festivals usually show films to real audiences.

Red flags include:

  • No photos or videos of screenings

  • No listed venues

  • No visible audience or filmmaker presence

Online-only screenings aren’t automatically bad, but festivals are sometimes listed as a live screening when it’s not. It should clearly explain how films are shown and who watches them.

Red Flag: Very Short Events With No Real Programming

Be cautious of festivals that:

  • Run for only a couple of hours

  • Rapidly cycle through a few films

  • Hand out paper certificates

  • Send filmmakers on their way with no real audience engagement

These events often provide little value on the festival circuit and rarely help a film build momentum.

A meaningful festival experience usually includes thoughtful programming, proper screening schedules, and time for films to be seen and discussed.

Red Flag: Awards Without Context

Awards should mean something within a festival’s structure.

Watch for:

  • Dozens of vague award categories, with no real awards given

  • Awards announced without screenings (unless it’s listed as an online/awards event on FilmFreeway)

  • No explanation of how winners are selected

Recognition matters most when it’s tied to real programming decisions and real screenings.

What to Do After You Spot a Red Flag

Seeing a red flag doesn’t mean you should stop submitting.

It means you should choose more carefully.

The strongest festival runs come from:

  • Submitting to festivals that actually screen films

  • Choosing events with real audiences and engagement

  • Aligning your film with festivals that program your kind of work

Thoughtful submissions lead to better screenings, better conversations, and better outcomes.