For most filmmakers, the festival circuit remains a mystery. Which festivals are right for your film? When to submit and when to wait? How much it really costs to attend, when a publicist is worth it, and how to turn a single screening into a relationship that lasts years.

Few people understand festivals from as many angles as Wendy Mitchell. She is the UK and Nordic delegate for San Sebastián International Film Festival and a consultant with Cannes Marché du Film, Berlinale EFM, the Red Sea International Film Festival and Göteborg Film Festival, with previous roles across Sundance London, Tallinn, Zurich and others. She has also covered the international circuit as a journalist for Indiewire and Screen International for twenty-five years, and is a regular speaker, mentor and consultant for EAVE, First Cut Lab, the National Film and Television School and the Independent Cinema Office.

In this two-hour virtual masterclass hosted by Breaking Through The Lens, Wendy will demystify the festival year from end-to-end, covering:
* How to choose the right festivals for your film (or TV series)
* How to navigate the submissions process (including fees and waivers)
* What to do after you are accepted (or how to handle rejection)
* How to make the most of your experience on the ground at any festival, from the smallest local event to Cannes, Berlinale, Venice and Sundance.
* When to hire a festival publicist and what the costs are
* What to budget for festival attendance
* How to map an entire year on the circuit and mistakes to avoid

You will leave with a clear-eyed view of the festival landscape, a working strategy for your own film, and the confidence to engage with festival organisers, publicists and programmers so that you are invited back. Don't miss this unique opportunity to learn directly from one of the most connected voices in the international festival world.