Connected, Naturally
You’ve got fresh business cards and you’re ready to mix it up with some filmmakers – where do you go?
Written and interviewed by Kate Stocker-Wright
You’re in a stuffy room with music blaring trying to have a conversation, trying to listen. Some people are drinking, some are sweating. A hierarchy of egos is trying to flex whilst the more delicate souls just want to make eye contact. Is this a nightclub? Nope, it’s a networking event.
First of all, you do need to put yourself in these magical rooms where filmmakers congregate. The goal is to make yourself seen as much as possible, but you do not have to travel to a prestigious film festival or event to make good connections. Below are examples of approachable institutions that provide friendly events to help your networking wings fly.
Events
TAPE Collective - A plethora of programmers, producers, and exhibitors showcasing and creating independent cinema from all walks of life. Definitely, one to watch as they advertise events worth attending to meet like-minded people.
Genera Films - Not only offers funding opportunities 365 days a year Genera also host a networking event 4 times a year (seasonally) a pleasurable welcoming experience for all filmmakers where nether they are in their career.
“I can't emphasise enough the importance of networking, without it I would have found it much harder connecting with creatives and getting my films off the ground.
Events like Genera are perfect for people looking to make their first or even 10th film because you never know who you will meet and how you can help one another on your creative venture.” - David Yorke, Filmmaker
“Networking is the key to success in the film industry. It’s easy to become isolated, waiting on email replies and trapped by gatekeepers. But building your own contacts, talking directly face-to-face to people and growing your own network empowers you to grow as a filmmaker. That’s why I love the Genera networking events, you get to meet fellow filmmakers in a similar position. You can swap stories, exchange experiences and celebrate each other’s successes. Which enables you to develop as a filmmaker and ultimately builds our industry. I can’t stress enough how important networking is, you need to get out and champion your work and be open to new opportunities. This can only happen by networking!” - Greg Hall, Filmmaker
The Media Production & Technology Show - In its 7th year, MPTS is the number one event combining creative outlet with technology innovation. Not necessarily a networking-focused event but definitely well-attended and a conversation starter. You can attend a vast array of lectures that take you through development to post, exploring the latest trends in filmmaking. All of this and it’s free!
WFTV - Women in Film & TV provides a space for female-identifying creatives to grow and be mentored by other content creators. WFTV offers membership which includes networking opportunities and discussions/talks with industry-recognised individuals.
CineCircle - Keep an eye on CineCirlce as they are constantly hosting summits, job fairs, and symposiums. These all provide opportunities to mingle in a busy room with like-minded filmmakers. On top of that they have a free forum allowing more connection with filmmakers.
Local cinemas and regional film councils
Searching for that community spirit can be tough as film & media is often described as a shallow industry, but the next best opportunity could be located right outside your door. Close-Up Film Centre is a cinema and library screening independent and classic/cult films from all across the globe. With a membership, you can access a library of 22,000 books and films. A good option for more introverted types but still a potential social experience. A recent addition to the London cinema scene, Garden Cinema, a beautiful Art Deco-designed building offering the latest and earliest films as well as events to meet filmmakers in the stylish cosy bar. Bounce Cinema provides education and networking experiences for young emerging talent, Girls In Film a focused membership for female, non-binary, and trans creatives, and Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) another London-based cinema focusing on community for lovers of independent cinema.
The above are based in London but you do not have to venture into the hectic capital to find your filmmaking tribe. Institutions like Screen Yorkshire and Film Hub Midlands are accessible to all filmmakers trying to engage and collaborate. Always contact your local council to see if there are events focusing on film, you never know if there is something in the works or a film/tv show looking to use your area as a location. Offering or showing a willingness to build on your experience could benefit your local area and before you know if you have built a connection!
Courses
Education is a right, not a privilege. Contrary to popular belief you do not have to get drunk in a room to develop your career, you can definitely connect on course. ScreenSkills and BFI Network offer insightful lectures about the film industry as a whole, some have a cost but some are free! Albert provides talks about how being more environmentally conscious benefits the film/TV industry, being this intuitive will keep you in the know of industry standards. The more you do the more you will have to talk about.
Film Festivals!
We wouldn’t be doing our job unless we stated the obvious. Going to film festivals IS networking. Of course, as a filmmaker, you will have a budget and this may mean not being able to attend every single film festival.
Remember to look at the programme and check if the festival is actually offering opportunities to network before committing to attending. It’s always good to attend your film screenings but if the intention is to find future collaborators you will benefit from doing your research and making sure you are spending your money effectively.
To benefit finances, try and find film festivals that have their screenings and events in one location as much as possible. You don’t want to miss an opportunity because you are stuck in traffic/public transport darting from one cinema to another.
Last and definitely not least, if standing in a room trying to force a conversation isn’t your bag, find film festivals that provide an activity. Film festivals host hiking trips in the northern California mountains, duck pin bowling where you can exercise some healthy competition with industry professionals, if you are not a night owl find festivals offering coffee mornings or brunches, and some film festivals provide wine tasting. That’s what I call an icebreaker!
During these events, you are going to meet people fighting for the same opportunities as you so it’s important to not get sidetracked by the competitiveness with the film/tv industry. There is an abundance of genuinely good-hearted, hard-working individuals out there who are dying to meet you and offer you opportunities. Focus on them and find good quality connections rather than pushing for quantity.
Talk is cheap, but talking is priceless
Online opportunities