You've submitted your film to several film festivals and finally received this super exciting email letting you know that your film has been accepted into one of them! Congratulations! You did it! But before you buy your plane tickets, there's still a lot you need to do to prepare. So let's look at some tips for going to a film festival.

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First of all, traveling to film festivals can be expensive, so if you get accepted to a film festival where you have friends and family living there, save money by settling on their sofas. Trust me, hotel costs can add up quickly, so this is a great way to save money!

However, if there aren't any couches available to cash in on, try booking a hotel or Airbnb close to the festival location. Large film festivals can be very congested with traffic, so being able to get around quickly on foot could save you a lot of time.

Also pro tip, bring comfortable walking shoes because you will probably be walking a lot! Next, be sure to pack a portable battery that you can use to charge your phone.

You'll probably be out all day, and in some cases all night, so the last thing you want is for your phone to die. I've seen people try to rely on plugs at the festival venue, but often these are rare because either they're already in use for the festival or the 20 other people who had the same idea are monopolizing them .

Next, bring business cards that you can hand out to other filmmakers, potential investors, or anyone you'd like to stay in touch with. Pro tip, if you can afford it, have a personalized business card that has your movie name or logo on it. This way the receiver will know which film you are connected to at the film festival.

Also create 4×6 promotional cards that you can hand out to people at the film festival promoting your film. And pro tip, leave a blank space for your film's screening information. Then, when you know the testing times and locations, print sticker labels and place them on the empty spaces. This way, you will only have to print one set of promotional cards that you can use for each film festival.

And finally, on our packing list, make sure you have an extra digital copy of your film just in case. This can be on a USB stick, DVD or Blu Ray. This may seem like overkill in the drop box world we live in, but sometimes internet connections can be spotty, equipment can break, or the festival may have the wrong version of your film. So make sure you have a backup so you can ensure your movie will always be seen.

Once you're ready to head to the film festival, make sure you arrive a day early before the festival starts. This way you won't miss anything and it will also help you get a feel for the lay of the land in advance. This is especially useful if you're attending a large film festival that's likely to spread out.

Then, attend as many screenings as possible. There you will not only be able to see other fantastic films, but you will usually also have the opportunity to hear from the filmmakers during Q&As after the screenings. Pro tip, watching other filmmakers' films will give you a chance to break the ice when you get a chance to talk to them.

Also take advantage of as many networking opportunities as possible. These could be filmmaker mixers, film panels, awards shows or parties. Film festivals are great for getting people to see your film or win awards, but the networking opportunities are invaluable!

And speaking of networking, if possible try to connect with the festival director and even connect with them on social media. The festival directors have seen all the films, so they will know who you are and will obviously appreciate your work because they selected your film. Connecting with them and maintaining a lasting relationship will help them remember you when you submit future films.

Now that you know these tips, you'll be sure to rock the film festival circuit like a pro!

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