by Michael Chasin, Screenwriting Mentor, IAFT – Miami

As a filmmaker, there are more opportunities than ever to have your work viewed.

Technology has made content available to anyone, in any place, at any time.

While it may be gratifying that your film had thousands of web hits, do you really know if the viewers laughed, or cried, at the intended moments, or even watched till the end…

After the hours, dollars, and passion that were poured into creating your film, anonymous hits will never match having your work enjoyed by a live audience.

With you being there – to feel the thrill of the energy in the room.

With you being there – to hear the gasps of emotions.

With you being there – to experience the collective hum of satisfaction of having just watched a great film – your great film.

With you being there – for the post-screening Q & A session – to answer the audience’s eager questions – and to accept their applause.

The best venue for emerging filmmakers to have a live audience view their film:  Film Festivals.

Fortunately, film festivals abound.  There are many local fests and fests by genre with almost all having categories for shorts and student films.

So enter.

You did the work.

You created a great film.

Now take your bow.