Swimming Upstream: A Lifesaving Guide to Short Film Distribution

I'm so glad I have another book to recommend to short filmmakers who are dying for advice on what to do with their short once they've made it. All 300 pages of this book are packed with great insider information from basically everyone who's anyone in the short film world. Buy this book, mark it up with a highlighter, and you'll be amazed how much better informed you are. And better yet, do all that before you even make your short!

"Swimming Upstream" gives such great insight into the world of short films, I feel like I now can navigate my own path to any festival and/or any distributor- granted they like my content. The book is comprised of essays, and some bulleted lists, of tips and helpful advice for first-time short filmmakers wanting to get their beloved masterpieces watched by a wider audience than just grandma down in Florida. The essays have been crafted by the industry professionals themselves, so they're not dry and structured to fit a certain curriculum. This guide book was a joy to read, and I'm so glad that I have its expertise and knowledge as my foundation as I move into submitting my baby into the festival circuit to hopefully see it flourish in its natural environment.

Worth pointing out to short filmmakers across the globe who're in search of distribution advice that this book is very US-oriented - although Europe is briefly covered.Whilst there are plenty of interesting interviews, anecdotes and sound advice, the book is not laid out in a manner that makes it easy to return to as a reference guide by those about to embark on the short film distribution journey.

For less than the price of a single festival entry fee, you can buy "Swimming Upstream: A Lifesaving Guide to Short Film Distribution." The book in itself is like getting invited to a top-tier film festival: watching Q&As with established filmmakers, hearing panel presentation of leading distributors, and, perhaps best all, like sitting down at a breakfast buffet in the hotel where the festival has all the VIPs staying, and you turn to the person next to you a strike up a conversation. And maybe that person is Trevor Groth of Sundance or George Eldred of Aspen Short Fest or the author herself, Sharon Badal, NYU professor and programmer for Tribeca. It doesn't get any more A-List than this.Even though technology and the world of media seems to be in perpetual flux, Swimming Upstream remains relevant. The book's tone is informative, but informal. Supportive and encouraging, but pragmatic. Short filmmaking has only increased in the years since this book's publication, and the insights from the leaders of the industry are still spot on. This is hard-earned wisdom from the very people who shape the world of short films, people who have devoted their careers to short films, who have been the programmers and distributors of short films for the past several years and, no doubt, will be the decision makers watching your film. Before you apply to any festival, read this book first.

There are tons of books out there about how to make a film, but not enough that explain the process of putting your film out there to mainstream audiences. What do you do once it's in the can? How do you maximum exposure for your film? What are the benefits of submitting to festivals? Who in the industry looks at short films? What kind of paperwork is involved with getting your film licensed for broadcast or web? What are some of the occasional pitfalls of the distribution process, and what should you be aware of when taking your film to that level? There are so many questions that this book has answered for me.I love the first-person anecdotes that she has throughout the book--from award-winning filmmakers who have successfully traveled this journey from script to screen. The first-hand accounts really give the best information on how to best prepare yourself for distribution of your work, and how to reap the best exposure for you and the film. This book is also a terrific precursor to any research you do on feature-film distribution. Similar content, smaller package. In a nutshell, this book is chock full of terrific advice and presents filmmakers with so many strategies for maximizing the distribution opportunities for their films.

How great is this book!My copy has blue post-it notes on practically every chapter.I have been referring to it, as I finally begin to navigate the waters of getting my own short film out there and seen. There are so many gold nuggets in each chapter, specifically the section on marketing, tag-lines & festival strategies. Sharon Badal keeps it personal by adding her own practical "helpful hints" in each category.She also sheds a bright light into what is sometimes considered the hazy labyrinth of the film festival circuit, by including essays & conversations with the filmmakers, programmers and distributors themselves. These essays & interviews are incredibly insightful, and often very funny--and so make for a terrific read.I can't wait to use the tools I found in this guide to start my festival strategies. Thank you, Sharon Badal for taking what is often presented as a dry topic, and making it fun and definitely user friendly. An incredible resource.

Being a complete novice to the industry, I found that Swimming Upstream made filmmaking an achievable feat for me. It gave me the tips and knowledge that I thought I could only get by talking or working with someone who has been working in the industry for many years. It allowed me to tap into the brains of brilliant people that I admire, giving me the confidence to embark on my own journey into the world of short films and hopefully later on, into the world of features. I am working on my second short and find that Swimming Upstream has acted as the experienced mentor I wish that I had holding my hand through this process. I would suggest anyone in the industry - those just breaking in like me or those who have been around for some time - to use this book to give some perspective. It truly covers all the angles and is a fast but QUALITY read.