Film Festival Rejection: A Response

Film Festival Rejection; A Response

Film festivals typically send you rejection notices that read like sterile hall passes. For all I know, they never even watched my film. They just took my submission fee and ran. I've taken to writing them response letters upon receiving the rejection notice, not because I believe that they'll respond (I'm 0 for 4 on responses) but because I know that somewhere, someone is receiving my passive aggressive e-mail and they're either getting angry at me or frustrated that my e-mail is clogging up their in-box.

Here is my response to the new 2010 New Orleans Film Festival's above rejection letter:


To Whom It May Concern,

Thank you for the update on the status of my festival submission. I am wondering though why the film was not accepted into the 2010 program. Perhaps your input and critique could shed some light on how my short documentary could have better fit into your programming.

I know that my film is a beautiful film, with a simple portrait for a story. The film has been accepted at other film festivals and has been received well by my peers who happen to include famous filmmakers and photographers. Knowing that, I am genuinely interested in what you didn't like about the film, personal taste aside. After all, just because one person doesn't like a film doesn't mean that the film is bad, or warrants a rejection. Film festivals are not popularity contests, but rather forums to present quality film making to the public.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to your thoughts and comments.

Sincerely,

Rod Blackhurst