Festivals change faster than most filmmakers realize. If you’re not adapting, you’re already behind.
Mill Valley Film Festival Opens with Hamnet
The 48th Mill Valley Film Festival (Oct 2 - 12) opened with Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet - a literary adaptation shaping up as an awards-season contender. They’re also honoring lead Jessie Buckley, putting a spotlight on emotional performance and adaptation-driven storytelling.
Mill Valley is known for its blend of Bay Area warmth and Hollywood visibility. If your film overlaps with literary source material, historical themes, or character-driven arcs, this moment is worth leveraging.
Action Step:
Ride the wave by targeting local critics, timing social drops with the fest’s opening, and posting a still or behind-the-scenes moment that nods to your film’s emotional core.
AFI FEST 2025 Lineup Drops
AFI FEST announced its full slate this week: 7 Red Carpet Premieres, 12 Special Screenings, 14 Luminaries, and 15 Discovery films - with 39% directed by women and 29% by BIPOC filmmakers.
AFI continues to punch above its weight in media visibility and awards alignment. If you’re navigating Oscar conversations or aiming for a U.S.-centered release strategy, this is a moment to align your updates with industry attention.
Action Step:
If you’re dropping news soon - trailer, screener, or new acceptance - frame it around the timing of AFI’s coverage and highlight any overlap in tone, theme, or audience appeal.
Nightmares Film Festival Turns 10
Columbus' Nightmares Film Festival (Oct 16 - 19) just released its 10th anniversary lineup: 18 features and 130 shorts deep in horror, genre, and midnight territory.
With a decade behind them, Nightmares is entering legacy territory - and horror press is taking note. For filmmakers in genre spaces, this is a credibility-building opportunity that doesn't require an A24 budget.
Action Step:
Craft a teaser post or short visual clip that taps into your film’s edge. If you're attending, prep an exclusive quote or still and offer it to genre journalists before the fest kicks off.
Festival Spotlight: Garden State Film Festival (GSFF)
Submissions for the Garden State Film Festival close November 1 - and for filmmakers looking for high visibility without the red-tape politics, this one should be on your radar.
GSFF is a 22-year-old, filmmaker-first festival with a strong industry network and deep programming integrity. It’s not about box-checking - it’s about putting compelling work in front of people who actually care.
As Vice Chair of the board, I’ve seen firsthand how GSFF builds real momentum for emerging and mid-career filmmakers. And I’ve made sure my Film Festival Insider™ community gets extra support.
Action Step:
Use the code GSFFLOVESFFI for 20% off your submission at https://filmfreeway.com/GardenStateFilmFestival - and get your film in before the November 1 deadline.
Film Festival Insider™ Weekly isn’t just about headlines - it’s about strategy. Because being visible is step one. Being chosen takes intention.
Until next week,
Heather
🔗 Tools + strategy that move your film forward: https://filmfestivalinsider.com
