Vulnerability, voice, and the kind of storytelling programmers are saying yes to
BIG MOVES
What the Golden Globes just confirmed about festival taste
This year’s Golden Globes didn’t introduce a new trend —they called out what’s been quietly driving programming decisions for years: emotional vulnerability and clarity of voice.
In her acceptance speech, Chloé Zhao said:
“The most important thing of being an artist is learning to be vulnerable enough to allow ourselves to be seen — for who we are, not who we ought to be. And to give ourselves fully to the world. Even the parts of ourselves that we’re ashamed of, afraid of, or imperfect.”
That’s not just an artistic philosophy.
It’s a programming signal.
Films that articulate emotional risk — not just subject matter, not just prestige — travel further. They give programmers something to hold onto, defend, and advocate for inside a lineup conversation.
Here’s why this matters for your festival run:
Programmers aren’t only evaluating craft. They’re evaluating emotional access.
If your submission materials describe what happens but avoid what it costs — emotionally, psychologically, personally — you’re leaving leverage on the table.
Awards season doesn’t change taste.
It confirms it.
🔗 See the full list of winners HERE.
Slamdance 2026: The signals beneath the selections
Slamdance just wrapped, and its 2026 slate is already shaping the taste conversation — especially among mid-tier and discovery-oriented fests.
This year’s programming doubled down on what Slamdance does best:
→ Strong point of view
→ Concise runtimes
→ Films that know exactly what they are
Why this matters now:
Programmers absolutely study Slamdance after the fact. Films that break out here often set the tone for selections at other festivals over the next 3–6 months.
🎯 Strategic takeaway:
If your film is scrappy, voice-driven, or doesn’t fit into a tidy prestige box — Slamdance’s lineup is a mirror and a map. Use it to recalibrate.
🔗 Source: Slamdance Press + Coverage
Rotterdam’s programming preview: Europe is still betting on bold
IFFR just previewed its 2026 lineup — and once again, it’s clear: risk isn’t just welcome — it’s expected.
Rotterdam remains a bellwether for formally adventurous, politically resonant, and narratively unconventional work. And European programmers are watching.
Why this matters now:
Films that screen here shape the flavor of what gets picked up by respected European fests across the spring.
🎯 Strategic takeaway:
If your film veers experimental, structurally bold, or thematically urgent, don’t dilute it. This is the moment to lean in — and consider IFFR’s ripple effect as you plan your international strategy.
🔗 Source: IFFR Announcements
SPOTLIGHT:
New Hampshire Film Festival
The best under-the-radar fest for high-caliber indies
NHFF isn’t just charming — it’s strategic. It’s where real conversations happen, where films are seen and remembered, and where emerging voices build sustainable momentum.
What sets it apart:
• Programming with taste, not hype
• A true audience of cinephiles, not just fellow filmmakers
• A setting that fosters connection, not competition
This is a festival that knows careers aren’t made in greenrooms.
They’re made in Q&As, feedback loops, and shared vision
🔗 Source: NHFF Official Site
🗓️ DEADLINES & OPEN CALLS
• Portland Film Festival — Regular deadline January 14th / Late deadline January 28th
→ Submit here
• New Hampshire Film Festival —Early bird deadline May 1st
→ Submit here
• HollyShorts — Early bird deadline January 30th
→ Submit here
CLOSING THOUGHT
Here’s the throughline this week:
→ Awards season isn’t separate from festival strategy.
→ International taste isn’t siloed from U.S. momentum.
→ Mid-tier doesn’t mean minor. It often means smart.
The filmmakers who win long-term are the ones who read these signals early — and move with clarity.
Until next week,
– Heather
Founder, Film Festival Insider™ | Festival Fixr™
Programmer | Award-Winning Filmmaker
PS – Some additional food for thought…
If programmers are rewarding emotional risk, clarity of voice, and bold perspective — your submission strategy should amplify that and make sure your voice is heard in the rooms that matter.
Festival Fixr™ was built to help serious indie filmmakers do just that.
No more wondering if your film is getting lost in translation.
This is expert-level guidance, on demand — so you can stop guessing and start gaining traction.
