Press kits are an essential part of your film submissions to film festivals. Some festivals do not require it, but as a good, general rule of thumb, if you want your film to be watched and accepted, a press kit is a good entry way into the sight of judges.

The large majority of film festivals that have student entries, request or require a supplemental package of publicity material to be submitted with your entry form. It would not be uncommon for you to have to supply a press kit to every film festival that you apply to. Many times, it is easier to make multiples of all the things on the check list below so that you are not constantly having to find or print a single part. So, when printing a final part of the press kit, consider having multiples printed to save time.

While press kits may never be fully looked at until a film is accepted for screening into a festival, it never hurts to present your film well to the person reviewing your submission at the starting process.

Remember, festivals that request a press kit will be unlikely to hunt you down for all the materials as it would be time consuming. If you want for your film to show up with good images in the printed festival catalogs, posters and advertisements, be sure to get the press kit to them when you send in your submission in the first place. Remember, this is free publicity, get all that you possibly can.

If you don't have great photoshop skills, then get the help from a friend or post your request at school and collaborate with another student. Your press kit represents you and your film.

Here is a guide to the most common things requested to be in a press kit:

1. Your DVD/VHS Cover Art

Have a good idea about what you would like to show from your film.

First, choose an image or images that best show something about your film. This can be an actor, location or setting, a prop, or something that was in your film. A still image from your film is preferable.

Second, choose your color pallet. Generally sticking to about three colors is enough and then having white and black for outlines, highlights, and text and these colors should work with your images.

Third, bring them together. The size of most DVD covers, for the front, back and spine is 1490 x 1000. Choose to make it a very high resolution.

The DVD cover makes a good first impression. Be sure to put key information, your contact, title of the film, production credits and a short synopsis of the film on it somewhere.

2. Production Still Photos

These are the photographs that will be taken directly from your short film for use in festival materials.

The easiest way to get these are to convert your film into a Quick time, and drag and drop the frames you like of your film into a blank photoshop file. The higher resolution, the better.

Remember to keep these in basic 5 inch by 7 inch sizes. Some festivals will require particular sizes, so be sure to see what they require. A good rule of thumb is to both print out these Production Stills and burn them onto a CD and mail it along with the submission.

When you print them out, print them in color, if applicable, on sturdy, high quality photo paper. Do not skimp on this.

Be sure to include no less than four stills and no more than twenty stills in your submission.

3. One-Sheet Artwork

This will vary depending on the film, but a good comparison is a film poster. Like the ones you see at the movie theaters, this if your chance to make your very own.

Your "poster" should look like a real movie poster. You should have an image, or a few, the title and the credits.

This is always part of the fun after your film is complete. Try to tell something about the story of your film in the poster.

You can always shoot simple pictures afterwards, or combine pictures to help further the story process in the poster. Feature your actors, or a location or something that will make your film stand out from the rest. Including a log line or a hook is also a good idea to keep people interested in your poster.

4. Statement of the Director

Be sincere. Be honest. And proof read.

Really, proof read what you write about your film. You can have a bit of the synopsis in this part.

Tell the reader why you made this film. Tell the reader about your character and how they are unique. Tell them where it was shot and tell them what is important about the film. Tell them what you wanted to express or convey to the audience. And tell them how you did that.

We cannot urge you enough to proof read this. Give it to a parent or a friend to read.

This needs to be concise. No more than one page, no shorter than three paragraphs. 700 words is about the right length.

5. Synopsis of the Film

This IS different from the Statement of the Director.

Here you are summarizing the entire film, or as much as you want to in the event that the film is a mystery or has a catch ending.

Tell the reader about the setting, the characters, the conflict, and some of the plot. Hook them in with your story telling ability. Make them want to see your film after reading the synopsis. Think of this as a small pitch. Have a log line at the top and close the log line at the end.

6. News & Reviews

Has your film been in the news? No matter what kind of news it is, no matter how small, be sure to include well presented clippings of the articles. If you were written about in the school newspaper, be sure to make a copy of the newspaper and submit that with your submission.

Has your film been reviewed by a professor or screened at another place where reviews were written? If so, you should include these as well. This gives your film credibility and a foundation that can be grown upon. People love to read reviews. And some love to write reviews. See if you can screen your film at school and have fellow students write reviews. Then you can quote from those reviews on your news and reviews page.

7. Production Notes and Anecdotes

Be sure to mention anything interesting about your film. If you shot the entire thing in Canada, make sure to let the festival know. If you shot in an exotic location or used well known actors, not that in the production notes.

If you have funny stories that took place during the filming, be sure to include these. They give you personality and show your passion and love of film making. Did the dog that kept messing up your shot end up the star of the entire film? Did you have a great moment while filming? Include these with your submission. These little bits of information could win over the audience members.

8. Resumes of Cast and Crew

You should include the resumes for your staring actors as well as the director, producer, cinematographer and editor at the very least.

The resumes should include a biography of every person. The filmography of each person and a fun note about each. These do not have to be long, but should be about a half a page per person.

9. Cast and Crew Photos

You must always include a directors photograph so that they can attach a face to a film. It is always good to include the pictures of your lead actors and the photographs of anyone that you have a resume of.

This speaks well of you as a director to include the people that worked and collaborated with you on your film. You show that you respect and value their contribution.

These photos can go on the same page as your resumes of the cast and crew.

10. Packaging Your Press Kit

While not required, press kits are often presented in a stylish folder to keep materials together. Please clearly lable your materials. Have a good clean presentation with your name, phone number and all other contact information on the cover or immediately on the inside.

If you do not want to do a folder, you must clip or staple all of your material together neatly.

Finally, have another set of eyes review your work for spelling and anything else that may be a good addition to your kit.

Good luck!

CHECKLIST:

1. DVD/VHS Cover Art

2. Production Still Photos

3. One-Sheet Artwork

4. Statement of the Director

5. Synopsis of the Film

6. News & Reviews

7. Production Notes and Anecdotes

8. Resumes of Cast and Crew

9. Cast and Crew Photos

10. Packaging

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