The CEO of TIFF Tells You Mistakes Filmmakers Make At Festivals (Piers Handling)

This is our conversation with the inimitable Piers Handling.
7:32 - Pitching your higher ups on ideas, even when they didn’t ask for them
9:10 - Does TIFF actively go looking for new talent?
10:22 - Piers tips on networking and getting connected (no you don’t have to go to parties and networking events)
21:28 - Why you should look like a fool
22:56 - Filmmakers are not innovative enough. Here’s what to do about it.
33:49 - Mistakes filmmakers make at film festivals
35:19 - What your priorities should be at film festivals
36:18 - How do you approach Sales Agents and Distributors to get your film sold?
37:22 - Is there a point in submitting to festivals that aren’t the top festivals? Like small fests
38:48 - How do you pitch your film such that you’ll get funding (what investors are looking for)
43:35 - What Piers does every morning to prime himself for success
50:58 - How did you get to be a CEO without reading business books?
56:48 - Curt’s mathematical proof of why Hollywood is dying
1:00:59 - Is it a lack of filmmakers experimenting with form? Or a lack of people showing interest in experimentation?
1:04:27 - Tips for getting into film festivals like TIFF (Should you submit late? Early? etc.)
For more weekly hacks on getting your film funded, distributed, and pitching to investors, join for FREE at indiefilmTO.com and get The Ultimate Guide To Film Funding as a gift.

[@paulvandenboom9123]

Thanks for organizing and publishing this interview Curt!

[@indiefilmto3715]

Anytime Paul

[@cinesheikh]

GREAT INTERVIEW! Learnt loads from this one! Loved the whole bit with the 100 secretary problem as well!

[@EmilySchooley]

So many gems here - I love the idea of being the person willing to run toward problems.

[@indiefilmto3715]

Exactly

[@flamingocupproductions5329]

this was great

[@91toinfinity]

I could listen to this guy talk for another hour.

[@indiefilmto3715]

Me too. - Curt

[@convolution223]

what are the 2nd tier film festivals? He says them really fast.

[@olegushakov5074]

is the boom mic prescripted?

[@indiefilmto3715]

What do you mean?

[@olegushakov5074]

Is boom at 36:57 an easter egg?

[@indiefilmto3715]

I'll have to ask the boom operator and video editor ;)

[@olegushakov5074]

As far I got your noradrenalin rise, which e-mail I should use for (incubation-)general, but not FAQ-covered questions? ifTO have no contact info, only form to schedule Skype meeting or final incubation enrollment. Should I use that whitelisted e-mail from subscription? Just not to clutter this comments (as I already did). Thank you.

[@indiefilmto3715]

Yea reply to my email from the subscription. That's fine Oleg