On to the Next: How to handle Rejection in the Film Industry

Camera - Image on Pixabay 

How to handle rejection in the film industry 

I'm not paying any more fees to submit my films to the festivals unless the fee is under $10. That's the fee I use to pay the open mic people to perform. I came to this decision a couple days ago after getting recently rejected by these festivals:

East Coast X Film Festival

Los Angeles Super Shorts festival 

Flight Deck Film Festival 

Sayen Festival

Some of the festivals submissions fees were on sale. Some I paid regular price. Some I sent one submission, some I sent more than one. It doesn't matter. They got added to my "do not shop at" list. I will never submit my stuff to those festivals ever again. I learned my lesson. I don't have money to waste. So far, since the beginning of 2024, I've only spent around $500 recording and releasing music, which is not bad. I'm not going to waste any more applying to the expensive festivals. No, I'm not submitting to anything that cost more than $10. That ain't even my style. I'm just being honest. I was so hurt about the rejection, that I even started crying, but I eventually dusted off the pain and wrote a new song 'Telling A Fib Remix'. 

As far as the free festivals go, alot of them turned me down as well this year. I will keep submitting to them but if they keep turning me down I'm going to add them to the list as well. All the festivals that did except me this year, I am very grateful for. I was not able to make it to the festivals I was accepted to in person but the fact that I was nominated was enough to inspire me. I have to remember, every body isn't the same, and some went to film school, acting school, and some grew up rich- neither of which I did. 

I'm facing the rejection not ignoring it 

If you're a reader that is in the film industry and is experiencing rejection, I have a message for you. Don't lose it. Everything will be okay. Don't go into a downward spiral and don't start hating yourself. It will be all good. I once learned this valuable life lesson while watching a billionaire business owner on TV. 

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