I had interesting and diversified experiences in networking and festivals.

I went to one of the Facebook group Festivus gatherings in St Pancras station pub. It’s a very convenient location, as it’s just a stone’s throw of the final stop of the fast train from Bedford, where I live. Luckily students and alumni from the MA Character animation in CSM were present, so we could start chatting with each other before meeting other people. It was interesting to meet graduates and students from other Animation university courses from the UK and abroad having the same anxiety and issues about future work, and meeting people with interesting films and stories. The only problem is their gatherings are always on Thursday evenings, so it means missing a life drawing class during term time.

I’ve also been to one of the London Animation Club gatherings. It’s not as convenient in terms of location and the timing is inadequate for people that are studying or working, as they seem to meet on Mondays later in the evening than Festivus, which kind of spoils your week as they may finish really late in the very beginning of that week. It was nice meeting people and seeing the work of some stablished professionals, but it seems many of them aren’t currently working in the industry, and some seem to be struggling to get work in this area, which seems odd for people with so much experience. Maybe it’s related to personal issues, I can’t explain. But it seemed a group where you were less likely to be able to get any work opportunity by networking.

I had 2 films accepted in the Kinofilm Festival in Manchester. I went to the screenings and participated in both Q&A’s. It was a great experience, and I met nice people, especially the festival manager, director and the staff. I’m wondering if I should go to the Manchester Animation Festival in November as their manager suggested.

I also went last year to the City Lit Flicks Festival, which basically celebrates students and alumni of City Lit. It was great fun too, I met some former tutors and fellow students of different courses I did there, and it was lovely. Although in terms of networking for future opportunities I’m not sure it can help.

I wanted to go to a festival in Portugal that is showing one of my films, but as the screening is just before the submission deadline, I find it unlikely I’ll be able to go. Fortunately, they have some events in the next months in London, so I can go there instead.

It seems small festivals are easier to socialise and network, and to be screened than bigger festivals. The bigger ones seem more interested in promoting big studios’ work and obviously the vast majority of student and independent work won’t be even close to those standards. And there are festival scams in Film Freeway too, so we must be careful.