Episode 4: Film Festival Strategy and Finding your Leadership Philosophy as a Producer (With Kristyn Stilling)

This conversation is a must listen for aspiring and emerging indie film producers! Kristyn Stilling shares her journey from film school to becoming a successful producer in the indie film industry. She discusses her various experiences as a producer from the development of her acclaimed short 'Freya' into a feature film to producing a wildly successful feature film like 'Golden Delicious'. Kristyn also provides valuable insights into festival strategies, building connections, and the challenges along the way. Throughout the discussion, she emphasizes the importance of perseverance in the face of rejection and the significance of nurturing relationships within the film community. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kristyn Stilling and Her Journey in Film 03:22 From Film School to Professional Career 06:21 Navigating the Crazy Eights Film Festival 09:25 The Making of the short film 'Freya' and Its Impact 11:54 Developing 'Freya' into a Feature Film 14:50 The Journey of Kristyn's first feature called 'Golden Delicious' and Its Challenges 17:50 Film Festival Strategies and Distribution 22:42 Festival Strategy and Goals 25:16 Budgeting for Film Festivals 27:41 Networking at Festivals 30:24 Maximizing Festival Attendance 33:37 Advice for Emerging Producers 36:49 Distribution Strategies for Films 42:02 Lessons from Rejection