The Global Festival Circuit: An update with Katie McCullough, Festival Formula

The global film festival was shaken up in 2020, with global social distancing restrictions resulting in cancellations and the shift to online. As those restrictions have been updated in 2021, many of this year’s festivals have gone ahead under a variety of ways - online, hybrid schedules and in person.

Checking in with Katie McCullough from Festival Formula, in this session we’ll discover what models festivals have embraced from 2020 and are here to stay. Leading us through live case studies of festivals that have been able to go ahead in 2021, Katie will be providing an insight into the new opportunities that these festival adaptions offer. From choosing the reach of your submissions to being able to attend a festival around the world from the comfort of home, there will be plenty to explore.

With over a decade of experience and knowledge, as well as a strong professional reputation within the industry, Festival Formula fills a gap in education for those who hope to build their profile within the film industry.

This session will be a Zoom meeting where conversations will be welcomed. Attendees are invited to submit their questions to Katie before the session so that we can make sure that they are covered.

Katie McCullough graduated from Bournemouth Media School with a degree in Scriptwriting for Film & TV and is also a graduate of the London Royal Court Young Writer’s and Invitation Only Groups. For seventeen years and counting she has provided strategy and submissions support to filmmakers worldwide, resulting in creating the consultancy brand Festival Formula in 2014. As an active member of the Short Film Conference and the Film Festival Alliance, Katie is also a key spokesperson on festival issues with coverage in The Hollywood Reporter and Screen Daily regarding suspect and fraudulent film festivals. She co-created the Filmmaker Lounge in partnership with Film Festival Alliance – an online space for programmers and filmmakers to discuss their roles. Previous guests include: Tribeca, Slamdance, PÖFF Shorts, and many more. Previous speaking engagements include: HollyShorts, Heartland Film Festival, BFI Flare, Encounters Film Festival, Flickers Rhode Island Film Festival, Sundance, SXSW and many more.

Event Schedule:

17:55: Please join the meeting waiting room

18:00: Katie to lead presentation of case studies

18:30: Attendee Q&A/open conversation opens

19:00: Finish

How will the online event work?

This event will be live streamed via Zoom.us. Viewing details will be sent via your confirmation email.

This is an interactive session and will be taking place as a Zoom meeting. Attendees should access the event using a device with audio and video functions to participate.

This event is for existing WFTV members only.

If you are not a member and would like to join, membership costs just £100 + VAT/yr, please click here or email admin@wftv.org.uk

At WFTV we’re really keen to ensure that all our events are accessible for everyone. So if you have any particular access needs, please can you let us know before an event and we will do our best to accommodate you. We would be grateful if you can give us as much notice as possible – please contact admin@wftv.org.uk