Blog Post #2 — Why Film Festivals Still Matter

The festival success of the short “Changing Tune,” which I shot last November for director Nick Fuller, has made me reflect on the importance of film festivals.

“Changing Tune” garnered eleven laurels, including Outstanding Achievement at the Swedish Academy of Motion Picture Awards, five Semi-Finalist placements (Brussels World Film Festival, Berlin Shorts Festival, Oslo Independent Film Festival, Directors Cut International Film Festival, and the Seattle Filmmakers Award), an Honorable Mention at the Folkestone Film Festival, and four more Official Selections on its journey.

It’s been incredibly rewarding to watch this small, heartfelt project resonate so widely — but it has also reminded me why festivals remain such a vital part of our industry.

Why Festivals Still Matter

Despite the rapid shifts in distribution, streaming, and audience habits, film festivals continue to be one of the few spaces where filmmakers, cinematographers, actors, and producers can come together in person — or virtually — to share stories, build momentum, and open doors to future work.

A launchpad for filmmakers

For directors, producers, writers, and cinematographers, festival recognition can make the difference between a project disappearing quietly or becoming a calling card. A strong festival run can:

• Spark interest from other filmmakers and producers

• Lead to new collaborations

• Attract potential investors

• Provide credibility for future funding applications

• Expand your network far beyond your own local industry circle

Even a single laurel can signal that a filmmaker’s voice is being noticed.

The value of making short films

People often ask whether making shorts is “worth it.” The answer, in my experience, is yes — absolutely.

Short films are where many careers quietly begin. They allow filmmakers to:

• Refine their craft without the enormous risk of a feature

• Experiment with visual language

• Form relationships that carry on for years

• Prove they can deliver a finished film

• Create a portfolio piece that genuinely reflects their voice

Some of the most important creative partnerships in the industry started with shorts — a director and DOP finding they speak the same visual language, or a producer discovering a director with a compelling vision.

Shorts as an art form in their own right

Short films aren’t just training grounds; they are a distinct and powerful medium.

A great short can deliver an emotional or narrative punch in minutes, not hours. The constraints often inspire bold decisions — visually, structurally, and tonally — and festivals remain the best place to celebrate that kind of innovation.

Why this matters to me

Watching “Changing Tune” connect on the festival circuit reminds me that every project — no matter how small — deserves the best work we can give it. Shorts can reach surprising places, resonate with unexpected audiences, and open professional doors that no one can predict.

As I continue moving forward with larger projects and features, I’m grateful for the short films that helped shape my voice, introduced me to collaborators, and kept pushing my craft forward — and I’ll always champion the filmmakers who keep the short-film ecosystem

alive.

Mark

Changing Tune can be watched here:

https://www.shortverse.com/films/changing-tune