Web Series Festivals That Deliver

Festival faves from the Vice Chairman of the International Academy of Web Television Awards

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So, you’ve made a webseries. That’s awesome! But now you’re deep in the trenches, trying to market your show. This can be one of the most challenging parts of the process. For the web, if you build it, they may or may not come.

What to do?

Well, you can’t do better than being recognized at the International Academy of Web Television Awards. Our awards show offers web series creators, cast and crew unparalleled recognition and visibility across more than 30 different awards that will be handed out at a red-carpet gala event. It’s the ultimate prize in the web series space. Happily, we will be hosting the 5th Annual IAWTV Awards this fall with details to be announced soon on how you can enter. Stay tuned! http://www.iawtv.org/

Another way to get your work noticed is to submit your show to a Web Series Festival. These handy events offer you increased awareness via screenings, awards, and professional seminars to help you keep your skills sharp. Plus, networking. Never forget about networking.

My personal list of Web Series Festivals on twitter contains more than 50 events from around the world and it’s growing fast! Not many creators have a marketing budget that can handle applying to all of them, so here’s a list of the cream of the crop (in alphabetical order) for you to consider:

HollyWeb Fest in Hollywood

https://www.hollywebfestival.com/

Early Spring Festival

HollyWeb Festival runs every April and, along with screenings, it features industry panels and an awards show complete with red carpet photo and interview opportunities. It’s been around since 2012 and has a reputation for being a great place to showcase your work, network and maybe earn one of their beautiful crystal awards. @HollyWebFest

ITVFest in Vermont

http://www.itvfest.com/

Mid-Fall Festival

Tucked away in a scenic corner of Vermont, ITVFest is a must-attend event. It’s a professionally minded get-away that attracts television executives who are looking to make some deals at its 5-day conference in mid-October. The festival features screenings, panels and fun parties, as well as a relaxed setting that encourages premiere networking opportunities. @itvfest

Just For Laughs ComedyPRO event in Montreal

http://comedypro.hahaha.com/

Mid-Summer Festival

If you’re working on a comedy, the JFL Stand Up & Pitch event offers comedy web series creators the exciting opportunity to get their work seen by industry professionals and get important feedback. You might even make a deal. Plus, the conference itself has educational seminars and networking events that will help you sharpen your craft. @JFLComedyPro

NYTVF in NYC

http://www.nytvf.com/

Mid-Fall Festival

Launched in 2005 in the earliest days of independent television, the New York Television Festival can make your dreams come true. The competition is tough, but the rewards are well worth it for creators who make the cut. There are top-notch panels, industry parties, screenings, red carpets, and networking opportunities. The festival runs for a week in late October and is not to be missed. @nytvf

Raindance in London

http://www.raindance.org/

Fall Festival

Raindance will celebrate its 25th anniversary this year at its festival that runs from late September through October 1. They have a solid track record in the film festival realm and have included web series under their umbrella for the last four years. They also feature seminars, workshops and parties. Plus, it’s in London, so there’s that. @LondonWebFest

T.O. WebFest in Toronto

http://www.towebfest.com/

Late-Spring Festival

This well-run, late May festival celebrates Canadian and International web series and will soon launch its fourth annual event. Highlights of this festival include panels, workshops, and screenings, plus excellent networking. This year, it will host its T.O. Webfest Awards Party at the top of the iconic CN Tower. @TOWebFest

Vancouver WebFest

http://www.vancouverwebfest.com/

Mid-Spring Festival

Billing itself as Canada’s Premiere International Digital Series Festival, the Vancouver WebFest promotes the web series format as a culturally significant new art form. It’s known for celebrating the best in online work and features workshops, screenings, pitch sessions, panels and an awards show. @VanWebFest