SaFFlicks is one of a group of brands run by Naomi Bennett, a lesbian entrepreneur in London, UK.

One of those other brands is Lesflicks, which operates a streaming platform – LesflicksVOD.

It is important for us that we maintain our open, honest and transparent working.

All our brands collaborate and support each other in partnership, because we believe we are #StrongerTogether; however our film festival and distribution via our streaming platform are not connected.

We are aware of many festivals including distribution within their terms since covid. Either taking the rights of the film upon submission, or by working in partnership with a streaming platform and passing the film over. Sometimes this is done through naivity by the film festival but sometimes it is knowingly done to benefit the festival and the platform. Either way, it directly impacts and effects you – the filmmaker.

We will never distribute your film without your permission. If after your film has completed the festival circuit you would like to monetise your film and distribute it via LesflicksVOD, we are happy to discuss that – but it is a completely different discussion, process and team.

Submitting a film to any SaFFlicks film festival does not give away any rights to your film. We promise to only screen your film as set out in the film festival. That would be for a short, limited time and as a festival film. 

Protecting your film

Thanks to Sapphic Services for sharing this insightful information to help filmmakers make good decisions about film festival submissions.

Things to check when first finding a potential film festival for your film

These are some quick and easy checks you can do to check if a festival is legitimate. Oh and don’t be fooled by reading the reviews because anyone can submit a review and often the dodgiest festivals have the best reviews because they pay for them.

  • IMDb qualified festival: this isn’t a thing! It is increasingly being used to sound impressive. It is the biggest red flag out there.
  • website: do they have one? Are there any pictures from the previous event? Have they listed the award winners or the festival programme anywhere?
  • social media: do they announce the programme? do they promote the films that are selected?
  • festival location: is it a decent venue, i.e. a cinema or a venue capable of screening film. We’ve seen airports, shopping centres and also community centres in the past.  Ask yourself if your film would be well presented and offer a good experience. Don’t be afraid to use Google Maps and street view to take a look.
  • company running the festival: is it a film festival; or a distributor, platform or filmmaker? We’re seeing more and more distributors, platforms and filmmakers starting monthly festivals and online awards because they’ve realised it is a quick way to make money.
  • how do they show your film if online: Vimeo and YouTube are the two easiest platforms to rip from. Knowing where your film will be is important as piracy can destroy a film’s success. Decent festivals will use a proper platform.
  • how long will the film be available online: the longer and wider your film is available, the more difficult it will be to get distribution later. Also, the more money that the platform and that festival are making from your film.

Red flags to look out for in film festival terms and conditions

We’ve collated a list of things that we look for when determining if a film festival is legitimate, and when checking to ensure that the festival is going to take due care and attention to look after the assets of the film. We hope this is helpful!

  • online film awards: since covid sadly around 60% of new festivals are scams or just money-driven awards. They do little to support your film. Many of these festivals seek to add legitimacy by claiming to be ‘IMDB listed’. In reality this means very little.
  • monthly awards: the industry can spot ‘bought’ laurels and awards a mile off. Awards and festivals that run more than twice a year with this style wording can do more harm than good for your filmmaking career:Example: We choose nominees and winners every month, so filmmakers don’t have to wait an entire year for results. This enables you to quickly build buzz for your project.
  • in perpetuity: these words should terrify you. You’re giving away the rights to your film forever by submitting to any site that includes these words. Search for them in the terms and conditions before submitting. They’re often buried in a bigger, complicated paragraph designed to bamboozle you.Example: All submissions grant SFFA, and its sponsors the full and free right and permission to use the film in any stage ( Submission / Selection / Nomination) for broadcast, duplication, and advertising in association with SFFA, for the purpose of viewing on Standalone Film Festival , television, in theatres, on the internet, on the SFFA website, on sponsors’ websites, podcasting and/or for archival purposes and for any other valid, lawful purpose in any and all media now known or hereafter developed or devised, worldwide and in perpetuity. The submitter may opt-out from any future use after the Award Show, by providing a thirty-day written notice after the final date of the festival, that the ENTRY may no longer be used. A copy of ENTRY may still be kept for archival purposes.
  • rights: a festival only needs rights to your film for the dates of the festival. Anything more than that and they’re taking advantage.
    Example: The Submitter grants the exhibition rights of the Entry film to SFFA for the LIVE SFFA Festivals in theatres across the world. In exchange for release theatres, the submitter accepts that there is no promise of payment, in any form of money or for likeness, image, biography, recording, equipment, or for any other contribution by SFFA on this submission.
  • distribution: it is ok for a film festival to introduce you to a distributor. In fact, that is a great benefit. However no film festival submission should guarantee or include distribution. This is a huge red flag. The chances are there is a monetary deal between the film festival and the distributor and/or that you’ll not get the best deal. In some instances you may not get paid at all!
Help demystifying film festivals and distribution for sapphic content creators

Sapphic Services is working hard to empower and educate filmmakers about good practices, and to warn against scam festivals and also to help look out for festivals that maybe don’t realise that they’re not supporting filmmakers. Let’s face it, distribution is complicated and there are a lot of people out there ready to jump in and make money out of your film. We acknowledge that not every film festival is intentionally ripping off filmmakers – some think they are helping.

If you would like to better understand distribution, or would like help in identifying scam/dodgy festivals to protect your sapphic film and give it the best festival run possible. Take a look at how Sapphic Services can help.