5 Lessons from Growing a Local Film Festival

I recently sat down with my friend Simona Muresan, co-founder and programming director of the Hollywood Florida Film Festival (HFFF). She was in the middle of prepping the festival’s 9th edition, wrangling over 90 films, sponsors, and an elevated jury lineup, but carved out time to chat about what it really takes to grow a local film festival into something meaningful.

What followed offered valuable insights not only into how to scale a festival, but also into how filmmakers can better position themselves to thrive inside today’s festival ecosystem. Here are 5 lessons I took away from my conversation with Simona that can offer food for thought for us filmmakers interested in submitting to festivals.

Lesson 1: Your Mission Is Your Magnet

When Simona and founder Minh Collins launched HFFF back in 2016, they didn’t have corporate backing, a perfect venue, or even massive sponsors. What they had was a mission:

“We wanted to unite the community of Hollywood, Florida through the medium of cinema,” Simona told me.

That clarity allowed them to grow authentically, from modest beginnings to a festival that now accepts films from Brazil, Romania, Mexico, Ukraine, Venezuela, the U.S., and many others. The mission hasn’t changed. What’s evolved is the scale of the community it attracts.

For Filmmakers:

Curate, Don’t Carpet-Bomb-

A shotgun submission strategy almost always wastes money and energy. Programmers can tell when a film doesn’t fit their ethos, and it hurts your brand in the long run.

Instead, be selective:

• Read the festival’s mission statement.
• Study their previous programming blocks and winners.
• Look for thematic or tonal alignment between your film and theirs.

“Your film should feel like it belongs in our lineup,” Simona says. “When it does, we notice.”

Reverse-Engineer the Programmer’s Perspective- 

Remember: programmers aren’t just watching films; they’re building an audience experience. Ask yourself:

• Does my story connect with the audience this festival serves?
• Does it bring something unique to the cultural conversation they’re curating?

If you can answer yes to both, your submission immediately rises above the noise.

One way to practice this strategically is by engaging with the new Stage 32 Global Contest Hub, which hosts submissions for the highest-level contests and festivals around the world, including Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts and BAFTA-Qualifying Manchester Film Festival. These contests aren’t just about winning laurels; they’re about aligning your film with the right festivals and audiences, just like Simona described.

Lesson 2: Build Systems Before the Flood

“At first, I watched every single film at least a couple of times,” Simona laughed. “Then one day, submissions doubled, and I realized we needed help—fast.” HFFF now has a multiple-member jury evaluating hundreds of global entries. They’ve streamlined decision-making and built robust systems to accommodate increasing volume, all without sacrificing the festival’s core spirit or its effectiveness.

For Filmmakers:

• Your screener is busy. Deliver materials cleanly and professionally: poster, synopsis, stills.
• If you can make a screener’s life easier, you increase your chances.
• Include a short programmer’s note about your intention and audience fit.

Not sure how best to present your materials? Use the Stage 32 Distribution and Producing Lounges to ask questions and learn from peers and professionals about marketing assets, festival submissions, and packaging. These conversations can help you develop your own systems before your film even hits the festival circuit.

Lesson 3: Elevate Your Jury Without Losing Your Roots

This year, HFFF’s jury reflects its growing international stature:

• Federica Alderighi: Celebrated Italian filmmaker known for pushing narrative boundaries. She created the Rome-based Moscerine Film Festival, the first international film festival dedicated to shorts made by children under 12.
• Mădălina Bellariu-Ion: Romanian actress and producer (The Young Pope, Dampyr, Grace) who has contributed her talents to projects for major platforms such as Amazon, Hulu, and HBO.
• Ioanina Pavel: Romanian powerhouse producer, formerly with HBO Europe, now behind high-profile series on Netflix and HBO Romania.

“We’ve been intentional about inviting bigger names,” Simona said. “But we also honor the early judges who built our foundation — …it’s about evolution, not replacement.”

The jury also reflects a not-so-new trend RB Botto has predicted and leveraged for us here on Stage32 - the future is global. The ‘new Hollywood’ is the ‘global Hollywood.’ And we can see that exhibited at almost every level of the industry.

For Filmmakers:

• High-profile judges bring credibility, but they also bring competition. Submit your best work, packaged professionally.
• Festivals with industry-connected jurors are strategic launchpads, leveraging Q&As and networking events to build relationships.

Lesson 4: Hybrid Is No Longer Optional

When COVID hit, HFFF didn’t pause—they pivoted. Screenings moved to XERB.TV. Zoom Q&As connected filmmakers worldwide. VIP digital passes allowed creators to watch each other’s work from anywhere. “I thought going online would mean less work,” Simona laughed. “It was just as hard—but it kept us alive, and it was the right thing to do for all those believing in us.”

For Filmmakers:

• Online components widen exposure. Some distributors scout virtual screenings.
• Treat online events like real ones: show up, engage, ask smart questions. Your next collaborator or investor could be on that Zoom.

To take advantage of hybrid opportunities, consider setting up a free Stage 32 Meetup before your festival begins. These can include virtual meetups to connect with fellow attendees and help each other prepare, as well as in-person meetups to network once you arrive. That way, when the panels and screenings begin, you’ve already built a support network of Stage 32 peers to navigate the festival with. The Stage 32 Meetup page is a FREE tool that any Stage 32 member can use.

Lesson 5: Film Festivals Are Networking Engines

Yes, HFFF celebrates film. But Simona insists its heartbeat is connection: “We’ve had filmmakers meet producers, distributors, and co-writers here, and it's always a pleasure to follow their career and witness their collaborations. That’s the part I love most.” The festival curates VIP meet-and-greets, Q&As, and informal mixers to foster collaboration.

For Filmmakers:

• Your job isn’t done after submitting. Attend panels. Introduce yourself. Follow up thoughtfully.
• Don’t pitch aggressively; build relationships first. That’s where long-term opportunities arise.

Final Thoughts

Simona and Minh’s journey scaling HFFF shows us something vital: You can grow without losing your identity. You can elevate prestige and stay rooted in the community. You can innovate without abandoning soul.

For festival organizers, this is an inspiring roadmap for sustainable scaling. For filmmakers, it’s a reminder that festivals aren’t just gates to recognition, they’re living ecosystems of opportunity.

If you’re submitting to festivals this year:

• Research deeply.
• Engage actively.
• Think beyond screening your film.

And don’t forget, you can leverage Stage 32 resources like the Global Contest Hub, Lounges, and Meetups to maximize your festival experience and build long-term connections.

As Simona excitedly surmised: “Sometimes, the real win at a festival isn’t an award, it’s a partnership, a conversation, or the next creative spark.”

Let's hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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