Like every industry, the film industry has its own organizations and associations. These organizations and associations sponsor film festivals, which can be an extremely effective way of meeting people who may ultimately want to hire you or work with you on a film project. You need to make it your business to know about the festivals and attend at least one or two a year that appear to offer a way to network with appropriate contacts in the industry.
Sundance, Toronto and Cannes are obvious choices, and are very good festivals to attend because they offer numerous venues and opportunities. You might also, for example, be interested in the New York Film Festival or the Austin Film Festival. Even your local film festival might be fruitful with the advantage of meeting locals who you can work for or with on a project.
No matter what film festival you decide to be a part of, simply going and viewing the films isn't enough. The important thing is to get involved. You should become active in the panel discussions or Q&A sessions. Or, you could attend a seminar. Remember, at film festivals it’s important to meet important, respected, and well-connected people in the film community because it can be of inestimable value to your career.
Each festival has Opening Night Galas and awards banquets that offer the opportunity to network under relaxed conditions. While you line up to fill your plate with delectable goodies and eats, you might elbow someone in charge of acquisitions from New Line Cinema or Academy Award winner Martin Landau. You might share a glass of wine with a local producer who is looking for a personal assistant or assistant camera operator. Who knows who you might meet, but it is titillating to imagine what could and will happen if you take the time to invest in a film festival or two.
In addition to the obvious learning opportunities offered by festival panel discussions, Q&A sessions and seminars, there are other ways you can benefit from attending them. They give you the opportunity to network and to get to know people who normally might not return your calls. Many top industry players speak at these meetings, and it's possible for you to approach them during breaks or after sessions. As an example film legends Robert Altman and Buck Henry attended the Austin Film Festival, as well as veteran actor Dennis Hopper and director Oliver Stone. This is a relaxed atmosphere in which it's sometimes easier to make a contact, which you can follow up later with calls or letters.
You can also use these meetings to create your own networking group; especially if you attend a local festival. You might, for example, take an industry seminar in your area of interest -- such as writing, make-up, or editing. At the seminar you can pass around a notepad and collect names and addresses of fellow attendees. Afterwards, pick a bar or restaurant and send out invitations to a no-host networking party, so people can keep in touch and share information about jobs.
Attending film festivals is another way of networking, so when you go, be sure to bring plenty of business cards, put on your best face, and wear clothes that are cleaned and pressed. Not only will you learn about filmmaking and will have a great time, you'll also be expanding your network in a way that you can't do every day.