Festival Strategy & Film Trajectory: Position Your Project

30 May, 2026, 11.00 AM @ Festival Centre: Lounge 19

Event language: English

A film’s festival journey can shape its entire trajectory.

This session explores how filmmakers can approach festivals strategically from early development onwards—considering positioning, premiere potential, and long-term visibility. What makes a project stand out to programmers and selection committees? How do early decisions influence a film’s path through festivals, markets, and distribution? Bringing together perspectives from festival strategy and industry platforms, the session looks at how projects are positioned, perceived, and supported within the international ecosystem. It addresses key questions around timing, targeting the right festivals, navigating premiere requirements, and building momentum across different stages of a film’s life. Designed as a moderated conversation followed by an open Q&A, the session invites participants to engage directly with the topics at hand. There will be space to ask specific questions, reflect on individual projects, and gain practical insights into how to navigate the festival landscape with greater clarity and intention.

Tickets

Program Info

Festival Strategy & Film Trajectory

Guests

Susana Fernandez

With over 15 years of experience in film festivals and markets, Susana has led major documentary platforms such as Forum RIDM in Montreal and DOK.forum Marketplace in Munich. She has collaborated with EURODOC, Documentary Campus, CNC, and Cannes Docs. As a consultant, she works as a project reader, jury member, and industry expert. She is also curator and Head of Acquisitions for the French-speaking market at the VOD platform filmfriend.

Immy Sutton

Immy leads Festivals and Acquisitions Management at Together Films. She previously worked in international sales at Autlook, where she developed a strong understanding of how films reach global audiences. With over four years’ industry experience, she has led festival strategy for award-winning documentaries, including No Other Land, winner of the 97th Academy Award®. She has also served on juries and panels internationally and was selected for the 2024 Zurich Summit Climber programme.

Moderation

Anna Ramskogler-Witt

Anna Ramskogler-Witt began her career in the film industry in 2006 at Vienna's Pool Film Distribution, where she set up the education programme. Since the beginning of her career, she has been convinced that documentaries can achieve a longer life and a larger audience through an impact approach. From 2019 - 2023 she served as Artistic Director of the Human Rights Film Festival Berlin. Together with Vivian Schröder, she founded The Good Media Network in 2024 and serves as the Artistic Director.