While 25k might not seem like much, let's remember we're still new—”the underdogs with plenty of rejections behind us”. We're proud of what we've achieved so far and excited to share our journey with you! No gatekeeping here! 🙌🏻

This is the strategy we used →

STEP 1: WE ADMITTED OUR FILM IS NICHE

One of the first lines in our application:

"This is a poetic, slow-cinema piece with a one-take/one-frame format that demands patience from viewers. It lives in a niche segment."

We didn't pretend. We owned it. NFI/Funders respect self-awareness.

STEP 2: We talked global relevance

Our film explores male mental health.

We talked about how loneliness, masculinity, and silence culture can resonate across different cultures in the UK, USA, Japan, and Scandinavia.

A niche film can still hit a nerve globally.

STEP 3: We matched form to festival DNA

We didn't spray and pray.

We researched festivals that celebrate:

• Slow cinema

• Poetic storytelling

• Experimental formats

Clermont-Ferrand, Tampere, Encounters—these festivals have audiences who seek contemplative films with something to say.

STEP 4: We defined 3 audience layers

Primary: Men 20-35 struggling with unspoken words and fear of being a burden.

Secondary: Art film lovers who seek poetic, meditative cinema.

Tertiary: Educational institutions and mental health organizations.

The film speaks to those who need to say something AND those who need to listen.

STEP 5: We mapped a potential ecosystem

Festivals are the start, not the finish.

So we mapped out potential distribution targets and partnerships like:

• Mental health organizations

• Schools & universities

• Youth organizations

STEP 6: We broke down every "krone"

The budget showed:

• Festival submission fees

• Administration costs

We detailed:

• Which festivals require world premieres

• Which accept films already screened

• Submission deadlines

• Fee structures

Specificity builds trust.

So... 6 things that made the difference:

1. Be honest about your film's market position

2. Prove relevance

3. Research festivals

4. Define multiple audience layers

5. Show life beyond festivals

6. Budget with specificity

This film explores the weight of unspoken words—what it costs when we don't listen to each other clearly enough.