What are the key takeaways from this The Pitch episode?

Key insights include: **Continuous Production:** Filmmakers must constantly create new work because industry professionals care about current projects and pipeline content, not past achievements. This requires maintaining relentless momentum across writing, directing, or producing to stay competitive in the marketplace.; **Festival Strategy:** Film Freeway lists over 12,000 festivals. Filmmakers should research the 100 best-reviewed festivals category, examine which filmmakers succeeded there and why, then strategically select festivals based on specific goals like press coverage, industry connections, or audience engagement rather than submitting broadly.; **Budget Considerations:** Submission fees represent only a fraction of festival costs. Filmmakers must calculate travel expenses, accommodation for multiple days, and time investment before committing. Prioritize local festivals or those offering direct access to agents and managers when resources are limited.

What did Larry Laboe and Interview With Larry Laboe discuss on The Pitch?

Larry Laboe, co-founder of New Filmmakers LA, shares strategic advice for emerging filmmakers on building sustainable careers, selecting film festivals wisely, and maintaining momentum in an oversaturated competitive industry landscape. Key topics include: **Continuous Production:** Filmmakers must constantly create new work because industry professionals care about current projects and pipeline content, not past achievements. This requires maintaining relentless momentum across writing, directing, or producing to stay competitive in the marketplace.; **Festival Strategy:** Film Freeway lists over 12,000 festivals. Filmmakers should research the 100 best-reviewed festivals category, examine which filmmakers succeeded there and why, then strategically select festivals based on specific goals like press coverage, industry connections, or audience engagement rather than submitting broadly..

How long is this episode of The Pitch?

This episode is 22 minutes long. SignalCast provides an AI-generated summary so you can get the key insights in about 3 minutes.

The Pitch

#15 - Interview with Larry Laboe, Co-Founder of New Filmmakers LA. - Pt 2

May 25, 2023

22 min episode · 2 min read

Larry Laboe,Interview With Larry Laboe

Episode

22 min

Read time

2 min

Topics

Career Growth, Investing, Startups

AI-Generated Summary

Published Dec 25, 2025

Key Takeaways

✓Continuous Production: Filmmakers must constantly create new work because industry professionals care about current projects and pipeline content, not past achievements. This requires maintaining relentless momentum across writing, directing, or producing to stay competitive in the marketplace.
✓Festival Strategy: Film Freeway lists over 12,000 festivals. Filmmakers should research the 100 best-reviewed festivals category, examine which filmmakers succeeded there and why, then strategically select festivals based on specific goals like press coverage, industry connections, or audience engagement rather than submitting broadly.
✓Budget Considerations: Submission fees represent only a fraction of festival costs. Filmmakers must calculate travel expenses, accommodation for multiple days, and time investment before committing. Prioritize local festivals or those offering direct access to agents and managers when resources are limited.
✓Validation Limits: Playing at prestigious festivals like Sundance does not guarantee career success. Many past Sundance selections still lack representation or consistent work. Filmmakers must continue networking, creating new content, and pursuing opportunities regardless of previous festival achievements or accolades received.

What It Covers

Larry Laboe, co-founder of New Filmmakers LA, shares strategic advice for emerging filmmakers on building sustainable careers, selecting film festivals wisely, and maintaining momentum in an oversaturated competitive industry landscape.

Key Questions Answered

•Continuous Production: Filmmakers must constantly create new work because industry professionals care about current projects and pipeline content, not past achievements. This requires maintaining relentless momentum across writing, directing, or producing to stay competitive in the marketplace.
•Festival Strategy: Film Freeway lists over 12,000 festivals. Filmmakers should research the 100 best-reviewed festivals category, examine which filmmakers succeeded there and why, then strategically select festivals based on specific goals like press coverage, industry connections, or audience engagement rather than submitting broadly.
•Budget Considerations: Submission fees represent only a fraction of festival costs. Filmmakers must calculate travel expenses, accommodation for multiple days, and time investment before committing. Prioritize local festivals or those offering direct access to agents and managers when resources are limited.
•Validation Limits: Playing at prestigious festivals like Sundance does not guarantee career success. Many past Sundance selections still lack representation or consistent work. Filmmakers must continue networking, creating new content, and pursuing opportunities regardless of previous festival achievements or accolades received.

Notable Moment

Larry reveals New Filmmakers LA ranks number 10 out of 12,000 festivals on Film Freeway's best-reviewed list, demonstrating how lesser-known festivals can provide better filmmaker experiences than prestigious names through strategic programming and genuine community support.

Know someone who'd find this useful?