In this episode, I’m joined once again by filmmaker Joe Burke, whose micro-budget feature Burt was shot in seven days for $7,000 with a three-person crew. When Joe was last on the show, Burt was just premiering at Cinequest. Since then, the film has gone on a remarkable run that most indie filmmakers dream of.
But before finding all of its success, the film had a tough year. Including 28 festival rejections back to back, despite David Gordon Green coming on as executive producer. Joe talks candidly about this experience and how close he came to walking away from the industry.
Ultimately though, the tide turned for Burt after premiering at Cinequest, and winning awards at Phoenix Film Festival, and the Florida Film Festival. Joe then landed an LA Times feature, booked revenue-share runs at independent theaters across the country, and ended with four sold-out screenings at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Topics covered include:
- Making Burt in 7 days for $7,000 with a three-person crew
- Getting David Gordon Green on board as executive producer
- 28 festival rejections over 14 months, and what kept Joe going
- How the mid-tier festival landscape has changed
- Winning at Cinequest, Phoenix Film Festival, and Florida Film Festival
- Pitching critic Katie Walsh and landing an LA Times feature
- Renting the Fine Arts Theatre and selling out a self-booked premiere
- Booking 50/50 revenue-share runs with independent theaters nationwide
- Getting 25 festival fee waivers by leveraging wins in follow-up emails
- Opening night at Anchorage and four sold-out screenings at Palm Springs
- Self-distributing through Filmhub and owning the film outright
- Why Joe left TV directing, his reps, and the DGA path behind
- Much More!
This is Episode 286: From 28 Festival Rejections To Sold Out Palm Springs, Joe Burke On Finding Success With A $7K Feature Film
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14 Comments
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atTwenty-eight festival rejections in a row before Cinequest is a brutal stretch, and I appreciate Joe being so candid about almost walking away. Shooting Burt in seven days for $7,000 with a three-person crew only works if every hour is planned, which seems to be a theme across your guests. I work on small woodworking builds, and planning sheet goods with a cut list optimizer before the first cut has the same feel as a tight shoot schedule. Great episode.
Mckenna MacGyver
atWow, Joe, what an inspirational ride! Wow, what a story! I love how you made a success of that $7K film rejection! Your determination blockblast truly hits home with anyone attempting to make it in the creative field.
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