The Phoenix Film Festival’s “Camerahead” mascot gives audiences a pretty good idea of what matters most to this film festival.

When it comes to film festivals, moviemakers often have a very narrow view. Too often they believe that only the sure-bet film festivals (read: Sundance, Toronto, Cannes, etc.) are worth getting excited about. But the good news is that these days, with hundreds of fests to choose from, a growing number of events do deliver quite a return on your entry fee investment. And if you’ve ever taken a rollercoaster ride on the festival circuit, you know that means something. Entry fees alone can total in the hundreds of dollars—which can take quite abite out of the beer budget. Here are just a few fests we believe give moviemakers their money’s worth.

Angelus Awards Hollywood
Entry Fee: $25 / www.angelusawards.com
This student-only festival seeks to honor those young moviemakers who “explore the complexity of the human condition with creativity.” The festival offers a unique opportunity for young moviemakers to hobnob with experienced professionals. They've celebrated such talents as Patricia Cardoso (Real Women Have Curves) and Tony Bui (Three Seasons) very early on in their careers. Oh, and did we mention they offer a $10,000 grand prize, too?

Ann Arbor Film Festival
Entry Fee: $30 - $40 / www.aafilmfest.org
Founded in 1963, AAFF is the oldest alternative and experimental festival in North America. It is also a pioneer of the “traveling” festival, offering selected moviemakers even further nationwide exposure for their work. While the festival focuses more on project quality than name recognition, it shouldn't go without noting that Brian DePalma, George Lucas, Gus Van Sant and Andy Warhol are just a handful of the fest's alumni.

Austin Film Festival
Entry Fee: $40 - $50 / www.austinfilmfestival.com
If your goal is to find work as a writer in this industry, there is perhaps no better festival—or networking opportunity—than AFF. As evidenced by our “10 Best Cities to be a Moviemaker,” the city itself is hard to beat when it comes to having a passionate film community. And for one week each fall, the tight-knit group offers screenwriters and film lovers from around the world into the fold. In 2003 alone, their all-star panelist line-up included writers Shane Black (Lethal Weapon), Bill Broyles (Castaway), David Benioff (The 25th Hour) and Chris and Paul Weitz (About a Boy). Try getting a meeting with any of these guys in LA!

New York/Avignon Film Festival
Entry Fee: $25 / www.avignonfilmfest.com
Now in its tenth year in New York and twentieth year in Avignon, France, the Avignon Film Festival offers moviemakers—and festival attendees—a completely intimate moviegoing experience. Few other festivals offer such access to such a large group of talented moviemakers, and on two continents. While some festivals plan according to two agendas—the filmmakers and the festivalgoers—Avignon sees these groups as one in the same, making every aspect a true learning experience for moviemakers and movie lovers alike. Where else would you find such panel discussions as “Make Your Own Damn Movie” with Troma's Lloyd Kaufman and “International Co-Production and Co-Financing” with Jason Kliot and Mark Urman.

Bermuda International Film Festival
Entry Fee: $25 / www.bermudafilmfest.com
While some festivals use their desirable location just to entice people to come to their event (then usher them into a theater where they keep them all week), the Bermuda International Film Festival makes the most of paradise—with seaside parties and events all week long. It also doesn't hurt that, at only six years old, the festival is gaining international steam, screening numerous films that had taken home top prizes at Cannes and Locarno before BIFF, and turning a number of film magazine editors into converts.

CinemaReno Reno, NV
Entry Fee: $20 / www.cinemareno.org
More than just a film festival, CinemaReno bills itself as a “year-round festival of films,” and delivers on that promise. In addition to sponsoring the Reno Gay & Lesbian Film Festival, the not-for-profit film society also hosts a number of screenings throughout the year (featuring new independents as well as rare and classic work), and provides info on other local film programs, including the Reno Film Festival (www.renofilmfestival.com) and the Great Basin Fim Society (www.gbfs.org).

Directors Joan Biren (No Secret Anymore) and Laura Nix (The Politics of Fur) catch their breath at the Nashville Film Festival.

Cinequest San Jose, CA
Entry Fee: $35 / www.cinequest.org
Christened one of the top 10 film festivals in the world by the Ultimate Film Festival Survival Guide, it's not surprising that Cinequest is on our list as one of your best bets. If there's one word to describe this event, it's “maverick”—both as a noun and an adjective. The festival appreciates and celebrates true artistry and innovation in cinema, and attracts more than 50,000 like-minded festival attendees each year (many of whom are industry professionals looking to discover the “Next Big Thing.”)

Cucalorus Film Festival Wilmington, NC
Entry Fee: $20 / www.cucalorus.org
You won't find any tempting cash prizes at this decade-old film festival event, but will you find an unparalleled atmosphere in which to view the work of some of the world's most innovative (and possibly underrated) indie auteurs. True to its North Carolina location, the festival prides itself on serving “a healthy dose of southern hospiality, and a few films to write home about” to its attendees. Two years after calling the event “the best kept secret on the indie fest circuit,” we stand by our claim.

DC Independent Film Festival Washington, DC
Entry Fee: $15 - $25 / www.dciff.org
Believe it or not, our nation's capital is one amazing place to find indie moviemakers. And in just four short years, the D.C. Independent Film Festival has been the place to find some of the most provocative independent features, shorts, documentaries and animations. But it's not just about entertaining the public here. The festival is broken up into two different screening types: Film Sessions, which are open to the public, and Market Screenings, where a moviemaker can show an excerpt of his or her work to industry professionals (including producers and distributors).

Denver International Film Festival Denver, CO
Entry Fee: $25 / www.denverfilm.org 
Independent film and big corporate backing may not seem to go hand-in-hand. But when the business standing behind you is Starz Encore, one of today's most indie-minded cable programming stations (who have premiered the feature work of Paul Schrader and Spike Lee), it all starts to make sense. It also doesn't hurt the guest list to have big-name entertainment hosting the event; even first-time indies have the chance to mingle with a legion of A-list moviemakers. The fest shows its spirit by naming its top awards after some true indie icons: the John Cassavetes Award is presented to an American director or actor for outstanding achievement in indie moviemaking (William H. Macy is their latest recipient); the Stan Brakhage Vision Award is given for best short or documentary film; and the Krzystof Kieslowski Award is presented for the best European film.

FirstGlance Film Festival L.A., CA; Philadelphia, PA
Entry Fee: contact: withoutabox.com  / www.firstglancefilms.com/philadelphia
Just what is it about the FirstGlance Film Festival that makes it so special? Take a look at its location and you may find a hint. As one of the first and only bi-coastal film festivals, the FirstGlance name is really branding itself. And as franchising opportunities become available, there just may be a FirstGlance event in your city sometime very soon. But perhaps FirstGlance's most innovative location is on the Web, where they've recently developed a weekly online screening series that's judged by the Website's registered membership. It includes professional moviemakers and videographers, students, film distributor, agents, fans and more.

Florida Film Festival Maitland, FL
Entry Fee: $35.00 / www.floridafilmfestival.com
In addition to location, timing is an important part of any festival. After all, what would Sundance be without the omnipresent threat of a snowstorm? Similarly, things in Orlando just wouldn't be the same in March if it weren't for the Florida Film Festival—now in its lucky 13th year. While top-name stars attend and sing the festival's praises each year, what's even more important to indie moviemakers is the fact that the festival is now an Oscar-qualifying event in the category of Live Action Short Film. Win the Grand Jury Prize here, and you're automatically eligible to send your baby onto the Academy Awards.

Ft. Lauderdale Film Festival Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Entry Fee: $25-$40 ($5 off through withoutabox.com)  www.fliff.com
It's not every day that a film festival makes it into the Guinness Book of World Records, but take a peek inside and sure enough you'll find that the FLIFF holds the record for the world's longest film festival. At nearly a month in duration, it's a record that will likely be held for a while. But what does this mean to you? It means that with nearly 30 days of screenings to schedule, there are more open spots for films that you'd find at that week-long event you were thinking of submitting to. In 2003, the festival showed more than 130 features from 25 countries. Who knows what 2004 will bring!

Marco Island Film Festival Marco Island, FL
Entry Fee: $15 - $40 / www.marcoislandfilmfestival.com
There must be something in the Florida air that makes it such a haven for true independent cinema. The Marco Island Film Festival is yet another Sunshine State event that makes the most of its location, going so far as to set up chairs and a screen on the beach! But this year, the festival is building upon its already well-respected history by introducing World Cinema Naples, its sister event taking place in April, and bringing the Marco Island group one step closer to its goal of educating and entertaining all of Southwestern Florida.

Screenwriters Christopher McQuarrie and David Benioff share their views on adapting work for the screen at the Austin Film Festival’s “Adapt This!” panel.

Moondance Film Festival Boulder, CO
Entry Fee: $25 - $75 / www.moondancefilmfestival.com
It goes without saying that one of the biggest indicators of a festival's worth is the feedback you hear from past moviemakers and attendees. When it comes to Moondance, there's perhaps no more outspoken group. With entry fees edging into the $75 range, it may be one of the more expensive festivals on the circuit—but Moondance is a results-driven event. In a recent film industry poll of more than 150,000 professionals, Moondance was ranked as the third most important film festival event in the world, trailing only Cannes and Sundance! Three of their winners have been nominated for Academy Awards following the event, while several others have found agent representation—and script optioning opportunities through the event's exposure. (And it doesn't hurt their reputation that Jodie Foster and Francis Ford Coppola are just two of the names who have requested Moondance winners' work.)

Nashville Film Festival
Entry Fee: $15 - $60 / www.nashvillefilmfestival.org
There's something nice about a festival with a long history—and few other festivals in the country can beat the Nashville Film Festival's. Started in 1969, the event is one of the longest running in the U.S.—and one of the most heavily attended. With an average of 200 projects selected from submissions of more than 1,000, there's certainly a little bit of something for each one of the festival's 15,000 attendees.

“It doesn’t hurt that Jodie Foster and Francis Coppola are two of the names who have requested the work of Moondance winners...”

Phoenix Film Festival
Entry Fee: $15 - $60 / www.phoenixfilmfestival.com
Even when you're talking about the Academy Awards, comparing one movie to another can often be an apples-to-oranges situation. On the film festival circuit in particular, where studio-produced indies often compete head-to-head with a local indie's $5,000 production, it can be difficult to get your film noticed. The Phoenix Film Festival's method of categorizing films by their budget is a truly revolutionary—and egalitarian—way to level the playing field. For example, all short films must have a budget of less than $50,000 while medium-length productions cannot have been shot for more than $75,000. While they accept features of any budget, those made for over $1 million show as part of the Festival Showcase, while those produced for under a million go into the Festival Competition.

Rhode Island International Film Festival Providence, RI 
Entry Fee: contact: withoutabox.com / www.film-festival.org
Like the Florida Film Festival, one of the big draws of the Rhode Island International Film Festival is for short moviemakers in particular: the event is one of only a few festivals where short film award winners qualify for Academy Award consideration. But the event's got a lot more going for it than that. In particular, its dedication to motion picture artists of all types and genres, and its unrivaled support of visiting moviemakers and alumni. The festival receives a ton of submissions each year—and tries to accommodate as many pictures as they possibly can. In its six-day run in 2003, the RIIFF packed a whopping 185 projects into its lineup.

Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival Birmingham, AL
Entry Fee: $25 / www.sidewalkfest.com
The festival's name indicates a sort of homegrown feel, and that's exactly what sets this festival apart. Created in 1999, the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival was founded to give local motion picture artists a place to show their work to hometown audiences, and local projects are still a big part of what they do. But as word has spread about this event (which encourages its attendees to really take part, opting to sell ‘weekend passes' in lieu of individual tickets to screenings), moviemakers from around the globe have clamored for their spot on the lineup. In 2003, Sidewalk screened such festival favorites as Bob Odenkirk's Melvin Goes to Dinner and Ben Coccio's Zero Day. While attendance has been increasing each year, the festival has maintained its downhome attitude, which is perhaps the event's biggest attraction.

Woodstock Film Festival Woodstock, NY
Entry Fee: $25 / www.woodstockfilmfestival.com
One might think that New York City was where all the film action was happening in this state, but since its introduction only four years ago, the Woodstock Film Festival is proving that isn't true. Since its founding, the event has made fast friends in members of the press and the film industry. It has also built a reputation as a festival with impeccable taste. With such advisory board members as Magnolia Pictures' Eammon Bowles, casting director Ellen Chenoweth, director-actor-producer Griffin Dunne, actor Ethan Hawke and United Artists' Bingham Ray supporting the cause, a trip to Woodstock certainly can't hurt your chances of making a few worthwhile industry connections. MM