Exactly! Some fests are not set up to take such volume of films in an organized fashion, and things are more likely to slip through the cracks. Plus, in the small-town fests, the judges often don’t know enough about the craft to discern what deserves to get it. So much of festival selection for shorts is chance and judges’ tastes.

For example, I recall meeting a filmmaker at a festival in which both of our films screened and his won an award. We discussed other fests, and he mentioned entering another festival that my film was selected at — which his didn’t even get into!

I used to get so hung up on festivals for my shorts. It really only matters for features, so use the fests as networking. :) Good luck with post!