Screening Etiquette for Filmmakers: Being a Good Guest in the Room

Arrive early, and tell the team. Aim to be at the venue well before your block begins. Introduce yourself to the staff or volunteers running the screening and ask where to sit and who to find if anything goes wrong.

Do a quick technical check if offered. If the venue allows a test, confirm the picture, sound level, and subtitles. Be polite and specific: "Could we try the dialogue a little louder?" works better than a complaint.

Respect the other films. You are one program among many. Stay for the other films in your block when you can, and clap for them as warmly as you would want yours to be applauded.

Silence your phone and your reactions. No filming of the screen, no commentary, no whispered notes to your friends. Save your thoughts for afterwards. Be kind to a nervous audience. Younger viewers may laugh, gasp, or fidget. That is a response, not a problem. Let the room react.

Handle seating generously. Leave the best seats for guests and people who need accessible spots. Bring your own supporters, but keep the group from blocking aisles.

Thank people in person. Volunteers, projectionists and programmers work hard. A thank-you at the end of the night, and a short follow-up email the next day, goes a long way.

Share responsibly. Ask before posting photos of other people's children or other filmmakers' work, and follow the festival's photo guidelines. Leave the space tidy. Collect your things, your flyers, and your cast. The best festival reputation is simply being easy to work with.