Getting your debut narrative feature made is an enormous achievement, but finishing the film is only part of the journey. How do you get from the final cut to a premiere, a sales agent or distributor, and ultimately an audience?

This panel brings together a group of first-time feature filmmakers to unpack the realities of completing and launching a debut feature. We’ll explore the challenges that emerge from pre-production through production and post-production, including festival strategy, premieres, distribution, marketing, and audience building. Our guests will share lessons from their own experiences, including what they wish they had known before making their first film and how emerging filmmakers can make strategic choices with limited resources.

Whether you’re preparing to shoot your debut, deep in post-production, or wondering what comes after “picture lock,” this conversation will offer practical advice, honest insights, and a roadmap for getting your film finished—and getting it seen.