In this episode of FILMD Chats, we sit down with Neil Jeram-Croft, director of Manchester Film Festival, to unpack how festivals really work and what filmmakers often misunderstand about them. From the early days of building MFF from scratch to scaling it into an 11-day festival screening 150 films, Neil shares what actually matters when submitting your work. We talk about the mistakes filmmakers make, how programmers really watch films, why your opening minutes matter more than you think, and the practical differences between making shorts and making features. If you are submitting to festivals, developing a feature, or trying to build momentum in your region, this episode is packed with practical insight you can apply immediately. FILMD is proud to sponsor Manchester Film Festival this year, supporting the continued growth of regional film culture across the UK.