What Sundance Gave Me Before I Ever Had a Film There : The Career - Changing Truth

Okay. So I went.

Alone. Credit card charged. Every single friend officially in the rearview.

And I am going to tell you: it was the most exciting thing I had ever done.

First of all, the energy. All of the films. All of the filmmakers. That electricity when you're surrounded by people who are doing the thing and it is something you cannot manufacture. It lit me up in a way that nothing had in a long time.

Second, I met everybody. Like everybody. People you cannot walk up to in LA, you can absolutely walk up to at Sundance. The hierarchy just... dissolves. Everyone's present. Everyone's human.

That trip became the place where I met a few key people who were instrumental in getting my first film made. I found one of my most successful mentors at a dinner, someone I'm still in relationship with today, still building toward the moment where he can be a finance partner on one of my next projects.

All of that. Because I just showed up.

So here's what nobody tells you: You don't need an invite. You don't need to get in. You don't need permission.

Buy the ticket. Put it on your credit card. Do a crowdfunding. Call it what it is: an investment in yourself. Whether it's Sundance, Tribeca, TIFF, Venice. Whatever room you need to be in, get in that room. The energy, the access, the people, the inspiration.

Sundance opened doors for me long before I ever had a film there. And that's the whole point.

Sometimes you can't wait to be chosen. You just have to show up.

I know it's scary. Maybe your friends won't support you on this one. But if I could go back and do it all over again, I would have been going to Sundance every single year of my career. Period. Full stop.

Believing in yourself isn't just something you think. It's something you do. Showing up like you belong means eventually you'll start to actually believe you belong.

That's what I wish for you.

Now go do the thing. And tag me in your story on Instagram. Tell the world: what's one room you're going to show up in this year?

Until then,

Nicki

P.S. Want the full strategy: virtual networking, the buyer mindset, and how to get into the right rooms at any festival? My free webinar goes deep on all of it. Register for free here.

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