Newspapers are a great way to self promote yourself and your independent films. I didn't really think my city's newspaper, The Wilson Daily Times would do anything, but when I finished my short comedy "Pizza Guys" I gave them a ring. The senior writer wasn't there so I left a message about myself. Like I said, I wasn't expecting anything and so after no call for a couple of days I sort of forgot about it.
7:20 AM the following Wednesday. I'm scrambling to get dressed for school when my phone rings. I pick it up thinking, "Who would be calling this early?" It was the senior editor, and she said they'd be more than happy to do a story on me. I was sure excited, but nothing prepared me for Friday's newspaper.
I was on the front page! How cool!!!! I scanned the paper but it probably looks better online.
I know it would be harder to get a story done in a paper in a bigger city like in California or somewhere, but the newspaper itself is a great way of promotion. The Daily Times was nice enough to focus the article on the premiere of the movie, which was going to be at our local bookstore, and so I had a lot more people show up than if there hadn't been an article in the newspaper.
Or look at it this way: At least they spelled my name right!
Newspapers are actually more likely to do a story on you if you're trying to promote something like a screening. When I was screening my Tanzania documentary last year, I had articles written on one website and in three newspapers, including the Boston Globe. The screening ended up being sold-out. It's definitely worth contacting those guys... they love to support the community and whatnot.
Studentfilms.com Filmmaking Forums 
