SAFO, as it is called, took place at the National Archives of Canada and ran October 21-24, 1999. The group consisted of the Animation seniors, a few juniors, a few Illustration students, three RISD graduates, and a faculty member. There are numerous film festivals all over the world, some major, others minor. As an independent or studio affiliated filmmaker, you submit your piece to a festival. If it is selected, it plays during the duration of the festival.
Some festivals travel from city to city, others occur once in a given city.
Most are annual or biannual. Judges select the winners out of those pieces shown, and prizes range from money to the honor of placing a festival selection stamp on your film. Domestic festivals usually have an entrance fee, international ones usually do not. Due to government and corporate sponsorship, many international festivals will pay for your hotel accommodations if your film is in competition. The festival circuit is a nice way to see great work, meet other filmmakers, get your work seen, and sometimes get a job.