Although there is no one-size-fits-all solution, there are proven best practices that work across festivals of all sizes and formats. The Votemo platform is designed to adapt to these different needs and festival environments. This guide brings together some of the most effective lessons we've learned from hundreds of Audience Award projects.

Across the world, film festivals are facing two increasingly urgent challenges: Aging core audiences and difficulty attracting Gen Z, and Sponsors demanding measurable ROI — not just logo placement. These issues are often discussed separately. In reality, they are deeply connected. And the solution to both may lie in the same strategic shift.

A recent industry report by Film i Väst, “The Audience Isn’t Waiting—Are We Ready to Change?”, sends a clear message: audience behaviors are evolving fast, and the film industry—including festivals—must adapt to stay relevant. This blog gives a summary of the report’s seven key findings and how they relate to the future of film festivals.