Filmmakers and Failure: 6 Lessons That Kept Me Going

In short: Failure is a normal part of filmmaking, especially in documentary. Six lessons help filmmakers keep going: failing means you're trying, it builds resilience, it isn't personal, you learn more from what goes wrong, it makes success sweeter and it helps you support others.

I almost quit filmmaking at 17 after a film festival rejection. 15 years later, here's what I've learned about failure and how to keep going.

Failure is part of filmmaking, especially in documentary. Rejection, burnout, perfectionism and the fear of never finishing can all make you want to give up. I've felt all of that, and I talk about it in this podcast.

If you're struggling with failure on your own documentary, you're not alone.

The Hidden Reality of Filmmaking Failure

There's a myth that great filmmakers are born confident and never mess up. In truth, confidence is built through failing, and that process is messy. You'll be rejected, you'll doubt yourself, and you'll have projects fall apart.

That doesn't mean you're not good enough. It just means you're in it.

My Personal Story of Rejection and Self-Doubt

I started making films when I was 9. I was bullied at school, and filmmaking became my escape. It gave me confidence, but over time I tied all my self-worth to my work, so when things didn't go well, I felt worthless.

At 17, I spent a year making a film. I submitted it to a youth festival, invited everyone I knew to the screening and expected to win. I didn't even get a mention. It crushed me.

No one had told me that the filmmakers I admired had been through the same thing. If you're just starting out, my guide on how to become a documentary filmmaker covers the first steps.

Why Confidence Gets Crushed in Documentary Filmmaking

Documentary filmmaking can be lonely, slow and unpredictable. You might not get the access you want, the story might fall apart, or the footage just isn't working. That uncertainty feeds self-doubt. I've written more about overcoming challenges in documentary filmmaking if this sounds familiar.

That's what happened to me with my film One Breath. The shoot didn't go to plan, I didn't think I had enough material, and I abandoned it for two years. I felt like a failure.

The Turning Point: Learning to Embrace Failure

Reading Rising Strong and Dare to Lead by Brené Brown changed the way I saw failure. She says we can either let failure shut us down, or use it to grow and connect with others.

So I asked for help. I brought on an editor, and she helped me see the footage with fresh eyes. We discovered the main subject had a hard drive full of archive material, which helped us rebuild the story. The film only got finished because I admitted I was stuck.

6 Lessons From Failure Every Filmmaker Should Know

1. Being Daring Means Being Willing to Fail

The more you put yourself out there, the more likely you are to fail. If you're failing, you're trying.

I've had countless rejections from film festivals, and I'm sure most filmmakers would say the same. It can be disheartening, but the reason I've had festival successes is that I kept applying. The more applications I make, the better my chances.

2. Failure Builds Resilience

Resilience is the ability to bounce back after a challenge, and I see it as a skill you build through experience. The more challenges I face, the quicker I recover, and it gets easier every time. It carries over into the rest of life too.

When I think back to the lonely times trying to make films by myself in New Zealand, I realise how determined and independent they made me. A good character arc matters in life as much as in any story.

3. Failure Isn't Personal

Just because a film didn't work out the way I'd hoped doesn't mean I am a failure. And if someone doesn't like my film, like that one I made at 17, it doesn't mean they don't like me.

It took me a long time to realise I'm worth more than my films. Now my self-talk is "I failed and that's OK", not "I am a failure and I'm unworthy".

4. You Learn More From What Goes Wrong

Rather than wiping a failure from my mind, I look at it closely and ask: what did that show me, what can I learn, and what can I do differently next time?

For example, I had already finished One Breath, about a woman attempting to break the world record for deep water diving, when I realised she had tried once before, almost died, and someone had filmed it. I'd missed a huge opportunity. Since then, I always ask the protagonist about the consequences of not achieving their goal, and my stories are much stronger for it.

5. Failure Makes Success Sweeter

The proud moments feel so much sweeter after you've tasted disappointment.

When I first moved to the UK, I spent all my money on camera equipment and then couldn't find a filming job. I ended up with 50p in my bank account and had to ask my family for money to buy food. Things have only got better since, and I appreciate earning a living from filmmaking far more because of it.

6. Failure Helps You Support Others

My experiences of failure are a big part of what inspired me to set up the Documentary Film Academy. I know how much support and encouragement matter through hard times, and how disappointing it is to pour your energy into a project that doesn't work out.

By sharing our failures as well as our successes, we can build a supportive community and keep raising the quality of documentary films together.

How to Finish a Documentary When You've Lost Motivation

• Break your project into smaller steps.
• Bring in a collaborator for fresh input.
• Rewatch your footage with some distance.
• Remind yourself why you started.
• Accept that it won't be perfect.

Finishing a film, like every stage of making a documentary, isn't about perfection. It's about getting it done.

Filmmaking Failures I Regret

To hear more about what I've learned from my mistakes, watch this short conversation I filmed with Simon Cade.

Every failure is part of the process, so learn what you can from it and keep making films.

FAQ: Filmmaking Confidence, Motivation, and Burnout

Is it normal to feel like giving up on filmmaking?

Yes. Most filmmakers feel this way at some point. What matters is how you respond.

How do I stay motivated if I'm working alone?

Set small goals and find someone to hold you accountable. If you're making a documentary solo, that matters even more. Joining a community of filmmakers, like DFA, helps too.

What if my documentary isn't good enough?

It probably won't be perfect, and that's fine. Learn from it, finish it and move on to the next one.

Why is it so hard to finish a film?

Most people hit a wall in the middle, when everything feels messy. That's part of the process. Get help if you need it.