Why Filmmakers Struggle With Failure (and How to Keep Going)
Failure is part of filmmaking, especially for documentary filmmakers. Rejection, burnout, perfectionism, and fear of not finishing can make you feel like giving up. I’ve felt all of that.
In this post, I’m going to share my story, what knocked my confidence, how I almost quit filmmaking, and how I got back on track. If you're struggling with failure in your own documentary project, you're not alone.
The Hidden Reality of Filmmaking Failure
There’s this myth that great filmmakers are born confident and never mess up. The truth is, confidence gets built through failing. And that process is messy. You’ll be rejected. You’ll doubt your abilities. 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.
Why Confidence Gets Crushed in Documentary Filmmaking
Documentary filmmaking can be lonely. It’s often slow, messy, and unpredictable. You might not get the access you want. The story might fall apart. Or maybe the footage just isn’t working. That uncertainty can feed self-doubt.
That’s what happened to me with my film One Breath. The shoot didn’t go to plan. I abandoned it for two years. I didn’t think I had enough material. 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.
I decided to get 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 that helped us rebuild the story. The only reason the film got finished was because I admitted I was stuck.
6 Lessons From Failure Every Filmmaker Should Know
1. Being Daring Means Being Willing to Fail
It’s a fact - the more you put yourself out there, the more likely you are to fail. If you’re failing, it means you’re doing something right - you’re trying. I’ve had countless rejections from film festivals, and I’m sure any filmmaker would say the same. It can be so disheartening. Yet, I see that the reason I’ve had film festival successes is because I kept applying. The more applications I make, the higher the chances of success.
2. Failure Builds Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back after a challenge. I see it as a skill that I build through experience - the more challenges I have, the quicker I can bounce back. Honestly, it gets easier every time! The great thing is - this is a totally transferable skill to a non-work setting, there are always going to be moments in our lives where we feel we have failed, whether it’s to do with our friendships, our relationships, our finances, or our health, and being able to deal with them in a confident and calm way is key to success. If I think back to all those lonely times when I was trying to make films by myself in New Zealand, I realise how determined and independent they made me. As you all know, a good character arc is important in any story and in life too!
3. Failure Isn’t Personal
It is so important to remember not to take things personally - a lesson we all learn over and over again! Just because my film didn't work out the way I’d hoped, doesn't mean I am a failure. Just because someone doesn't like my film, like that film I made when I was 17, it doesn't mean they don’t like me! It took me a long time to realise that I am worth more than my films, and I am so glad I did. The key is that 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
This one is obvious and so incredibly valuable. Rather than wipe that moment of failure from my mind and pretend it didn't happen, it really helps me to look at it closely and think; what did that event show me? What can I learn? What can I do differently next time?
So, as an example, I had already finished making my documentary, One Breath, about a woman who was attempting to break the world record for deep water diving, when I realised that she had tried once before and had almost died - and that someone had filmed it! What an opportunity I had missed. By looking back at that experience, I learned to always ask the protagonist about the consequences of not achieving their goals. And now, my stories are so much stronger.
5. Failure Makes Success Sweeter
The moments that make me feel proud are so much sweeter after I’ve tasted the bitterness of disappointment! I really feel that diversity is the spice of my filmmaking career. Once, when I had just moved to the UK, I spent all of my money on camera equipment and then couldn't find a filming job. I ended up with just 50p in my bank account and had to ask my family for money to buy food. That wasn’t my proudest moment! Since then, things have only got better and I appreciate earning a living from filmmaking so much more.
6. Failure Helps You Support Others
My experiences of failure are in many ways what actually inspired me to set up the Documentary Film Academy. I know how important it is to have support and encouragement through challenging times. I know how disappointing it is to put all of your energy into a project that doesn't work out. By sharing our failures with each other, as well as our successes, we can create a supportive community and keep increasing 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 distance
-
Remind yourself why you started
-
Accept that it won’t be perfect
Finishing a film isn’t about perfection. It’s about getting it done.
Filmmaking Failures I Regret
If you want to hear more about what I’ve learned from my mistakes, watch this short conversation I filmed with Simon Cade:
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. Get accountability. Join a community like DFA.
What if my documentary isn’t good enough?
It probably won’t be perfect. That’s fine. Learn from it. Finish it. Move on.
Why is it so hard to finish a film?
Most people hit a wall in the middle. It gets messy. That’s part of the process. Get help if you need it.
Want Support?
Get help finishing your film, building confidence, or staying motivated:
