distributing and exhibiting a short film
so I just finished shooting my masterpiece DAVEY CROCKETT BATTLES KUNG FU VAMPIRES, a film that should be about 15 minutes long, and am trying to learn about the buisness end of things while a much more competent editor edits the rough cut. miraculously, the entire cast and crew agreed to give 100% of the rights to me, which is relevant because that means i can distribute it however the hell i want. but I've never done anything like this. does anyone have any advice?
Yeah, get it entered/screened at some festivals. Register with [URL=http://www.withoutabox.com]withoutabox[/URL] first (most of the legit fests use it), where you'll create an electronic press kit, and that will make the submission process far easier, as it'll keep you from having to fill out the same shit over and over for every fest invidividually. It's also a great resource for what's out there and what might be appropriate for your film.
Check out your local art gallery.
Some mid-sized cities/towns will pay for your entries into film festivals to promote local artists. It's what I did and it worked out pretty well. My film isn't even finished yet, but the gallery agreed to pay for two rather big festivals based on what I've shot.
They got the Fringe Festival and some other ones like it around here that show those independant film things. I'd say look for local festivals of that kind to get started.