Timing of Festival Submissions

Hi there,

I've read some conflicting things about the best time to submit to festivals (some programmers saying it doesn't matter when you submit at all, others saying it's definitely best to submit as early as possible).

I am wondering if timing of submissions is just something that varies from festival to festival?

I am at the stage with my film where it will be a rush to get final post done in order to meet a "regular" deadline of my primary choice.

I am wondering how much post-production elements like colour correction and sound mixing matter and if I should just submit to all festivals now, now that the film is picture-locked?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated...