For a more extensive timeline of my IFcomp entry of last year (and more comments on my experience), you might want to check its post-mortem. It does in a lot more details of what’s been done, and especially what didn’t work…
Indeed it is (and I’m organising jam for that purpose with other peeps from the Forum)! But some comps (and some jams) have a bit more of a serious air/affair to them. Knowing which one is in advance can help set expectations 