April News

April Come She Will

*Image by Freepik

April, come she will

When streams are ripe and swelled with rain

May, she will stay

Resting in my arms again

June, she'll change her tune

In restless walks she'll prowl the night

July, she will fly

And give no warning to her flight

August, die she must

The autumn winds blow chilly and cold

September, I remember

A love once new has now grown old


By Paul Simon

Welcome spring! We look forward to feeling the sun on our eyelids now more than raindrops, at least in this hemisphere. As T.S. Eliot once wrote in his epic poem The Waste Land  “April is the cruelest month, breeding lilacs out of the dead land, mixing memory and desire, stirring dull roots with spring rain”...and as the Dude once said in The Big Lebowski “yeah, well, that’s just like, your opinion, man.” So whether the coming of spring is welcome to you or not, we wish you new creative inspiration for one and all of your artistic pursuits. 

April is Earth Month as well and WIFSFBA would like to celebrate by highlighting filmmakers working to tell stories and documentaries about the environment and the ever growing dangers of climate change. 

Happy Earth Month!

Nil Unerdem

WIFSFBA Secretary

Earth Month Film Events in the Bay Area

San Francisco State University - Earth Week 2024

Climate HQ's Second Annual Earth Week Film Fest

When: April 25th, 2024, 4pm - 7pm Pacific

Where: Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building

“We close Earth Week 2024 by celebrating our students and community members using film and video for change. Selected student work will be featured alongside the documentary Water Warriors by filmmaker and activist Michael Premo, and our official media sponsor, NorCal Public Media, will screen a preview of their upcoming series, Climate California. Refreshments will be provided during intermission.”

MORE INFO: SFSU Earth Week

The Wild & Scenic Film Festival

When: April 20th, 7-9:30pm PDT

Where: The David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA 94704

“Celebrate Earth Day with The Best of the 2024 Wild and Scenic Film Festival, live at Berkeley's David Brower Center. The on-tour program will include this year's audience favorites, selected from hundreds of films that inspire environmental activism and a love of nature. Experience the thrill of outdoor exploration as you watch these captivating films that showcase the beauty of our planet and the importance of protecting it. From heart-pounding action to thought-provoking documentaries, there's something for everyone.

Whether you're an outdoor enthusiast, an environmental advocate, or simply looking for a night of entertainment, this event is not to be missed. Grab your friends and join us for an evening of awe-inspiring stories and a celebration of the natural world. Don't forget to bring your sense of adventure!

Proceeds support the work of the Citizens Climate Lobby.”

MORE INFO: The Wild and Scenic Film Festival

Letter from the President

Dear Members of Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area,

I hope this letter finds you well and thriving in your creative endeavors. I recently returned from an exhilarating trip to New York City, where I had the privilege of attending the preview opening of the Lempicka musical on Broadway, starring the incredibly talented Eden Espinosa in the role of Tamara de Lempicka. The musical, with lyrics and book by Matt Gould and Carson Kreitzer, who is also the creator, was a vibrant, heartfelt celebration of Lempicka's life and art.


This experience was profoundly meaningful to me, not only as a fan of the arts but also as someone who has dedicated nearly two decades to telling the story of Tamara de Lempicka. During the lockdown, I decided to channel my efforts into producing a documentary titled The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka and the Art of Survival. It features interviews with Eden Espinosa, Matt Gould, Carson Kreitzer, many art historians, collectors, Lempicka's granddaughter and great-granddaughters, and collectors like Barbra Streisand, who lent us her high-resolution images of her collection of “Lempickas” and guided me through her section. Even Angelica Huston lent her voice. Many others contributed as well, including Tamara's assistant, who is still alive and whom I actually got to see and do a toast with at the show. 


Joining me in this incredible journey were my WIFSFBA member co-producer Neva Tassan and many of her family, along with my associate producer (my husband, Blake Wellen), and my son Elijah Kahleo Stavena, who contributed as an additional editor and associate producer on the film. Also with us was his girlfriend, Doreen Hemmati, who is now currently working on our marketing. Being together for this momentous occasion felt like a dream coming true, and much of the hard work was beginning to pay off for all of us. We now hold onto the hope for our film to receive a proper premiere, whether through a film festival, theatrical release, streaming platform or self distribution. The great success of the Lempicka musical, a project that itself took over 16 years to bring to Broadway, underscores that with a lot of hard work and sufficient funding, dreams can indeed come true. This arduous process, culminating in securing the necessary $20 million investment, is a testament to the enduring appeal and importance of Lempicka's story. Now, with the musical achieving its Broadway dream and my documentary entering discussions with festivals, distributors, and streaming services, I am overwhelmed by the realization that these projects are reaching fruition. As an independent film, we are hopeful that our film will soon be shared with the world. We keep moving forward, embodying the spirit of "the little independent film that could."


I cannot express my journey without acknowledging the invaluable contributions of former secretary, current board member, and co-writer/co-producer Amy Harrison, former president Tasha Nesbitt as our associate producer, and our current secretary Nil Unerdem who did much research and so much more.  Additionally, the unwavering support from my board members Vice President Diane Walsh, Treasurer Carol Hall, Board Chair Ami Zins, along with Nichole Carlson, Kelli White, and Darlene DeRose, has been a cornerstone of our success. Their dedication, along with the many members who have supported our film through our fundraisers, and have watched our film, provided notes, and encouraged us every step of the way, has propelled this project forward. I am deeply grateful for the collective effort and passion of everyone involved.


It is an understatement to say that we are living in a momentous time for Lempicka's legacy. With the documentary, the Lempicka musical, Madonna showcasing Lempicka’s artwork during her world concert tour, Sotheby’s hosting a month-long auction in NYC, and the first retrospective exhibition dedicated to Tamara de Lempicka scheduled to open at the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco at the de Young Museum this October, we are witnessing a renaissance of recognition for an artist who was once under-appreciated and undervalued. This retrospective marks a pivotal moment in acknowledging Lempicka's impact on art and culture. Witnessing the synergy of these artistic expressions converging has been nothing short of awe-inspiring.


I am eager to share this journey with you and hope to inspire further appreciation for Lempicka's work and the importance of storytelling in art and film. Lempicka opens on Broadway on April 14th—if you find yourselves in New York City, it is an experience not to be missed.


Thank you for allowing me to share a small part of this incredible journey. Your support, collaboration, talent, and camaraderie within Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area have been vitally important to me, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to our shared mission of highlighting the voices and stories of women and female artists finally receiving their due recognition. This journey has been a true honor, and I am deeply grateful to be a part of preserving and promoting Tamara de Lempicka's legacy for future generations.


With warmest regards,

Julie Rubio

President, Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area

Sora's New Short Film "Air Head"

The Intersection of Artificial Intelligence and Film: Exploring the Pros and Cons of AI-Generated Cinema

In a groundbreaking moment for the film industry, the world recently witnessed the release of the first AI-generated short film produced by Sora Film. This innovative achievement marks a significant milestone in the fusion of technology and art, showcasing the immense potential of artificial intelligence in the realm of filmmaking. The film, with a humorous storyline, not only heralds a new era of creativity and storytelling but also raises important considerations regarding the impact of AI on the traditional roles and authenticity of films. Adding to this, the capability of AI like Sora to generate surreal visuals could signal a promising resurgence of abstract expressionism in modern media, allowing for the exploration of uncharted territories of creativity and expression. Additionally this democratization of film production could empower filmmakers worldwide to showcase their stories, thus reducing barriers to entry in the film industry and fostering a more inclusive and diverse cinematic world. As a filmmaker of over 20 years, I am quite shocked and excited at the speed in which AI is developing but I would be lying if I didn't say that I am not extremely concerned.


The AI-generated short film, crafted entirely by an advanced AI system, exemplifies the power of cutting-edge algorithms and deep learning techniques in creating a unique narrative brought to life on screen. Drawing from a vast reservoir of data from existing films, scripts, and visual content, the film explores themes of humanity, technology, and the future, offering a thought-provoking and visually stunning experience made entirely by AI and unlike anything seen before. However, it's essential to recognize that AI, as of now, still needs our creative process involving our intuition, emotion, and subjective judgment, areas where AI currently serves more as a tool or assistant than a complete creator. 


But what is next? It is all going so fast and it is difficult to keep up. This is why next month, we are providing an enlightening Q & A discussion on leveraging ChatGPT in filmmaking and will delve into the myriad ways AI can transform pre-production, post-production, and stages of filmmaking, with award winning film director, producer Philip Shane.

 

As we witness the immense potential of AI in filmmaking, it becomes increasingly evident that it is imperative for women to actively engage in working within this domain. Women in the film industry must learn how to harness the capabilities of AI and actively participate in programming AI to ensure diversity and inclusivity in this evolving landscape. The film industry, tech industry, and the AI sector have faced ongoing challenges with diversity and inclusion. Encouraging more women and individuals from varied backgrounds to participate in AI development is essential for creating technologies that are equitable, ethical, and reflective of society's diversity. By empowering women to become engineers, programmers, and coders of AI and shape its applications, we can strive to create a more balanced and inclusive industry that reflects the diversity of our society.


The creation of a short film by AI underscores the importance of embracing this new tool and ensuring that women play a significant role in its development and utilization. It is essential that we, as women, contribute to creating and learning AI and shape its trajectory so that it is not just a male-dominant industry, as is often the case in the current film industry and many other sectors. By championing diversity and inclusivity in AI programming, we can pave the way for a more equitable and innovative future for filmmaking and beyond.


In the spirit of profound voices like Maya Angelou, we must recognize that the task ahead is not merely one of technical learning, but of weaving the rich tapestry of human experience. As Angelou reminds us, "In diversity there is beauty and there is strength." To allow the AI of tomorrow to echo only a fraction of today's voices would diminish the symphony of human creativity and insight.

 

Women must not only join the chorus but conduct it; we must not only be present but be pivotal in the programming of the very algorithms that will define the narratives of the future. We must write the story, shoot it, and edit it. If we give up our seats at the table of innovation, the risk is not a table that lacks our presence, but a world that lacks our perspective. The imperative is clear: women must be an integral part of AI, ensuring it becomes not a reflection of a skewed past but an instrument for a balanced, inclusive, and diverse future.


As enthusiasts of artificial intelligence and film come together to explore the endless possibilities of AI-generated film, we must also wake up to the call to action. To be clear, this is a call for collaboration, diversity, and creativity in shaping the future of storytelling. By embracing the contributions of women in engineering, programming AI, and utilizing its potential, we create a more vibrant, equitable, and reflective industry—an industry that resonates with the rich and varied experiences of audiences worldwide.

 

Let this not be a fleeting moment where we bury our heads in the sand but a sustained movement, where the voices of all women are heard, their codes written by their own hands, and their minds felt in that very code that will tell our stories for generations to come. In the realm of AI and the film industry, we are not merely spectators but scriptwriters of an inclusive tomorrow. We cannot allow ourselves to be written out of our own narratives again or can we? 


Here is the link to the new Sora short film - "Air Head"


By Julie Rubio

President, Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area

UPCOMING WIFSFBA EVENTS

Pitch-A-Pro Event!

When: April 23, 7-9PM Pacific

Where: Zoom 

Cost: $30/$15 Non-member/member rate

Are you a screenwriter with a completed script or a director with a project looking for a producer? Are you a producer looking for a partner? Then come to our Pitch-A-Pro night! Come prepared to verbally pitch your film, TV, or streaming project to the industry professional of your choice for 2-3 minutes. Stay till the end for a chance to pitch the entire panel!

So far, at least nine industry professionals have committed to hear pitches on Tuesday, April 23rd, 7-9 p.m. with more being added each week. 

MORE INFO & Registration: Pitch-A-Pro Event

AI in Filmmaking with Philip Shane

When: May 10th, 2024 at 3:00 PM Pacific

Where: Zoom

Cost: $30/$15 Non-member/member rate

Join Philip Shane, an award-winning documentary filmmaker with over three decades in the industry, for an enlightening Q&A discussion on leveraging ChatGPT in documentary filmmaking. This session, drawn from Shane's interactive workshop, will delve into the myriad ways AI can transform the pre-production, production, and post-production stages of documentary making. Participants will gain insights into using ChatGPT for everything from ideation and research to storyboarding, data analysis, and even marketing. 


Shane, known for his work on films like Being Elmo and Dancing in Jaffa will share his expertise on incorporating AI tools for enhanced creativity and efficiency, while also addressing their limitations and strategic use. Ideal for filmmakers at any skill level, this Q&A is a unique opportunity to explore the integration of AI in your filmmaking journey, inspired by Shane's rich experience in both film production and as the host of the science podcast "What the If?" Embrace this chance to understand how ChatGPT can innovate and streamline your documentary projects.


Stay tuned for registration info!

Writing Workshop with Lorien McKenna

When: June 5th, 2024 at 6:30-8:00 PM Pacific

Where: Zoom

Cost: $20/$10 Non-member/member rate


Come join us for a writing workshop with amazing screenwriter Lorien McKenna, who you may know from the popular screenwriting podcast “The Screenwriting Life” with Meg LeFauve and Lorien McKenna! Stay tuned for more information and a registration link!

WIFSFBA UPDATES

Lois Vossen - PBS Independent Lens Executive Producer Wrap Up

Thanks all for joining us for a great conversation with Lois Vossen, executive director of Independent Lens, PBS! Lois, in conversation with Julie, enlightened us on all things Independent Lens from how to submit, to documentary formats, to AI and its place in the industry, to programming trends.

Cinequest Film Festival & Mixer Wrap Up

Thanks for joining us for the mixer and film screening of The Trouble with Jessica at the Cinequest Film Festival! It was a great time to meet with other women filmmakers and enjoy this philosophical and comedic take on a dinner party gone wrong with the film, and a Q&A which we hosted with the film’s co-writer James Handel. Thanks to Board member Kelli White for leading the Q&A with the audience!

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

SF Bay Area Indies Film Festival 

with members Kip Pearson and Nil Unerdem

Where: Bay Area Indies Film Festival, Delancey Foundation Theater - 

600 The Embarcadero San Francisco, CA 94107

When: Sunday, April 14th, 1:00 - 6:00 PM

Cost: $20


Enjoy an afternoon of new, curated and progressive short films, written, directed and produced by independent filmmakers in the San Francisco Bay Area, including films by two of our WIFSFBA sisters: 

Hyde Street -- produced, written, and directed by Kip Pearson

Pearl in the Window -- produced, written, and directed by Nil Unerdem

Each film will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers.


Bay Area Indies was formerly known as Scary Cow and is a group of volunteer filmmakers from the Bay Area. If interested, you can join their group on Facebook: Bay Area Indies Facebook group


Get your tickets here: Bay Area Indies Film Festival

Do you have career news you’d like to share with fellow members?  

We’d really like to hear about any recent career accomplishments, awards, new ventures, or a positive experience having to do with our industry.  This is one of the advantages to being part of an organization like WIFSFBA -- by letting others know what you’re doing, you can expand your creative family and even  find new collaborators for future projects.   


So…take a moment to sit down and write something you’d like to share with your WIFSFBA sisters.  Then email that blurb and any related images to bod-admin@wifsfba.org with ‘Members in the News’ in the subject line.  Do it now rather than next week -- you deserve to shine!  Submit by the end of the month to be included in the next newsletter.

Community Partners - Events & Invitations

SFFILM Documentary Film Fund

Application Deadline:  May 31st


“Do you know any filmmakers looking for an enriching opportunity? The SFFILM Documentary Film Fund has distributed nearly $1 million to advance new work by non-fiction filmmakers worldwide, many of whom go on to premiere at festivals like Sundance, our own San Francisco International Film Festival, Tribeca and more, as well as collect dozens of nominations and awards. Take a look at SFFILM’s website for more information and for news about other filmmaking opportunities.”

MORE INFO:  SFFILM Doc Fund

Women in Film and Video - New England (WIFVNE)

Check them out here:  Women in Film and Video - New England

WIFVNE event: 

Jessica Maher and SAG-AFTRA AMA: Networking Wednesday

When: April 10th, 10:00 - 11:00 AM Eastern, 7:00-8:00 AM Pacific

Where: Zoom

Free to attend! Advance registration required.

“In this special ‘Ask Me Anything’ Networking Wednesday event, WIFVNE member Jessica Maher of SAG-AFTRA New England will answer your questions about SAG-AFTRA.  Jessica will provide a general overview of SAG-AFTRA and discuss such topics as 

RSVP here:  SAG-AFTRA event

Alliance of Women Directors

“The Alliance of Women Directors is a non-profit organization dedicated to increasing the number of women and gender non-binary directors working in the entertainment industry.  Today we are an inclusive collective of over 400 professional women and gender nonbinary directors working together to affect positive, lasting change in the entertainment industry.  A relentless advocate for gender parity, AWD  believes it is vital that stories are told from all perspectives.  Representation matters.

AWD is committed to substantially increasing the number of working women and gender nonbinary directors in film, television, commercials and new media by:

We hope you’ll join us as a member, ally, volunteer or donor.”                                                                                      

MORE INFO:   Alliance of Women Directors 

WIFT-US Member National Networking

When: April 11th, 2024, 7:00 PM Eastern, 4:00 PM Pacific
Where: Zoom

“Join us to meet other crew across the US! Crewing up in another area, join us and let’s put you guys together! Want to network? Join us! Must be a paid member of your local WIF chapter.”

MORE INFO:   Register for WIFTUS Networking Night 

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE BAY AREA

SFFILM Festival

When: April 24-28th, 2024 

Where: Theatres in the Bay Area


“The San Francisco International Film Festival presented by SFFILM was founded in 1957 making it the longest-running film festival in the Americas. The SFFILM Festival is about film appreciation—film as an art form and as a meaningful force for cultural expansion and social change. The Festival showcases the most innovative films from around the globe, and from filmmakers who call the Bay Area home. The 2024 SFFILM Festival will take place from April 24–28 with can't miss in-person events, fantastic parties, thought-provoking talks, and so much more.” 


MORE INFO: San Francisco International Film Festival

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Writers Lab - Championing Women Writers Over the Age of 40

Application Deadline: Extended deadline April 4, 2024 

Cost: $65 through Coverfly, contact us at bod-admin@wifsfba.org for a member discount code of $20 off through WIFTI.

“We Are Mission Driven. 

It is critical that we amplify the voices of women in their prime whose stories have not been told. We are working toward a new landscape where the female narrative is in equal proportion to the male narrative, and where shared stories strengthen our ties to one another and empower younger generations. We are committed to storytellers who identify as women, yet we do not limit our search to stories about women. The Writers Lab seeks well crafted scripts, in all genres, exploring universal themes, using a full range of cinematic tools.”

Apply here: The Writers Lab and useful FAQ here

Austin Film Festival Script & Film Competition

Script Application Deadline: 

Film and Short Competition Deadline:

Cost: Varies based on what is being submitted, from $60+. Contact us at bod-admin@wifsfba.org for a member discount code if submitting.

“For thirty years, Austin Film Festival has been catapulting writers into life-changing careers. With one of the most noteworthy competitions among Hollywood tastemakers, AFF consistently yanks newcomers from the isolation of their desks and ushers them into the bustling world of film and television. Whether your dream is to sign a contract, land an agent, learn from an industry icon, or take home the coveted Bronze Typewriter Award, it’s simple: you can’t win if you don’t enter.”

Apply here: Austin Film Festival 

AFI Fest

Festival Dates:  October 23-27, 2024                                                                                                                         
Submission Deadline:  April 12, 2024 -- Entry fee: $50

“Call for Entries for AFI FEST is now open and filmmakers are invited to submit fiction, documentary and animated short films completed by October 1, 2023.  AFI FEST is recognized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as a qualifying festival for the Live Action, Animated and Documentary Short Film categories for the annual Academy Awards®. AFI FEST is also a qualifying festival for consideration for the British Short Film categories of both the BAFTA Film Awards and the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA).”                                                                            

Submit via FilmFreeway:  AFI Fest    

LA Shorts International Film Festival

Submission Regular Deadline:  April 5, 2024 on FilmFreeway

“LA Shorts is the longest running short film festival in Los Angeles.  The festival screens over 350 films and attracts 10,000 attendees each year including Hollywood industry professionals and emerging undiscovered independent filmmakers.  Films must have been completed after January 1, 2023. Works-in-progress will be considered provided they will be completed  prior to the festival. Films must NOT screen in Los Angeles County prior to our festival.”

MORE INFO: LA Shorts

Film Independent Producing Lab

Increasing the representation of women and non-binary writers in television

Submission deadline:  May 6th for Non-Members, May 20th for Members 

Application Fee:


“The Producing Lab helps further the careers of its Fellows by introducing them to film professionals who can advise them on both the craft and business of independent producing. In addition to attending lab sessions with legal, financial and production experts, each Producing Lab Fellow will be paired with an experienced Creative Advisor with whom they’ll work to develop their project over the course of the program. Taking place during the course of two weeks in October, the Lab culminates with a pitch session with established executives, offering participants valuable practical experience and the chance to introduce their projects to a larger cross-section of the industry.


Producers may apply with feature length narrative projects that are in active development or post-production. Through the Lab, Fellows develop strategies and action plans to bring their projects to fruition.”


MORE INFO: Film Independent Producing Lab

Moonshot Initiative Pilot Accelerator

Increasing the representation of women and non-binary writers in television

Submission Final Deadline:  April 14, 2024 on FilmFreeway or Coverfly

Cost: $95


“Submit your TV script for a chance to pitch to the biggest studios and producers in Hollywood. In this highly competitive virtual accelerator program for TV writers, 6-8 fellows will receive three weeks of industry training before having the opportunity to pitch to major studios, production companies, representatives, and producers. The entire accelerator, including training and pitching, will occur online.

The goal of this program is to launch the careers of our fellows, which could take the form of selling their TV pilot; securing follow-up meetings with executives; getting hired as a freelance writer, staff writer or writing support staff on an existing series; and/or making valuable industry contacts.​ This program aims to increase the representation of women and non-binary people on screen and in writers rooms.”


MORE INFO: Moonshot Initiative Pilot Accelerator

 GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS CORNER

Deadline: April 15th, 5:00 PM Pacific

“Launched in 2010, the Catapult Development Fund provides early-stage support to documentary filmmakers when funding is hardest to find. For this cycle, we will offer fifteen (15) grants of up to $25,000 USD to filmmakers in development with a documentary feature or short. We do not support docuseries at this time. Our flagship program is geared toward independent filmmakers who have a strong story to tell, have secured access, and are ready to unlock critical production funding. This grant can be used for a variety of development needs and must result in the creation of a fundraising piece as the final deliverable. We prioritize artful, moving storytelling and are not tied to any specific social issue agenda. 

MORE INFO: Catapult Film Fund

Julia S. Gouw - Short Film Challenge

This film challenge is for Asian-American and  Pacific Islander Women and non-binary filmmakers. 

Submissions Open: February 2024

“Emmy Award- and Golden Globe-winning Hollywood producer Janet Yang (Janet Yang Productions)  and the CAPE Network have joined forces to provide short film production grants of $25,000 each to four API women or non-binary filmmakers. The four awardees will be offered unparalleled networking opportunities that will give them a chance to submit films to potential buyers and platforms with access to industry professionals including agents, manager, producers and studio executives.” 

To Apply: Julia S. Gouw - Short Film Challenge

Berkeley Film Foundation Grant

Application Deadline: May 13th (Opens April 2nd)  

“Berkeley FILM Foundation supports East-Bay based emerging and established independent filmmakers whose work combines intellectual clarity with creative use of the medium and focuses on supporting social, historical and innovative documentary and dramatic works. Our mission is to nurture, sustain and preserve the thriving local film community while attracting the next generation of filmmakers.  We support documentary works that have a social consciousness and address  complex issues of our time.

The BFF grant program accepts applicants who live or work in the cities of Berkeley, Emeryville, El Cerrito, Albany, Richmond, and Oakland. Applications will be accepted  from filmmakers in Production, Post-Production or Distribution. A project sample of up to 10 minutes of edited footage is required with your application.”

Apply here: Berkeley Film Foundation

Creative Capital Awards - 25th Anniversary

Deadline:  April 4 at 4:00 PM ET, 1:00 PM PT for Round 1, Letters of Inquiry

“For our 25th Anniversary, Creative Capital welcomes innovative and original new project proposals in visual arts, performing arts, film/moving image, technology, literature, multidisciplinary, and socially engaged forms. The Creative Capital Award provides unrestricted project grants which can be drawn down over a multi-year period, bespoke professional development services, and community-building opportunities. Grants are awarded via a democratic, national, open call, external review process. Our goal is to fund individual artists creating conceptually, aesthetically, and formally challenging, risk-taking, and never-before-seen projects.

Award amounts range from $15,000 up to $50,000 per project. Creative Capital grants are structured so that the artist(s) may draw down the funds over a multi-year period.”

Apply here: Creative Capital Awards, Application Handbook

Humanitas Presents: New Voices Fellowship

Submission Deadline on Coverfly:  April 1 ($45 Submission Fee), April 15th Final ($50)

“The New Voices fellowship is an approximately six-month mentorship program for emerging television and screenwriters who are exploring the human condition in a nuanced, meaningful way.  The program identifies and empowers five writers each year who are currently working on a 30- or 60-minute pilot or feature-length screenplay.  These are stories and people who, for varying reasons, may go overlooked by the traditional marketplace.  Humanitas also recognizes the importance of mentorship and the changing nature of apprenticeship in Hollywood, and how advancement in the film and television industries involves social access and community building. Fellows are paired with a mentor, invited to the Humanitas Prizes event, and receive a trophy and $7,500 stipend.”

Apply here: New Voices Fellowship

Thanks to Newsletter Contributors:  Diane Walsh, Julie Rubio, Nil Unerdem

Newsletter designed by Lina Indeeva and edited by Nil Unerdem