April News

Welcome to April

Happy Earth Month!

Image by FreePik

Spring

To what purpose, April, do you return again?

Beauty is not enough.

You can no longer quiet me with the redness

Of little leaves opening stickily.

I know what I know.

The sun is hot on my neck as I observe

The spikes of the crocus.

The smell of the earth is good.

It is apparent that there is no death.

But what does that signify?

Not only under ground are the brains of men

Eaten by maggots.

Life in itself

Is nothing,

An empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.

It is not enough that yearly, down this hill,

April

Comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers.

by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Welcome to spring! What an uplifting poem, wouldn’t you say? I felt it was kind of appropriate to how we might feel these days, with the times of turmoil we seem to be living through in the world. It’s easy to get discouraged, but the beauty of nature always seems to help spark wonder and joy.

On that note, April is Earth Month 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.

Here’s to wishes of new creative inspiration for one and all of your artistic endeavors this spring.

Nil Unerdem, WIFSFBA Secretary

Film Events in the Bay Area

San Francisco State University - Earth Week 2025

Climate HQ's Third Annual Earth Week Film Festival

When: April 23-24th, 4-7pm both days

Where: Knuth Hall, Creative Arts Building

“Don't miss out the first evening of our 3rd Annual Film Festival to experience a selection of inspiring student films followed by a special screening of the powerful new film Basandja (2025), directed by Congolese filmmaker Petna Ndaliko who will also be in attendance to talk about his film and his activist work.

Then, please join us for a special screening of the feature film POWERLANDS (2022) followed by a discussion and audience Q&A with the film's director Ivey-Camille Manybeads Tso and producer Jordan Flaherty.

This unique Film Festival is designed to provide SFSU students with meaningful opportunities to build deeper community connections through art and storytelling. Students screen their creative climate, environment, and justice-related creative work alongside professionals in filmmaking, video production, and multimedia arts.”

MORE INFO: SFSU Earth Week

International Ocean Film Festival

When: April 11-13th, 2025

Where: Fort Mason center for Arts and Culture, San Francisco, CA

“The 22nd Annual International Ocean Film Festival (IOFF) at Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture makes waves with three days of exhilarating, ocean-themed independent film screenings, filmmaker question-and-answer (Q&A) sessions, and free panel discussions.

The IOFF screens more than 30 films from around the globe; ranging from shorts to feature-length work and live-action documentaries. Films focus on fascinating ocean animals and plants and amazing marine environments; such as whales, more marine mammals, whale sharks, sharks, sea turtles, starfish, seahorses, manatees, seaweed, sea grass, mangrove habitats, kelp forests, and arctic regions.”

MORE INFO: International Ocean Film Festival

Napa Valley StreamFest

When: April 24-27th, 2025

Where: downtown Napa, CA

“Napa Valley StreamFest is where storytelling meets culture—an immersive, high-end celebration of Podcasts, Series, Films, and Social Content. With a fresh, modern format, StreamFest redefines the festival experience: no long lines, no venue-hopping—just a seamless, binge-worthy weekend of discovery, connection, and entertainment. Set against Napa Valley’s world-class backdrop, this is where artistry, conversation, and culture come together.

WIF members can use a discount code for $50 off your pass. Email us at bod-admin@wifsfba.org for the code! We hope you will join us for the inaugural Napa Valley StreamFest in downtown Napa, April 24-27, 2025.”

MORE INFO: Napa Valley StreamFest

*Photo courtesy of Single-Use Planet film

New Documentary Single-Use Planet Explores the Global Impact of Single-Use Plastics, Premiering on Public Television in April 2025

“The new documentary film Single-Use Planet, which examines the impact of single-use plastics on our environment and health, will begin airing nationwide in April 2025—coinciding with Earth Day observances throughout the month. The film is being made available to public television stations across the country by KQED Presents, the national distribution service of San Francisco-based public media station KQED, one of the nation’s leading PBS and NPR affiliates.

MORE INFO: Single Use Planet

SFFILM Festival

When: April 17-27th, 2025

Where: Theatres in the Bay Area

Not Earth Month related but film related! “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 2025 SFFILM Festival will take place from April 17–27 with can't miss in-person events, fantastic parties, thought-provoking talks, and so much more.”

MORE INFO: San Francisco International Film Festival

Anais Nin Diary Film Festival

When: April 27, 2025 @ 12:30pm

Where: The Roxie - 3117 16th St., San Francisco 94103

“Anais Nin, who is known for her diaries, was inspired by the Welsh term furrawn - talk that leads to intimacy which in turn leads us to a greater understanding of ourselves, others, and the world. This 2nd Anais Nin Diary Film Festival showcases a selection of short diary/self-reflexive films, and premieres a feature film by Marjorie Sturm, Show Me What You Want to Show Me.”

MORE INFO: Anais Nin FF

Letter from the President

April brings with it a sense of renewal—a season filled with growth, collaboration, and exciting new possibilities. As we embrace the spirit of this vibrant month, we celebrate the artistry of film, honoring Music Score Day and National Screenwriters Day, and recognizing the incredible composers, writers, and artists in our community who bring our stories to life.

One of those exceptional humans is our dear friend Lois Vossen, I am beyond excited to announce a remarkable new collaboration. We are thrilled to welcome Lois Vossen, the esteemed executive producer of PBS Independent Lens, to the Women in Film SF Bay Area advisory board. A long-time friend and ally, Lois’s wealth of experience in the industry and unwavering dedication to diverse storytelling will be an invaluable asset to our organization. Her addition strengthens our mission to empower women in film, offering fresh perspectives and deepening our commitment to advancing the voices of women in the industry.

As we step into April, we find ourselves in a time of both challenge and transformation in the film industry. From shifts in streaming models to the rise of AI, evolving distribution landscapes, and ongoing fights for fair wages and representation, the industry is navigating turbulent waters. But if history has shown us anything, it’s that creativity thrives in times of change—and women in film are leading the way. I believe we need art more than we ever have before.

Despite the uncertainty, we see incredible opportunities to redefine storytelling, advocate for equity, and build stronger creative networks. That’s why community is more important than ever, and why organizations like Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area (WIFSFBA) play a vital role in empowering and connecting women in media.

Last month we had our annual “Hangout” with our New York Women in Film & Television. I had the great pleasure of opening the meeting and it was amazing to collaborate, discuss the latest happenings in film, television, and media in the New York area, and meet potential creative partners. It’s always inspiring to share what’s going on between the West Coast and East Coast—seeing firsthand how these turbulent times are affecting all of us in the industry and how we can support and uplift each other.

Additionally, last month we continued to support our community and each other by partnering once again with Cinequest Film Festival for the third year in a row where WIFSFBA proudly presented the 2025 World Premiere of Nora and Voices Carry! Thank you to our Board members Nil Unerdem & Kelli White for moderating such fascinating Q&A’s. It was an incredible night celebrating female filmmakers, and we thank all our members who came out to support these visionary artists. A special thank you to our Vice President Diane Walsh for her incredible commitment in spearheading this collaboration each year.

Looking ahead, we can’t wait to see many of you at our next Virtual Networking Night on Monday, April 14. This is a fantastic opportunity to share your projects, express your needs, and spark new collaborations within our growing WIFSFBA community. Register at: wifsfba.org

Spring reminds us that even after the harshest winters, new opportunities bloom. Our community is strong, and we are shaping the future of film with our voices, our vision, and our relentless creativity. Our dreams are not just written in words—they come to life in images, emotions, and stories that have the power to inspire, challenge, and change the world for the better. What we do matters—now more than ever.

See you soon!

With gratitude,

Julie Rubio

President, Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area

WIFSFBA EVENTS

WIFSFBA Virtual Networking Night

When: April 14th @ 6-7pm PST

Where: Zoom

Calling all filmmakers, writers, producers, and creatives—let’s connect!

Join WIFSFBA for an exciting Virtual Networking Night, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet fellow members, share your projects, exchange ideas, and build new collaborations—all from the comfort of your home!

Whether you're looking for a creative partner, industry advice, or just want to expand your network, this is the perfect chance to engage with a vibrant community of women in film and media.

Expect breakout room discussions, and engaging conversations with like-minded creatives. Don’t miss this chance to grow your network and get inspired!

MORE INFO: RSVP here

Script Incubator News

Our April monthly Table Read will be on Monday April 21st from 7-9pm. This time, we will be featuring a full feature screenplay, read by talented actors from the Bay Area and beyond. No homework! Just show up! And all participants are encouraged to give feedback.

If you have any questions about the table-read or would like to reserve a spot for your script at the next meeting, feel free to contact Carol Hall at bod-admin@wifsfba.org with “Script Incubator” in the subject line.

SF Wednesday Winedown with Kristin Tieche

This month, the Winedown will be on Wednesday, April 23rd in San Francisco. Location TBD. Keep a lookout for the announcement on our social media channels!

WIFSFBA East Bay Meetup

This month, the East Bay Meetup will be Tuesday, April 15th 6:30-8pm in Oakland.

Where: Crepe Pan, 4184 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA 94611 www.thecrepepan.com

April Networking

The Vine: The Video Industry Networking Event

When: April 3rd, 2025, 6:00-8:00 PM
Where: Port Labs, 2044 Franklin St., Oakland, CA

“The Vine mixer promises to be another fantastic opportunity to catch up with colleagues, forge new connections, and share insights into the latest trends and innovations in our industry. You’ll also have the opportunity to promote yourself and what you are working on, during the last portion of the evening in a segment we call ‘Voices of the Vine.’ So whether you’re a filmmaker, DP, motion designer, producer, editor, or play ANY role in the video industry, The VINE is the place to be for networking, promotion and inspiration.”

Monthly Filmmaker Mixer

When: Wednesday April 9th, 8:00 PM - midnight
Where: The Hub, 2650 Broadway, Redwood City, CA 94063

“For filmmakers & film lovers! Come meet others in the film industry & enjoy some networking, screenings (with the filmmakers present) & more. We do plan further film industry events in the future, so please follow us here or on Instagram (@TheHubRWC).

Second Wednesday of every month from 8 p.m. until around midnight. If you're a filmmaker & you have short films/trailers/music videos etc you'd like to showcase, let us know! If you’d like to show your short or trailer, email Claire@thehubrwc.com

There's plenty of parking out the back in Perry St Lot (free parking from 8 p.m.) or the Redwood City Caltrain station is only a few minute's walk.

21+ only due to our liquor license (sorry, it's the law!), only food & beverages purchased at The Hub may be consumed on the premises.”

WIFSFBA UPDATES

WIFSFBA Advisory Board Update

Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area is thrilled to welcome Lois Vossen, the visionary executive producer of PBS’s Independent Lens, as our newest Advisory Board member. Under her leadership, Independent Lens has become a powerhouse for bold, thought-provoking storytelling, amplifying underrepresented voices and shaping national conversations through award-winning documentaries. Lois’s expertise, dedication to independent filmmakers, and unwavering commitment to impactful storytelling align perfectly with our mission to champion women in media. We are honored to have her on board and look forward to the invaluable insights and leadership she will bring to our community.

Cinequest Film Festival & Mixer Wrap Up

Thanks for joining us for the mixer and film screening of Nora and Voices Carry at the Cinequest Film Festival! It was a great time to meet with other women filmmakers and enjoy both films together, with Q&A’s afterwards with Nora actor/director/producer and writer Anna Campbell, and Voices Carry co-directors, producers Abby Brenker and Ellyn Vander Wyden.

NYWIFT | WIFSFBA Virtual Hangout Success

As Julie Rubio said so well in her President’s message above, our annual hangouts with NYWIFT are always a way to meet new creative collaborators. And last month’s coast-to-coast networking opportunity was no exception. Here is WIFSFBA member Masha Ellsworth’s experience in her own words: “I had the pleasure of meeting another wonderful storyboarding artist, Valerie Magarian, during the recent NYWIFT and WIFSFBA mixer—and I’m thrilled to share that she’s joining my next animated short film called Wishing Trees, as the designer for both the opening/closing titles and the poster. So grateful for these amazing mixer events that bring creative collaborators together!” We couldn’t ask for this event to serve its joint purpose in any better way -- thanks so much for sharing your connection with us, Masha. And a BIG thanks to everyone who joined us that evening -- we’ll definitely do it again next year!

Become a Dual Member of WIFSFBA & New York Women in Film and Television

New York Women In Film and Television (NYWIFT) is offering dual membership to WIFSFBA members. If you are a WIFSFBA member in good standing, you may purchase a NYWIFT Industry Level membership for $100 (plus a $50 initiation fee), a saving of 50% off the normal $200 membership. Membership in NYWIFT includes:

Online and in-person networking and learning events
Marketing Creative Talent in weekly e-blast, Twitter, and Members in the News Webpage
Advanced Screenings
Online Member Center
Benefits Program
Fiscal Sponsorship
Affinity Groups and Committees
Electronic Copies of NYWIFT Publications
One Member-Price Ticket to the NYWIFT Muse Awards

Email bod-admin@wifsfba.org to get the dual membership form emailed to you. Please use subject line “NYWIFT dual membership.” Download and fill out form. Applications may be emailed or snail mailed to the addresses inside the application. If you have any questions, please email membership@nywift.org or call 212 679-0870 x 31.

WIFSFBA Public Member Crew List

One perk of individual WIFSFBA membership is the Public Member Crew List that you can opt into, accessed through the WIFSFBA website under "Join Us" then "Hire Us." Take a look here to find your next crew, or list yourself and your skills!

Check it out here: Women In Film San Francisco Bay Area - Public Member Crew List

WIFSFBA Private Member Crew List

A similar perk of individual WIFSFBA membership is the private version of the public list (those who prefer to only be viewed by other WIFSFBA members). This Private Member Crew List can be seen by logging into our website. This is another great resource to find collaborators, crew, and connections!

Check it out here: Women In Film San Francisco Bay Area - Member Directory

IMDB Pro Member Discount

The new 2025 IMDbPro discount code for 30% off an annual or monthly membership is available if you are a WIFSFBA member. Please email bod-admin@wifsfba.org with “IMDBPro discount” in the subject line for the code.

To redeem the code, users must go to IMDbpro.com/redeem, enter the promo code and log in. Please note offers may not be combined and entering a new promo code will override any lesser discount that has been applied to your account. Promotional discounts will be applied at the start of your next billing cycle. This offer is limited to members only and is non-transferable.

WIFSFBA Merch Store!

Check out our exclusive new WIFSFBA Film Role Apparel (Producer, Director, Screenwriter, etc.)! Wear your film role with pride AND support Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area at the same time! Whether you're treating yourself or finding the ideal gift for a friend, we've got something special for everyone. Check out the online store here: WIFSFBA merch!

MEMBERS IN THE NEWS

The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival - Director, writer, producer Julie Rubio upcoming screenings and magazine articles

The must-see documentary of the year is coming back to the Bay Area!

✨ Attention, Art & Film Lovers! ✨

🎬 The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival 🎬

A stunning, sold-out festival sensation—don’t miss your chance to experience the riveting story of one of the most groundbreaking artists of the 20th century!

Two Exclusive Screenings + Q&A with the Filmmaker!

📍 Lark Theater – Marin, CA

🗓 Friday, May 2, 2025 | ⏰ 6:30 people PM: Purchase tickets here: Lark Theatre

📍 Lighthouse Cinema – Pacific Grove, CA

🗓 Saturday, April 19, 2025 | ⏰ 7:00 PM: Purchase tickets here: Lighthouse Cinema

More screenings TBD, so stay tuned! But don’t wait—mark your calendar and secure your seat for this extraordinary cinematic event!

Please feel free to spread the word, bring your friends, and witness the legacy of Tamara de Lempicka like never before! Thank you for supporting independent film.

Article from Paper City Mag “The Art World’s Rediscovered Bad Girl Queen — Tamara de Lempicka’s Moment Gains Even More Steam In Texas”: Read article here
Article from Hola magazine “Portrait of a Lady of Art, Tamara de Lempicka”: Read article here
Article from the Aspen Daily News “The film that changed art history and a family’s heritage”: Read article here

Masha Ellsworth' new animated short film "Bound" screening at RiverRun International Film Festival & "Little t" released on her website

“New WIFSFBA member, Masha Ellsworth, is thrilled to announce that her new animated short film, ‘Bound’ / «Переплетені» has been officially selected for the 2025 RiverRun International Film Festival as part of their Saturday Morning Cartoons program!

RiverRun, held annually in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is recognized as one of MovieMaker Magazine’s ‘50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee’. Even more exciting—it’s an Academy Award–qualifying festival for Animated and Documentary Shorts. This marks another special milestone in the journey of ‘Bound’, and she is honored to be part of such a celebrated platform for independent and animated storytelling. ‘Bound’ also screened at the 14th Annual American Documentary &Animation Film Festival in Palm Springs on March 31st.”

If you plan to be in Winston-Salem, NC on April 12th or 19th @ 10:00 AM Get Tix Here

Masha has also released another animated short film “Little t” on her website. From Masha: “‘Little t’ has been selected for 27 film festivals worldwide, including the American Documentary and Animation Film Festival, Bucheon International Animation Festival, and Brooklyn Film Festival. It has won multiple awards, such as Best Animation at the Utah International Film Festival, and was longlisted for the 2024 Oscars. The film explores themes of self-criticism and perfectionism, offering a heartfelt journey toward self-acceptance.

Alongside the film, I’ve created interactive activities and a companion guide to help viewers connect with their younger selves and unwind. You can watch ‘Little t’ and explore the activities here:

🔗 Masha Ellsworth website - watch Little t

Thanks for sharing your work with us, Masha!

About Masha Ellsworth:

“Ukrainian-American Storyteller Bringing Animated Worlds to Life for Over 20 Years. Masha Ellsworth is a lead technical director at Pixar, with extensive experience in the characters department. She began as a "Ratatouille" intern in 2007, working on lighting and sets, and has since contributed to numerous Pixar feature films. Masha is from northern Ukraine, and holds a dual degree in Computer Science and Visual Art from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah.”

Fillmmaker Kristin Tieche's "The Invisible Mammal" will have its World Premier in May

“WIFSFBA member Kristin Tieche is extremely excited to announce the early May World Premiere of The Invisible Mammal, a captivating new feature documentary that follows ‘Team Fat Bat,’ a dedicated group of women scientists led by Dr. Winifred Frick, Chief Scientist of Bat Conservation International, as they strive to save North America's bats from the devastating effects of white-nose syndrome (WNS). After six years in production, The Invisible Mammal is ready for the big screen. She can’t release much info just yet, but if you’re in the Bay Area don’t book any trips for early May! More coming soon…”

About Kristin Tieche:

Besides putting on the monthly ‘Wednesday Winedown’ many of you attend, Kristin is an experienced producer and editor of non-fiction, documentary, and branded video content based in San Francisco, CA. She has edited thousands of hours of film and television programming, specializing in non-fiction and documentary storytelling. Her work has been seen by millions of viewers on PBS, National Geographic, Smithsonian, Al Jazeera, LinkTV, Current TV, Court TV, Food Network, and HGTV. Check out your January WIFSFBA Newsletter for a Member Spotlight we did on Kristin. https://www.kristintieche.com

Outerlands closing film at the San Francisco International Film Festival

When: 4/27 at 5:00pm and 6:00pm

Where: Premier Theater at One Letterman, 1 Letterman Dr # B, and the Marina Theatre, 2149 Chestnut St., San Francisco, CA

A San Francisco produced film, Outerlands, has been selected to the Closing Night film at the San Francisco International Film Festival! Congratulations to everyone who worked on this film, and to those from our WIFSFBA community, namely Megan Rees who was the director’s assistant, and Nil Unerdem who got to be an extra!

When: 4/25 at 4:00pm at the SFFILM Festival Lounge, 1 Letterman Dr #B, San Francisco, CA

You can also join director Elena Oxman and producer Marc Smolowitz in a discussion about the opportunities and challenges of filming in San Francisco with Film SF Executive Director Manijeh Fata and Deputy Director Sofia Alicastro. This talk is free and open to the public, RSVP required. More conversation guests are TBD.

Get tickets and MORE INFO: Outerlands tickets & Festival Talk

Do you have career or event 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 one week before the end of the month to be included in the next newsletter.

Community Partners - Events & Invitations

WIFSFBA is proud to support BlackStar this month:

BlackStar Film Festival

Late Deadline: April 1st, 2025

“Film submissions for the 2025 BlackStar Film Festival are now open. Black, Brown, and Indigenous filmmakers are invited to submit their films for consideration. BlackStar accepts short and feature-length films of all genres. BlackStar Film Festival is an annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of the African diaspora and of global Indigenous communities, showcasing films by Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists from around the world. Films are accepted on a rolling basis.”

MORE INFO: : https://www.blackstarfest.org/festival/submissions/

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

The Women's Film Festival

The Women’s Film Festival

Regular Submission Deadline: April 11, 2025

Late Submission deadline: May 16, 2025

Submission Fee: $15-$45

“The annual Women’s Film Festival will be held in Philadelphia September 18-28. It showcases, celebrates, and elevates film and television work made by, and/or about, women and self-identifying women. Please submit work with a strong female role in one of these categories: Director, Producer, Writer, Director of Photography, Editor, Lead Actress.

Submission Categories:

Full-Length Narrative -- 40+ minutes long

Full-Length Documentary -- 40+ minutes long

Short Narrative -- Less than 40 minutes long

Short Documentary -- Less than 40 minutes long”

MORE INFO: Women's Film Festival

Imagine This Women's International Film Festival 2025

Accepting feature screenplays, short scripts and TV pilots
Early Late Deadline: April 18, 2025
Fees: $55.00 - $80.00

"Imagine This Women's International Film Festival (ITWIFF) is dedicated to amplifying and empowering independent and aspiring women filmmakers globally. Our festival is a vibrant celebration of diversity, actively promoting equal opportunities for BIPOC women and the LGBTQIA+ community. We provide a significant platform for women to showcase their writing talents, fostering an environment that encourages creative expression. Committed to creating a robust platform, ITWIFF aims to build a community that not only recognizes but also champions the diverse voices of women in the film industry.

Now in its 6th year, seize the opportunity to have your screenplay reviewed by industry professionals and be a part of this global movement."

MORE INFO: Imagine This Women's FF

HollyShorts Film Festival

Accepting: Television, Short Live Action, Animated Shorts, Short Documentary, Web Series, Digital Microbudget

Regular Deadline: April 4, 2025

Fees: Range from $45-$60

“The HollyShorts Film Festival is an Oscar-qualifying short film film festival based in Los Angeles. Since its establishment in 2005, it has grown into a premier platform for independent filmmakers worldwide. As an Academy Awards-qualifying festival in four categories, it presents a diverse selection of innovative short films across various genres. The HollyShorts Film Festival, which runs August 7-17,2025, remains dedicated to championing emerging talents and pushing the boundaries of cinematic innovation.”

SUBMIT HERE: HollyShorts

Austin Film Festival Screenplay & Teleplay Competition

Competition Deadlines:

Feature Screenplay
Regular Deadline: 4/22/25 – $70
Late Deadline: 5/27/25 – $90

Short Screenplay & Teleplay
Regular Deadline: 4/22/25 – $60
Late Deadline: 5/27/25 – $75

“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 televisions 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.”

Submit Here: AFF Screenplay & Teleplay Competition

The Black List 2025 Annual Labs & The Bay List

Deadlines: April 8, 2025 & June 1, 2025

“The Annual Labs offer training to six promising, non-professional writers in each of two cohorts: (1) the Writers Lab cohort, focused on feature scripts to be sold within the studio system, and (2) the Projects Lab cohort, focused on feature scripts that the writer intends to direct. The Labs will remain exclusively writing-focused programs in which each participating writer workshops the script that gets them into the Lab.”

“The Bay List is a new initiative to identify and highlight ten exceptional screenplays and pilots by writers from or with close ties to the Bay Area. The Bay List was created in collaboration with Rafael Casal, bringing together an array of incredible partners from the Bay Area who look forward to celebrating screenplays and pilots from a new generation of emerging storytellers.”

MORE INFO: 2025 Annual Labs | The Black List & 2025 Bay List | The Black List

CinemaStreet Women's Short Screenplay Competition

Regular Deadline: July 15, 2025

This festival “invites women-identified screenwriters to submit short screenplays (20 minutes/pages and under) to CinemaStreet Pictures for production consideration. The winning screenwriter will receive $1,000 for the option to produce the film. Screenplays may be from anywhere in the world, but must be in English. Scripts across all genres of fiction (drama, comedy, horror, action, thriller, sci-fi, animation, musical, etc.,) may be about any topic, but MUST HAVE A SIGNIFICANT FEMALE CHARACTER. Love from Friends, by winning screenwriter Elise Marenson, premiered in Los Angeles and played in film festivals around the country last year. The contest is managed by Terry Lawler, former Executive Director of NYWIFT. “

Apply here

GRANTS, FELLOWSHIPS & FUNDING CORNER

Reel Sisters Micro Budget Film Fellowship

Extended Deadline: September 30, 2025

Fellows Receive: $5,000 to produce a short film or first episode of a web series

Application Fee: $25 (Reading fee for processing your application)

“Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & lecture Series, the first Academy qualifying festival devoted to women filmmakers, offers you an opportunity to produce a short film or pilot for your web series! Apply and learn the art of creating a high-quality micro-budget short film.

Eligibility: Script must be written or co-written by a woman of color and non-binary filmmakers of color. Reel Sisters will accept submissions by women of African, Caribbean, Latina, Asian, Indian and Native American descent. Please include your ethnicity in the application to confirm eligibility. We encourage writing teams to apply.”

MORE INFO: Reel Sisters Fellowship

Sesame Workshop Writer's Room

Application Deadline: April 14, 2025

This is a “writing fellowship from the creators of Sesame Street -- And we’re looking for YOU! Fresh new writing talent that reflects our vast audience. Emerging storytellers who are selected to join the Writers’ Room will receive hands-on writing experience guided by Sesame Street veterans and other media industry leaders. Each participant will develop and write a pilot script for their own original kids’ program.

About the Program:

Up to 6 writers will be selected
Sessions are expected to take place virtually from August to November 2025
Learn from industry writers, producers, agents and executives
Learn and complete all steps of creating an original pilot episode script
Includes eight, three-hour sessions; and 12, one-hour office hours session on creating original children’s content
Up to two participants will have the opportunity to receive creative development deals and further mentorship

Original script sample: 12-page maximum; should NOT contain Sesame Street elements, characters, or intellectual property; can be an excerpt from a larger piece wholly written by the applicant; must model a 3-act story structure, and be kid-friendly content for viewers up to age 12…we’re looking for great characters and stories that inspire kids to be smarter, stronger and kinder!”

MORE INFO: Sesame Workshop Writer Fellowship

Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant (From the Heart Productions)

Applications Open: March 31st, April 29th, June 30th, October 31st, November 30th, 2025

Winner receives $3,000 in Cash and Donated Services

“Many filmmakers use short films to hone their craft and as a proof of concept for later full length features. From the Heart Productions wants to support their work and encourage them to make films with stories told with passion that enlighten us about our lives and the world we live in. This grant is specifically for narrative fiction shorts, live action or animated, that are 40 minutes or less in length. Among the donations the winner could receive are:

$3,000.00 in music and audio services from well-known composer David Raiklen
$6,000.00 in animation from Emmy award winner Charlie Canfield. This is 1/3 off normal price for 6 weeks of animation
$500 in grip, lighting or expendables from Filmtools
Tom Malloy of Glass House Distribution donates an hour of consultation on distribution of your film
$1,400 value (4 hours of sound mix session) from Silver Sound
$600.00 for your Free Closed Captioning by NetCaptioning”

Apply Here: Roy Dean Short Film Grant

Impact Partners Development Fund

Application Deadline: rolling deadline

“For early-stage documentary features, series, or projects that could be either. Impact Partners will invest in the development of 4-8 projects a year, with a range of $10K -$100K per project. We are now accepting applications. Filmmakers can apply to the fund for a variety of reasons as they get their projects off the ground, including development shoots, cutting a trailer or reel, conducting archival research, casting characters, etc.”

Apply here:: Impact Partners

Thanks to newsletter contributors: Diane Walsh, Julie Rubio, Nil Unerdem

Newsletter designed by Lina Indeeva and edited by Nil Unerdem

Report abuse