December News
Welcome to December!
Image by FreePik
Here at WIFSFBA, we would like to celebrate all our collective filmmaking accomplishments this past year! Please join us December 14th for our in person WIFSFBA Holiday Mixer in Berkeley! Details are in the WIFSFBA upcoming events section below.
Join in the merriment. Wear your favorite ugly holiday sweater, or regular holiday sweaters are fine too if absolutely necessary. Win some merch in our drawing. Steal a present from someone. Then get ready for more creativity and inspiration in the new year.
And here’s a little poem to get us started.
Winter Trees
All the complicated details
of the attiring and
the disattiring are completed!
A liquid moon
moves gently among
the long branches.
Thus having prepared their buds
against a sure winter
the wise trees
stand sleeping in the cold.
By William Carlos Williams
See you soon,
Nil Unerdem, WIFSFBA Secretary
Letter from the President
Dear Members and Friends,
As we approach the end of 2024 and prepare to usher in 2025, I want to take a moment to reflect on the incredible year we’ve had together. At Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area, we’ve celebrated creativity, championed independent storytelling, and forged deeper connections within our community. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our board members, incredible members, and volunteers, whose dedication and passion inspire us daily. Their contributions—whether through their innovative work, support of emerging filmmakers, or creative storytelling—have enriched our organization and left an indelible mark on the professional and independent film landscape.
As December ushers in the season of winter holidays, we are reminded of the beauty of traditions that bring warmth and connection to our lives. This month celebrates Christmas, Kwanzaa, and Chanukah, among other cherished holidays, bringing families and friends together in love and gratitude. December is also a time to reflect on the year past and to give back—to the people we love and to those we may not know but who are in need of support.
I want to take a moment to thank all of our members and supporters who have come out to see The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka: The Art of Survival. Your enthusiasm and support for independent film mean the world to me.
We’ve been thrilled to have sold-out crowds at the Roxie Theater, and I highly recommend this wonderful venue for filmmakers looking to showcase their work. We’ll be returning to the Roxie on December 29, at 12:45PM with Q&A followed by screenings at the Orinda Theatre on January 7, 6:30PM with Q&A, the de Young Museum on January 11 at 1:00PM and we are thrilled to announce our New York premiere in January at the New York Jewish Film Festival at Walter Reed theater at Lincoln Center, date, time and discount codes to follow.
During this holiday season, I encourage everyone to take time to celebrate and support independent storytelling. Instead of streaming the usual fare on Amazon or Netflix, gather your family and explore a great documentary or indie film on platforms like Mubi, Fandor, or the Documentary Channel. Who knows? This might be the future of indie streaming—and it’s a meaningful way to support diverse voices in the industry.
Thank you again for making The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka such a success and for keeping the spirit of independent film alive. Your presence at these screenings is not just about watching a film, it's about honoring the power of storytelling and the resilience of artists who dare to share their truths.
For me, the heart of December lies in acts of kindness and giving back. It’s a time to embrace compassion and generosity, especially in a world where so many face challenges. I often think of those who have endured pain yet refuse to let it harden them. Instead, they channel their experiences into helping others, ensuring no one else feels the same hurt they’ve known. That resilience, that capacity to uplift others, embodies the true spirit of this season.
While it’s true that the world can sometimes feel divided, December also serves as a powerful reminder of all the things that bring us together. The shared joys of storytelling, the universal themes of love, resilience, and hope, and the ways we can lift one another up through creativity and collaboration—all of these unite us in ways that transcend our differences.
December also highlights causes that call us to action and awareness:
HIV/AIDS Awareness Month, advocating for health, education, and understanding. Universal Human Rights Month, a reminder of the dignity and equality of every individual. Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month, supporting mental health during the darker days. Learn a Foreign Language Month, celebrating cultural diversity. Dressember, raising awareness about human trafficking through creative activism.
Historically, December has been a time of reflection and renewal. Ancient celebrations, such as the Winter Solstice, symbolize the rebirth of the Sun and the return of longer days—a reminder that even in the darkest times, light will always return.
As we close out the year, I encourage you to embrace the spirit of giving—not only materially, but emotionally. Let’s lift one another up, share our stories, and continue championing the voices of women and independent filmmakers and screen media. Your dedication to our community inspires me daily, and I am grateful for your passion and support.
Together, let’s celebrate what unites us: the beauty of creativity, the power of storytelling, and the unshakable belief that our community is stronger when we lift each other up and support each other.
Wishing you and your loved ones a season filled with warmth, peace, joy, and hope.
With gratitude,
Julie Rubio, President, Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area
WIFSFBA UPDATES
December In-Person Holiday Mixer
When: Dec. 14th 11:30-1:30pm
Where: Cafenated Coffee Company, 2085 Vine St., Berkeley CA 94709
Menu for weekend brunch: Cafenated Coffee Company Weekend Brunch Menu
Come and join us for our upcoming, in-person Holiday Mixer at the Cafenated Coffee Company! WIFSFBA will be providing some appetizers to share but you are welcome to purchase your own brunch and/or beverages.
Here’s the plan for holiday fun:
If you’d like to participate in a White Elephant gift exchange, please bring along an up to $10 gift and battle it out!
Don’t forget to wear your ugliest holiday sweater and comment on which one is the worst. Everyone will appreciate this.
We’ll have a drawing with some WIFSFBA merch giveaways as well!
Open to our members and non-members alike. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect with other Bay Area filmmakers. We hope to see you there!
Note: We’ll be outside with heat lamps so dress warmly!
Our next monthly Table Read will be on Monday December 16th from 7-9pm. Come join us and hear 1-10 page excerpts from writers’ work, 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, please contact Carol Hall at bod-admin@wifsfba.org with “Script Incubator” in the subject line.
November Event Wrap Up - Adaptation for Film, TV, Books, Streaming & More with Jennifer S. Wilkov
Many thanks to everyone who joined us on November 19th for our Adaptation panel with our esteemed experts Jennifer S. Wilkov (moderator, story consultant), Maria C. Miles, Esq. (entertainment attorney), Mark DeGasperi (literary scout), Kelly Thomas (literary agent), Jill Michelle Williams (producer), and Lane Shefter Bishop (Producer, Director, Showrunner) -- you helped make this event a great success!
We also want to thank our panel for all their advice on working with any kind of adaptation, whether it’s a book, podcast, article, etc. and the details involved in using a source to create a new work of art. We look forward to future opportunities to come together in conversation again.
WIFSFBA Merch Store!
Need to do some holiday shopping? 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!
Member Spotlight:
Sisters Yvette Gentile and Rasha Pecoraro
By Noma Faingold
As hosts of their latest podcast series, So Supernatural, sisters Yvette Gentile and Rasha Pecoraro are finally getting to transition out of the darkness of the true crime genre and into phenomenon, conspiracies, mysteries, and the unexplained.
Weekly episodes of So Supernatural, which launched in September, was created by Ashley Flowers, the entrepreneur and best-selling author, who is recognized as the top female podcaster in the United States for the show, Crime Junkie, among other podcasts.
Flowers selects and introduces the topic for each So Supernatural episode. The top decision makers at Audiochuck (the company Flowers founded), handpicked Gentile and Pecoraro as hosts. The first season is expected to be 70 episodes, covering such niche subjects as, “Legend: The Yeti,” Alien: The Phoenix Lights,” “Haunted: The Gary, Indiana Demon House” and “The Unknown: Phantom Dopplegängers.”
“We are not true crime people, even though we have been true crime podcasters,” Pecoraro said.
“That’s the big joke,” Gentile said. “How the heck did we get thrown into true crime, even though we do know how. But it was never who we were at our core.”
True crime and secrets run deep in their family history. Incest, rape, racial ambiguity, debauchery and murder were meticulously investigated and documented by their late mother, Fauna Hodel, who died of breast cancer just before the 2019 TNT limited series, I Am the Night, started filming. Loosely based on Fauna’s 2008 memoir, One Day She’ll Darken, it starred and was produced by Chris Pine and produced by Patty Jenkins (Wonder Woman, Monster), who also directed two of the six episodes.
The origins of the darkness began with Fauna’s notorious grandfather, George Hodel (1907-1999), an affluent physician in Los Angeles, who was a prime suspect in the unsolved grizzly Black Dahlia murder of Elizabeth Short. He was also accused of raping his daughter, Tamar Hodel, Fauna’s mother, although he was acquitted.
San Francisco resident Gentile, 57, and Pecoraro, 46, who lives outside of Portland, are best friends. It was that way growing up in Honolulu. The sisters had different fathers and are 11 years apart, but they were always close. And their bond with Fauna was unshakeable.
“We lost our mother in 2017 on the brink of her lifelong dream getting ready to hit the world,” Gentile said. Fauna was willing to wait years for Patty Jenkins to complete production on the blockbuster, Wonder Woman.
Fauna was aware I Am the Night had the green light. Yet she was in denial about her illness. “She never said goodbye,” Gentile said. “She wondered why we were sad. She thought she was going to live until age 99.”
The sisters didn’t get the chance to process their grief because a few weeks after Fauna passed, they were invited to join the production on set. “Our mother was the love of our life. We went from her dying to being on set,” Gentile said. “That was the hardest thing to process. Our mother (who was executive producer) had worked her entire life for this moment and she wasn’t physically there to witness it. Even though I was incredibly happy that this was happening, she was not there.”
Gentile and Pecoraro’s time on set was extended for the whole shoot. Jenkins felt like family. “She loved our mother and it continued with us,” Gentile said. “Whenever we stepped on set, we exuded love, kindness, and gratitude.” “They fell in love with us,” Pecoraro said. “And we fell in love with them.”
Gentile, who had done some acting and modeling, and Pecoraro, who had voiceover experience and was a contestant on the reality show, The Biggest Loser, were inspired by the dedication of Pine and Jenkins. They marveled at Pine’s ability to make each take in a scene different. As for Jenkins, “She treats everyone from crew to extras to the stars the same,” Gentile said. “Usually, there’s a hierarchy on sets. Patty doesn’t have any of that.”
TNT approached the siblings about hosting a companion podcast, which became, Root of Evil: The True Story of The Hodel Family and The Black Dahlia. The 2019, eight-episode podcast drew a large audience in the true crime sphere, not only because it’s a multi-dimensional drama, but because it was told by Hodel’s great-granddaughters, who focused on the generational impact this malevolent patriarch had on the family. Most compelling are passages from Fauna’s autobiographical audiotapes and airing new interviews with Hodel’s grandchildren and son, Steve Hodel, a former homicide detective with the Los Angeles County Police Department, who revealed great insight into the Black Dahlia case.
The podcast demonstrated that her daughters inherited Fauna’s storytelling talent. “She broke the cycle of generational trauma. We are her legacy,” Pecoraro said. “What’s great about being a podcaster is that you can tell all these stories. It’s a relationship with the listener. It’s so important for people to know that they are not alone, no matter what they’re going through.”
In 2022, the pair continued podcasting with a new true crime series, Facing Evil. Their approach in examining cases was not so much procedural, as it was following a healing path. It ran for a year, airing more than 40 episodes, including the mysterious death of trans hero Marsha P. Johnson and the power imbalance and manipulation leading up to model/actress Dorothy Stratten’s 1980 murder by her estranged husband.
They also interviewed Jenkins for an episode focused on her directing Monster (2003), the raw film depicting serial killer Aileen Wuornos, for which Charlize Theron won a Best Actress Academy Award.
Gentile has been married to San Francisco native Gino Gentile for 18 years. They live in an apartment in Lower Pacific Heights. He runs a longtime family business, Anthony’s Shoe Service, in the Financial District.
Pecoraro refers to herself as a part-time flight attendant and full-time podcaster. She’s married to her wife, Vanna Pecoraro, and they have a 13-year-old daughter, Leilani.
The sisters see each other at least once a month and record So Supernatural podcasts in their respective home studios. The pod is a high-profile operation. They have producers, researchers, writers and a social media team. “We do our own research,” Pecoraro said. “We can’t go in there blind.”
“We are proud of what we have done with true crime podcasts, but this show is really us,” Gentile said. “The great thing about it is you hear all these stories that are so far-fetched. But there are people who actually have experienced these things.”
It would not surprise Pecoraro if So Supernatural continued for several years. “There are so many stories. We’ll stick with it,” she said. “We’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.”
The sisters hope to contribute story ideas eventually, such as mining Hawaiian folklore. They also want to produce their own podcast, host a television talk show, write a memoir, and work their way back into the film industry. “It’s all storytelling,” Pecoraro said. “That’s the goal.”
Films that have inspired Pecoraro include Douglas Sirk’s 1959 melodrama, Imitation of Life and the first Harry Potter movie. “I’m also a Disney girl,” she said.
Gentile’s favorite films include 1989’s Field of Dreams and A Star Is Born (the 1976 version starring Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson). “I’m a sucker for love stories,” she said. “I love films that make you feel all those emotions. The beautiful thing about filmmaking is that it’s magical.”
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
Members in the News 2024 Retrospective
Here’s a summary of all our Members in the News segments over the past year. Please celebrate these members with us! We know there are more members out there with exciting news to share, and we would love to highlight your projects in the newsletter. And remember, the newsletter lives on our website, so it’s a great way to advertise as well. The news can be about current or upcoming projects, awards, recognition, premieres, and any other news you wish to share with the WIFSFBA community!
January - Our own Treasurer Carol Hall was interviewed for Verde Magazine about women and representation in the film industry! You can check out the article here.
February - Our president Julie Rubio was interviewed about her documentary, The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka and the Art of Survival in this recent Italian magazine article! Check it out: Metropolitan Magazine: Art as a means of freedom
April - Member Kip Pearson ("Hyde Street") and Secretary Nil Unerdem ("Pearl in the Window") had films playing at the Bay Area Indies Film Festival!
May - An awesome feature film called Owl, shot in Oakland, was accepted into CAAMfest. Nil worked as a PA and AD on this film. Check out the trailer here: Owl trailer
June - One of our own members, Courtney Flynn, won the National Lampoon Girlz Rule Script Contest, along with three other women screenwriters! Her script Social Security will be produced by National Lampoon!
July - At BraveMaker Film Fest, we had multiple members and Board members with films including Jessica Sison (“The Elevator Dance (For Elisa) Remix”), Darlene DeRose (“Finding Hope in America”), Kelli A. White (“Lost, Not Forgotten”, “Infectious Theatre”, “The Eulogies”) and Nil Unerdem (“Pearl in the Window”). Also, CineSource magazine had an article on Julie Rubio’s Tamara de Lempicka documentary! And WIFSFBA member Hyong Jung “Helen” Lee showed her short “Bible Camp” at the Kansas City Film Festival International!
September - WIFSFBA member and writer Kate Schultz was a quarterfinalist in a competition for short stories that are adaptable as screenplays. Josephson Entertainment is hosting the competition. Kate's short story is titled “No Talking Allowed.” Congrats again, Kate!
October - An article from the San Francisco Chronicle/Datebook on Julie Rubio’s Tamara de Lempicka documentary was published Why Tamara de Lempicka is suddenly all the rage a century after her ascendance! Also, member Jessica Sison’s short experimental dance film “The Elevator Dance (For Elisa) Remix” screened in the Living on Earth shorts part of the program at the 14th annual Albany Film Festival! AND member Mabel Valdiviezo’s personal documentary Prodigal Daughter kicked off the Cine+Mas San Francisco Latino Film Festival!
November - Member Lynn Esta Goldman’s feminist sci-fi thriller script The Half-Sisterhood placed in the top ten of the science fiction category at the Austin Film Festival! The script also placed in the finals of the Page Screenwriting Competition!
Woman Around Town Review of The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & the Art of Survival
Please check out a new review from online publication "Woman Around Town" of WIFSFBA President Julie Rubio’s documentary The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka: The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka review
Congratulations Julie! And also…
Exciting News: Another Roxie screening for The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka + future screenings!
When: Sunday, December 29th, 12:45 P.M.
Where: Roxie theatre, San Francisco, CA
“We’re thrilled to announce an additional pre-theatrical screening of The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival at the Roxie Theater.
Q+A immediately following the film with Director, Producer Julie Colleen Rubio. This exclusive pre-theatrical screening is your chance to experience Tamara de Lempicka’s incredible story on the big screen. Seats are limited! Get your tickets now and be part of this unforgettable pre-theatrical screening event!
Purchase tickets here: Roxie tickets for Tamara de Lempicka
Future screenings will be at the Orinda Theatre on January 7, 6:30PM with Q&A, the de Young Museum on January 11 at 1:00PM and we are thrilled to announce our New York premiere in January at the New York Jewish Film Festival at Walter Reed theater at Lincoln Center, date, time and discount codes to follow.”
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
A BIG THANK YOU to our November Community Partners
Community Partner Spotlight
The ALLIANCE OF WOMEN DIRECTORS is the only organization solely dedicated to education, support and advocacy for women directors in the entertainment industry. It is an inclusive collective of over 600 professional women and gender nonbinary directors and allies working together to affect positive, lasting change in the entertainment industry. 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:
Providing professional support for members in the form of hands-on craft enrichment, education, and mentorship
Developing and leveraging relationships with industry partners
Partnering with like-minded organizations to increase our reach and impact
MORE INFO: Alliance of Women Directors
Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival
Short Film Script Submissions Open Nov. 28!
Festival Dates: April 24-27, 2025
Deadlines: Dec 24th early, Jan 15th regular deadline for scripts
Where: Bellingham, WA
Cost: $20-$40 to enter
WIFSFBA is proud to be a Community Partner of the Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival in Bellingham, WA!
“Short film script submissions are open November 28 through January 15 on FilmFreeway for CASCADIA's 2025 Script Studio to be Sunday, April 27 during the Festival. Scripts must be unproduced, written by a woman and 25 pages or less in length. All genres are welcome. Four scripts will be selected for the 2025 festival. Writers must attend in person.
All writers selected for the festival receive a stipend fee. Selected scripts will be read live by our ensemble of actors. Afterwards, a panel of film industry professionals will discuss the script with the writer.
CASCADIA will be April 24-27, 2025 in person in Bellingham, WA. with an online version of the festival to take place May 1-11, 2025. More details can be found here on Film Freeway or on CASCADIA's website.”
MORE INFO: Cascadia Women's Film Festival
NYWIFT Masterclass - Feature Film Budgeting
When: Dec 4, 11, & 19th, 6:30-8:00 PM (Eastern), 3:30-5:00 PM (Pacific)
Where: Zoom
Cost: Price: $25 for Members* / $60 for Non-Members. Price includes admission for all three sessions. Email bod-admin@wifsfba.org for 20% off code!
“Join NYWIFT for our Masterclass Series: Feature Film Budgeting with Producer/Line Producer Sirad Balducci.
You have a great script, the producer loves it…but then they ask the dreaded question. “What’s the budget?”
Budgeting a feature film can be daunting and overwhelming for any filmmaker, whether they are newcomers or seasoned professionals, and it is a critical step towards getting your movie financed.
In this three-part masterclass, we will demystify the budgeting process, offering insights into script breakdown and shoot schedules and covering fundamental budgeting basics. We’ll explore how to effectively collaborate with producers, directors, and department heads, and impart strategies to align your movie’s production plan with the creative vision of the project.
The class is geared toward independent feature films in the 5M range, but also can be applied to short films as well. Materials and budgeting software trials will be provided prior to the start of the class and a Q&A will follow each session. (Registrants will get a free pre-coded NY Movie Magic Budget Template.)”
MORE INFO: NYWIFT
WIFT-US Member National Networking
When: December 12th, 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
December Networking
2024 BAVC MediaMaker Fellowship Pitch + Party
When: December 4th, 2024, 4:00-6:00 P.M. Pacific
Where: David Brower Center, 2150 Allston Way, Suite 100, Berkeley, CA and streaming live
“Join us for the 2024 BAVC MediaMaker Fellowship Pitch + Party!
We will be bringing together filmmakers, alumni, industry, and BAVC community members together for an exclusive preview of 8 outstanding documentaries in progress.
We are also excited to share that once again the 90-minute program will be streamed live for those who are unable to attend in person.
For those who can join us in Berkeley, a party will follow complete with food, drinks, music, and live music!”
MORE INFO: BAVC MediaMaker
December Filmmaker Happy Hour
When: December 19th, 2024, 6:00-8:00 PM Pacific
Where: Night Heron, 1780 Telegraph Avenue, Oakland, CA, 94612
“Join us for our December filmmaker happy hour at the Night Heron in Oakland. The venue is ADA-accessible and the event is a cash bar.”
MORE INFO: Cinemama
The Vine: The Video Industry Networking Event
When: Thursday, December 5th, 2024, 6:00-8:00 PM Pacific
Where: Port Labs, 2044 Franklin St., Oakland, CA
“Come out to our end of year mixer where we'll have wine, eggnog, film trivia, multiple raffles and an invitation for you to reflect on the year that's ending and the one that is right around the corner.
And as always you'll have the opportunity to network and 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.”
Register here: VINE Networking Event for December
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Stowe Story Producers' Lab 2025
Final deadline: December 15th, 2025
“4-day intensive for emerging producers looking to produce their first or second micro-to-low budget ($100,000 - $1,750,000) feature film. Participants will leave with a project advancement plan. The goal of this intensive, four-day lab is to help participants develop creative vision, market knowledge, practical skills, and leave the lab with a concrete plan and action items to push the work forward.”
MORE INFO: Stowe Story Labs
Dayton Black Women's Film Festival
Regular Deadline: December 22, 2024
Late Deadline: January 22, 2024
“The DBWFF is a platform for films that honor, discover and share the Black, African American, and African Diaspora experience. The festival also aims to strengthen the community and create opportunities for collaboration among black women filmmakers in Dayton, nearby regions, and globally. The ultimate goal is to ensure that there is always a place for black women filmmakers to be celebrated, acknowledged, and welcomed in the film industry.
To be eligible for consideration: The films must be directed by a woman (trans, non-binary) filmmaker of African descent and have a running time between 4 to 12 minutes. Additionally, the films must have been completed within the last 2 years.”
Submit here: Dayton Black Women's FF
Uptilt Film Fest
Festival Dates: March 21-23, 2025
Late Deadline: December 15, 2024
Fee: $30-35
“We showcase the works of women and gender nonconforming filmmakers all over the world in an effort to encourage and support filmmakers. We accept narratives, docs, experimental, animation and any genre -- we want to see it all! Films must be complete, no longer than thirty-nine minutes, and must be directed and/or written by a woman or gender nonconforming person or 50% of the following must be women and/or gender nonconforming: Writer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor."
Submit here: Uptilt Film Fest
Film Independent Documentary Story Lab
Application Fee: FREE for Filmmaker Pro Members (limited to one waived fee per Membership year), $45 for Film Independent Members, $65 for non-Members
Documentary Story Lab 2025
Applications Open: September 30, 2024
Non-Member Deadline: December 16, 2024
Film Independent Member Extended Deadline: January 6, 2025
Documentary Producing Lab 2024
Applications Open: April 29, 2024
Non-Member Deadline: June 17, 2024
Film Independent Member Extended Deadline: July 1, 2024
“Through a series of meetings and workshops, the Documentary Story Lab and Documentary Producing Lab advance the careers of nonfiction filmmakers by introducing them to film professionals who provide advice and expertise on both the craft and business of documentary filmmaking.
The Documentary Story Lab only accepts projects in the final stages of production or early post-production. The Lab is for directors, although director/producers can apply. Projects in the research and/or development phase or projects that have locked their picture edit are not eligible.
The Documentary Producing Lab accepts projects in active development, production or post-production. Applicants who are also directing the project they are submitting are ineligible.”
MORE INFO: FI Documentary Lab & Applications page here: FI applications page
Script Pipeline TV Writing Competition
Pre-Register: December 27, 2024
Fee: $45
“The 17th Annual Script Pipeline TV Writing Competition is searching for extraordinary television writers with traditional pilots or indie series scripts for exposure to production companies and managers. Script Pipeline selects 5 finalists and, from that group, one winner to receive:
$20,000 to winner; $1,000 to each finalist
Introductions to managers, producers, agents, directors, and other execs searching for TV material
Development assistance and mentoring from Script Pipeline’s Team”
Submit here: Script Pipeline TV Writing
Brooklyn Film Festival
Regular Deadline - Features - Dec 23, 2024. For shorts, January 5th, 2025.
Advanced Deadline - Features - January 17, 2025. For shorts, January 31st, 2025.
Late Deadline - Features - February 10th, 2025. For shorts, February 25th, 2025.
“The 28th BFF is a festival for and by independent filmmakers. Although we are a fully inclusive organization and any filmmaker can potentially participate in our competitive festival, discovering and promoting independent filmmakers at their first or second film is at the very center of our year-round efforts. Our mission is to provide a forum to advance public interest in indie film; to support every year a new generation of filmmakers with a unique vision; and to promote artistic excellence and the creative freedom of artists without censure. BFF accepts submissions in six categories: Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Short Narrative, Short Documentary, Experimental, and Animation.”
Submit here: Brooklyn Film Festival
Austin Film Festival Screenplay & Teleplay Competition
Submissions OPEN: December 9, 2024
Competition Deadlines:
Feature Screenplay
Early Bird Deadline: 3/25/25 – $60
Regular Deadline: 4/22/25 – $70
Late Deadline: 5/27/25 – $90
Short Screenplay & Teleplay
Early Bird Deadline: 3/25/25 – $50
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
Deadline: 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.”
GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS CORNER
Ford Foundation - Just Films
Deadline: December 6th, 2024
Cost: Free
“Through its open call, JustFilms supports artist-driven, feature-length documentary films that creatively intersect with the social justice issues that are central to the Ford Foundation’s mission. All projects submitted for JustFilms grants will be assessed on the basis of alignment with Ford Foundation priorities, intersectional representation, innovation in storytelling, and production viability & independence, as well as social and cultural impact. At this time, we do not accept unsolicited Letters of Inquiry (LOI), proposals from organizations, or for impact campaigns.
While we welcome submissions from any region of the world, we have a particular focus on the areas where the foundation has regional offices. We support 25-30 new feature documentary film projects, at all stages of production, through annual grants.”
MORE INFO: Ford Foundation - Just Films & JustFilms Applications
The Female Filmmakers in Tech & Art Fund
Submission deadline: Now through March 18th, 2025
“The Female Filmmakers in Tech & Art Fund is a unique funding initiative aimed at empowering women filmmakers who are currently in production or post-production of a feature documentary focused on the intersection of technology and art. This fund is designed to support and amplify the voices of female creators who are exploring innovative narratives in these rapidly evolving fields. Funding Amount: Up to £8,000 will be awarded to selected filmmakers
Gender: Open to women filmmakers or non-binary individuals who identify with the female experience.
Stage of Production: Applicants must be in the production or post-production phase of a feature-length documentary.
Subject Matter: The documentary must explore technology and art—whether it’s showcasing the impact of technology on artistic practices, or telling stories that highlight the convergence of these two fields in a meaningful and innovative way. We are particularly interested in AI and digital arts.”
MORE INFO: Female Filmmakers in Tech & Art
The Chimaera Project’s ToGetHer - Finishing Fund Opportunity
Deadline: December 17th, 2024
Cost: $25 for short and feature films
“The Chimaera Project recognizes the collective voice as a catalyst for SOCIAL CHANGE. Our overarching goal is to inspire confidence in hiring more women and nonbinary creatives. Statistics prove that current hiring practices in the arts have a tangible creative and economic impact on families and our communities.”
MORE INFO: Chimaera Project
12th Annual Screencraft Screenwriting Fellowship
Regular Deadline: December 31, 2024
The ScreenCraft Fellowship gets you exposure, access and validation. Over 30 professionals are ready to meet with each screenwriter selected. This is THE fellowship to introduce you to Hollywood. Our team works with you to understand you and your writing. We have developed these industry relationships and are ready to match you with your wishlist.
Selected Fellows receive: Access to a development team, exposure to industry giants, networking opportunities, and a life-changing week of meetings.
With the support of ScreenCraft, former fellows have been hired to write film and television for Netflix, Apple TV+, ABC, The CW, Amazon, FX, NBC, Hulu, and more. Fellows expand their network through virtual industry meetings. Past fellows have met with companies like Warner Bros., Blumhouse, Bad Robot, and have landed representation with Good Fear, Gersh, Brillstein, CAA, 3 Arts, UTA, and others.
Apply here: Screencraft Fellowship
Vision Maker Public Media Fund
Application Deadline: December 31, 2024
“Seeks public media film and television projects that are intended and appropriate for Public Media Television Broadcasting, including Corporation for Public Broadcasting digital and streaming platforms, that represent the cultures, experiences, and perspectives of Native Americans and Alaska Natives.”
Apply here:: Vision Maker Public Media Fund
DocPitch at Doclands
Deadline: December 13th, 2024
“CAFILM is thrilled to announce the return of DocPitch in 2025, with $100,000 in awards for five in-progress documentary projects! As part of the DocLands Documentary Film Festival, CAFILM invites filmmakers to submit their unfinished FEATURE-length (70 + minutes) documentary projects, currently in early to later stages of production, for an opportunity to receive DocPitch funding. Five filmmaking teams will be selected to present pre-recorded and live pitches, with three- to five-minute trailers, to both live and online audiences comprised of funders, industry representatives, distributors, broadcasters, and the general public.
The $100,000 in funding includes a $45,000 Audience Award (decided through open voting), a $40,000 Jury Award, and an additional $5,000 for each of the remaining three finalists. We look forward to seeing this year’s submissions!”
MORE INFO: Doclands
The Whickers - Film and TV Funding Award
Application Deadline: January 31, 2025
“Awarded annually to an emerging filmmaker from anywhere in the world with the most promising pitch for a director-led documentary. With a main award worth £100K and a development award for the runner-up of £20K, The Whickers Film & TV Funding Award is one of the most significant documentary awards in the world.”
Apply here:: The Whickers
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