February News
Welcome to February!
WIFSFBA celebrates Black History Month!
Image by FreePik
February is Black History Month! Please join us in celebrating and supporting the creative works and contributions of Black storytellers. This year's theme for Black History Month – set by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) – is "African Americans and Labor.”
“The 2025 Black History Month theme, African Americans and Labor, focuses on the various and profound ways that work and working of all kinds – free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary – intersect with the collective experiences of Black people. Indeed, work is at the very center of much of Black history and culture. Be it the traditional agricultural labor of enslaved Africans that fed Low Country colonies, debates among Black educators on the importance of vocational training, self-help strategies and entrepreneurship in Black communities, or organized labor’s role in fighting both economic and social injustice, Black people’s work has been transformational throughout the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora. The 2025 Black History Month theme, ‘African Americans and Labor,’ sets out to highlight and celebrate the potent impact of this work.”
Please read more here: Black History Month theme AND sign up to get 28 days of Black History Month via a daily newsletter here: 28 Days of Black History
Black History Month Film Events in the Bay Area
Black History Month at MoAD
When: Throughout February
Where: Museum of the African Disapora, 685 Mission St., San Francisco.
MoAD will honor Black History Month with a full month of programs and events celebrating Black history, voices, art, film, literature, fashion, food and comedy. Prices vary.
MORE INFO: moadsf.org/events
Second Annual Kingmakers Black History Month Film Festival
When: 6:00 - 8:30 PM, February 7, 2025
Where: The New Parkway Theater, 474 24th St, Oakland, CA 94612
Cost: $12.51 per ticket
“Join us for the Second Annual Kingmaker Film Festival at The New Parkway Theater in Oakland, CA, where we will come together to celebrate the transformative power of Black Love as a Source of Healing. This is more than just a film festival; it's a celebration of connection, resilience, and joy through the art of storytelling that uplifts and honors our community and culture.
This year, we’ve curated a powerful selection of films that explore the depth of Black love, from its nurturing, healing aspects to its role in resilience and joy. Expect to be captivated by beautifully crafted stories that explore relationships, family, self-love, and community. Whether through documentaries or narrative films, the works showcased will remind us of the profound strength and beauty that comes from love in all its forms.
Why attend?
This festival isn’t just about watching films; it's about coming together, feeling inspired, and connecting with others who share a passion for honoring the power of Black love and culture. Whether you’re a film enthusiast, an artist, or someone who simply wants to celebrate and uplift the Black community, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
Mark your calendars, invite your friends, and join us for an unforgettable evening that celebrates us—our stories, our love, our power.”
MORE INFO: Kingmakers Film Festival
Black History Month in Oakland
When: throughout February
Where: Oakland, CA
“Oakland is a city renowned for its diversity and deep roots in Black culture. Throughout Oakland's history there have been a number of pioneers and trailblazers who helped make this city as great as it is today. Oakland is also home to dozens of influential Black-owned businesses to celebrate all year: from restaurants and fashion retailers to Oakland’s only Black-owned adult store and ‘crystal botanica’. This month we celebrate all of this a little extra, but Oakland's Black legacy is on display year-round.
The Oakland Museum of California has an exhibit as part of the Gallery of California History about the Black Power movement. In response to the widely-popular 2016 exhibition All Power to the People: Black Panthers at 50, this installation is an on-going exhibit that illustrates the creative ways black anti-racist activists in California supported their communities and challenged the U.S. government.
You may also plan a visit to the African American Museum and Library, a museum dedicated to the discovery, preservation, interpretation, and sharing of historical and cultural experiences of African Americans in California and the West for present and future generations.”
MORE INFO: Black History Month - Oakland
BAMPFA - Black Life: Trina Michelle Robinson
When: 5:30 PM, February 6, 2025
Where: BAMPFA, 2155 Center Street Berkeley, CA
“In this combination lecture and workshop, visual artist Trina Michelle Robinson uses historical photographic techniques, handicraft, and deep knowledge of a material’s origins as a metaphysical means to revisit or access the memories and visions of Black ancestors. This investment—in not just a picture but also in the material and its handling—helps to literally process the trauma that bubbles up when contending with these images and narratives of Black history.”
MORE INFO: Black Life - Trina Michelle Robinson
Benicia Library Black History Month Film Festival
When: 2/12, 2/18, and 2/25/25
Where: Benicia Public Library, 150 East L St., Benicia, CA 94510
“As part of our Black History Month events, the Library is hosting a Film Festival. Come and watch these movies with your community members and get some free popcorn and water too! All three movies begin at 6PM. Here’s the lineup:
2/12: Harriet, rated PG-13
2/18: Just Mercy, rated PG-13
2/25: Woman in Motion, not rated”
MORE INFO: Benicia Library Film Fest
News from Sundance
WIFSFBA Board members Kelli White and Nil Unerdem attended the Sundance Film Festival in Park City this year! There were a lot of panels, networking, and get togethers as well as some amazing documentaries and narrative films.
Kelli’s favorite was East of Wall, in which first-time feature director Kate Beecroft weaves together fact and fiction to share the story of Tabatha Zimiga, a young, tattooed, rebellious horse trainer; her band of teenage girls; and the place of women within the American West.
We weren’t the only ones watching the film for the first time, but the actual individuals who inspired this project and acted out a version of their own lives saw themselves onscreen for the first time. Beecroft intentionally wanted them to experience it with the Sundance audience. She said she wanted Tabby and the kids to know how amazing they are and how important their story is and to have an audience of strangers connecting with their story, meant so much to them.
Nil’s favorite was All That’s Left of You by Palestinian American writer/director/actor Cherien Dabis who was on hand for a Q&A to the standing ovation crowd afterwards. “The film is inspired in part by my family. My father is a Palestinian refugee who lived most of his life in exile,” Dabis explains. The film traces one Palestinian family’s multigenerational story from 1948 to 2022 and was the first time I’ve seen a narrative film of the Palestinian origin story, a story missing from mainstream media today. It not only informs us of the history, but humanizes the people involved.
Letter from the President
Dear Members of Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area and community.
February is a month that celebrates love, resilience, and the beauty of connection—a time to reflect on the challenges that shape us and the triumphs that inspire us. This year, our hearts are with the countless individuals and communities affected by the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles. These fires have disrupted lives, halted productions, and caused profound loss throughout the industry.
As women in film, we understand the power of storytelling to inspire action and create change. Let us use our voices, our craft, and our platforms to support those impacted, raise awareness of the environmental and human toll, and advocate for solutions that protect our future. This is a moment for us to unite as a creative community, offering not just our compassion but meaningful action to support those in need. Below is a list of trusted organizations where your contributions can make a real difference.
February is also Black History Month, a time to honor the contributions, achievements, and enduring legacy of Black individuals in our society. In the film industry, this is an opportunity to celebrate the rich and diverse voices of Black filmmakers, actors, writers, and creators who continue to break barriers and redefine storytelling. It is also a reminder to reflect on how we, as women in film, can continue to champion inclusivity, amplify underrepresented voices, and support equity in all areas of our work.
Last month, our board got together for our annual Strategic Planning Meeting, and it was such an inspiring day. The energy in the room was incredible as we brainstormed big ideas, tackled challenges, and imagined what’s next for Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area. We took a moment to look back at our past goals, which we’re excited to say we’ve not only achieved but surpassed. We also dove into ways to create more opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and visibility, while exploring fresh ideas to grow our reach and strengthen our community. By the end of the day, we had reaffirmed our mission to champion everyone in filmmaking and storytelling, and we left feeling fired up and ready to make it all happen.
I am so grateful for this board and our members, and all of the support and guidance you all have given to me over the last few months. So many of you came out to support my independent film The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka and the Art of Survival and having my film screen at such prestigious venues as the Mill Valley Film Festival, the de Young Museum, Roxie Theatre, and the historic Orinda Theatre has been a dream come true. I am thrilled to share that our screening at the de Young sold out, as did both screenings at the Mill Valley Film Festival. At the iconic Roxie Theatre, we held six screenings, all playing to full houses, and I am deeply grateful for the overwhelming support.
Two weeks ago, at the Orinda Theatre, we were moved into the 750-seat auditorium after selling out the original theater. In fact, they even had to move Wicked out of the big theater to make room for us! It was extraordinary to fill that space with so much love and appreciation for our independent film.
But none of this would be possible without Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area, and the audience filled with members, cast, crew and friends, the family—a true community. Many of you have become our Ohana, which in Hawaiian means community - but it doesn’t just mean that, it means family. So many of you have become like family, and I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. My cast and crew and I are so grateful to you for filling seats, showing up, and sending your wonderful messages of encouragement. Your support keeps me moving up this very tall hill of self-distribution, and I truly could not do it without you.
Now, as we prepare to premiere in New York City at the Jewish Film Festival, hosted by the Jewish Museum at Lincoln Center, I am honored to announce that both screenings have already sold out. The film is also playing at the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival. Your enthusiasm and support have made this incredible opportunity possible. From the Bay Area to New York, your belief in this project continues to inspire me, and I feel profoundly blessed. Thank you for championing independent film and for being such an essential part of this journey.
Lastly, the WIFSFBA Town Hall Meeting is coming up! In the spirit of collaboration and connection, I invite you to join us on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 6pm for our virtual Town Hall Meeting. This evening will be a time to share ideas, discuss the initiatives shaping our year, and strengthen the bonds within our community. Together, we can transform challenges into opportunities and build a brighter future for women in film.
Thank you for your creativity, passion, and commitment to storytelling that matters. I look forward to seeing you at the Town Hall and to the incredible work we will accomplish together in the months ahead.
With gratitude and determination,
Julie Rubio, President, Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area
Support LA Fire Relief Efforts
The recent wildfires in Los Angeles have caused widespread devastation, leaving many in our community in urgent need of assistance. In these challenging times, we have the opportunity to unite—industry peers, neighbors, and friends—to support those affected and help rebuild lives.
Your donation can make a direct impact by providing relief and essential resources to those who need it most. Here are some trusted organizations where you can contribute:
California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Recovery Fund - Focuses on supporting the most vulnerable Angelenos who are often overlooked in traditional relief efforts. Donate here
Los Angeles Fire Department Foundation - Equips LAFD members battling wildfires with urgently needed tools and supplies. Donate here
American Red Cross - Provides shelter, food, and assistance to those affected by the wildfires. Donate here
GlobalGiving Wildfire Relief Fund - Supports local organizations working to provide immediate relief and long-term recovery efforts. Donate here
Together, we can make a difference. Thank you for your support.
WIFSFBA EVENTS
WIFSFBA Town Hall!
When: 6:00 - 7:30 PM, February 19th, 2025
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
Get ready for an evening of connection, collaboration, and creativity at the WIFSFBA Town Hall Meeting! This virtual gathering is your chance to join forces with current and prospective members of Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area and help shape the future of our vibrant community.
Let’s come together to celebrate our shared passion for supporting women in the film and creative industries. The Town Hall will feature engaging large group discussions and lively breakout conversations, providing the perfect space to exchange ideas, share your vision, and imagine exciting possibilities for the year ahead.
Whether you want to highlight ways to enhance existing programs, pitch fresh event ideas, or suggest new activities to inspire creative growth, this is your opportunity to be heard, make an impact, and help guide the direction of WIFSFBA. Together, we’ll design initiatives that empower, connect, and uplift our incredible community of creatives.
If you know anybody interested in WIFSFBA, invite them to join!
We can’t wait to hear your thoughts and work with you to create an amazing year for WIFSFBA. Let’s build something extraordinary—see you there!
MORE INFO & Sign up here: WIFSFBA Town Hall
ALSO…please fill out the feedback survey before the Town Hall! We are looking for input on how the organization is achieving its mission. We are also looking for ideas for 2025. Below is a survey link where you can help us in our planning! This survey is quick, and should only take two minutes of your time. Let us hear your voice as we plan 2025! Thanks for being part of WIFSFBA!
Survey: WIFSFBA 2025 planning survey
The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & the Art of Survival screenings
The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & the Art of Survival screened at the Orinda Theatre on January 7 and the de Young Museum on January 11! The New York premiere was at the New York Jewish Film Festival at Lincoln Center (review from Nora Lee Mandel here: Maven's Nest film review), followed by the San Diego International Jewish Film Festival this month! Please see details below.
FEBRUARY 6 - 4:00 PM
SAN DIEGO INTERNATIONAL JEWISH FILM FESTIVAL SCREENING
Purchase Tickets Here: The True Story of Tamara De Lempicka & The Art of Survival | 2025 SDIJFF…and please see article with podcast here: KPBS San Diego International Jewish Film Festival
Script Incubator News
Our February monthly Table Read will be on Monday February 17th 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, feel free to contact Carol Hall at bod-admin@wifsfba.org with “Script Incubator” in the subject line.
Wednesday Winedown with Kristin Tieche
WIFSFBA members gathered at Ebb & Flow in San Francisco on January 22nd to hang out in person and made some connections!
(Note: this image is from the October Winedown)
Be on the lookout for February’s Winedown date and location on our Social Media channels!!
Upcoming Event: NYWIFT Virtual Hangout
WHEN: March 10th @ 4pm PST on Zoom
Mark your calendars NOW to join us in March for the 2nd annual hangout with our NYWIFT sisters. Find out what’s happening in film and television in the Big Apple, and get a chance to meet potential collaborators in lively breakout rooms. You’ll also discover why having a dual membership with NYWIFT (info in updates below) is a plus! Registration will open mid- February!
February Networking
The Vine: The Video Industry Networking Event
When: February 6th, 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.”
Register here: Vine Mixer Event
Monthly Filmmaker Mixer
When: Wednesday February 12th, 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.”
Register here: Filmmaker Event Facebook page
WIFT-US Member National Networking
When: February 13th, 2025, 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
WIFSFBA UPDATES
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!
Member Spotlight: Kate Schultz
By Noma Faingold
One of the first things screenwriter Kate Schultz reveals is that she’s never sold a script. Yet, the Oakland resident will not be deterred, even after writing three full-length screenplays and eight shorts in the last 15 years.
“I love writing. I can’t stop,” Schultz said. “It’s compulsive with me. I tried to stop and, a couple of weeks later, I heard this incredible story and started writing a screenplay right away. As soon as I learned words, I started writing stories. It’s like breathing.”
Schultz, who grew up in Detroit, as the oldest of seven children, earned an undergraduate degree in history at the University of Michigan. She then headed to New York to get a degree in psychology from Long Island University. She credits her background in history and psychology as useful tools in creating characters. “It was great prep,” she said.
She stayed in New York for a while before moving to Santa Barbara. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, she came to the Bay Area to help family members. “No one got Covid really bad. But they needed help at that time, things like house sitting, pet sitting and document writing,” Schultz said.
Schultz loves living in the Bay Area making a living as a freelance writer. For several years, she worked for newspapers as a feature writer and copy editor, until the media landscape shrank. She pivoted to supporting herself in the last seven years by editing books and working on website content.
But she has her priorities. She won’t take a new assignment unless she can put her screenwriting first. “I tell clients up front that I don’t do deadline work,” she said. “I have to have enough time for screenwriting and for family, if they need my help.”
One of the eight shorts Schultz has written, “End Run,” was made last year in the most indie of ways. She mounted a GoFundMe campaign. The five-minute film, produced by Phase4 Productions, was shot in two days at one location in June 2024. “Most everyone was volunteering,” she said. “We made sure we were really organized and ready to go. Filmmaking is a team sport. I’m all about collaboration.” The crowdfunding money was used to cover post-production costs and for film festival entry fees. The topical, three-character drama is about the freedom to die with dignity. Schultz wanted to shine a light on a subject still being fought legislatively and in court, even though 71 percent of the U.S. population support legal euthanasia (death with dignity laws) at the patient’s request, according to a 2024 Gallup poll. As of September 2024, several states, including California, Oregon and New Mexico, have adopted some form of aid-in-dying laws.
L-R David Klein, Kate Schultz, Kevin Berndt, and Elizabeth Jones
BTS photo from "End Run"
Schultz was ignited to tell a human story about the issue after reading an article about the extreme death-with-dignity laws in Texas. “Doctors supplying pills would get 20 years in prison,” she said. In “End Run,” each character (the patient, his nurse and a sheriff) is forced to deal with moral, humane and legal ramifications of their actions. “End Run,” which will be screened as part of the Bay Area Indies Film Festival, on June 1 at the Delancey Street Screening Room in San Francisco, has been submitted to several other 2025 film festivals. Schultz would like it to be available for viewing in academic settings and through AARP. “We’re looking into every possible option,” she said.
Schultz has a goal to have each of her eight short scripts produced. She’s starting to raise money for her next project, a two-character, tension-filled drama about a family secret and sketchy finances with the working title, “Truth Comes Home.” It was a finalist in the 2024 CinemaStreet Short Film Screenwriting Competition.
She is emboldened to keep at it by being recognized in several screenwriting competitions. Last year, she was also a finalist in the Women Over 50 International Film Festival Screenwriting Competition for “Heroes for Hazel,” which is about a woman who avoids being robbed by her conniving nephew.
Being a member of a few screenwriting groups and attending workshops helps keep Schultz motivated, as well. As a member of WIFSFBA, she regularly participates in Script Incubator sessions. “I love being with like-minded people,” she said. “I get a lot of encouragement from the writing groups.”
Not that Schultz needs any urging to write another script. Ideas come at her from everywhere, including at the grocery store or from films that have stayed with her, like 1957’s “12 Angry Men,” “About Schmidt,” (2002), “Carol” (2015) and 2017’s “The Beguiled.”
“There are a million stories,” she said. “I write almost every day. I fit my schedule around it. I’m working on two or three different screenplays right now.”
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
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 Legacy Film Festival on Aging and BlackStart this month:
Legacy Film Festival on Aging
"The Legacy Film Festival on Aging (LFFOA), based in San Francisco, is extremely proud to present its 12th Annual/3rd Virtual Film Festival, beginning February 14-23, 2025.
Films from around the globe will be featured, both fiction and documentary, all aimed at supporting the LFFOA mission: To educate, inspire, and entertain intergenerational audiences on the issues of aging. In addition, we hope to promote new and fresh ideas for older adults to live a more productive and healthy older life, both physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Some of this year’s festival themes are Caring for Elders, Community, Dreams and Goals, End of Life Experience, Family, Food, Free Spirits, Love Always, Memories, Pioneers, Resilience, Seeking Creativity, and The Next Step."
MORE INFO: Legacy Film Festival
William + Louise Greaves Filmmaker Seminar
When: March 7-9th
Registration closes: February 13
"Registration is now open for the William + Louise Greaves Filmmaker Seminar, BlackStar’s annual gathering for Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists working in cinematic realms. This year’s Seminar will take place from March 7-9 at Stanford University in Palo Alto, California. Over the course of three days, participants will explore technical and creative aspects of media-making, attending hands-on workshops and being a part of bold and thought-provoking conversations about the practice."
MORE INFO: Greaves Filmmaker Seminar
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
BlackStar Film Festival
Deadline: March 1st
"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/
Imagine This Women's International Film Festival 2025
Accepting feature screenplays, short scripts and TV pilots
Regular Deadline: March 24, 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."
SUBMIT HERE: Imagine This Women's FF
Brooklyn Film Festival
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
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.”
“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
GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS CORNER
JFI Completion Grant
Application window: January 10 through February 14, 2025. 2025
“The Jewish Film Institute (JFI) Completion Grants support independent film and media arts projects that probe nuanced and surprising corners of Jewish life, history, culture, and identity. Grants provide critical resources for filmmakers to accelerate the final stages of their films as the funding landscape for independent filmmakers—particularly those seeking to reflect the full spectrum of Jewish experiences—becomes more challenging. Launched in 2020 to address the growing need for Jewish film funders nationally and internationally, the Grants advocate for films that challenge stereotypes and conventions, spark impactful conversations about Jewish life, and innovate storytelling forms.”
Apply here: JFI Completion Grant
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
Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant (From the Heart Productions)
Applications Open: January 1, 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
12th Annual Screencraft Screenwriting Fellowship
Final Deadline: February 28th, 2025
"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
New Voices Filmmaker Grant
Application Deadline: February 13, 2025
“An ongoing partnership with Netflix to support emerging LGBTQ+ directors with $25K in funding to create new work, in addition to mentorship, networking, and professional development opportunities. Submissions are accepted from emerging LGBTQ+ directors who make documentary/nonfiction, narrative, and/or animated film/episodic projects for and about the LGBTQ+ community.”
Apply here: New Voices
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
Catapult Development Grant
Application Deadline: February 12th, 2025
“Provides early-stage support to documentary filmmakers when funding is hardest to find. This year, we will offer fifteen grants of up to $25K to filmmakers with a new documentary feature or short. We prioritize artful, moving storytelling and are not tied to any specific social issue agenda. 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.”
Apply here: Catapult Film Fund
Thanks to newsletter contributors: Noma Faingold, Diane Walsh, Julie Rubio, Nil Unerdem, and Kelli White
Newsletter designed by Lina Indeeva and edited by Nil Unerdem