November is National Native American Heritage Month! Please join us in celebrating and supporting the creative works and contributions of Native American and Indigenous storytellers, who have been under-represented and portrayed inauthentically (putting it politely) by the mainstream film & TV industry for a long time. The summer of 2022 changed all that and I'm happy to see many more films and shows with Native American and Indigenous characters and stories. My favorites are, of course, the critically acclaimed comedy series Reservation Dogs, from co-creators Sterlin Harjo and Taika Waititi and more recently, Dark Winds, created by Graham Roland, with filmmaker Chris Eyre (Smoke Signals) directing many of the episodes, and True Detective: Night Country (Season 4). Another recommendation is the feature Fancy Dance on Apple TV+ by Erica Tremblay, starring Lily Gladstone, which premiered at Sundance in 2023.
Also, check out this list of films to watch in honor of American Indian Heritage Month, compiled by the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill: Fifty-three films to watch during American Indian Heritage Month.
-Nil Unerdem
Red Nation International Film Festival 2024
When: November 1-30th, 2024
Where: in-person in Los Angeles & online
“Red Nation International Film Festival™ (RNIFF) The Authentic Voice of American Indian & Indigenous Cinema™ is dedicated to breaking the barrier of racism by successfully replacing American Indian stereotype with recognition, new vision, arts, culture and economic prosperity by placing American Indian Filmmakers at the forefront of the entertainment industry and to introduce American Indian Filmmakers to larger, global mainstream audiences while championing Native Women in Film & Television and giving voice and inspiring native youth with our dedicated program Native Youth Matter™ – If I Can See It I Can Be It.™
This year’s festival will include hybrid in-person and virtual events dedicated to increasing the visibility of American Indian and Indigenous storytellers and artists in the entertainment landscape.”
MORE INFO, Tickets and Schedule: Red Nation Film Festival
Film: Climate Back Documentary sponsored by the Friends of the SF Public Library
When: November 3, 2024 3:30-4:30pm Pacific
Where: Noe Valley Meeting Room, 451 Jersey St, San Francisco, CA 94114
“Watch Climate Back, a documentary interviewing Native and First Nations about the impact of climate change. Teen filmmaker Rishi will lead a constructivist discussion after showing the 20 minute film.”
MORE INFO: Climate Back at the SF Public Library & for more events during Native American Heritage month, see here: SF Public Library Events
American Indian Cultural District
“Founded on March 31st, 2020, the American Indian Cultural District (AICD) is the first established Cultural District of its size in the United States dedicated to recognizing, honoring, and celebrating the American Indian legacy, culture, people, and contributions.”
MORE INFO: American Indian Cultural District
Dear Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area Community,
As we enter the month of November, we celebrate fall and Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the profound contributions and enduring cultures of Native American and Indigenous communities. This month reminds us of the vital role storytelling has played in preserving Native American history, traditions, and wisdom—an art that deeply resonates with our mission in film.
Native American women continue to make significant strides in the arts, sharing powerful stories that reflect their unique perspectives on identity, community, and justice. From trailblazers like producer Heather Rae and actor Lily Gladstone to many emerging Native voices, their contributions enrich the diversity of storytelling in the film industry, inspiring us all to amplify underrepresented voices.
As we approach Thanksgiving, I want to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to our Women in Film community. I am especially thankful for the dedication of our members and the unwavering support of our board, whose creativity and commitment continue to drive our mission forward. Together, we are building a thriving space for women to tell their stories with authenticity and strength.
And I wanted to give a special thank you to all who came out to support my film premiere The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka and the Art of Survival at the 47th Mill Valley Film Festival and came out to our WIFSFBA mixer after party! Your overwhelming support means the world to my team and me, and we are forever grateful.
As we reflect on this season of gratitude, let us also emphasize the importance of uplifting the voices of marginalized communities—whether they are Native American, Indigenous, women, or any group whose stories have historically been overlooked. Together, we can ensure these voices are not only heard but also valued and celebrated. A powerful way to support this cause is by exercising your right to vote and making your voice heard in the upcoming election. I encourage everyone to participate actively and help shape a more inclusive future for all.
I wish you and your loved ones health and happiness this Thanksgiving holiday season and a more peaceful, inclusive world.
With warm regards,
Julie Rubio, President, Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area
WIFSFBA UPDATES
November Event: Adaptation for Film, TV, Books, Streaming and More!
When: Tuesday, November 19th at 3:00-5:00pm (PT)
Where: Zoom
Cost: $20 non members/$10 members
Content providers and publishers are always searching for the next great story, but not all writers start from scratch. Their ideas often come from things they see, read, write and hear. The challenge is to reshape this material from its original book, article, podcast or story form into a viable screenplay or adaptation material for another medium.
Please join our virtual panel of award-winning producers, directors, consultants, and creative representatives for a lively interactive discussion about working with adaptation projects in various entertainment forms.
MORE INFO & Register here: WIFSFBA Events
Jennifer S. Wilkov (Moderator/Story Consultant) is a multi #1 international best-selling award-winning author, producer, an award-winning freelance writer, The Literary Agent Matchmaker™ and a respected book, business and entertainment creative consultant for nearly 20 years. Jennifer was selected as the Top Motivational Speaker, Business Consultant and Best-Selling Author of the Year for 2024 by the International Association of Top Professionals (IAOTP). She supports first-time writers and creators and seasoned authors, screenwriters, scriptwriters and playwrights with the essentials to become a bestseller: a great project, a strong platform and a well-polished pitch, presentation and hook for their book, television project, film, or theater project. She passionately teaches and educates writers as a speaker and program producer at writers conferences including Writer’s Digest Conferences, American Society of Journalists and Authors, Crimebake, ThrillerFest, Women in Publishing Summit, California Creative Writers Conference, and others and for groups such as the Writers Guild of America – East, Motion Picture Association and New York Women in Film & Television where she leads the Writers Group as a platinum member and teaches online for writers’ resources such as Writer’s Digest. She is a member of Women In Film in Los Angeles and in the San Francisco Bay Area, and is the creator and producer of The Next Bestseller™ Workshop (virtual), a safe space that provides writers with exclusive access to the dream team to help writers learn to talk effectively with industry professionals about their projects. Her keen eye for stories that sell for both books and in Hollywood is trusted by industry professionals who appreciate her savvy in seeing the many possibilities a subject can lend itself to.
www.YourBookisYourHook.com
Maria C. Miles, Esq. (Entertainment Attorney) is the founding partner of an entertainment law firm with offices in New York. Maria’s practice focuses on all areas of entertainment and media law, including film (both documentary and narrative), television (scripted and non-scripted), literary publishing and new media. Her clients consist primarily of independent film producers, directors, writers and talent. Prior to starting her own practice, Maria was general counsel for a multi-media digital start-up working on a diverse range of subject-matter areas including a webseries and editorial content, corporate and financing transactions, technology development and licensing, employment and intellectual property (including a large catalog of trademarks, copyrights and patents) both in the US and abroad. Prior to her role as in-house counsel, Maria was associated with a large law firm where she served as counsel to numerous award-winning actors, writers, producers, television hosts and multi-platinum recording artists, sports teams, and corporations in the fashion and retail industries related to their entertainment and intellectual property matters. Maria is an Adjunct Professor at The Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema and The School of Visual Arts. She served on the Board of New York Women in Film & Television for six years and currently serves on the Board of the Hellenic Film Society USA.Maria is admitted to practice in the State of New York, The United States District Court, Eastern & Southern Districts of New York, and The United States Supreme Court.
Mark DeGasperi (Scout) has been a writer, lecturer and professional story analyst in New York for many years. He has read and scouted screenplays, plays and books for film and TV adaptation, most recently for Sony Pictures Entertainment, Tribeca Productions, LBI Entertainment, Centropolis Entertainment and the Johnson Production Group. He has also covered potential movie and TV material for Paramount Pictures, Universal Pictures, New Line Cinema, the William Morris Agency (WME), International Creative Management (ICM Partners), and past companies like Miramax Films, Jonathan Demme’s Clinica Estetico and Stanley Jaffe`s Jaffilms. He teaches Advanced Film and Television Writing at New York University-SPS. He has received an NYU Award for Service. He has taught the Master Class in Screenwriting at the School of Visual Arts in New York. He is Associate Producer on the award-winning eco-documentary The Stolen River. He has recently been a speaker at ThrillerFest 2024 in Manhattan.
Lane Shefter Bishop (Producer/Director/Showrunner) is a multi-award-winning Producer and Director who has received numerous accolades for her work including an EMMY and the DGA Fellowship Award for Episodic Television. Currently Ms. Bishop is the CEO of Vast Entertainment, THE go to book-to-screen company since in an online interview, CNN dubbed her “The Book Whisperer” of Hollywood. Ms. Bishop has numerous projects, both completed and in active development including: Producing Feature Films, The Duff for CBS Films & Lionsgate and Assassination Games for MPCA (both based on books). She is also Producing and Directing the feature The Trouble With Dreamers for (based on the book) as well as the Backdoor Pilot for Series, The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein for Sony Pictures Television and Tristar (based on the Kiersten White novel) with Lizzie Mickery. Ms. Bishop has also been Executive Producing and Directing Christmas Movies for UPtv and Superchannel including Mistletoe & Molly, Secret Santa, Christmas Beneath The Stars, The Holiday Swap, Christmas on The Rocks, and An Eclectic Christmas (all but one based on Melissa Hill novels) as well as numerous Thriller Movies for Lifetime including Temptation Under the Sun, Husband Wife and Their Lover, A Lifeguard’s Obsession, Desperate Widows (also written by Ms. Bishop), His Secret Marriage (also written by Ms. Bishop), He Knows Your Every Move, Wicked Moms Club, Blood Sweat and Lies, Her Deadly Night in Paris, The Venice Murders and The Choking Game – which was the third most viewed program on television the night it premiered. Ms. Bishop also Directed the Streaming Movie A Brother’s Honor, as well as the final two films in the trilogy A Man’s Promise and A Lover’s Vow which will premiere by the end of 2024 on Tosca Musk’s Passionflix Channel. All of these films are African American romances based on NY Times bestselling author Brenda Jackson’s uber-popular novels. Lastly, Ms. Bishop is a published Author of the book SELL YOUR STORY IN A SINGLE SENTENCE, ADVICE FROM THE FRONT LINES OF HOLLYWOOD. She also holds a B.A. in Literature from UC Santa Barbara and an M.F.A. in Production from USC’s School of Cinema/Television. She is a director-member of the Directors Guild of America and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Jill Michelle Williams (Producer) is a working television producer and writer who has created content for Broadcast Networks (NBC’s Biggest Loser), Streamers (HBO Max Ellen’s Next Great Designer), and Cable Networks (Lifetime’s Project Runway All Stars and A&E’s Confession of a Serial Killer: BTK). She has sat on panels for the Chelsea Film Festival, been a guest lecturer at Chapman University and a Judge for the Emmys. Jill has been developing for as long as she’s been producing working also as a development consultant creating concepts in the true-crime, lifestyle and docu-soap genres including the Bravo series Southern Charm.Throughout the years, she’s created hundreds of hours of content across unscripted specials, competition shows, as well as documentary and scripted series including a stint as Head of Development.
She offers development consulting services through her website hollywoodconsultingstudio.com.
Kelly Thomas (Literary Agent) is an Associate Literary Agent with Serendipity Literary Agency and a Certified Copy Editor with a bachelor’s degree in English from Pace University. She is an associate member of the Association of American Literary Agents (AALA) and a member of the Editorial Freelance Association. She co-runs the monthly “8 Simple Steps to Writing a Successful Synopsis Workshop” alongside Jennifer S. Wilkov through the publishing and entertainment consulting company Your Book Is Your Hook. Prior to joining Serendipity Literary Agency, she provided part-time manuscript analysis for the D4EO Literary Agency. She is a panelist for the New York Women in Film & Television’s (NYWIFT) ‘The Business of Adaptations Panel’ program and a trainer for ‘The Next Bestseller Workshops.’ Kelly has participated in Pitch Slams for writing conferences, including ThrillerFest, Crimebake, Writing Day Workshops, and The Writer’s Digest Conference. She has sat on ‘Ask the Agent’ panels for the AWP Conference and Writing Barn’s ‘Courage to Create’ program, and she has participated in the ‘First Pages Critique’ panel for the Carnegie Center for Literary and Learning’s Books-in-Progress Conference and for the Women in Publishing Summit. She has participated in the “First Ten Lines Critique” panel for The Hampton Roads Writers Conference where she also taught classes on synopsis writing and character development. Kelly is a published poet with publications in Tales for the Disenchanted (2008) and Penumbra Art & Literature (2015). She has served as an editor for the literary arts magazine Pen & Brush and as a writing coach for the academic consulting company Brattlestreet.
Script Incubator News
Our next monthly Table Read will be on Monday November 18th 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.
Wednesday Winedown hosted by WIFSFBA member Kristin Tieche!
When: 5:45pm November 20th, 2024 - prior to documentary screening
Where: Delancey Street Restaurant, 600 The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA 94107 - prior to documentary screening
Join us for the next Wednesday Winedown on November 20th, hosted by WIFSFBA member Kristin Tieche! This month, the WIFSFBA Wednesday Winedown will be held on Wed. Nov. 20 at 5:45pm at the Delancey Street Restaurant, coinciding with the screening of documentary "Stripped For Parts" - playing at the screening room next door.
October Event Wrap Up - WIFSFBA Mixer & Tamara de Lempicka Premiere at the Mill Valley Film Festival
Thanks to everyone who joined us on Oct 11th and Oct 13th at the Mill Valley Film Festival for the world premiere of our President Julie Rubio’s documentary The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival!
After the premiere, we hosted an unforgettable Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area mixer at the Seager Gray Gallery, featuring complimentary cocktails, stunning artwork, and an inspiring atmosphere. It was wonderful to see so many of our members come together, enjoying meaningful conversations and sharing memorable moments with our vibrant community.
A special thank you to Seager Gray Gallery, Donna Seager, and Suzanne Gray, as well as East Meets West Productions LLC for being incredible community partners and champions of women in film!
WIFSFBA member Lynn Esta Goldman
Congratulations to WIFSFBA member Lynn Esta Goldman for her feminist sci-fi thriller script The Half-Sisterhood that 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!
Lynn’s other dramedy script Buster and Tony just won the Gold Prize in the Page Competition in the Family Category. Link to the winners can be found here: Page Awards
Bio:
Lynn Esta Goldman was born and raised in Miami and later escaped to San Francisco, where she worked as an artist and dancer, teaching ballroom and salsa, before becoming interested in film and screenwriting. Her life experiences range from teaching a hundred Chinese to salsa dance on a Shanghai riverboat to working on a Pediatric HIV ward. She was a finalist in the Nicholl Competition with two different screenplays, won two Gold Prizes in the PAGE, and is a member of The Writers Lab sponsored by Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman. Her screenplay, THE WAY YOU MOVE, is in development with producer Mitchell Peck: Deadline article. She writes dramas, thrillers, and comedies.
Check out Lynn’s Coverfly profile: Coverfly
Congratulations again Lynn!
The Invisible Mammal Test Screening
with WIFSFBA member Kristin Tieche!
When: Friday November 8, 6:30-9pm Pacific
Where: Ninth Street Independent Film Center, 145 9th Street #105 San Francisco, CA 94103
Cost: Free!
WIFSFBA member Kristin Tieche (also the host of the monthly Wednesday Winedown) is having a screening of her latest feature documentary!
“Join the filmmaking team of The Invisible Mammal, a feature documentary about bat conservation and women in science, for an audience test screening of the latest cut of the film.
By joining this test screening, you'll agree to complete a questionnaire after watching the film, giving the filmmaking team valuable feedback to help make the film more effective.
After the screening, stick around to ask questions with members of the filmmaking team:
Director Kristin Tièche
Editor Heidi Zimmerman
Executive Producers Windy Borman & Eileen Kim
Pizza slices and soft drinks on a first-come, first-served basis for early birds.
If plans change and you can no longer make it, please cancel your reservation. We want to fill every seat in the house!
ALSO, you can support our film by purchasing a Childless Bat Lady T-shirt, just in time for Spooky Season & Election Season!”
MORE INFO & RSVP here: Invisible Mammal Test Screening
Carol Hall, WIFSFBA Treasurer, The Jeweled Bird Trailer
Congratulations to WIFSFBA Treasurer Carol Hall! Her sizzle reel for her feature The Jeweled Bird played in the Movie Trailer Film Festival!
Check it out here (last film trailer in the video): MOVIE TRAILERS Festival October 2024
Interview & Film Review with Julie Rubio...
Congratulations to WIFSFBA President Julie Rubio on the premiere of her documentary The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka and The Art of Survival! The Bay Area Reporter came out with a glowing review you can check out here: Bay Area Reporter review
“In this visually stunning film, Rubio portrays Lempicka ahead of her time, breaking down personal and professional barriers, opening up doors for female artists, ‘leading them into a world of endless creative choice.’ This apologetic captivating documentary reveals the unity of Lempicka's unique life, where she put all her prodigious talent, struggles, turmoil, and truth into every canvas.”
And also please check out this interview with Julie from Eat Drink Films: Eat Drink Films Interview with Julie Rubio
Congratulations Julie!
...and Two Exclusive Screenings!
Big news! TWO exclusive pre-theatrical screenings at the iconic Roxie Theatre! This is your chance to experience The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival before anyone else! Hurry, the last screening sold out!!🌟 🌟
📅 November 6 at 6:10 PM
📅 November 10 at 2:10 PM
Tickets are LIVE and selling fast—don’t miss out on this special event! Grab yours now and join us for an unforgettable cinematic journey! 🎟️✨
Purchase your tickets here: Roxie tickets
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.
New York Women in Film & TV
When: October 30, Nov 6, and Nov 13 @ 6:30pm ET on Zoom
“Join NYWIFT for their Masterclass Series: Creative Strategies for Financing with Emmy-nominated impact producer Simone Pero. This three-part masterclass will offer you new insights and approaches to the fundraising process. We will explore how to effectively plan your path forward from a holistic, strategic point of view to the practical development of a targeted finance plan. Participants will walk away from this course with renewed inspiration and a step-by-step roadmap to follow in building presentation materials, identifying funders, and creating a sustainable community that will support you, project after project.
Virtual classes take place Oct 30, Nov 6, and Nov 13 at 6:30 PM ET. Use code Friend20 for 20% off when you register here!”
Black Film Space
When: Nov 12th - 7-10 PM (ET)
Where: For members of our community on the East Coast: 509 W. 38th Street, Manhattan
“Join @BlackFilmSpace for the 3rd Annual Black Film Space Awards l Nov 12th from 7-10PM at the Manhattan Neighborhood Network!
We’re celebrating the incredible achievements of Black filmmakers and industry professionals shaping our culture. Plus, this event is a fundraiser to support Black Film Space programs, which empower filmmakers through workshops, mentorships, and grants.
✨ Honorees include:
👉🏾 Darcy Heusel | Trailblazer Award
👉🏾 Ayana Baraka | Visionary Award
👉🏾 Imani Dennison | Day One Award
👉🏾 Crystal Kayiza | Up Next Documentary Award (Presented by The Gotham)
👉🏾 Olivia Peace | Up Next Narrative Award (Presented by The Gotham)
Don’t miss this unforgettable night of recognition and community!”
MORE INFO & TIX: 2024 BFS Awards
The Vine: The Video Industry Networking Event
When: November 7th, 6-8:00PM PDT
Where: Port Labs, 2044 Franklin St., Oakland, CA
“The November 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.
And you'll 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 Networking Event for November
Bravemaker presents ‘No Right Way’ Screening
When: November 4th @ 5:30pm - 8:00pm (PT) -- Doors open at 5:15pm
Where: CZI - 801 Jefferson Avenue, Redwood City, CA 94063 (Parking: 850 Jefferson Ave)
“BraveMaker is proud to present a screening of NO RIGHT WAY (a functional narrative film loosely baked on true events)
Georgie, a brazen tween, is thrust into the guardianship of her half-sister Harper whose attempts to parent only lead to exposing their paralleled childhood wounds.
Starring and directed by Chelsea Bo
Director/Writer/lead actor and producer will be in attendance
Chelsea is a writer/director with a theater and improv background. She graduated from Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film & Television and was selected for both Film Independent Incubator Lab and Village Roadshow’s Emerging Taloent Program. Chelsea co-founded the production company Paxeros with her husband/producing partner Sean Drummond, and together they have produced three feature films, including Joshua Leonard’s Fullyu Realized Humans (Tribeca, 2020) and Sarah Adina Smith’s The Drop (Tribeca, 2022). No Right Way is her feature directorial debut and has won 16 awards over 19 festivals in which they have screened.” Learn more here: No Right Way film
Ticket Info: No Right Way
BraveMaker members get 50% of all events.
Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival
Festival Dates: April 24-27, 2025
Deadlines: Nov 4th regular, Nov 25th late deadline for short films. 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!
“WIFSFBA members receive 50% off short film submission fees. Films must be directed by a woman, 20 minutes or less, completed or released no earlier than October 2023 and must be submitted to CASCADIA on Film Freeway using a code.
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.”
Please email bod-admin@wifsfba.org for the discount code!
MORE INFO: Cascadia Women's Film Festival
WIFT-US Member National Networking
When: November 14th, 2024, 7:00 PM Eastern, 4:00 PM Pacific
Where: Zoom
“Join us to meet other crew across the US! Crewing up in another area, join us and let’s put you guys together! Want to network? Join us! Must be a paid member of your local WIF chapter.”
MORE INFO: Register for WIFTUS Networking Night
WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE BAY AREA
When: Thursday October 24th through Sunday November 3rd, 2024
Where: in-person in San Francisco & online
“The flagship event of the Arab Film and Media Institute, the Arab Film Festival is the longest running and largest independent festival of its kind in North America. Launched in 1996, the festival’s mission is to present the best of contemporary films that illuminate the richness of Arab culture through authentic narratives and images, providing insight into the beauty and complexity of the Arab world.
The festival also offers special programming to local audiences, and unprecedented access to the diversity and range of authentic Arab experiences. The festival has gained an international reputation for excellence and offers its audiences access to media that reflects the lives of under-represented and provocative themes and groups on a cultural and societal level.”
MORE INFO: Arab Film Festival in San Francisco & Schedule and Tickets
When: November 15th - Doors Open @6:30 pm (PT) - Program Starts @7:00 - Mixer @9pm
Where: Artist Television Access - 992 Valencia St., SF CA 94110
“This is a short open mic film club event. It is an approximate 2 hour program of short films and then a 1 hour meet and greet with fellow filmmakers to connect and create community.
SUBMIT YOUR SHORTS RULES: We encourage all short films submissions to be under 10 min long. No short films over 30 minutes. Email a downloadable link of your short film to thegreatfilmclub@gmail.com. It is FREE to submit your film, but admission is $20 to attend the Nov 15th event.”
MORE INFO & TICKETS: Nov Short Film Open Mic
When: Nov 1st @ 8:00 am - Nov 3rd @11:30 pm PDT
Where: Santa Clara Convention Center - 5001 Great American Parkway, Santa Clara CA 95054
“Join us in exploring the future possibilities at the GenAI Summit Silicon Valley 2024. The event is hosted by GPT DAO, the largest GenAI event brand in the world. We are at the forefront of a new AGI wave. With over 10,000 total attendees, 150 speakers, 500 startups, 1,000 founders/CEOs, 20 international media outlets, and more than 2,000 developers, the summit brings together the world’s most cutting-edge entrepreneurial teams, corp decision makers, and investment institutions to jointly explore the future of this field.”
MORE INFO & TICKETS: GenAI Summit Silicon Valley 2024
When: Nov 29 & 30, 2024 @ 7:30 pm (PT)
Where: Davies Symphony Hall - 201 Van Ness Ave, SF
“Lights, Camera, Music! Watch Amadeus on the big screen at Davies Symphony Hall as the score is performed LIVE by the SF Symphony. Experience the tale of Mozart’s music, loves, and rivalries in this Best Picture and Best Actor Academy Award winning film.”
TICKETS: Amadeus at the SF Symphony
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Submission Deadline: November 25, 2024
LABS: June 6-9 and August 20-23, 2025
“Designed to support top emerging screenwriters, filmmakers and creative producers, admitted applicants will present a strong story idea, a good writing sample, demonstrate capacity to do the work to develop the story, and demonstrate a collaborative nature. During the Lab, participant will work with a community of peers and top industry mentors to help develop projects, skills and a strategy to move the work forward.”
To Submit: Stowe Narrative Lab
Festival Dates: March 21-23, 2025
Regular Submission Deadline: November 15, 2024; 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."
To Submit: Uptilt Film Fest
Applications Open: September 30, 2024
Non-Member Deadline: December 16, 2024
Film Independent Member Extended Deadline: January 6, 2025
“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.
Taking place in the spring, the Documentary Story Lab helps directors craft the best story possible for their documentary film. Over the period of one week, directors with projects in late production/early post-production attend multiple workshops and sessions with guest speakers, established documentary directors, institutional funders, legal professionals, and distributors. Fellows are paired with an experienced Creative Advisor and Editing Advisor who provide one-on-one support. The Lab culminates in a final pitch event that offers further opportunity for individualized feedback and discussion with industry executives.”
MORE INFO: Film Independent Documentary Labs
Submit here: Application
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
Early-bird Deadline- Narrative Short, Short Doc, Experimental and Animation: November 30, 2024
“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
Submission Deadline: November 1, 2024
"Curators, film programmers, filmmakers, and film scholars are invited to submit a proposal to present at the fifth William & Louise Greaves Filmmaker Seminar, an annual program for Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists working in cinematic realms, hosted by BlackStar.
Selected proposals will become seminar sessions presented at Stanford University during the 2025 Greaves Seminar, scheduled for March 7-9. Travel, accommodation, and a small stipend will be provided, as well as additional program funding as approved for your session."
Submit Proposals: Greaves Seminar
GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS CORNER
The Miller Packan Film Fund
Application Deadline: November 15, 2024
“The Miller / Packan Film Fund supports documentaries that Educate, Inspire and Enrich. The Fund is financed through the Rogovy Foundation. We believe in the transformational power that comes from enlightening narratives and inspiring characters. Each year, grants totalling $200,000 are awarded to between eight and twelve filmmakers. Each grant is one-time only and offered in amounts up to $25,000.”
MORE INFO: Miller Packan FF
WAVE Grant
Application Deadline: November 15, 2024
“The WAVE (Women At the Very Edge) Grant is devoted to helping emerging female and gender non-conforming BIPOC filmmakers tell their own great story. Each year, we select five recipients to receive a $5,000 seed grant for the production of their first short film. Receipients also receive mentorship from our award-winning team with development, production, post-production, festival strategy, and more.”
To Apply: WAVE Grant
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
California Documentary Project Grants
Application Deadline: November 4, 2024
“We invite applications for the 2024 round of California Documentary Project (CDP) grants in support of film, audio, or digital media projects that document California subjects and issues, have the potential to bring essential California stories to audiences throughout the state and beyond, and that use the humanities to provide context, depth, and perspective.
Funding is currently available in two categories:
CDP Research and Development Grants: R & D grants are designed to strengthen the humanities content and approach of documentary media productions in their earliest stages. Eligible applicants may apply for funding up to $15,000.
CDP Production Grants: These grants are designed to strengthen the humanities content and approach of documentary media productions and help propel projects toward completion. Eligible applicants may apply for funding up to $50,000.”
MORE INFO: California Documentary Project Grants
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