Embedded Files
Native American Heritage Month
Image by FreePik
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. This past year at Sundance, I was lucky to be able to watch Free Leonard Peltier, a documentary about Leonard Peltier, one of the surviving leaders of the American Indian Movement, who was in prison for 50 years following a contentious conviction and was granted executive clemency by President Biden in January 2025. It was a very emotional screening with all the Native activists who worked on his case there for a Q&A afterwards.
I also just finished reading the novel Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange (Oakland-born novelist and writer), a follow up to his bestseller There There. Highly recommend both books!
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, WIFSFBA Secretary
Red Nation International Film Festival 2025
When: November 10-16th, 2025
Where: in-person in Los Angeles & online
“Red Nation International Film Festival (RNIFF) is the world’s largest Native Indigenous film and media arts festival and the first in Los Angeles, a program of RNCI. Empowering Native Indigenous Storytellers Since 1995.
Amplifying more than 5000+ Native and Indigenous content creators through its streaming company Red Nation Television Network, supporting 2780+ Native Indigenous filmmakers through its Red Nation International Film Festival, including films directed by women through its Native Women in Film & Television in All Media, since 1995. In the last seven years RNCI has screened 177 films directed by women.
Los Angeles is home to the largest urban American Indian and Alaska Native population in the country, with over 200 tribes, including the original peoples of this land: the Tongva, Tataviam, and Chumash.”
MORE INFO, Tickets and Schedule: Red Nation Film Festival
Film: Beyond Recognition -
sponsored by the Friends of the SF Public Library
When: November 5, 2025 5:00-6:00pm Pacific
Where: Portola Meeting Room, 380 Bacon St., San Francisco, CA 94134
“After decades struggling to protect her ancestors' burial places, now engulfed by San Francisco's sprawl, a Native woman from a federally unrecognized tribe and her allies occupy a development site to prevent desecration of sacred ground.
Followed by a brief discussion by a librarian providing current information on the people and places mentioned in the documentary in the 11 years since the film was released.”
MORE INFO: Beyond Recognition & 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 & Gatherings & Events — American Indian Cultural District
Letter from the President
Dear Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area Community,
November is a season of reflection and gratitude, and it also marks Native American Heritage Month, a time to honor the artistry, wisdom, and enduring traditions of Native and Indigenous peoples. Their stories remind us that filmmaking, at its heart, is a vessel for memory and truth—a way of preserving who we are and how we live.
Native women filmmakers such as Sydney Freeland (Navajo) and Nanobah Becker (Diné) continue to illuminate the screen with powerful narratives that explore identity, resilience, and belonging. Their work expands our understanding of cinema and inspires us to continue amplifying voices that reflect the full spectrum of human experience.
As we celebrate this season of gratitude, I want to express my deepest appreciation to our Board of Directors, volunteers, and every member of WIFSFBA. Your creativity, vision, and dedication drive everything we do. Together, we are building a community that empowers women and nonbinary filmmakers to tell their stories with authenticity, purpose, and strength.
In that same spirit of appreciation, I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to WIFSFBA for community sponsoring my film The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival and for supporting this journey that continues to uplift and empower women in film. Last month was especially meaningful for our organization, as WIFSFBA proudly community partnered with the United Nations Association Film Festival for a powerful screening and discussion celebrating art as a force for resilience and change. During the festival, my cinematographer and co-producer, Svetlana Cvetko and my film received the Best Cinematography Award—a truly unforgettable honor that reflected the artistry, collaboration, and shared vision at the heart of our work.
Last month we also hosted a lively mixer and an inspiring “How to Slay in Horror Filmmaking” event. A special thank you to Diane Walsh and Nichole Carson for spearheading this exceptional event. This event was a reflection of the creativity, courage, and collaborative spirit that define our members. Thank you to all who joined, volunteered, and helped make these events unforgettable. It truly was an inspiring panel and I now understand the art of making a horror film.
As we look ahead I’m thrilled to share our upcoming programs. On November 10, 2025, we’ll host a Virtual Networking Night (Members Only) from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Zoom. This is an opportunity for members to connect, collaborate, and strengthen our creative community. Later in the month, we’ll gather for “Breaking Boundaries: Self-Distribution & the Direct-to-Consumer Model,” a compelling and timely conversation exploring how filmmakers are reclaiming ownership of their work, building direct relationships with audiences, and reshaping what it means to succeed in today’s independent film landscape.
Joining me for this event are four accomplished creatives who have each forged their own path in distribution: Lisa Hurwitz, Director/Producer of The Automat; Jeremy Workman, Director of The Secret Mall Apartment and The World Before Your Feet; Heather Spore, Producer of Almost Famous; and myself, Julie Rubio, Director/Producer of The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival. Together, we’ll explore practical strategies—from negotiating deals and protecting creative rights to finding new ways to sustain artistic independence. This conversation reflects WIFSFBA’s ongoing commitment to empowering filmmakers with the knowledge, resources, and confidence to carve their own paths in an ever-evolving industry.
On a personal note as this month of November unfolds, I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to share my film abroad, with screenings at the Cine por Mujeres Film Festival at Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid. This is a powerful festival for women with incredible films made by women. Later in the month I will travel to Malaga to screen my film at the Centre Pompidou Málaga, and then travel to Paris to screen at the A Shaded View on Fashion Film Festival (ASVOFF) at Dover Street Market in Paris.
These international events celebrate art, resilience, and the enduring legacy of Tamara de Lempicka—and they remind me that storytelling knows no borders. It unites us through empathy, imagination, and shared humanity, and affirms that independent film can not only survive but continue to thrive, grow, and live on in the hearts of audiences everywhere.
As we move through November, may we continue to uplift voices too often unheard Native, Indigenous, women, and all creators whose stories bring light into the world. Together, we can help shape a more inclusive and compassionate future for the next generation of storytellers.
I wish you and your families a joyful, healthy, and inspiring Thanksgiving filled with love, peace, and gratitude.
With heartfelt thanks,
Julie Rubio
President, Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area
WIFSFBA EVENTS
WIFSFBA Presents
Breaking Boundaries: Self-Distribution & the Direct-to-Consumer Model
WIFSFBA Presents
Breaking Boundaries: Self-Distribution & the Direct-to-Consumer Model
Date & Time: Tuesday, December 2, 2025 | 6:00 - 7:30pm PST
Location: Zoom
Tickets: $10 Members / $15 Non-members / $5 Students
Open to all filmmakers, producers, actors, and students ready to explore smarter paths forward in today’s film industry. Moderated by Julie Rubio, President of Women in Film SF Bay Area.
Independent filmmaking has never been more exciting or more challenging. While many artists struggle to navigate the shifting distribution landscape, a new wave of filmmakers is finding innovative solutions: embracing direct-to-consumer self-distribution to take control of their audiences, their financial futures, and their creative rights.
Join us for a candid and empowering conversation with four accomplished creatives who are redefining what it means to succeed in today’s independent film market.
Lisa Hurwitz – Director/Producer of The Automat, a documentary that achieved remarkable success through creative self-distribution and strategic hybrid distribution.
Jeremy Workman – Director of The Secret Mall Apartment and The World Before Your Feet, both of which earned acclaim for their unique distribution journeys and innovative approaches to connecting with audiences.
Heather Spore – Producer of Almost Famous and now a champion of independent filmmaking, pioneering direct-to-consumer self-distribution strategies with her current projects.
Julie Rubio – Director, Writer, and Producer of the award-winning documentary The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival; President of Women in Film SF Bay Area. leading her own way in independent film with innovative direct-to-consumer self-distribution, building lasting connections with audiences worldwide.
Together, they will share strategies for thinking outside the box, taking intelligent risks, and building sustainable careers in a marketplace where many still struggle. From negotiating deals to creating new revenue streams, and from protecting your copyright to connecting directly with audiences, this conversation will give filmmakers practical tools to take charge of both their creative and financial futures.
Key Takeaways:
How to find solutions in an unpredictable independent film market
Effective strategies for negotiating deals and maximizing revenue
Connecting directly with audiences while protecting creative rights
Turning challenges into opportunities with practical, actionable steps
MORE INFO & register here: Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area
Script Incubator Monthly Table Reads
Script Incubator Monthly Table Reads
When: Monday, November 17th, 7:00-9:30pm PDT
Where: Zoom
The Script Incubator meets on Zoom every third Monday from 7:00-9:00 p.m. to discuss the group’s work, which includes TV pilots, features, shorts, and web series. For 2025, we are reviewing each other's work "table read" style, in which we will read aloud up to 3 script portions of 1-10 pages each. No homework! We are also seeking actors to bring the parts alive so the scriptwriters can hear their words aloud. Each Zoom session will be recorded so the screenwriter can go back and see what worked and what didn't. And all participants will be encouraged to give feedback and support each other during the meetings.
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.
WIFSFBA Holiday Mixer
When: December 6th, 2025
Where: Cafenated Coffee, 2085 Vine St., Berkeley, CA
Come one come all to our WIFSFBA Holiday Mixer December 6th at Cafenated Coffee in Berkeley (2085 Vine St.). We'll be on the back patio from 1-3pm with some appetizers to share. Connect with friends and collaborators for your next creative project!
Fun things to look forward to:
Please bring a White Elephant gift (not required if you do not wish to participate) for a raucous gift exchange and steal your fave gift from someone else. A new gift worth $10-15 would be great. Nothing like stealing gifts to get the holiday spirit going!
If you have an ugly holiday sweater, wear it and flaunt it!
We'll have a WIFSFBA raffle with fun merch!
MORE INFO and register here: WIFSFBA Events
November Community Networking
WIFSFBA Virtual Networking Night
When: Monday, November 10th, 6:00-7:00pm PDT
Where: Zoom
Cost: Free
The WIFSFBA Virtual Networking Night is now monthly!
Join WIFSFBA for an exciting Virtual Networking Night, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet fellow members, share your projects, exchange ideas, and build new collaborations—all from the comfort of your home!
Whether you're looking for a creative partner, industry advice, or just want to expand your network, this is the perfect chance to engage with a vibrant community of women in film and media.
Expect breakout room discussions, and engaging conversations with like-minded creatives. Don’t miss this chance to grow your network and get inspired!
MORE INFO: RSVP here
The Vine: The Video Industry Networking Event
When: November 6th, 6-8 PM PDT
Where: Port Labs, 2044 Franklin St., Oakland, CA
“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. And as usual, your $5 admission gets you pizza, wine and other refreshments.
Also, 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.’”
Register here: Vine Mixer Event
SF Wednesday Winedown
Join member Kristin Tieche for the Wednesday Winedown in San Francisco!
When: 5:30pm, November 19th, 2025
Where: Canela Bistro Bar, 2272 Market St., SF, CA 94114
Keep a lookout for the announcement on our social media channels, WIFchat and the WIFSFBA website local meetups page!
East Bay Meetup
WIFSFBA members (Beth Barany and Amy Boyd) have organized a monthly East Bay meet-n-greet -- an Oakland WIFSFBA hub. Ideally, we'll meet monthly on the third Tuesday of the month. Keep an eye out on WIFchat and the WIFSFBA website local meetups page!
We'll connect, get to know each other, and drink iced tea!
** Yes, bring your non-WIF members friends.
WIFSFBA UPDATES
Filmmakers Panel: How to Slay in Indie Horror Filmmaking - Wrap Up
Thanks to everyone who joined us October 21st for our panel of women horror film directors/producers moderated by writer/director/producer Jenn Wexler (THE SACRIFICE GAME), with producer Ashleigh Snead (SHELBY OAKS) and actor/writer/director Emily Bennett (BLOOD SHINE)! They shared personal stories, hard-won insights and practical advice — from how to get started and what pitfalls to avoid when putting your own scary project together, to understanding the worlds of genre festivals, markets, sales agents and distributors. So inspiring!
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
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
For more information, please see the description here, and 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 Private Member Crew List
A similar perk of individual WIFSFBA membership is the private version of the public list (those who prefer to only be viewed by other WIFSFBA members). This Private Member Crew List can be seen by logging into our website. This is another great resource to find collaborators, crew, and connections!
Check it out here: Women In Film San Francisco Bay Area - Member Directory
IMDB Pro Member Discount
The new 2025 IMDbPro discount code for 30% off an annual or monthly membership is available if you are a WIFSFBA member. Please email bod-admin@wifsfba.org with “IMDBPro discount” in the subject line for the code.
To redeem the code, users must go to IMDbpro.com/redeem, enter the promo code and log in. Please note offers may not be combined and entering a new promo code will override any lesser discount that has been applied to your account. Promotional discounts will be applied at the start of your next billing cycle. This offer is limited to members only and is non-transferable.
WIFSFBA Merch Store!
Check out our exclusive new WIFSFBA Film Role Apparel (Producer, Director, Screenwriter, etc.)! Wear your film role with pride AND support Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area at the same time! Whether you're treating yourself or finding the ideal gift for a friend, we've got something special for everyone. Check out the online store here: WIFSFBA merch!
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
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.
Bay Area Happenings
The 29th Arab Film Festival
When: November 6-15th, 2025
Where: Bay Area theatres
“The flagship event of the Arab Film and Media Institute, the Arab Film Festival is the longest running 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.
The 29th edition runs November 6-15, 2025, in-person throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, with a virtual track open nationally.”
MORE INFO and tickets here: Arab Film Festival
BASH - Bay Area & Sacramento Short Films Festival 2025
BASH - Bay Area & Sacramento Short Films Festival 2025
When: November 22nd | 11am-5pm PT
When: November 22nd | 11am-5pm PT
Where: Fort Mason Center for Arts & Culture -- 2 Marina Blvd, Bldg D, SF 94123
“BASH is a semin-annual Film Festival showcasing diverse sampling of BAY AREA and SACRAMENTO made shorts and mini-features, award-winning directors along with amateurs breaking in the industry and blowing everyone away. From EPIC Comedies, Horrors to Serious Dramas, and Documentaries, our selections are eclectic all across the board! Audience choice winners will win trophies and exposure on our networking.
PLUS: Bay Area & Sac CHALLENGE Film Festival - a variety of films that completed in DAY Challenges and Feature Film Challenges. Winners from the Films Made During Our Scenes/Make a Film in a Day Actors, Writers and Directors Challenges will receive trophies, and a chance to win best of the bay and lots of exposure. Actors can also COMPETE for Best Monologue. Join Here! “
MORE INFO and tickets here: BASH
Community Partners - Events & Invitations
A BIG THANKS to our October Community Partners for their support of "Filmmakers Panel: How to Slay in Indie Horror Filmmaking"
A BIG THANKS to our October Community Partners for their support of "Filmmakers Panel: How to Slay in Indie Horror Filmmaking"
Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival - Short Film Submission Discount for WIFSFBA members!
“CASCADIA turns 10 in 2026 — and they’re celebrating big! From special pre-festival screenings to an expanded film lineup, late-night movies, and the return of the student filmmakers showcase, this milestone season will be unforgettable. The 10-year celebration will be April 30- May 3, 2026 in person in Bellingham, WA. with an online version of the festival to follow May 7-17, 2026. More details can be found here on CASCADIA's website.”
As a Community Partner of CASCADIA International Women's Film Festival, Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area members receive 50% off short film submission fees. Films must be directed by a woman, be 20 minutes or less, completed or released no earlier than October, 2024 and must be submitted to CASCADIA on Film Freeway using a discount code.
FOR MORE INFO: https://filmfreeway.com/CASCADIAInternationalWomensFilmFestival -- if you’d like the WIFSFBA DISCOUNT CODE, please contact us at bod-admin@wifsfba.org, and use Subject Line: Cascadia Discount
CAAMFest 2026 Call for Entries is now open!
Early Bird Deadline: November 7, 2025 -- Final Deadline: December 12, 2025
“Each year, the festival brings together audiences from the Bay Area and beyond to experience films from Asian America and beyond. .
For over forty years, CAAMFest has been more than a showcase—it has been a gathering place where filmmakers, artists, and communities reflect on the narratives that shape our times and open doors. Submit early to benefit from reduced entry fees.”
MORE INFO and submit here: CAAMFest
Call for Submissions
San Francisco International Festival
San Francisco International Festival
Festival Dates: April 23 - May 3, 2026
Deadlines: November 12th, December 10th, 2025
Submission Fee: Varies by category
The SF International Film Festival, presented by SFFILM, is the longest running film festival in the Americas, bringing films from around the world to Bay Area audiences since 1957. SFFILM is rooted in the culture of film appreciation by exploring film as an evolutionary art form, and as a transformative force for social change.
Narrative Feature (60+ min)
Documentary Feature (60+ min)
Animated Feature (60+ min)
Animated Short (Under 30 min)
Documentary Short (Under 30 min)
Narrative Short (Under 30 min)
Mid-length Animation (btw 30-59)
Mid-length Narrative (btw 30-59)
Mid-length Documentary (btw 30-59)
All Films must have premiered after June 1, 2025.
Submit Here: San Francisco International Film Festival - FilmFreeway
2026 NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship
2026 NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship
Deadlines: November 28th, 2025
Submission Fee: through the Blacklist
“The Fellowship will grant $20,000 each to three writers to support revision of a feature screenplay or pilot that engages with climate change in a compelling way.”
MORE INFO: 2026 NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship | The Black List
Women's Voices Now Film Festival
Women's Voices Now Film Festival
Deadline: December 1st, 2025
“The Women’s Voices Now Film Festival promotes emerging women filmmakers using social-change films to advocate for women’s and girls’ rights around the world. The festival is offering a 50% discount for the first month of submissions using code 2026FF. Join emerging women’s filmmakers around the world and submit your film.”
Submit Here: Women's Voices Now FF
19th Annual Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest
19th Annual Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest
Pre-register: December 30, 2025
Early: March 5, 2026
Regular: May 1, 2026
Late: May 15, 2026
Extended: May 31, 2026
Submission Fee: $40
“Script Pipeline is searching for extraordinary writers with original television pilots or unproduced indie series scripts.
Together with the Screenwriting Contest, we focus foremost on finding writer representation, supporting diverse voices, championing ambitious storytelling, and pushing original projects into production.
We're currently the only competition offering an intensive, personalized process to our Quarterfinalists and higher: 1-on-1 development, long-term mentorship, career guidance, and circulation to only the leading industry execs. This has resulted in over $8 million in spec sales to studios, multiple films produced, and hundreds of emerging writers introduced to reps.”
Submit Here: Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest
24th Annual Script Pipeline Screenwriting Contest
24th Annual Script Pipeline Screenwriting Contest
Pre-register: December 30, 2025
Early: March 5, 2026
Regular: May 1, 2026
Late: May 15, 2026
Extended: May 31, 2026
Submission Fee: $40+
“The 24th Annual Script Pipeline Screenwriting Contest is searching for extraordinary writers with feature screenplays across all genres.
We focus foremost on finding writers representation, supporting diverse voices, championing ambitious storytelling, and pushing original projects into production.
We're currently the only competition offering an intensive, personalized process to our Quarterfinalists and higher: 1-on-1 development, long-term mentorship, career guidance, and circulation to only the leading industry execs. This has resulted in over $8 million in spec sales to studios, multiple films produced, and hundreds of emerging writers introduced to reps.”
Submit Here: Script Pipeline Screenwriting Contest
Hollywood Shortsfest
Hollywood Shortsfest
Deadline: November 13, 2025
“We’re committed to helping up-and-coming filmmakers promote their work to global audiences. Our mission is to screen the best independent films of all genres, so don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to be a part of this amazing event.
We are committed to screening all the Official Selection films in our Live Showcase with over 70 films. We will also hold a Virtual Screening for all Honorable Mention films.”
Submit here: Hollywood Shortsfest
Grants, Fellowships, and Funding Corner
Emerging Filmmaker Short Film Grant
Submission Deadline: November 12, 2025
“Black Film Space is excited to announce our Emerging Filmmaker Short Film Grant, awarding $3,000 to a filmmaker creating their first or second short film as a writer, director, and producer.
The grant supports projects in pre-production, production, or post-production stages.”
Learn more about the grant and watch the replay of the virtual orientation: BFS Emerging Filmmaker Short Film Grant
FEAR FILMS: Film Incubation Fund - In Association with the Independent Horror Society
Rolling Deadline
“Turn your nightmare into a reality with FEAR and FILM3! Apply for funding for your short horror film.”
FOR MORE INFO AND APPLICATION: Horror Short Film Fund | Apply for Funding
Women Make Movies Production Grant
--Production Assistance Program
Rolling Applications
“This program focuses on supporting BIPOC/ALAANA, LGBTQIA women, older women, and women in film with disabilities. It provides fiscal sponsorship and offers personalized consultations, workshops and networking opportunities. Recipients get access to one-on-one consultations and pay reduced rates for industry workshops. Projects need to raise at least $50,000 in funding.”
You must be a woman filmmaker serving as project director or co-director, and should show a clear direction and realistic plan for distribution in your application.
MORE INFO: WMM Production Grant
2026 Sundance Episodic Lab
2026 Sundance Episodic Lab
Deadline: November 9, 2025
“The Sundance Institute Episodic Lab is a 6-day program that offers writers the opportunity to workshop a pilot script, while developing their writing. Working with accomplished showrunners, Fellows will participate in one-on-one story meetings, craft workshops, and simulated writers’ rooms. Together, these meetings provide an elevated creative strategy for artists to advance their projects.”
Apply Here: Sundance Episodic Lab
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.”
MORE INFO: Impact Partners
Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant (From the Heart Productions)
Applications Open: November 30th, 2025
Winner receives $3,000 in Cash and Donated Services
“Many filmmakers use short films to hone their craft and as a proof of concept for later full length features. From the Heart Productions wants to support their work and encourage them to make films with stories told with passion that enlighten us about our lives and the world we live in. This grant is specifically for narrative fiction shorts, live action or animated, that are 40 minutes or less in length. Among the donations the winner could receive are:
$3,000.00 in music and audio services from well-known composer David Raiklen
$6,000.00 in animation from Emmy award winner Charlie Canfield. This is 1/3 off normal price for 6 weeks of animation
$500 in grip, lighting or expendables from Filmtools
Tom Malloy of Glass House Distribution donates an hour of consultation on distribution of your film
$1,400 value (4 hours of sound mix session) from Silver Sound
$600.00 for your Free Closed Captioning by NetCaptioning”
MORE INFO: Roy Dean Short Film Grant
Rolling Applications
"Administered through Film Independent, the Sloan Distribution Grant awards $50,000 to a maximum of three narrative features that are entering their distribution phase. Eligible films must depict themes, stories, and characters grounded in real science, technology, or economics.
Films with innovative marketing and distribution plans are encouraged to apply."
MORE INFO: Sloan Distribution Grant
Thanks to newsletter contributors: Diane Walsh, Julie Rubio, Nil Unerdem
Newsletter designed by Lina Indeeva and edited by Nil Unerdem
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