September News
Do you remember? It's September!
*Image by pikisuperstar for Freepik
Welcome to September WIFSFBA members! We are back from summer break in August and it’s almost time to get those fall sweaters out and walk through those leaves. Almost. We in the Bay Area know that September is actually the best weather around here so enjoy it out there this month!
September 15th marks the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month, a time for us to celebrate and honor the Hispanic & Latino/a/x community and their invaluable contributions to the entertainment industry. Here are a few highlights of what’s going on around town in honor:
Hispanic Heritage Month with Dolores Huerta
When: Thursday, September 26 · 6 - 8pm PDT
Where: Glide Foundation, 300 Ellis St San Francisco, CA 94102
“Hispanic Heritage with Icon American Labor Leader and Civil Rights Activist Dolores Huerta. Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration of the achievements, peoples, and cultures of Hispanic people and Hispanic Americans. The month honors the contributions which Hispanic people have made to America and the to the US especially. These contributions have been long standing and vital to the success of the US. The rich history of Hispanic peoples is also honored during this month as their heritage and stories deserve recognition and time in the spotlight.
This year we are honored to have Icon American Labor Leader and Civil Rights Activist Dolores Huerta as a featured speaker. Dolores will speak of the challenges, and achievements, of her path and the contributions and future of the Latinx/immigrant communities. Followed by a question-and-answer session lead by our Host Olga Talamante.”
MORE INFO: Dolores Huerta at Glide
RAGKO, Untamed Territory:
Mapuche Film Screening & Q&A - presented by La Pena Cultural Center
Date: September 14, 6:30-10pm
Cost: $10-25 tickets
Location: La Peña Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94705
“Come and learn how a 5,000-year-old culture is still alive and resisting by embracing their interactions with the environment and each other, offering ancestral perspectives that could provide answers to current societal issues. Join us for an engaging screening of “RAGKO, Untamed Territory,” an independent documentary offering a contemporary view of the Mapuche culture.”
MORE INFO: RAGKO film screening
15th Annual Fist Up Film Festival - presented by La Pena Cultural Center
Date: October 10th, 7-9:30pm
Cost: $10-15 tickets
Location: La Peña Cultural Center
3105 Shattuck Avenue Berkeley, CA 94705
“Get ready to be moved, inspired and engaged! Join us at the Fist Up Film Festival for a world of thought-provoking cinema, carefully curated.
We’re thrilled to announce our collaboration with Fist Up Film Festival for October 2024! Presenting contemporary films that leave a lasting impact, inspire meaningful discussions, promote awareness, and encourage empathy.
This film festival uniquely bridges the gap between global and local communities, weaving together shared experiences from diverse backgrounds. These curated films amplify the voices of historically marginalized communities, honoring their stories and lived experiences. We invite you to be a part of this meaningful evening through our screenings and engaging Q&A sessions!
Admission is donation-based, with a suggested $10 contribution (no one will be turned away for lack of funds).
Join us in celebrating the power of film and storytelling! More details are coming soon.”
MORE INFO: Fist Up Film Festival
MACLA presents: Riding the Currents of the Wilding Wind
When: Friday, September 27, 2024 – Doors: 7:30 PM | Show: 8:00 PM
Saturday, September 28, 2024– Doors: 7:30 PM | Show: 8:00 PM
Sunday, September 29, 2024 (Matinée) – Doors: 1:30 PM | Show: 2:00 PM
Where: MACLA/Movimiento de Arte y Cultura Latino Americana, 510 S 1st St San Jose, CA 95113
Tickets:
$45 Reserved Seating
$30 General Admission
$10 Students
Run Time: approximately 60 minutes
“Join us for the San José premiere of Riding the Currents of the Wilding Wind, created by musical director Martha Gonzalez of the GRAMMY Award winning band Quetzal, in collaboration with Alpert Award winning interdisciplinary artist Virginia Grise and directed by Kendra Ware.
Riding the Currents of the Wilding Wind delves into themes of gentrification, identity, and the quest to find one’s place in the world. This immersive theatrical concert blends storytelling and live music, drawing directly from the epic novel Their Dogs Came with Them by Helena María Viramontes. Expect captivating narratives about sharpshooters and earthmovers, helicopters in the sky, and women that fly.
The performance features an eclectic mix of Mexican and Afro-Cuban rhythms, jazz, funk, rock, and gospel, brought to life by MacArthur “Genius Grant” recipient Martha Gonzalez, Tylana Renga Enomoto and Juan Perez from the GRAMMY Award winning band Quetzal, alongside actor Lulu Matute.
Don't miss this chance to witness a fusion of literature and music!”
MORE INFO and tickets: Riding the Currents of the Wilding Wind tickets
Letter from the President
Dear Members of Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area,
As the long, beautiful summer comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the many memories we’ve created, filled with family, friends, laughter, joy, hope, and, at times, the challenges that our world faces from politics to global conflicts. Yet as Labor Day approaches, we are reminded of the strength and resilience that define our community, as well as the importance of celebrating the contributions of all who work tirelessly to make a difference. I want to take a moment to acknowledge the hard work of our dedicated Board, incredible volunteers, and, of course, our wonderful members. Your tireless efforts and unwavering support are the backbone of our organization. Your commitment and passion drive our mission forward, and I am deeply grateful to each and every one of you.
I am thrilled to announce the premiere of my documentary The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival this October at the 2024 Mill Valley Film Festival. The documentary will have its world premiere on Friday, October 11, 2024, at 7:00 pm, with a repeat screening on October 13 at 2:00 pm. Making an independent film is never easy—it requires relentless dedication, passion, and a belief in the story being told. This achievement is a testament to the perseverance of the talented cast, crew, my family, friends, and all of you who have supported this extraordinary project. Your support has been invaluable, and for that, I am profoundly grateful. I am also grateful that Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area will be a community partner for the Mill Valley premiere, and we will be holding a reception after-party for ticket holders—more information to come!
Following the premiere, my documentary will also be screened at the de Young Museum on January 11, 2025—more information to follow. I am truly honored to be part of the first major retrospective exhibition of Tamara de Lempicka in the United States, hosted at the de Young Museum. This exhibition delves deeply into Lempicka's rich and complex life and will be on view at the de Young Museum in San Francisco from October 12, 2024, to February 9, 2025.
This groundbreaking exhibition will feature significant works from leading international museums and private collections, including pieces that have never before been exhibited in the U.S. or abroad. I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to lend my documentary, groundbreaking documents, publications, and a rare drawing, "IRA," to support this remarkable event.
A true highlight of the exhibition is the catalogue, published by Yale University Press, which will include a foreword by the talented Barbra Streisand, one of Lempicka's greatest and earliest collectors. It was an honor to introduce the museum to Ms. Streisand, whose agreement to write the foreword is a testament to her exceptional talent and grace. Her deep connection to Lempicka’s work and her insightful contribution add an invaluable dimension to this momentous occasion. I am thrilled to witness her involvement in this significant exhibition.
It is an honor to serve as your president, and I am fully committed to advancing the mission of Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area with unwavering dedication. As we step into the fall, a season of transformation and reflection, I find myself inspired by the creativity and resilience of our community. I eagerly anticipate the incredible films and projects you will bring to life in the near future. As independent filmmakers, we understand the challenges of this path, but with perseverance, passion, and the steadfast support of a community like ours, our dreams are within reach. Keep dreaming boldly and embrace the changes that come with this season, knowing that together, we have the power to create something truly extraordinary.
I look forward to seeing you at the premiere of my documentary and the post screening soirée. It’s a chance for us to connect and appreciate the work we’ve all contributed to as a community. See you at the movies!
With warmest regards,
Julie Rubio
President, Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area
UPCOMING WIFSFBA EVENTS
Conversations & Connections: Funding Your Film
When: Wednesday, September 18th, 5-6:30 PM PDT
When: Wednesday, September 18th, 5-6:30 PM PDT
Where: Online Zoom
Cost: Members free, Non-members $20
One of the most challenging elements of filmmaking is finding the money to actually make your film. Grant writing, crowdfunding, seeking investors, and seeking donors doesn’t feel very creative and can feel overwhelming. In this panel discussion, we will hear from three creatives who have experience both making films and finding funds. Join us for a free-flowing conversation that includes your questions, as we explore the fundraising aspects of making a movie.
Lane Michael Stanley
Lane Michael Stanley (he/they) is a transgender writer and director making community-embedded work around queerness, healing, grief, recovery, restorative justice, and housing insecurity. Their award-winning short and feature films have played at festivals including Austin, Outfest, Sidewalk, and American Dance Festival. Lane has experience finding grants, identifying consistent funding sources that filmmakers should be aware of, and understanding how filmmakers can expand their ideas of what their film is doing to search for grants that aren’t just for film.
https://lanemichaelstanley.com
Tracy Held
Tracy Held (she/they) is a multi-racial Chinese/Eastern European American writer who tells stories about people who want to save the world but struggle with the human interaction part. She co-founded Erosion, a film production company dedicated to conservation comedy film and TV and serves as Vice-Chair of the Writers Guild of America West Asian American Writers Committee. In addition to writing for the stage and screen, Tracy has an extensive background in fundraising and marketing and offers consulting to develop effective fundraising strategies. Her specialties include grant writing, crowdfunding, and direct solicitation.
Sara Elizabeth Timmins
Sara Elizabeth Timmins is a savvy businessperson and producer whose gift for relationship and community building sets her movies apart. In 2008, she established Life Out Loud Films to balance business and art to create quality, inspiring, impactful films and champion women. Her tenacity and drive first made an impression with the success of LAKE EFFECTS (Jane Seymour), on the Hallmark Channel and she continues to produce a number of other films. Sara Elizabeth believes she has a responsibility through film to spark conversations, that inspire action, that ignite change and remains dedicated to encouraging the work of talented writers and championing female leaders behind the camera while providing strong female roles on camera.
WIFSFBA UPDATES
WIFSFBA President Julie Rubio’s Tamara de Lempicka documentary to premiere at the Mill Valley Film Festival!
When: October 11, 2024 (7:00pm) and October 13, 2024 (2:00pm)
Where: Venue: Sequoia 2 Theater & Lark Theater
Tickets: Tickets will be available for purchase by CAFilm members on September 14 and for the general public on September 18!
Exciting News from Women In Film San Francisco Bay Area! We’re thrilled to announce that the documentary The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival will be premiering at the Mill Valley Film Festival 2024!
We are honored to be a community partner sponsor for this incredible documentary and to support our President and Director, Julie Rubio, on this groundbreaking film.
The film features: Marisa de Lempicka, Victoria de Lempicka, Paula Birnbaum, Rowland Weinstein, Anne Paddy, Nancy Couch, and Scott Niichel. Joining them will be Writer, Director, Producer Julie Rubio, Co-Producers Svetlana Cvetko, Neva Tassan, Blake Wellen, Editor David Scott Smith, Associate Producer Elijah Stavena, and a few special guests with Q&A to follow.
Join us on this unforgettable journey into the life and legacy of the iconic artist Tamara de Lempicka and support an inspiring film led by an extraordinary female director.
MORE INFO & Tickets: MVFF tickets
The True Story of Tamara de Lempicka & The Art of Survival was also mentioned in this KQED article:
“What we do know is that local documentary filmmaker Julie Rubio’s The True Story of Tamara De Lempicka & the Art of Survival, about the great Art Deco painter, will have its world premiere.”
Check it out: KQED Fall Movie Guide
Script Incubator News
Our next monthly Table Read will be on Monday September 16th from 7-9pm. Come join us and hear 1-10 page excerpts from writers’ work, read by talented actors from the Bay Area and beyond.
No homework! Just show up! And all participants are encouraged to give feedback.
If you have any questions about the table-read or would like to reserve a spot for your script at the next meeting, feel free to contact Carol Hall at bod-admin@wifsfba.org with “Script Incubator” in the subject line.
MEMBERS IN THE NEWS
WIFSFBA member Kate Schultz!
“WIFSFBA member and writer Kate Schultz is a quarterfinalist in a competition for short stories that are adaptable as screenplays. Josephson Entertainment is hosting the competition. Kate's short story is titled ‘No Talking Allowed.’
Another of Kate's projects, the short script ‘End Run,’ was shot in June 2024, and is in post-production. The social justice-themed plot focuses on the current effort of some states to criminalize doctor-assisted death for terminally ill patients. Although it's a complicated issue for patients and their families, some lawmakers propose drastic punishment for involved doctors, including long prison sentences. A crowdfunding campaign to finance post-production of ‘End Run’ is underway.”
Congratulations Kate!!
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 by the end of the month to be included in the next newsletter.
July Events Wrap Up
BraveMaker Film Festival and Summer Mixer!
We are thrilled to report that Our July 13th in-person mixer at BraveMaker Film Fest was a success! It was amazing to see old, new, and interested members come together to share food, exciting projects and contact information for future collaborations! The tables were filled with conversation and laughter, as people enjoyed the company of old friends and made new ones. Following the mixer, most attendees headed to the Women in Entertainment panel discussion hosted by BraveMaker, a standing room only event!
Many thanks to everyone who joined us to make this a great success. We look forward to future opportunities to come together in community again.
Community Partners - Events & Invitations
Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival
Dates: April 24-27, 2025
Where: Bellingham, WA
Cost: $20-$40 to enter for short films
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
The Vine: The Video Industry Networking Event
When: September 5th, 6-8:00PM PDT
Where: Port Labs, 2044 Franklin St., Oakland, CA
“The September 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’ree working on, during the last portion of the evening in a segment we call ‘Voices of the Vine.’
We'll also have a demo by Hedge, makers of a suite of unrivaled post-production workflow apps.
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 September
WIFT-US Member National Networking
When: September 12th, 2024, 7:00 PM Eastern, 4:00 PM Pacific
Where: Zoom
“Join us to meet other crew across the US! Crewing up in another area, join us and let’s put you guys together! Want to network? Join us! Must be a paid member of your local WIF chapter.”
MORE INFO: Register for WIFTUS Networking Night
CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
San Diego Latino Film Festival
Festival Dates: March 19-23, 2025
Regular Submission Deadline: September 27, 2024
Late Submission Deadline: October 26, 2024
“The San Diego Latino Film Festival (SDLFF) was born thirty one years ago to serve as a platform that champions underrepresented voices in film by challenging the reigning and ever-present stereotypes about the Latinx experience in cinema. We are proud to advocate for inclusive, diverse, and progressive cinematic storytelling about the Latinx identity.
Entries must be submitted into one of the following categories:
Feature Film (all genres and forms) - 60 min or more
Short Film (all genres and forms) - 30 min or less
Local Film - Feature Film (all genres and forms) - 60n min or more
Local Film - Short Film (all genres and forms) - 30 min or less
Youth Short - 30 min or less
Episodic Content -30 min or less”
Submit here: San Diego Latino Film Festival
LA Indie Film Festival
Festival Dates: November 7-17, 2024
Submission Deadline: September 20, 2024
Submission Fee: From $65
“The 24th LA Indie Film Festival is currently accepting submissions in ANY GENRE in the following categories:
Feature (up to 120 min)
Short (10-30 min)
Short Short (under 10 min)
Animated Short (under 30 min)
TV Pilot (industry standard 22 mins)
Web Series (up to 3 episodes with combined TRT of no more than 30 mins)
Sketch Comedy (under 10 min)
Music Video (under 10 min)”
Submit here: LA Indie Film Fest
South By Southwest (SXSW) Film & TV Festival
Festival Dates: March 7-15, 2025
Final Submission Deadline: October 2, 2024
Fees: $80-115
“Submissions for the 2025 SXSW Film and TV Festival are open in the following categories: Feature Film (Narrative/Documentary), Short Film (Narrative/Documentary/Animated), TV Project, XR Experience, and Music Video. Submitting your project to this prestigious festival will also make it eligible for Oscar Shorts and BAFTA qualification, and the Film Independent Spirit Awards.”
Submit here: SXSW Film Festival
Script Pipeline - First Look Project
Submission Deadline: September 30, 2024
Submission Fee: $50
“The 13th Annual First Look Project searches for higher-concept material across six categories of entry:
Screenplay - Action & Sci-fi, Comedy, Drama, and Horror & Thriller
TV Pilot - Hour and Half-hour original pilots
One winner in each division receives a share of $15,000, industry circulation, development assistance, and personalized career guidance over the long-term from Script Pipeline’s executive team. A minimum of one runner-up is also chosen for each category.”
Submit here: First Look Project
Film Pipeline Shorts Film Competition
Regular Deadline: September 10, 2024 - $40
“The 7th Annual Film Pipeline Shorts Competition seeks remarkable directors and diverse, engaging content -- the type of work defined by forward-thinking perspectives and unconventional yet universally appealing stories.
Film Pipeline has created a platform significantly different from a festival: selected entrants are given one-on-one collaboration with Pipeline execs to develop or produce additional scripts, consideration for industry circulation, and extended promotion of their film to our broader audience.”
Submit here: Film Pipeline Shorts Competition
GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS CORNER
Frameline Completion Fund
Applications Open: September 3, 2024
“The Frameline Completion Fund provides grants to emerging and established filmmakers. This program seeks to provide a much-needed source of financial contributions to artists who often struggle to secure funding to complete their works. Grants up to $5,000 are available for the completion of films that represent and reflect LGBTQ+ life in all its complexity and richness.
Submissions are accepted for documentary, narrative, experimental, animated, or episodic projects about LGBTQ+ people and their communities. The Fund also seeks to bring new work to under-served audiences; with this in mind, we especially encourage applications by women, people of color, transgender people, intersex people, asexual people, non-binary people, disabled people, and other underrepresented people and communities.”
More Information: Frameline Completion Fund
Shore Scripts Short Film Fund
Regular Deadline: September 30, 2024
“Turn your calling card script into an attention-grabbing short film with our $25,000 cash production grant! As much as we love to read scripts, too many excellent shorts never progress beyond the written word, which is why we established the Short Film Fund to help take those compelling stories off the page and onto the screen. We will help finance and produce two short films in 2024. Previous winners have gone on to gain representation, sold screenplays, and been staffed on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, & BBC shows as a direct result of winning and producing their short with us.
New this season! We are excited to offer a 2nd place cash grant of $2,500 specifically for finishing funds submissions. As filmmakers, we know it can be challenging to get a short over the finish line, and a little extra support toward post-production and/or distribution can go a long way.”
To apply: Short Film 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.”
Apply here:: California Documentary Project Grants
Berkeley Film Foundation Narrative Short Film Grant Program
Application Deadline: September 23, 2024
“The Berkeley Film Foundation is very pleased to announce the launch of our first-ever short fiction film grant program which will provide grants in the pre-production, production, post-production and distribution stages of a narrative short film project. We are only interested in films 40 minutes or less in length that use creative, thoughtful and innovative methods to tell a story with a strong theme of social or environmental justice.
To be considered for this grant, you must work or live in the city of Berkeley, Emeryville, Albany, El Cerrito, Richmond, Oakland or Alameda. The applicant must be the Director, co-director, Producer or co-Producer of the film.”
More Information: Berkeley Film Foundation Short Film Grant
Center For Asian American Media (CAAM) Documentary Fund
Next Open Call: Friday, September 20,2024 through Sunday, October 20, 2024
“With support from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, CAAM provides project funding to independent documentary films by and about the Asian American experience for public television. Offered once a year, this round of funding is for applicants with documentary projects at the production and/or post-production stage intended for public television broadcast. Awards typically range between $10,000 and $50,000.”
More Information: CAAM Documentary Fund
Thanks to Newsletter Contributors: Diane Walsh, Julie Rubio, Nil Unerdem
Newsletter designed by Lina Indeeva and edited by Nil Unerdem