FESTIVALS
Submit your short (under 20 minutes) to the 28th annual Manhattan Short, which runs globally from September 25 to October 5. All finalist films will automatically qualify for Oscars 2026 via a weeklong cinema run in Los Angeles. Open to all genres.
Key Details:
Deadline: July 31, 2025
Region: International (500+ cities across 6 continents)
Fee: Free
Now in its 17th year, BIFF is one of the UK’s premier indie showcases, held at the British Museum in London. It features global shorts, features, student films, and documentaries, and is known for its red carpet, sold-out screenings, and strong track record of securing distribution. The festival concludes with a multi-category awards ceremony.
Key Details:
Regular Deadline: December 12, 2025
Festival Dates: March 20–21, 2026
Location: British Museum, London, UK
FUNDING & LABS
Indie Grants is a production grant supporting short narrative films made in South Carolina. Funded by the SC Film Commission and Trident Technical College, the program awards $25,000–$45,000 to 2–3 standout projects each cycle.
Key Details:
Deadline: August 11, 2025 at 11:59 pm ET
Grant Amount: $25,000–$45,000
Platform: Submittable (free to create account)
An annual public art commission offering $10,000 to a U.S.-based artist or team to design and install a mural on the iconic Spruill Smoke House in Dunwoody, Georgia. The selected artist becomes Dunwoody’s Artist-in-Residence, receives lodging during installation, and participates in a public unveiling during Arts and Culture Month in October.
Key Details:
Deadline: July 28, 2025, 5:00 p.m. EST
Grant: $10,000 (includes $1,000 material stipend)
Host: Spruill Center for the Arts (Atlanta metro area)
TOOLS & RESOURCES
Clipchamp is a free, browser-based video editing tool owned by Microsoft. It features an intuitive drag-and-drop timeline, built-in stock assets, audio tools, text overlays, and AI voiceovers. Ideal for quick edits, sizzle reels, pitch videos, or social promos—without needing a high-performance desktop.
Best For: Creators, editors, and producers needing fast browser-based workflows or working on lightweight systems.
OpenShot is a 100% free, open-source video editor for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It offers timeline editing, keyframe animations, unlimited tracks, real-time previews, and support for dozens of formats. A strong option for filmmakers and content creators looking for an offline, lightweight alternative to commercial NLEs.
Best For: Indie creators, students, documentarians, and editors on a budget.
JOBS
Microsoft is hiring a contract Creative Producer to lead AI-enhanced creative workflows across advertising, motion, and digital design. The role involves campaign production, prompt engineering, AI tool onboarding, and cross-functional collaboration.
Key Details:
Location: Remote (U.S.-based)
Type: Contract (11 months, full-time)
Pay Range: $44.50 – $50.50/hour
Sony Pictures Television is hiring a Fall intern to join its Post Production team in Culver City. This paid, on-site internship provides hands-on experience in the scripted TV post workflow, including VFX bidding, show wrap, hard drive tracking, and interdepartmental coordination across production, mastering, and finance.
Key Details:
Location: Culver City, CA (on-site)
Type: Paid Internship
Pay: $19/hour
INDUSTRY PULSE
For the first time ever, Star Wars creator George Lucas will appear at San Diego Comic‑Con, headlining a Sunday panel (July 27) with Guillermo del Toro and Doug Chiang. The event will showcase the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, with Queen Latifah moderating. Though no livestream is available, fans speculate Lucas may tease something beyond just museum updates.
Estimated read: 3 min
A new DW report (July 22) reveals how studios continue to edit Hollywood films for international markets. Recent examples include Superman: The Tomorrow trimmed in India, Bohemian Rhapsody censored in Egypt, and Blade Runner 2049 altered for Turkey. LGBTQ+ scenes, drug use, and sensuality are the most frequent targets. Experts say these silent edits reflect studios’ growing prioritization of global markets, even at the cost of narrative integrity.
Estimated read: 3 min
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