FESTIVALS
Now in its 19th year, Rockport Film Festival showcases indie features, shorts, docs, and student films at the Rockport Center for the Arts. A coastal retreat with screenings, panels, and awards including Best of Fest and the Creative Spirit Award.
Key Details:
Late Deadline: August 31, 2025
Event Dates: October 30 – November 2, 2025
Location: Rockport, Texas, US
One of Europe’s oldest and largest short film festivals, Tampere screens 400 shorts in 5 days with 20,000+ visitors and 800 industry professionals. Competitions include International, National, and Generation XYZ, with the Grand Prix winner eligible for Oscar® consideration.
Key Details:
Earlybird Deadline: September 1, 2025
Event Dates: March 4 – 8, 2026
Location: Tampere, Finland
FUNDING & LABS
Film Independent’s Fiscal Sponsorship program allows independent filmmakers to access grants and tax-deductible donations without forming their own nonprofit. Selected projects gain fundraising support, donor management, and access to Film Independent’s network and resources. Open to global applicants with narrative or documentary projects at any stage.
Key Details:
Deadline: Rolling
Support: Access to grants, donations, and Film Independent resources
Eligibility: Global; narrative & documentary films (short or feature)
AFS is awarding grants for short narrative, documentary, and experimental projects (≤40 min) to support pre-production, production, or post. AFS has a long track record of helping emerging voices bring their films to completion.
Key Details:
Deadline: September 4, 2025 (next Thursday, 6:00 PM CT)
Support: Cash grants
Eligibility: Global; one project per filmmaker
TOOLS & RESOURCES
StudioBinder lets filmmakers build storyboards and shot lists online, add notes or images, and export polished PDFs. A free version makes it easy to plan and share visual ideas with your team.
Best For: Directors and producers needing a simple, collaborative pre-production tool.
AudioMass is a completely free, open-source audio editor that runs entirely in your browser with no installation required. You can edit, trim, apply effects, and manipulate waveforms directly.
Best For: Filmmakers, editors, and sound designers.
JOBS
Stanford University Libraries is hiring a full-time Videographer to produce high-quality video content for exhibitions, events, and digital platforms. This 3-year fixed-term role covers filming, editing, color grading, and managing media archives, with potential for renewal.
Key Details:
Location: Stanford, CA, US
Type: Full-time, 3-year fixed term
Pay: $98,730 – $119,197 USD/year + benefits
Walt Disney Imagineering is hiring a Graphic Designer to create environmental graphics for Disney Parks, Resorts, and Cruise Line projects worldwide. The role involves concept development, signage, wayfinding, and collaboration with architects, engineers, and project teams.
Key Details:
Location: Anaheim, CA, US
Type: Full-time
Pay: $85,800 – $115,000 USD/year
INDUSTRY PULSE
Hill Country Studios in San Marcos, a planned $267M production hub, remains stalled amid contract and utility disputes. The project, once expected to open this summer, now raises concerns for promised jobs and Texas’s broader bid to grow its film industry.
Estimated read: 3 min
This summer’s box office reached $3.53B, boosted by millennial nostalgia (Lilo & Stitch remake passed $1B) and surprise streaming crossovers like Netflix’s KPop: Demon Hunters topping theaters. Horror made a comeback with Weapons ($200M+) while Marvel struggled with Thunderbolts and Captain America: Brave New World, showing franchise fatigue.
Estimated read: 3 min
Advertise With Us
Put your brand in front of working filmmakers, writers, crew, and industry professionals. This is targeted space, read by people looking to take action. Get in touch.
Be the Next Spotlight
We feature artists ready to be seen by the industry. Apply to be spotlighted in our upcoming editions and grow your reach. Get Featured.