Feb 9: Late Deadline for the No Slop Script Challenge from Sasha Santiago
Shoot a 3-5 minute short about “when the WiFi died” with 2 actors and one location and you might win $100 via the first ever “No Slop Script Challenge”!
The regular deadline was February 2. If you submitted by then, you are eligible to win $200.
The late submission deadline is February 9
If you submit late and win, you’ll only win $100. But $100 is better than nothing!
See post below for details.
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Feb 10: Stupid Chats 5
Sign up: https://stupidco.gumroad.com/l/stupidchats5
Space is limited. Sign up ASAP
Reach out to stupid co with questions.
Don’t know what Stupid Chats are? See below.
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Feb 11: tepper’s virtual pitch deck showcase/workshop
Working on a pitch deck? Need a little guidance or inspiration or both? Subscribe to tepper and you’ll be invited to this showcase/workshop!
When: Feb 11th at 5:30p PT / 8:30p ET
More info here:
Here’s what we’re going to cover:
A brief overview of all the different types of “decks” lookbooks, bibles
The audience differentiators to think about when you start “building” your deck.
A brief walkthrough of the essential sections each film / TV pitch deck needs - this meeting is going to focus more heavily on a producer / representation audience than a financier, so please keep that in mind. Financing decks are a beast all in of themselves! Maybe a meeting for another time.
A look at the Google Doc pre-layout I use to organize my pitch doc thoughts before I ever touch design because the deck is only as strong as the thinking behind it.
A live walkthrough of how I build those sections out in Canva, including layout choices, hierarchy, and pacing.
A conversation about the tools I find most useful (Canva, PSD, Filmgrab, Shotdeck)
Tips on searching for imagery, choosing fonts, and small design details that make a deck feel sharp, intentional, and professional without overdoing it.
Answering some of the most commonly asked questions from the sign up form!
If there is time we will open it up for Q&A!
To get the link to the Zoom invite, subscribe to tepper HERE:
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Feb 11 at 6:30 PM (18:30) GMT: FilmStack UK Meetup #3 in London
Where: The Backstage Cafe and Bar at the Old Vic Theatre in London
RSVP here: https://luma.com/wn4qchly
Direct questions to Alex Bhat, Poppy, Su Tais, or ZTennyson.
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Feb 11: Case Study Webinar: The Librarians with Jon Reiss-8Above
Jon Reiss will be talking about distribution with The Librarians director Kim A. Snyder and producer Janique Robillard. They’ll be unpacking the details of how they played 150 theaters, made $250k at the box office, and proved audiences want political films. They’ll be discussing eventized release models, how to manage and window multiple releases, team infrastructure, and practical tips for filmmakers.
Date & Time: Wednesday, February 11 | 12:00 PM ET, 9:00 AM PT
Free for all attendees.
Zoom Registration Link: Here
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Feb 11: The NonDē Film Law Lab
Join Rekola [Producer • Lawyer] as he answers your legal questions about non-dependent filmmaking, shares templates, and more. Info here from Mike:
[FREE] - Weekly Q&A - #002
Every Wednesday at 2:05 PM ESTCome ask questions, and we’ll help point you in the right direction.
Remember: I’m a lawyer, not your lawyer.
JOIN HERE: https://open.substack.com/live-stream/104252
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Feb 11, 18, 25: Punish Me, a proof of concept play
We’ve all heard of making short films as proofs of concept for a feature film, but how about making a proof of concept play?
Monique Sorgen is doing just that and has written about the process below. If you’re in LA, grab tickets (and the discount inside her post!). Here are the details:
When: Feb 11, 18, 25 at 7:30pm
Where: The Hudson Theater in Hollywood
TICKETS: https://www.onstage411.com/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=7424
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Feb 11 & 12: Submissions open for The Writer’s Lab
Calling all women and non-binary screenwriters over 40!
The Writer’s Lab submissions are opening on February 12th. But the coolest part? They’re offering free workshops throughout the submission process to help you craft the strongest application possible.
Their first free workshop is on February 11th. Here’s more info:
📅 February 11 Workshop One
This free session is open to all writers and offers a clear overview of our application, submission process, and Lab Intensives, with live Q&A. (Registration link for the February 11 workshop will be live by Monday, February 2.)
More info on their website and here:
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Feb 13: Females in Film & Television (FiFT) Debuts
Jane Gilmore’s new publication, Females in Film & Television (FiFT), makes its debut! Appropriately, on Galentine’s Day. The publication and forthcoming podcast are meant to spotlight people who work in or aspire to work in film and/or television and identify as women. The acronym, FiFT (pronounced “fif-tee,” like “fifty”), is a tip of the hat to Courtney Romano’s NonDē50.
If you are a woman who is interested, fill out the Google Interest Form. Direct all questions to Jane Gilmore and don’t forget to subscribe! Everyone should subscribe, regardless of gender! Keep up with the women of FilmStack and the industry at large!
Fill out the Google Interest Form here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeBIeOY4a7gPX8kzYkHAEiXI_xPiLJgrCCK-4tCBnmeD_burg/viewform?usp=publish-editor
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Feb 17: The Forgotten Occupation: Jim Crow goes to Haiti Premieres on Streaming
Alain Martin’s feature documentary, The Forgotten Occupation: Jim Crow goes to Haiti, debuts on several streaming services, including Kanopy, Amazon, YouTube, Google Play, and Fawesome TV.
It is “a personal exploration of the United States Occupation of Haiti, the country [Alain is] native to, from 1915 to 1934.”
More info: https://lumierecinemala.com/film-the-forgotten-occupation/
Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1047696774/c3b722ee76?fl=pl&fe=cm
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February 19th-25th: Slamdance
Slamdance 2026 will take place February 19th-25th in LA.
Get passes and tickets at Slamdance.com
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Feb 19: Next NonDē 50 Films Project General Meeting
The next ND50 General Meeting is coming up! In this one, we’ll be hearing about two NEW initiatives from our coalition, plus splitting up into break out groups to share about our projects, create new connections, form alliances, and walk away with personalized next steps.
WHEN: Thurs Feb 19th, at 3p PT / 6p ET / 11p GMT
REGISTER: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VSS683qfTlCdlMLYeG2NzQ
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Feb 20th from 6-9:30 PM Eastern: The Forgotten Occupation: Jim Crow goes to Haiti Goes to New York
After selling out LA, Alain Martin’s doc, The Forgotten Occupation: Jim Crow goes to Haiti, is having its red carpet premiere in New York.
Where: Brooklyn Children’s Museum 1819 Bergen Street Brooklyn, NY 11233
Tickets are FREE but you do need a ticket! They sold out within 3 hours of going on sale and had to add more, so get your ticket ASAP!
More info and tickets: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/haiti-film-fest-pop-up-the-forgotten-occupation-jim-crow-goes-to-haiti-tickets-1981816492478?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
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Feb 21st from 1-3 PM Eastern: New York FilmStack Meetup #5
This month’s host is Victoria Michele Miller! Woo!
Make sure to DM Victoria for details and to RSVP. Have fun!
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Feb 22nd at 3 PM & 6 PM Eastern: Meow Has Its New York City Premiere
Adam Kritzer has just become an executive producer on the short film, Meow, which will have its New York City premiere as part of Havurah’s third annual Short Short Film Festival at the Meyerson JCC. Meow is written and directed by Sarah Meital Benjamin.
Adam will be in attendance at both screenings, so pick one and go say hi!
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February 23rd: NonDē Day at Slamdance
NonDē takes over Slamdance for their Market Monday this year. Ted Hope will be programming this year’s Market Monday, entitled “The NonDē Way: Fun & Dangerous Ideas to Disrupt What Once Was ‘Indie’ & To Separate From A Lame Ass Corporate Film Industry”. You don’t want to miss it!
More info: slamdance.com
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February 24th-March 6th: Slamdance, the Virtual Fest
Can’t make it to LA this year? No problem.
Slamdance 2026’s virtual festival will take place February 24th through March 6th.
Get passes and tickets at Slamdance.com
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Feb 27: In the Blink of an Eye makes its streaming debut
Colby Day’s film, In the Blink of an Eye, which won the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize at this year’s Sundance, the last Sundance in Park City, makes its streaming debut on Hulu. Make sure to check it out!
Directed by Pixar legend Andrew Stanton of WALL-E and Finding Nemo fame, the cast includes Rashida Jones, Kate McKinnon, and Daveed Diggs. Colby wrote the film.
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March 2-4: Application Deadline
California Tax Credit
Independent & Non-Independent Feature Films
Application: March 2-4, 2026
Phase II: March 5-9, 2026
Approval Date: April 13, 2026
*Dates are subject to change.
FMI or to apply visit: Tax Credit | California Film Commission
REMINDERS: Submit to OFF-VIFF 2026 via their FilmFreeway and Keep an Eye Out for The NonDe Shorts Festival (NSF) to Open for Submissions
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Other Festival Deadlines
via Filmmaker Magazine:
Bend Film Festival
Early Bird Deadline: Jan. 23, 2026
Regular Deadline: Apr. 3 2026
Late Deadline: May 1, 2026
Extended Deadline: May 22, 2026
Event Dates: Oct. 7 to 11, 2026
Oak Cliff Film Festival
Earlybird Deadline: Jan. 26, 2026
Regular Deadline: Mar. 23, 2026
Late Deadline: Apr. 13, 2026
Extended Deadline: May 4, 2026
Event Dates: July 30 to Aug. 2, 2026
HollyShorts Film Festival
Earlybird Deadline: Jan. 30, 2026
Regular Deadline: Apr. 3, 2026
Late Deadline: May 8, 2026
Extended Deadline: Jun. 1, 2026
Event Dates: Aug. 13 to 23, 2026