Calendar Update #25
Lots of good stuff to check out, including several grants, classes and webinars, and festival deadlines
FilmStack Calendar Table Of Contents
Screenings & Performances (IRL & Virtual)
Events (Festivals, MeetUps, Classes/Labs & Webinars)
Deadlines (Festivals, Grants)
Actions & Petitions
Housekeeping
Special Bonus Offer For All FilmStackers!!! Take Note!
TODAY (April 10) is an IMPORTANT ND50 DEADLINE:
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1. Screenings & Performances:
Chicago:
April 15 & 26:
Miami:
April 11 at 2:30 PM Eastern: Miami Magic Has Its World Premiere at the Miami Film Festival
Miami Magic, a new short film produced by FilmStack’s own Jen Orta Castellanos of the Miami Film Lab, will have its world premiere at the Cosford Cinema on April 11 as part of the Miami Film Festival, specifically as part of their I’m Every Woman Shorts Block (how fun!).
More info and tickets: https://miamifilmfestival.com/program/event/miami-magic/
Support their festival run here: https://givebutter.com/miami-magic
Learn more about the film in Jen’s post below and follow Jen for more on the film’s process.
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Los Angeles (LA):
April 23: Coffeehouse Cinema Screens Oscar Winning Short The Singers
Tickets go on sale April 13, so make sure to grab yours before they sell out!
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New York (NYC):
April 21 - May 26: Sophie Letourneur series at Cinema at L’Alliance
lallianceny.org/event/the-films-of-sophie-letourneur
Opening with the US premiere of her new film L’Aventura on April 21, with a Q&A with the director following the 7pm screening. It’s a beautifully observed, almost diaristic portrait of a family vacation; full of small, hyper-relatable moments. lallianceny.org/event/laventura
May 3rd at 4pm Eastern: Michael Lavine’s short film The Wanderer will be screening at The Coney Island Film Festival
Tickets are only $10 and Michael will be at the screening, so check it out!
Tickets and more info: https://www.coneyisland.com/2026-ciff/program-14
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Online:
Today! Friday, April 10th! For the Love of Strippers screening
Join YAS Work for a special screening of “For the Love of Strippers”, a documentary about the labor rights of strippers, featuring two dancers from Los Angeles who are actively building @strippersunite, all while navigating life and the pandemic. For the Love of Strippers was produced by @guy.pictures and Culture House
Movie stars: @natshoney & @selenatheconsultant
Speakers: @alyssa_aparicio & @daisyducati
See you on Kinema for Filmmakers on Friday, April 10 at 3:00 pm EST.
Tickets here: kinema.com/events/For-the-Love-of-Strippers-obkthk
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NOW- April 15: Always Remember free film series
Register here for Most Precisous Of Cargoes
Register here for Inked
(via Film Independent)
April 19: Deadline to Subscribe to Filmjourn for a FREE Feature Film
jake S. weisman over at Filmjourn is celebrating the 10th anniversary of his feature film Scrapers: A Comedy for Romantic Stoners by giving it away, FREE!
Who doesn’t love a free movie?
All you have to do is subscribe to Filmjourn by April 19 and it will get delivered straight to your inbox on April 20. All level of subscribers will get the movie, including free subscribers, but I highly recommend supporting Jake and the work he is doing over at Filmjourn by becoming a paid subscriber, if you can.
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Elsewhere:
NOW- May 10th: INVISIBLE NATION’s US College Tour continues!
Check out InvisibleNation.Net for more details. We hope to see you there!
NOW - April 22: More Beautiful Perversions, a film by Pavli Serenetsky
An eco-parable produced by the mutual aid collective Purpose Repair Shop, in collaboration with land stewards, underground music legends, and over 15 co-directors. Shot on 16mm and portions hand-processed with plants, this sophomore feature of filmmaker and environmental educator Pavli Serenetsky (winner of The Grand Jury Prize for their debut Firstness at Outfest 2021) reimagines “getting lost in the woods” as a queer coming of age to connect us closer with Earth.
April 18 | Tomorrow Theater, Portland
April 22 | Laemmle Glendale, Los Angeles EARTH DAY SCREENING!
April 23 | Laemmle Monica, Santa Monica
More info here: https://www.futureoffilmisfemale.com/more-beautiful-perversions
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April 14 & 16: Lost Cause Screens at the 53rd Athens International Film + Video Festival (in Ohio)
Adam Kritzer’s latest film Lost Cause will screen at the 53rd Athens International Film + Video Festival in Athens, Ohio on April 14 and 16th. He will be in attendance for both screenings. Make sure to follow Adam for more screening information.
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2. Events
Festivals:
October 24: The NonDe Shorts Festival (NSF)
Okay, okay, so this one might feel a little far in advance, but you’re gonna blink and it’s gonna be October, so you better start planning now!
Submit: https://filmfreeway.com/NonDeShortsFestival
Location: Reading Biscuit Factory, Reading-UK
Subscribe and keep up-to-date on all the latest developments!
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Meet Ups & Meetings
FilmStack Meetups IRL:
New York:
April 25th from 1:30 - 4:30 PM Eastern: FilmStack New York Meetup hosted by Tom Violett
DM or email Tom to RSVP or with any questions.
Los Angeles:
Sunday, April 19th at 4pm Pacific: LA FilmStack Meetup
RSVP: https://luma.com/dxsyhe0i
DM Jon Stahl with questions.
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Meetings & Masterclasses:
Thursday April 16: Ted Hope Masterclass at the Maimi Film Festival
Come join Ted & Vanessa Hope , both for a masterclass and a screening of their film Invisible Nation. The masterclass is with Ted and is brought to you by the Maimi Film Festival on Thursday April 16 3P and the screening is on the 17th at Univ of Maimi.
April 24: Copyforward: AI, IP, and the fight for Creative Control — Los Angeles
Copyforward is an invitation-only symposium bringing together legal experts, artists, filmmakers, scholars, and guild representatives to examine the implications of artificial intelligence in film and creative media. The conversation centers on questions of AI, intellectual property, and copyright as they affect artists, filmmakers, and the broader creative industries.
FilmStackers are invited to register as press. More here: https://luma.com/fluxfestival-copyforward
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April 25: Flux Festival — Los Angeles
A snapshot of the global creative zeitgeist, across a full day of talks, sensory exhibits, and performances with artists and filmmakers experimenting at the very edge of what’s possible in moving image and sound. A sneak peek into a few of the participants includes celebrated media artists: filmmaker Andrew Thomas Huang; creative technologist Tina Tarighian; multi-disciplinary dance artist and filmmaker Sara Silkin; and artist-director duo mots (Daniela Nedovescu and Octavian Mot).
More here: https://luma.com/fluxfestival2026. The coupon MEDIACOMP can be applied at checkout
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Labs & Classes
April 25-June 6 2026: STORYTELLERS SCREENWRITING LAB
Six Saturdays from April 25-June 6 2026
ATTENTION NYC-BASED SCREENWRITERS AND FILMMAKERS
25% Off for FilmsStack and NonDe community members
“I want Storytellers Screenwriting Lab to be the most hands-on, productive, and joyful writing experience of your life.” —Bill Gullo
Limited to 10 writers, Storytellers Screenwriting Lab is a six-session, in-person lab for screenwriters who are ready to incubate, develop, write or even revise a feature screenplay. Each three-hour session combines conversation, active writing time, and sharing with a community of peers alongside award-winning screenwriter, professor, and Story-Yoda, Bill Gullo. Designed for screenwriters with projects at any stage, the Brooklyn-based lab provides tools to deeply develop Character, Plot, Structure, Dialogue, and more. On three of the six dates, industry guests join the conversation, including literary manager Brennan O’Donnell (Untitled Entertainment).
FilmStack & NonDe members receive 25% off the standard $825 fee, just $618 for six 3-hour sessions.
Only 8 Spots Left ~ ENROLL HERE.
Dates: Six Saturdays — April 25 - June 6, 2026 (No Session on 5/23 - Memorial Day Weekend )
Time: 11am-2pm
Location: RAM Gallery @ Art Cafe + Bar 884-886 Pacific St, Brooklyn NY 11238Art Cafe + Bar 884-886 Pacific St, Brooklyn NY 11238
Webinars
April 13 & May 11: The Writers Lab Mentor Masterclasses
PITCHING YOURSELF: The Idea of YOU | Susan Cartsonis
MONDAY APRIL 13 | 3pm ET
Susan Cartsonis will help writers deepen their pitches by teaching them how to connect their identities to their projects. Participants will introduce themselves in their totality, highlighting key assets and experiences with no apologies for maturity (in fact, using it to advantage) NOTE: Each writer will fill out a questionnaire in advance of the class, referencing 1 or 2 projects they are pursuing with a brief description. The document will be sent to writers who register.
DEVELOPING CHARACTER | Pat Verducci
MONDAY MAY 11 | 3pm ET
Character is the lifeblood of a great screenplay. Pat Verducci will first talk about the basic foundational blocks of a great main character, and then guide attendees through a series of live exercises to deepen and develop their own. Pat will also talk about secondary characters and how to use them to push and pull on your protagonist.
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April 16 | 1P PT / 4P ET: Show&Tell’s FREE Strategy Webinar
Register here.
(TH)
April 20 at 11 AM Pacific/ 2 PM Eastern/ 7 PM (19:00) GMT: A Town Hall on Lore-Building and Marketing that Doesn’t Suck with Courtney Romano
Register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/cXDTG3A-ScadW1cjKvESVg
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April 23: How to Create A Distribution and Marketing Strategy – Now! with Jon Reiss
The “traditional” distribution landscape is essentially gone - 99% of independent filmmakers are now on their own to find new and creative solutions to ensure their films reach audiences in an impactful way. In this four part virtual workshop with The D-Word, media strategist Jon Reiss will outline fundamental principles and real-world strategies for success in the ever-changing and often-daunting realm of distribution and marketing. Taking place from April 23-May 21.Live sessions take place on Zoom on Thursdays between 12:00 noon - 1:30 pm EDT. They will also be available as recordings to registered participants through June 30. Fee: $299.
FilmStack Daily Digest subscribers get an additional $50 off by using code: filmstack50
REGISTER HERE: (https://learning.d-word.com/product/how-to-create-a-distribution-and-marketing-strategy-now-with-jon-reiss/)
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3. Deadlines
Festival Deadlines:
July 6: Square Peg Social Application REGULAR Deadline
Square Peg Social: Square Peg Social is a five-day, intimate gathering designed to break down the walls and barriers that too often exist within the film industry. Real connections and mentorship fueled by honest conversations, the event is designed for those who stand out, push boundaries, and feel passionate about shaping the future of cinema.
At Square Peg Social, we want to create a space for many. We celebrate filmmakers whose voices are distinct, whose work carries an unmistakable fingerprint, and whose presence makes the industry a richer, more authentic place. Our mission is simple: to open doors, share stories, and build a stronger, more inclusive creative community from the inside out.
Knudsen and Aster will invite a group of their closest and most trusted collaborators to create an intimate ratio of established industry professionals to attendees. Square Peg Social is an opportunity for more seasoned filmmakers to help and nurture a new generation of filmmakers with unvarnished advice and mentorship in an informal and welcoming setting over a five day period. It’s a living, breathing network designed to guide and empower filmmakers as they take their next steps into the industry.
Over five days of meaningful conversations, and creative exchanges, we want to recognize and support the filmmakers who dare to stand out — those who challenge norms, redefine genres, and push creative boundaries. This is a gathering for filmmakers at every stage of their journey: graduate students, first-time filmmakers, and seasoned producers alike — anyone fueled by a lifelong passion for independent film.
Regular Deadline: July 6, 2026
Extended Deadline: August 7, 2026
Notification Date: October 5, 2026
Event Dates: November 5-9, 2026
LdnDocs
Earlybird deadline: 15th April, 2026
Regular deadline: 15th June, 2026
Late deadline: 15th August, 2026
Notifications: 15th September
Woodstock Film Festival
Regular Deadline: May 8
Late Deadline: June 5
FilmFreeway Final Deadline: June 12
Bend Film Festival
Late Deadline: May 1, 2026
Extended Deadline: May 22, 2026
Event Dates: Oct. 7 to 11, 2026
Oak Cliff Film Festival
Late Deadline: Apr. 13, 2026
Extended Deadline: May 4, 2026
Event Dates: July 30 to Aug. 2, 2026
HollyShorts Film Festival
Late Deadline: May 8, 2026
Extended Deadline: Jun. 1, 2026
Event Dates: Aug. 13 to 23, 2026
May 24: FILM AT LINCOLN CENTER ANNOUNCES 64th NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL CALL FOR SHORT FILM SUBMISSIONS
Short film submissions will be accepted via FilmFreeway through May 24. The entry fee is $50 through April 5, and $60 from April 6 through May 4. This fee will contribute to funds for a seasonal staff of short film submissions screeners as well as additional festival operations, including artist support. NYFF64 is noncompetitive, and all sections are curated by the selection committee with support from an international roster of programming advisors and screeners. Only short films (40 minutes or less) are accepted through FilmFreeway.
Short films submitted via FilmFreeway are considered primarily for NYFF’s Currents section, though selected titles may also be invited to screen in other sections of the festival, including the New York Shorts program within Spotlight. A complement to the NYFF's Main Slate, Currents presents a diverse offering of short-, medium-, and feature-length work by filmmakers and artists working at the vanguard of narrative, documentary, and experimental modes.
NYFF’s call for short film submissions provides an opportunity for new and emerging filmmakers to share their work. In addition to short film submissions collected via FilmFreeway, the NYFF64 selection committee considers recommendations from alumni and industry colleagues, as well as work that has premiered in international festivals and galleries since the previous edition of NYFF. Submitted films will be evaluated by NYFF64 programming staff and considered equally with all other prospective entrants. All films submitted through FilmFreeway will be notified of their status by August 17.
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Grant & Application Deadlines:
Application window now open: Film Independent Fiction Producing Lab 2026
https://www.filmindependent.org/programs/artist-development/fiction-producing-lab/
Applications open: March 9, 2026
Non-Member Deadline: May 4, 2026
Film Independent Member Extended Deadline: May 18, 2026
More Information • Applications OPEN
Also their Documentary Producing Lab application is open!
Film Independent Documentary Producing Lab 2026
Applications Open: March 9, 2026
Non-Member Deadline: May 4, 2026
Film Independent Member Extended Deadline: May 18, 2026
More Information • Applications OPEN
2026 Slamdance Screenplay Competition
Submit here: https://slamdance.com/screenplay-submit/
New Grant! IDA Emergency Assistance Grant
More info here: https://www.documentary.org/ida-emergency-assistance-program
Are you a collaborative, expansive, imaginative, generative creative interested in making new immersive storyworlds?
Although no deadline is specified, the application window is limited for the Culture House Talent Pool Open Call.
More info here: https://culture.house/open-call
March 31, 2026: The Roy W. Dean Grant – Spring 2026 Cycle is now open.
For more than three decades, this grant has supported independent films that are unique and make a contribution to society — helping projects get made that might otherwise never reach the screen.
$3,500 cash grant
$20,000+ in donated services & production support
Deadline: March 31, 2026 (Midnight)
Open to filmmakers worldwide
Projects can include: Documentaries, Narrative features, Short films, Web series or multimedia projects.
Eligible at any stage of production — from development through post — for projects with budgets under $500K.
Finalists will be announced in July, with the winner revealed in August.
https://fromtheheartproductions.com/roy-w-dean-film-grants-and-awards/
(HT: Nancy Collet on LI)
April 29: Early Bird Chicken & Egg $40K Grant FINAL Deadline:
Applications are now open for the Chicken & Egg Films (Egg)celerator Lab, supporting women and nonbinary documentary filmmakers working on their first or second feature documentary.
Selected teams receive:
• $40,000 grant
• Creative retreats and mentorship with industry leaders
• Travel support for director and producer
Final Deadline: April 29
https://chickeneggfilms.org/programs/egg-celerator-lab
April 30: The Writers Lab International (LATE Deadline)
TWL International is a 3-day, in-person, Lab Intensive focusing on script and career development for selected women and nonbinary screenwriters 40+.
At TWL Lab Intensives, writers are challenged to bring fresh eyes to their selected projects and undergo deep project development work in one-on-one and group sessions, with revision guidance and career support from the experienced TWL team and some of the industry’s best writers and producers.
Apr 30, 2026 — Late Deadline
More info and to submit here: https://twlstories.org/labs/intl-labs/
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April 24th Deadline: Open Cities Accelerator
First read about it here: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/open-cities-film-company-joana-vicente-jason-kliot-1236661483/
And then apply here: https://open-cities.com/submissions
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May 6th: The Inspired Screenwriting Competition (Early Bird Deadline)
Now in our second year, the Inspired Screenwriting Competition is doubling down on our mission to amplify bold and unique new voices and disrupt the status quo of the film industry.
So, send us your best. Send us your personal. Send us the crazy out-there ideas that could have only come from (insert your name here).
You only need the first 20 pages of your screenplay to submit for the first round. Feature screenplays only.
EARLY DEADLINE: 5/06/26 - $25
REGULAR DEADLINE: 6/03/26 - $30
LATE DEADLINE: 7/01/26 - $35
https://www.inspiredscreenwriting.com
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May 1 - May 31: The Rideback RISE Fellowship (Application Window)
The RISE Fellowship each year selects a cohort of best-in-class, mid-career Fellows who are supported financially, creatively, and entrepreneurially in a rigorous 12-month program to make commercial film and television that can propel narrative change. Fellows are experienced writers or writer-directors who will develop an original pilot or feature as part of the Fellowship in addition to being supported in their directing endeavors.
More here: https://www.ridebackrise.org/our-program
Zoom info sessions on:
April 14, 2026, 1—2 p.m. PT
April 22, 2026, 1—3 p.m. PT
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4. Actions & Petitions
Actions
April 24th 4P PT online: Big Media and the Rise of Authoritarianism: How We Fight Back (webinar)
Join the National Writers Union (NWU) and its Digital Media Division the Freelance Solidarity Project (FSP-NWU), NewsGuild-CWA, Rebuild Local News, Media Power Collaborative, Free Press, Documentary Producers Alliance, and the Future Film Coalition on Monday, April 27 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT for a panel discussion on the dangers of media consolidation, how we got here, and what we can do about it.
Register here.
May 1st: Fall Of Freedom Returns!
What are you doing May 1st? Why not put on a show? A screening? A slam?
The day may come when you no longer are free to express yourself or show your art. How will you fight back to gain those rights? Prepare now.
This is a 100% decentralized action. You have a film that you think is on point? Sign up. You have a venue — even a garage with a video projector and a bed sheet in it? Sign up.
Sign up here:
https://www.falloffreedom.com/
Petitions
Stop The Warners / Paramount Merger:
Sign here: https://act.freepress.net/sign/block-paramount-warner-bros-merger
Also, please visit Blockthemerger.com
where Future Film Coalition is collecting short, first-hand accounts from across the industry - including exhibitors - to document how media consolidation is affecting the film ecosystem. Use your voice and share your story!
Urge Attorneys General to Stop Paramount’s Mega-Media Monopoly
This one courtesy of the awesomeness that is Robert Reich.
Add your name in support here: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/stop-paramount-mega-media-monopoly/
5. Housekeeping
Who’s sharing what, you ask?
ARB= Alex Rollins Berg AS= Amanda Sweikow AV = Ami Vora CR= Courtney Romano SS= Sara's Soliloquies TH= Ted Hope
And please remember:
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