Netflix to show shorts, three big festivals and lots of funding!
Industry Alert by CenterFrame | December 9th, 2024
Your bi-weekly roundup of essential news, events, deadlines, and opportunities for writers, directors, and producers.
On this edition:
- News: Netflix will show more short films
- Deadlines: Vienna Shorts, Odense IFF, Palm Springs Shortfest
- Workshops: Locarno, Torino ComedyLab
- Funding: British Council, BFI Doc Society, Genera, Pandora
- Cinema: Chichester Cinema
- Networking: RecDek, Festivus
- Behind the Scenes: Die Hard according to John McTiernan
- Looking For: 7 filmmakers looking for scripts
Are you looking for great short scripts?
If you're a director or producer looking for great short scripts to make, tell us what you're looking for, and we'll post it in our LOOKING FOR section at the bottom of this email. Be sure to send us a link to your CenterFrame profile.
Latest News:
Netflix Launches Short Film Collection
Netflix's "Fresh Perspectives" initiative showcases a collection of short films that amplify diverse voices and stories, providing a platform for emerging filmmakers to present unique narratives.
The State of Horror, according to Jason Blum
Jason Blum discusses the resilience of horror in theaters, Blumhouse's 2025 slate including The Wolf Man and M3GAN 2.0, and their focus on retaining original talent for successful sequels.
Short Lessons from Aesthetica
Gain valuable insights on navigating film festivals from filmmakers who showcased their short films. This week, Diogo Brüggeman interviews several creators who participated in one of the UK's top festivals, Aesthetica in York.
Share your Industry News with us!
Deadlines:
Festival Deadlines
Vienna Shorts
(All Filmmakers)
Vienna Shorts is an annual international festival in Vienna showcasing short films and qualifying for major awards like the Oscars®, BAFTAs, and European Film Awards..
Deadline: 5. Jan, 2025
Submit your project - PAY
Odense International Film Festival
(All Filmmakers)
Odense International Film Festival is Denmark's oldest short film festival, qualifying for the Oscars®, BAFTAs, and European Film Awards.
Deadline: 1. Jan, 2025
Submit your project - PAY
Palm Springs International Shortfest
(All Filmmakers)
Palm Springs International ShortFest is North America's largest short film festival, qualifying for the Oscars®, BAFTAs, and Goya Awards.
Deadline: 31. Dec, 2024
Submit your project - PAY
Workshop Deadlines
Locarno Spring Academy 2025
(Directors)
The Locarno Film Festival invites applications for its 2025 Spring Academy, a ten-day filmmaking workshop running February 23–March 3 for directors under 35.
Application Deadline: Wednesday, Jan 8th, 2025 - 14:00 CET
Apply Here - PAY (~£14.00)
Torino Comedy Lab 2025
(Directors)
TorinoFilmLab's ComedyLab 2025 invites international screenwriters and comedians to develop comedic feature film projects through a series of workshops from March to November 2025.
Deadline: 13th December, 2024
Apply Here - PAY (Check link. Scholarship available.)
Funding Deadlines
Festival Travel Grant - British Council
(All Filmmakers)
The British Council funds UK filmmakers to attend international festivals, workshops and events showcasing their work.
Deadline: Year Round
Learn More - FREE
BFI Doc Society Research & Development Fund
(Documentary Filmmakers)
The BFI Doc Society RAD Fund supports early development of bold feature documentaries with grants up to £10,000 for emerging directors and producers.
Final Deadline: 1. Jan, 2025
Learn More - FREE
Genera Film Fund
(Writers, Directors, Producers)
Genera Films provides funding, mentorship, and resources for indie filmmakers across all production stages, emphasizing diversity and innovation in storytelling.
Final Deadline: 1. Jan, 2025
Learn More - PAY
Pandora Film Fund
(US Writers, Directors, Producers)
The 2024 Pandora Short Film Grant provides $12,000, equipment, and mentorship to U.S. filmmakers for narrative short films.
Final Deadline: 31. Dec, 2024
Learn More - FREE
Hollywood Deadlines
The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards
(All Filmmakers)
The BlackList awards one emerging screenwriter an all-expenses-paid trip to Sundance Film Festival with producer Cassian Elwes to promote new indie cinema talent.
Deadline: 12. Dec, 2024
Learn More - FREE
2025 Michael Collyer Memorial Fellowship
(All Filmmakers)
The Michael Collyer Memorial Fellowship in Screenwriting is a one-year program awarding an emerging screenwriter a $10,000 stipend and mentorship to develop an original screenplay.
Deadline: 10. Jan, 2025
Learn More - FREE
British Indie Cinema Spotlight:
Chichester Cinema - Chichester
Chichester Cinema at New Park, founded in 1979 by Roger Gibson as the Chichester College Adult Education Film Society, has evolved over four decades into a nationally acclaimed independent cinema and registered charity, offering a diverse array of international films and dedicated to community outreach and education.
Networking Opportunities:
FESTIVUS London
(All Filmmakers)
FESTIVUS London is an annual gathering for animation professionals to reconnect, network, and celebrate the year's end.
Event: 17. Dec, 2024
Attend Here - FREE
RecDek Cinematic Christmas
(All Filmmakers)
RecDek is hosting a cinematic Christmas event at Ritzy Cinema, Brixton, on December 17th, featuring a surprise film screening and social gathering from 6 PM to 11 PM.
Event Date: 17. Dec, 2024
Attend Here - FREE, must register through App.
Send us your networking events
Behind The Scenes:
Die Hard according to John McTiernan
In this exclusive AFI video, director and AFI Conservatory alum John McTiernan talks about making his film DIE HARD and why the film is a Christmas movie.
Looking For :
Below you will find a list of filmmakers who are actively looking for scripts. You must be a registered member to view their profile. We recommend you create a project on CenterFrame and send it to the members via our Messenger.
KATE WILLIS (Director)
I'm based in London, and I'm looking for a dark comedy or sci-fi short script, similar to either Trainspotting or anything a bit that has dystopian/1984 vibes.
MARA CRACALEANU (Producer) - Torino FF, BFI Flare
I'm based in London, and I'm looking for compelling, character-driven scripts across genres such as drama, psychological thriller, true-crime, psychological horror, crime drama, neo-noir, mystery, and coming-of-age.
ANDREW LAURICH (Director) - Sundance, SXSW, Vimeo Staff Pick
I'm based in L.A. and I'm looking for dark comedy short film scripts.
TOMAS FLECK (Director) - Netflix, Globoplay
I'm based in Sao Paolo, Brazil, and I'm looking for short and feature narrative films that tell good stories with interesting characters. I love any genre.
OLIVER KENDALL (Producer) - BFI London FF
I'm based in Bristol and I'm looking for horror/thriller and comedy short film scripts. I’m particularly interested in fresh twists or a unique concept to differentiate itself from common tropes, whether in horror, drawing on an unsettling idea or in comedy a strong, original premise—an everyday situation with a surprising twist or an absurd scenario with a relatable core.
ANNA SHAVERDASHVILI (Producer) - Montreal Int'l FF, Paris Short FF.
I'm based in Tunbridge Wells, UK, and I'm looking for short film scripts in the emotional drama genre, especially those exploring authentic, personal relationships. If your story focuses on raw, intimate moments that tackle complex human conditions, I’d love to read it.
KACEY OLIVER COX (Director/Producer) - FantaSci Festival
I'm based in Toronto, CA and I'm looking for sci-fi short films.
Best practice is to check out the member's profile and send them a link to your CenterFrame project via our Messenger.
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