On the Front Lines Members

Film Fatales held a discussion about filming in conflict zones with documentary filmmakers Amber Fares (Speed Sisters), Elizabeth Mirzaei (3 Songs for Benazir), and Sedika Mojadidi (Facing the Dragon) as they share advice on the strategies, logistics and hazards of filming in daunting locations. How do they make authentic films that resonate with the wider … Continued

Strike While the Iron Is Hot Members

Is all money created equal? When is the right (and wrong) time to apply for grant funding? How do investors work? We held an informal fireside chat about film financing with Tribeca Film Institute’s former Director of Scripted Programs Bryce Norbitz and filmmaker Dyana Winkler where no question is off limits as we look honestly … Continued

Story Metamorphosis Members

Thank you for joining Film Fatales and WIF for a case study on adaptation with the creative minds behind the hit Netflix show Shadow and Bone. We'll explore the steps of translating a written work to the screen with Series Writer Leigh Bardugo, Producer Christina Strain, and Executive Producer Shelley Meals. Moderated by Film Fatales … Continued

Cast to the Future Members

Rewatch this panel discussion about inclusive casting with casting consultant Ava Rigelhaupt (Two Countries), filmmaker Alaa Zabara (Salahy) and talent agent Gail Williamson (KMR Talent). Moderated by Film Fatales member Khadifa Wong (Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance). The question of who should tell stories of marginalized and underrepresented voices has been much discussed, sometimes … Continued

Born Curious Members

Thank you for joining Film Fatales for an interactive workshop about applying for an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Film Grant with Rebecca Katz, the current Sloan Consultant at Sundance Institute and Film Independent. Moderated by Film Fatales member and Sloan grant recipient Annie Howell (Co-director, Small Beautifully Moving Parts). Launched in 1996, the Sloan Film … Continued

Let The Write One In Members

Film Fatales members Deborah Goodwin (Snaeland) and Julia Camara (In Transit) led a virtual Screenwriting Workshop exploring the necessary steps you need to take in preparation for writing your feature screenplay. What is pre-writing and how do you use it to your advantage? What are the best practices for outlining a script? How do you … Continued

Kindred Spirits Members

Author and screenwriter Namina Forna (The Gilded Ones) and genre filmmaker Zandashé Brown (Blood Runs Down) joined us for a discussion, moderated by Film Fatales member Tchaiko Omawale (Solace), about Black Women in Genre. Black women have had a significant impact in genre over the years, with a recent renaissance of novels by Black female writers … Continued

Transgender Storytelling Members

Film Fatales members participated in this interactive inclusion workshop hosted by GLAAD and Scott Turner Schofield (Founder of Speaking of Transgender), exploring the topic of what it means to be transgender and the past, present, and future of trans media representation. Starting with an overview of what it means to be transgender and non-binary, along … Continued

The Path Forward Members

Film Fatales members Diane Fraher (The Heart Stays), Geeta Malik (India Sweets and Spices), Nancy Kates (Regarding Susan Sontag) and Saila Kariat (The Valley) lead this engaging discussion on directing your second feature. Many filmmakers find that, even with the wealth of knowledge they have acquired in the process of realizing their first feature, the … Continued

Let’s Make A Deal Members

Thank you for joining Film Fatales, FilmNorth, and Distribution Advocates for a free distribution workshop and teach-in about Negotiating Distribution Deals with producer Amy Hobby (What Happened, Miss Simone?) and distributor Andrew Neel (Radiant Films International). Moderated by Film Fatales member Avril Z. Speaks (Jinn). In this session, a producer and a distributor broke down … Continued

Show Me the Money Members

Thank you for joining Film Fatales for a grant-writing workshop with the creative team behind 93Queen. Director/Producer Paula Eiselt and Producer Heidi Reinberg offered real-talk, straight-up advice for navigating the documentary-funding landscape — including grants, equity financing and co-productions. 93QUEEN is the ITVS / arte SWR/ YesDocu co-production that received funding from all the major funders … Continued

Through the Lens Members

Thanks for joining Film Fatales for a discussion about Acting in Your Own Film with multi-hyphenate creators Erica Fae (To Keep The Light), Rain Valdez (Razor Tongue, Lit Girl), Tamara Bass (Baby Boy, If Not Now, When?), and Sujata Day (Insecure, Definition Please). For many filmmakers, directing themselves is the scariest and most daunting part … Continued