From Live Action to Animated Futures:
Expanding the Director’s Toolkit
This panel from AWD South explores animation as a powerful creative pathway for directors, using Little Stories, Big Echoes as a central case study.
Directed by Dawn Richard and produced by Chris Hartley (Angelfish Productions), this animated series demonstrates how animation creates unique opportunities for collaboration, storytelling, and cross-disciplinary leadership. Lisa Ferrell, former President of the Georgia Production Partnership and current Board member for ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation), brings additional perspective from her work as Producer on the animated film MINE with SLOTHIQUE, which premiered at the 2021 Tribeca Film Festival.
Panelists will share both personal journeys and practical insights, examining why animation was the ideal medium for Little Stories, Big Echoes and how the project came together from concept to completion.
Emerging directors will leave with actionable takeaways for pursuing animation as a viable and empowering creative path. AWD Directing and Ally Members can register on the event’s calendar page.
Know Your Rights Information Session with the ACLU
AWD invites you to a Know Your Rights Information Session focusing on Immigrant Rights and First Amendment Rights. Rosa Lopez from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) will talk to members about their constitutional rights and answer questions.
Materials will be accessible to all members following the zoom. This event will be open to family and friends of members, and will be recorded.
Register via the event’s calendar page.
AWD South Book Club – “BE THE TRAIN” – Selina Ringel
AWD Directing and Ally Members are invited to join AWD South for a dynamic virtual discussion of “BE THE TRAIN” with the author and filmmaking Selina Ringel. After the book discussion, Selina will workshop with a few directors to find creative ways to jumpstart or move forward with their next project.
Register on the event’s calendar page.
Directing the Actor Lab (Class #7)
The participating Directors in AWD’s Directing the Actor Lab meet once a month to enhance their experience working with actors. Topics covered include in-depth scene breakdowns, rehearsal exercises and techniques, and playable direction and adjustments for actors.
April 21 will be the final class available to audit. Three directors will present live rehearsals for feedback. AWD Directing and Ally Members can purchase a ticket via the event’s calendar page.
Social Sunday in the park!
We are excited that April’s Social Sunday will be a picnic in Roxbury Park in Los Angeles!
AWD Directing and Ally Members are invited to bring their family, friends and prospective members! And please bring food to share as it will be potluck.
Kindly RSVP on the event page so we have a tentative head count. Park map available on page as well.
Fade In – Writers Tool Workshop
AWD Directing Members are invited to this demo on Fade In Professional Screenwriting Software, used by professionals writing for motion pictures, television, video games, the stage, radio, and more.
It features support for multiple languages, tools for outlining, organizing, and navigating, plus extensive screenplay formatting and robust functionality for managing rewrites and revisions. And it’s available for Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone/iPad, and Android.
Come learn all this program has to offer! AWD Members can also find a discount code in their Member Center.
Register on the event’s calendar page.
Works in Progress Program (Virtual)
The AWD Works in Progress (WIP) is an interactive and fun program that offers peer to peer feedback on rough cuts. This support helps Directing Members shape their films before launching a film festival run or seeking distribution.
This month we have Echo Lake managers Mike Marcus and Matt Horwitz joining us for our Tech Talk. The discussion will include best ways to secure representation, managing expectations of managers/agents, and how best to work together.
We will then screen two members’ short films for feedback.
Register on the event’s calendar page.
Virtual Pitch Nights featuring Inspired Screenwriting
AWD Directing Members are invited to a special two-part virtual pitching series presented in partnership with Inspired Screenwriting, featuring the 2025 competition finalists.
Across two sessions (May 4 and May 11) a total of 13 standout writers will pitch their original projects live to an audience of AWD directors, allies, and guests from Women of Cinematic Arts (WSC). Each writer will have approximately five minutes to present, followed by a brief Q&A.
These sessions are a great opportunity to hear fresh ideas, connect with emerging and established screenwriters, and discover potential collaborators.
Register for one or both sessions on the events’ calendar pages (May 4 HERE; May 11 HERE). Each offers a new slate of projects and voices. We can’t wait to see you there!
AWD Office Hours
Office Hours with AWD Executive Director Kylie Eaton will resume on January 9th. AWD Directing and Ally Members are invited schedule time using the link in the calendar.