Alliance of Women Directors collaborates with Sponsors and Partners that believe in and work toward gender parity in the entertainment industry. These partnerships elevate our collective ability to advocate for and support women directors.
AWD Directing Members can check their AWD Member Center or inboxes for the discount and waiver codes, as well as information on how to contact partners.
ONGOING COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
NEW COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
Newsweek is proud to present their Women’s Global Impact Forum LA, a one-day event on March 25th which aims to connect senior female executives – across industries and job functions – and their “rising stars” – women who are on the path to C-suite and boards. The event is an opportunity for guests to innovate, share bold visions for leadership, the future of work and how they will leave a positive and lasting IMPACT on the world.
Progress toward gender equity in the workplace continues even as challenges remain. From the lingering wage gap and unconscious biases to underrepresentation in executive roles and workplace harassment, women navigate a professional landscape that demands resilience and advocacy.
Despite these obstacles, many companies are stepping up to foster environments where women can thrive. Join us as we celebrate and call attention to these great leaders and companies – and learn from some of the world’s most inspiring women.
The event originated in NYC on 5 Aug 2025, where we had 300+ guests connect and share. You can watch the panels from the NYC event HERE. All AWD followers are invited to REGISTER HERE at a discount using code AWDNWGI30.
We are happy to partner with Stowe Story Labs to offer discounts to our Directing Members (check Member Center for discount links) on submissions to their Writers’ Retreats, Online Writing Programs and Producers’ Labs.
From Stowe: At Stowe Story Labs, we believe stories have the power to connect, inspire, and transform. We are a Vermont-based nonprofit supporting emerging and established screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers.
We provide the tools, mentorship, and community needed to bring stories to life. We help artists develop skills and scripts, build their peer and industry networks, and through it all gain the confidence and ability to move projects forward.
WRITERS’ RETREATS: Designed for emerging and established screenwriters to gain deep insights on story and drafts to advance projects and careers. Remote and in-person options available. Participants will leave the program with actionable script notes, a plan to further develop the work, and a network of new peers and colleagues. Next Deadlines: Jan. 31, March 1, March 17, 2026
ONLINE WRITING PROGRAMS: This program is designed for a new TV project, not revisions to an existing television project. The writing sample should be a sample of a previous TV pilot you have written, or if this will be your first TV project, please send a strong sample of a feature script or some other material you have written in another format to help us evaluate your writing skills.
Deadline: Feb. 1, 2026
PRODUCERS’ LABS: The Producers’ Labs are designed to help emerging creative producers develop skills and knowledge to advance their projects and careers. It will be most helpful to producers who hope to produce their first or second micro-to-low budget ($100,000 – $2,500,000) feature film.
Deadline: Feb. 2, 2026
CURRENT FESTIVAL PARTNERSHIPS
We are pleased to partner with Cine Gear to offer AWD members $15 off entry into their 2026 Film Series.
From Cine Gear: We celebrate the talent, vision, and creativity of women filmmakers! Each year, filmmakers from around the world showcase their stories to industry professionals, innovators, and peers. Categories include Music Video, Independent Short Film, and Student Short Film.
Selected projects receive:
– Two badges for all screenings
– Tickets to the VIP Party and Awards Ceremony
– The chance to win incredible prize packages from leading sponsors
In 2025, our Jury Award winners earned nearly $16,000 USD in camera, lighting, and gear from sponsors including Blackmagic Design, DFI Rentals, Driving Plates, Tilta, and Film Craft Studio Gear. Audience Award winners received almost $2,000 USD in gear from Nanlux/Nanlite, Fiilex, and more. Plus, all selected filmmakers received a free annual Scriptation subscription valued at $99 USD.
Late deadline: Feb. 15
Extended deadline: March 15
Festival dates: June 5-7, 2026
We are pleased to again partner with the Austin Film Festival to offer 50% off their submission fees for the 2026 festival. Please note: The discount is for $30, which is 50% off the early bird prices. However, the discount can be used for all deadlines.
From the festival:
Included in MovieMaker’s Top 50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee for 2025!
At Austin Film Festival, our mission is simple: champion writers and filmmakers. As an Academy-recognized Oscar® Qualifying festival, we are proud to spotlight emerging and established voices on a global stage. As the “Writers Festival” for over 32 years, AFF celebrates the storytellers behind the worlds, characters, and perspectives that shape great cinema. Each year, our film competition continues to grow as we serve as a launchpad into an ever-evolving industry.
What truly sets AFF apart is the combination of a world-class film festival and a world-renowned Writers Conference. Filmmakers who screen with us experience much more than the usual mix of screenings and parties. They spend their days in packed panels, workshops, and networking sessions that create nonstop opportunities for learning, connection, and career growth.
Important dates:
March 27, 2026 – Early Bird Deadline
May 20, 2026 – Regular Deadline
June 19, 2026 – Late Deadline
July 1, 2026 – Extended Deadline
September 29, 2026 – Notification Date
October 29– November 5, 2026 – Event Date
We are excited to again partner with the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival to offer 50% off submission fees for films directed by AWD members! Additionally, they will be screening a BLOCK OF AWD FILMS!
FROM THE FESTIVAL: The HollyShorts Film Festival is an Oscar®-Qualifying (Best of Fest Grand Prix, Best Animation, Best Short Documentary, and Best Live Action) and BAFTA-qualifying short film festival based in Los Angeles. Since its establishment in 2005, HollyShorts has grown into a premier platform for independent filmmakers worldwide, presenting a diverse selection of innovative short films across various genres. This year the Grand Prix winner will be awarded a Panavision camera package valued at $60K.
Films directed by AWD members that are not selected for the AWD block will still be considered to screen elsewhere in the festival.
SUBMIT via FILM FREEWAY
IMPORTANT DATES:
Early Bird Deadline: January 30, 2026
Regular Deadline: April 3, 2026
Late Deadline: May 8, 2026
Extended Deadline: June 1, 2026
Notification Date: July 13, 2026
Event Date: August 13 – 23, 2026
AWD is excited to partner with Napa Valley StreamFest to offer 50% off submission fees on projects directed by AWD Directing Members. Additionally they will be programming a Block of AWD Films at their 2026 festival!
From the festival:
Napa Valley StreamFest is an immersive festival celebrating the best in podcasts, series, films, and digital content—all in the heart of California wine country! We bring together creators and fans for live recordings, screenings, panels, and unforgettable in-person experiences featuring world-class wine and food. Whether you’re an industry pro, passionate storyteller, or binge-watcher, StreamFest is your place to connect, be inspired, and discover something new.
SUBMIT via their FILM FREEWAY page
IMPORTANT DATES:
Earlybird Deadline: November 22, 2025
Regular Deadline: January 1, 2026
Late Deadline: February 6, 2026
Extended Deadline: February 27, 2026
Notification Date: March 16, 2026
*Festival Dates: April 23 – 26, 2026
We are excited to again partner with the Mystic Film Festival and offer AWD members 50% off submission fees for their film festival and script competitions.
FROM THE FESTIVAL:
Mystic Film Festival is a grassroots celebration of independent filmmaking that brings together storytellers, artists, and audiences in a shared love of cinema. Showcasing feature-length and short narrative films and documentaries from around the world, the festival creates a space where diverse voices can be heard and meaningful conversations can take root. Through screenings, filmmaker Q&As, workshops, and community events, we aim to connect people through the power of story and the craft of filmmaking.
Now in its ninth year, the festival will take place September 24 – 27, 2026, across venues in Mystic, Connecticut, and Westerly, Rhode Island. Our cornerstone venue, Mystic Luxury Cinemas in Olde Mistick Village, hosts opening night, which proudly features films made by local filmmakers and celebrates the talent within our own community. The festival closes with our annual awards celebration, honoring standout independent films in every category. This year, we are expanding our submission categories to welcome an even wider range of stories and filmmakers.
Our Screenplay Competition, now entering its sixth year, has become a highlight of the festival, shining a light on emerging screenwriters and fostering connections within the indie filmmaking community. With expanded categories, the 2026 competition continues to champion fresh voices and original storytelling. Winners will be announced live at the festival, underscoring our commitment to supporting creators at every stage of the filmmaking process.
IMPORTANT DATES:
February 6, 2026 – Earlybird Deadline
May 1, 2026 – Regular Deadline
May 22, 2026 – Late Deadline
June 12, 2026 – Extended Deadline
August 7, 2026 – Notification Date
September 24 – 27, 2026 – Event Date
Submit via their FILM FREEWAY page.
We are pleased to continue our partnership with the Wyoming International Film Festival to offer you 50% off submission fees for their 2026 festival!
From the festival:
Celebrate indie film in the old west! The Wyoming International Film Festival – a registered 501c3 non-profit – isn’t just another film fest; it’s a 4-day celebration of filmmakers and art from around the world!
Screenings in a state-of-the-art theater, filmmaker Q&As, live dance, live music, unique western experiences, art and photography exhibitions, and nightly parties give filmmakers ample opportunity to network and exhibit their work. Most important of all, you’ll have a blast while visiting Wyoming! WyoIFF is capped off with an award ceremony where we present 21 awards. Join us for food, fun, and film!
WyoIFF welcomes movies from all over the world! We accept features, shorts, narratives, documentaries, and web series of every genre. The Wyoming International Film Festival is committed to screening a diverse slate of stories with a broad spectrum of genres, topics and styles. Because we are a film festival run by filmmakers; the WyoIFF team guarantees every submission is watched by a selection committee of experienced industry professionals.
Our alumni include Jamie Lee Curtis, Spike Lee, Lily Gladstone, Seal, Willie Nelson, Eric Roberts, Lee Child, Ralph Inerson, Virginia Madsen, Tom Skerritt, Jefferson White, Jason Faunt, Constance Shulman, Lavell Crawford, as well as more than 3 dozen Emmy Award Winning filmmakers! At WyoIFF you won’t just find celebrity helmed films; we insure a robust mix of industry professionals, up-and-coming directors, as well as first time filmmakers. With nightly networking events you will be sure to build lasting connections and lifelong relationships!
BEFORE YOU SUBMIT
WyoIFF prides itself on our transparency and filmmaker-forward thinking. Here is some beneficial information for filmmakers to consider before submitting:
• In 2025 WyoIFF received 622 submissions, selecting 166 films. This is a 27% acceptance rate.
• We screen in three theaters; Surbrugg Prentice Auditorium, a brand-new performance art theater with seating for 400. Pathfinder, a converted conference room with dual laser projectors seating 200. The Studio, an improvised theater for more personal screenings, seating 60. While quality and filmmaker experience is our top priority it’s important to know none of our screening rooms are traditional movie theaters.
• Our programming team is mostly made up of alumni filmmakers. Your film will be reviewed by a minimum of two programmers.
• Not sure if your film is right for WyoIFF? Visit our archive on wyoiff.com to see if we’ve programmed films like yours in the past. Always research a festival before you submit!
Minimum Review Times
– All films will be reviewed by a minimum of two (2) programmers.
– Shorts under 15 minutes will be watched in full.
– Shorts over 15 minutes will be watched for 50% of their runtime, or up to 10 minutes, whichever is longer.
– Feature films will be reviewed for a minimum of 30 minutes.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Earlybird Deadline – October 10, 2025
Fall Deadline – November 21, 2025
Winter Deadline – January 2, 2026
Regular Deadline – February 13, 2026
Final Deadline – March 27, 2026
Notification Date – May 4, 2026
SUBMIT via their FILM FREEWAY PAGE
We are thrilled to partner with MíraLA Film Festival to present a BLOCK OF AWD FILMS with 30% off submissions to their 2026 festival.
MíraLA Film Festival is a Los Angeles-based festival dedicated to uplifting Latine, BIPOC, and women-identifying filmmakers through intentional programming, powerful storytelling, and inclusive community. Now in its 4th year, MíraLA champions bold, intersectional voices in film with a focus on underrepresented perspectives both in front of and behind the camera. The festival features screenings, filmmaker Q&As, industry panels, and networking events designed to celebrate and empower the next generation of change-makers in media.
IMPORTANT DATES:
October 1, 2025 — Earlybird Deadline
January 2, 2026 — Regular Deadline
February 2, 2026 — Late Deadline