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
AWD Panel at Cine Gear
We are thrilled to be presenting a panel at Cine Gear again this year! Please join us on June 6th @ 12p PT for the craft-focused conversation, “Beyond Coverage: Directors and DPs Building Visual Language Together.“
Moderated by Kylie Eaton, AWD Icon Members Aisha Tyler and Keesha Sharp, Director/DP Valentina Caniglia, and DP Tarin Anderson, will discuss how directors and DPs collaborate to create intentional visual language, from the earliest stages of prep through production. Topics covered include communicating creative vision, developing shot lists and visual references, approaching lighting and camera movement, and making choices that support performance, character, and story.
You must have a Cine Gear Expo pass to attend the panel.
Women Independent Producers (WIP) warmly invites AWD Members to join them during the Tribeca Film Festival for Celebrate Independent Producers — a special evening honoring the Producers who help bring stories to life.
This year’s event also marks WIP’s 10-Year Anniversary Celebration, commemorating a decade of advocacy, community, and uplifting the voices and contributions of independent Producers.
Wednesday, June 10, 2026; 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM EDT
Check Member Center for RSVP code.
Kickstart My Pitch (Live Zoom Class)
If you’re working on a scripted TV series, this live class will help you shape your idea, get it industry-ready — and deliver it with confidence.
In this session, participants will learn how to build a clear, compelling pitch and learn how the pitch is a powerful development tool at the earliest stages of development. You do not have to have a finished pilot to benefit from this class – it’s helpful even if you have just a kernel of an idea.
DATES:
Wednesday, June 17 from 6-8p PST / 9-11p EST
OR
Tuesday, June 23 from 6-8p PST/ 9-11p EST
AWD members can find instructions on receiving a discount in their Member Center.
Emmeline Yang Hankins is a producer and development consultant helping film-makers land their ideas on the page and in the room. She has taught for USC, Sundance Institute and Film Independent, bringing 20+ years of experience from companies such as Sony TV, Anonymous Content, and Smokehouse Pictures.
Learn more at TalkToEmm.com
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Are you a screenwriter with a completed script or a director with a project looking for a producer? Are you a producer looking for a partner? Are you a filmmaker with a completed project?
Then come to Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area’s Pitch-A-Pro Night where you can present your 2–3-minute pitch to the industry professional of your choice in a Zoom breakout room (verbal pitches only with no digital visuals, please).
If there is space and time and you register early enough, you may be able to pitch more than one of our pros for one low registration price. To ensure you are able to pitch to at least two pros, you may also register and pay for two pros using the same email address. At the end of the evening, at least 3 lucky people will get a chance to pitch all of the professionals at once before the entire audience.
To Register: https://www.wifsfba.org
AWD Members can find a discount code in their Member Center.
🚨 NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) hosts its June Monthly Film Festival, which spotlights LGBTQ+ stories and talent in front of and behind the camera with its annual InFocus: LGBTQ+ Cinema program. This month we’ll have two InFocus: LGBTQ+ Cinema programming blocks, including a FIFA World Cup 26™ June Shorts focused program that spotlights FIFA participant countries! 📢⚽
✨ Don’t miss this exciting celebration of new voices and seasoned stories!
🎟️ For more information and tickets, visit www.NFMLA.org/events.
NFMLA showcases films by filmmakers of all backgrounds throughout the year, across both our general and InFocus programming. All filmmakers are welcome and encouraged to submit their projects for consideration for upcoming NFMLA Festivals, regardless of the schedule for InFocus programming, which celebrates diversity, inclusion and region by spotlighting communities of filmmakers within our filmmaking community as part of our monthly program.
22nd annual International Queer Women of Color Film Festival; Presidio Theatre (99 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94129)
QWOCMAP presents the 22nd annual International Queer Women of Color Film Festival, 49 films by queer women, nonbinary, and trans filmmakers of color, screening from May through October 2026.
This year’s festival theme says it plainly: We Resist, and We Roll. The festival opens with satellite screenings in May and builds to three days at San Francisco’s historic Presidio Theatre on June 12, 13, and 14, with satellite screenings continuing through August and October.
Across all of it, ancestral land practices and cultural preservation, radical protest and daring heists, tender love stories and intergenerational connections, these are the films our communities make when resistance and filmmaking happen in the same breath. QWOCFF has never been a single weekend. It’s a season. And in 2026, through community partnerships that carry these films into new rooms and new neighborhoods, the festival reaches further than ever. Be in the room, whichever room that is.
CURRENT COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
AWD is thrilled to be a Community Partner of the Odyssey Theatre! The show runs through June 14.
All AWD supporters are invited to GET YOUR TICKETS HERE using code AWD20.
ABOUT THE SHOW:
Two strangers from very different neighborhoods meet at a funeral.
Gil knew the deceased. Benny did not.
Benny is a loner anchored by his wife and children. Gil longs to fulfill his potential. They form a deep bond but as cracks appear in their fragile lives, they start to realize that true courage comes in different forms.
R&B rhythms and gospel, boxing and rounds of scotch, uncover shared histories and hidden wounds in Hymn, directed by L.A. award-winner Gregg T. Daniel, in a much-anticipated co-production with the Odyssey Theatre and the Lower Depth Theatre. This soulful play takes a look at love, faith and friendship and asks “what does it take to be a good father, brother or son.” Written by celebrated playwright Lolita Chakrabarti, best know for her stage adaptation of the novel Life of Pi and Hamnet.
AWD is excited to join as a community partner on the 2026 Hollywood Climate Summit. This partnership grows our creative sector’s awareness and action on this issue, while emphasizing the importance of storytelling to direct public attention toward the climate.
AWD Directing and Ally Members can check their Member Center for 25% off the full conference pass. Purchase tickets HERE.
The Hollywood Climate Summit is an annual conference and community that is building a collective strategy for thousands of cross-sector entertainment and media professionals to take action on climate.
Join professionals in film and TV, social media, gaming, marketing/comms, journalism, nonprofit, philanthropy, and more for 2 days of interactive action-oriented programming, networking, and plant-based eats.
Our 2026 conference will be in-person in Los Angeles as well as global through our free livestream and virtual networking experience. Programming will focus on: Storytelling strategies that are resonating and making a difference; Mediamakers and messaging connecting unexpected allies; Resources and opportunities that help our community activate and uplevel their work.
CURRENT FESTIVAL PARTNERSHIPS
AWD Directing Members can check their AWD Member Center or inboxes for the discount and waiver codes.
We are thrilled to again partner with the Pan African Film + Arts Festival to offer 50% off submission fees during their REGULAR submission window (May 15 – July 16). Films’ main storylines must be driven by a leading Black character.
* Discount open to all categories. Note that PAFF now accepts vertical (9×16) micro dramas.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Regular submission window: May 15 – July 16 (USE DISCOUNT CODE HERE)
Late submission window: July 17 – August 16
Extended submission window: August 17 – Sept. 16
From the festival:
Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) is:
- an Academy Award ® qualifying festival in the Animated Shorts, Live-Action Narrative Shorts & Documentary Shorts categories,
- a FilmFreeway Top 100 Best Reviewed festival, &
- voted one of the Top 10 Best Film Festivals for 2025 by USA Today.
The 35th Pan African Film Festival will take place February 15 – 21st, 2027, in Los Angeles. Established in 1992 by Hollywood veterans Danny Glover (The Color Purple, Lethal Weapon), the late Ja’Net DuBois (“Good Times”), and Ayuko Babu, PAFF has remained dedicated to the promotion of a broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images and destroy negative stereotypes of Africans and African-Americans. PAFF is the largest, most prestigious Black film festival in the U.S. Attracting local, national & international audiences it is one of the largest Black History month events in America.
We are excited to partner with Cinequest Film Festival to offer 50% off submission fees!
Submit through Film Freeway.
From the festival: Cinequest is a legendary empowerment bastion for over 300 films, television projects, and media experiences. As we prepare for the 36th edition of Cinequest in 2027, we invite you to showcase your work at the festival voted “Best Film Festival” by USA Today readers.
Cinequest programs 85 to 90 percent of its festival from paid submissions annually, one of the highest percentages among the world’s most influential film festivals.
Cinequest connects artists, innovators, media, and audiences as people converge to experience a powerful mix of immersive stories from around the globe and breakthrough technologies. Cinequest’s stellar reputation rests not only on its ability to curate a compelling lineup, but also on its success in securing distribution for many of its honored filmmakers. Netflix, IFC Films, Amazon, MSNBC Films, Roadside Attractions, 1091 Pictures, Oscilloscope, Sony Pictures, Magnolia Pictures, Kino Lorber, eOne, Lionsgate, PBS, and HBO are just a few of the many companies that have signed deals with Cinequest success stories.
As an Academy qualifying festival for the short film categories, Cinequest proudly honors the winners of its Best Short Narrative and Best Short Animation awards with a chance at every filmmaker’s dream: Oscar gold.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Early Bird: August 10, 2026
Regular: October 12, 2026
Late: October 23, 2026
Special Film Freeway Extended” November 1, 2026
We are thrilled to again partner with the Latina Independent Film Extravaganza to offer 40% off submission fees!
Submit via Film Freeway.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Earlybird Deadline: July 15, 2026
Regular Deadline: September 15, 2026
Late Deadline : December 1, 2026
The Latina Independent Film Extravaganza (LIFE) is a film festival dedicated to championing Latina directors and expanding opportunities for Latina voices in film. Through screenings, panels, and community-driven programming, LIFE creates space for bold storytelling while connecting filmmakers to industry access and real pathways forward. By elevating voices both on screen and behind the camera, LIFE is helping shape a more inclusive future for cinema.
We are excited that the SIMI Film Festival will again program an AWD BLOCK of short films for their 2026 festival! Additionally, they are offering early bird prices on all deadlines.
Regular Deadline: June 16, 2026
Final Deadline: July 21, 2026
SUBMIT VIA FILM FREEWAY
SIMI Film Fest is a nine-day celebration of film, music, and creative collaboration where filmmakers are supported beyond the screen. The festival combines screenings, industry panels, networking, and live experiences designed to help artists grow and connect.
New in 2026, the SIMIFF Jury Prize will award one standout film a three-month mentorship with CAA agent Matt Smith, offering direct insight into career strategy and next steps in the industry. Selected films and composers may also have their work performed live by the Simi Valley Symphony Orchestra as part of the festival’s Film Music Concert.
With a strong focus on honoring every craft, SIMIFF recognizes the full spectrum of filmmaking, from directing and writing to cinematography, editing, sound, music, and design. The festival also features the SIMI Youth Film Fest, supporting the next generation of filmmakers.
SIMIFF creates a bridge between independent creators and the professional industry through meaningful opportunities, real connections, and a dynamic festival experience.
SIMI Film Fest 2026 will take place September 12-20 at the Studio Movie Grill in Simi Valley, CA.
Proof: Proof of Concept Film Festival is offering 25% off their submission fees.
Film Final Deadline: June 10, 2026
Submit via Film Freeway
From the festival: PROOF is a short film festival in Los Angeles dedicated to showcasing the best in proof-of-concepts. Providing a highly competitive and unique festival experience, as well as opening the door for fruitful future filmmaking opportunities, PROOF is a one-stop-shop for the newest emerging talent.
PROOF is powered by the American Cinematheque. The American Cinematheque is a member-supported 501(c)(3) non-profit arts organization, programming cinema at the Los Feliz 3, Aero Theatre, and Egyptian Theatre. The AC believes that cinema is a communal experience with the power to entertain, enlighten and inspire, building a diverse and engaged film community through immersive film curation, conversation, and presentation. The American Cinematheque bridges the filmmaker to the audience and film history to its future.
The Reel Champions Short Fest is providing 15% off their already low submission fees.
Final Deadline: June 12, 2026
Submit via Film Freeway
From the festival: Are you passionate about seeing more women and non-binary folks behind the camera? Join us for our annual The Reel Champions Shorts Fest and support the industry’s up-and-coming creatives who are too often overlooked!
TRC Shorts Fest showcases films created by women and non-binary folks to celebrate their unique voices and create more platforms for creatives of marginalized genders. We aim to provide a unique opportunity for filmmakers to share their work with a wider audience and network with likeminded industry professionals who are dedicated to achieving gender parity in entertainment. Submit your film today to be considered!
Films selected for the live event will screen over the weekend of 10/24/26 – 10/25/26 in Los Angeles, CA. Directors and Crew Heads are encouraged to attend the event to participate in a live Q&A following the screening. The weekend will also include educational panels and ample networking opportunities.
We are happy to partner with Heartland Film Festival to offer FULL WAIVERS on their submission fees for FEATURE FILMS (for short films see partnership with Indy Shorts below)!
Submit via Film Freeway
From the festival: Heartland Film was founded in 1991 and curates, promotes and celebrates thoughtful and engaging films. Since its debut in 1992, the festival has grown into an 11-day event with 150+ filmmakers and 250+ screenings, earning recognition for quality programming and Hoosier hospitality. HFF has built a reputation on its impactful movies, the connections audiences make with visiting filmmakers, the overall hospitality and intimacy of the experience, and bringing big Hollywood names – like Robert Downey Jr., Colman Domingo, Greg Kwedar, Brendan Fraser, Matthew Modine, Jessica Biel, Rob Reiner, and Geoffrey Rush – to the Hoosier state.
WHY SUBMIT?
– Cash prizes from $2,000–$20,000
– Lifetime alumni submission waivers
– Named among MovieMaker Magazine’s Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals and Top 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee
– Strong filmmaker and audience community
– USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards #1 Best Film Festival
Late Deadline: June 7, 2026
Extended Deadline: July 5, 2026
The American Int’l Short Film Festival is offering 20% off submission fees to our Directing Members through their late deadline!
Submit via Film Freeway
From the festival: American International Short Film Festival (AISFF) was founded with the mission to create a platform for filmmakers to celebrate all peoples and their cultures, beliefs , and genders. We invite filmmakers from all walks of life to share their unique perspective as we showcase the best talent worldwide.
Based in Los Angeles, the epicenter of the film industry, AISFF offers filmmakers an opportunity to become part of a supportive and expansive community that is ever-evolving. Our goal is to spotlight burgeoning talent and advance their journey as artists. Along the way, we look to help filmmakers gain exposure through partnerships with streaming services and help them hone their skills by partnering with writing programs and production companies. Come and see why we are the best Festival in the West for Short Movies… and the most fun!
Late Deadline: June 1, 2026
SAYVILLE INT’L FILM FESTIVAL is offering full waivers on their remaining deadlines:
Submit via Film Freeway
From the festival: From the festival: The Sayville International Film Festival (SIFF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit community-driven, industry-connected event founded by the creative minds at Cappricielli Productions. Our mission is to launch careers, drive positive social change, and foster a sustainable creative ecosystem.
We actively seek diverse, regional and international voices, especially students, emerging filmmakers, and creators with disabilities to showcase their bold work and ensure their visibility.
SIFF is a bridge, not a barrier. We provide participants with unparalleled resources and networking opportunities, leveraging the professional relationships developed over a decade of attending markets, successful sales/acquisitions, and producing independent film.
Final Deadline: June 12, 2026
ROCK THE SHORTS is offering full waivers on their remaining deadlines:
Submit via Film Freeway
From the festival: At Rock the Shorts Film Festival in Los Angeles, we believe short films deliver a powerful emotional impact in just a few minutes. We are committed to providing filmmakers with the recognition they deserve, and to demonstrate this, we will present an “Awards Qualifying Run” for a minimum of two short films from our 2026 winners.
Our goal is to inspire you to continue your creative journey—writing, directing, producing, acting, and sharing your unique stories. Whether you are launching your career or are an established professional telling a story your own way, we are honored to celebrate your work. You rock!
Super Final Deadline: June 8, 2026
We are thrilled to partner with Newport Beach Film Festival to offer you discounts on submission fees for features and shorts + an AWD Block of films!
FROM NEWPORT: Join us in October 2026 (in person) for the Newport Beach Film Festival’s (NBFF) 27th Year. Internationally recognized as one of Southern California’s leading film events, we host eight days of 350+ film screenings, 58,000+ attendees, engaging networking opportunities, industry seminars, incredible nightly galas, private receptions, entertainment, and more!
Film, food, industry, and culture in the heart of Newport Beach. Join us for a fantastic and celebratory year!
IMPORTANT DATES:
Regular Deadline – June 26th
Final Deadline – July 17th
Dates of Festival – October 15th – 22nd
SUBMIT VIA FILM FREEWAY
We are thrilled to again partner with the Calabasas Film Festival to offer 50% off submission fees + a screening block of AWD-directed films!
From the festival:
The Calabasas Film Festival delivers a dynamic mix of premieres, powerful documentaries, student showcases and standout films from every genre. Each year, we spotlight stories that spark conversation, inspire audiences and celebrate bold filmmaking. More than just screenings, CFF is a gathering place – where our community connects over a shared love of film and television, surrounded by great food, energy and unforgettable experiences. CFF is where passion for film comes alive.
IMPORTANT DATES:
July 3, 2026- Regular Deadline
July 31, 2026- Late Deadline
August 14, 2026- Notification Date
September 23 – 27, 2026- Event Date
Submit via their FILM FREEWAY page
Nashville Film Festival has offered 15% off submissions to their 2026 festival. Submit on their Film Freeway page.
June 1, 2026 – Late Deadline
June 15, 2026 – Extended Deadline
August 10, 2026 – Notification Date
September 24 – 30, 2026 – Event Date
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:
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:
Extended Deadline: June 1, 2026
Notification Date: July 13, 2026
Event Date: August 13 – 23, 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:
June 12, 2026 – Extended Deadline
August 7, 2026 – Notification Date
September 24 – 27, 2026 – Event Date
Submit via their FILM FREEWAY page.