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 members can check their AWD Member Center or inboxes for the discount and waiver codes, as well as information on how to contact partners.
Viz-Ability is a movement dedicated to empowering disabled creatives by providing a platform to showcase their qualifications, skills, and talents on their own terms through an interactive pop-up exhibition.
The event welcomes audiences from all backgrounds, but specifically encourages those in leading positions to celebrate artists based on their capabilities and accomplishments and offer a career trajectory focused on talent and merit, and not by outdated preconceptions.
The gallery will feature four key sections centered around “The Hollywood Wall of Fame,” each spotlighting essential industry roles.
Every piece of art will be personally curated by our team, who will guide how they wish to be seen and valued in their profession. While the gallery offers disabled artisans a space to present their professional identities, it also serves to remind attendees of the passion that first drew them to the entertainment industry. Viz-Ability seeks to engage professionals at all career stages, inviting them to connect with work that resonates to spark potential partnerships and jobs. APPLY HERE by EOD July 31, 2025.
In recognition of the AWD community, Canon Burbank is offering camera and lens gear loans for AWD member projects on an as-needed basis. Gear loans are typically available for a few days up to two weeks, depending on availability. Please note: recording media, third-party accessories, and extra batteries are not included, and additional batteries are also subject to availability.
This arrangement is offered directly through Canon and is independent of AWD. Members are responsible for all insurance, shipping, and any associated logistics.
AWD members now have access to Blackmagic Design cameras for use on their projects, including PYXIS 6K, Cinema Camera 6K, and Pocket Cinema Camera 6K Pro units. Availability is first come, first served and subject to booking.
This program is offered directly through Blackmagic and is external to AWD. Members are responsible for all insurance, shipping, and any associated logistics.
Courtesy of AWD Advisory Board member Eric Feig, active AWD members have complimentary use of meeting spaces and office/s at Assemblage Space (which space/s are open is subject to availability). They allot up to 25 hours a month to us and AWD members can book space in two-hour increments on a first come, first serve basis. Use it for script reads, shoot preps, or just a quiet place to plan your shot lists.
Assemblage Space is a creative, stylish, and cool workspace, with a diverse collection of street art on the walls, that promotes community and collaboration. A place where creativity and commerce come together, Assemblage stimulates and energizes creative vision and business. Located in Beverly Hills near Wilshire and Robertson, the meeting spaces and office/s are private rooms, each separate from others in the space so that safety and social distancing can be maintained. There are various amenities available including snacks, hand sanitizer, disposable masks, disinfectant wipes and a stocked coffee bar! There is ample street parking nearby.
ADDITIONAL AMENITIES:
Kitchen Access
Use of Conference Room (Seats 14+)
Beautiful Lounge with TV and an 80s Arcade Machine with 50+ hit games
Complimentary WiFi
We are pleased to partner with SCAD Savannah Film Festival to offer 100 submission waivers for work DIRECTED by our members (first use basis, 1 per submitter). If there are additional submissions, they can be made with 50% off fees.
ABOUT THE FESTIVAL:
Set against the fall backdrop of the South’s most beautiful city, the SCAD Savannah Film Festival welcomes more than 60,000 guests for an eight-day celebration of cinematic excellence and creativity. Each October, SCAD transforms historic Savannah into a film lover’s paradise, presenting competition film screenings, gala premieres, special screenings, workshops, and panels with lauded industry guests, award-winning professionals, and emerging student filmmakers.
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival has become a distinguished stop on the road to the Academy Awards, hosting exclusive screenings, competition films, feature films, documentaries, shorts, animated films, panel discussions, and workshops at SCAD’s historic theaters and industry-leading studio spaces.
IMPORTANT DATES:
- July 15, 2025
Extended Deadline - September 15, 2025
Notification Date - October 25 – November 1, 2025
Event Date
We are thrilled to again partner with SIMI Film Festival to offer members early bird submission fees on all deadlines AND an AWD BLOCK OF FILMS at the 2025 festival!
FROM THE FESTIVAL: SIMI Film Fest is a filmmaker-forward festival held just outside Los Angeles in Simi Valley, CA.
Now entering its third year, the festival showcases bold and inspiring films across all genres—features, shorts, music films, and pilots—while offering filmmakers unique experiences like studio field trips, red carpet events, industry panels, and live orchestral performances. With a warm, inclusive atmosphere and hands-on opportunities to connect with industry pros, SIMI Film Fest is where creative work gets seen, celebrated, and supported. The festival takes place at the incredible fully catered Studio Movie Grill venue with great screens and sound on September 3-7th 2025.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Regular Deadline: June 23rd (AWD members will pay early-bird rates)
Final Deadline: July 21st (AWD members will pay early-bird rates)
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
We are happy to partner with the MY HERO International Film Festival to offer submission fee waivers on films directed by AWD Directing Members!
From the festival: The MY HERO International Film Festival brings together professional and youth filmmakers who honor local and global heroes working for positive change in the world. Work submitted to this film festival must celebrate a hero, explore concepts of heroism, or explore hero-related topics.
Short films (10 minutes and under) of any genre will be considered. Filmmakers may also submit excerpts or trailers of longer works. We strive to be an all-ages friendly festival, so please keep that in mind when submitting a film for consideration.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Late Deadline – August 1, 2025
Extended Deadline – September 1, 2025
We are excited to partner with Tallgrass Film Festival and offer AWD Directing Members 50% off submission fees for projects they’ve directed! Check inboxes and Member Center for code.
From the festival:
Tallgrass was founded in 2002 and is Kansas’s largest independent film festival. Named a top 25 Coolest Film Fest and Top 50 Film Festival Worth the Entry Fee for multiple years by MovieMaker Magazine, the festival is a hallmark of the region’s cinematic landscape and an internationally recognized, multi-day platform for world-class cinematic programming.
The festival brings sophisticated movie-goers of all ages and backgrounds – hungry for quality independent film – audiences are receptive, opinionated, and genuine. Screening a film at Tallgrass catalyzes awareness and buzz in the country’s epicenter that radiates throughout the region. The visiting filmmakers are also accessible at Tallgrass. Due to the city’s authentic nature, it’s common to find an Oscar-winning filmmaker deep in conversation with a high school documentarian or an avid movie-goer.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Late Deadline: June 15, 2025
Extended Deadline: July 15, 2025
Notification Date: August 15, 2025
Event Dates: October 16-19, 2025
We are excited to partner with the Calabasas Film Festival for a Block of Films directed by AWD members, with 50% off submission fees.
From the festival:
The Calabasas Film Festival, is a non-profit founded by women and run by women! CFF welcomes avid film goers, studio executives, Academy Members and key players in the entertainment industry to the ultimate festival experience.
CFF showcases major film premieres, student films, documentaries, shorts and top quality film selections from all genres that are guaranteed to entertain. CFF provides the community an opportunity to connect over mutual passions for film and television while enjoying local culinary arts and entertainment.
The Calabasas Film Festival will always be where the heart of film lives.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Regular Deadline- July 4, 2025
Late Deadline- August 8, 2025
Festival- September 17-22, 2025
We are thrilled to again partner with Indigo Moon Film Fest to offer you full waivers on submissions to their 10th Anniversary festival for projects you’ve directed!
FROM THE FESTIVAL:
Celebrating our 10th anniversary, the Indigo Moon Film Fest in Fayetteville, North Carolina is proud to celebrate the unique art and voices of the Alliance of Women Directors members. Our festival celebrates diversity, and lives by our motto that Film Inspires Change.
Experience all the Festival has to offer:
~Opening Night Film and Reception.
~Filmmaker meet-ups, filmmaker lounge
~Food and snacks!
~All Venues in walkable downtown Fayetteville.
~Filmmakers accepted into the festival enjoy FREE Lodging!
(and a ton of other freebies!)
IMPORTANT DATES:
July 1, 2025; Extended Deadline
July 31, 2025; Absolutely Last Minute Deadline
We are pleased to partner with the Austin Film Festival to offer 50% off their submission fees for the 2025 festival.
Bringing independent filmmakers into the spotlight- submit to any of our 9 categories, including the Oscar Qualifying Animated Short, Documentary Short and Narrative Short competitions, genre categories Comedy Vanguard (for comedic work) and Dark Matters (for thrillers and horror films), and more! Have questions? Email film@austinfilmfestival.com and someone from the AFF staff will reach back out.
Submit via their FILM FREEWAY PAGE.
Important dates:
June 24, 2025 – Late Deadline
July 8, 2025 – Extended Deadline
September 23, 2025 – Notification Date
October 23 – 30, 2025 – Event Dates