May 2026 Event Recaps

AWD’s Directing the Actor Lab is a popular annual program taught by AWD Founder and USC Professor Emeritus Jennifer Warren. This Lab’s directors were  Lisa Cole, Jasia Ka, Radha Mehta, Grace Potter, Letia Solomon, Maria Valdez, Kali Veach, and Donna Wheeler.

The Fellows met for monthly sessions 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.

The Lab culminated with presentations of the scenes for the Fellows and invited AWD Icon Members.

Over two evenings, screenwriters selected from Inspired Screenwriting pitched their scripts to AWD Directors. Directors were invited to connect with the writers, not only to read their scripts but to forge community.

AWD hosted Natasha Olguin, Deputy Commissioner of the Chicago Film Office, and Louis Ferrara from the Illinois Film Office for a Location Spotlight Series conversation.

The session offered a practical, insider look at the benefits of filming in Chicago and across Illinois, including local incentives, location diversity, and production resources available to directors and we followed a Q&A, giving attendees the opportunity to ask specific questions and engage directly with both offices.

AWD Directing Members + Alliance for Women Film Composers participated in a speedating evening with mixer.

Directors and composers had a chance to talk one-on-one, providing an intimate setting to discuss their work. They then gathered as a group, learning more about each organization.

During AWD’s Wellness Reset Day Board member Candice Carella led a yoga Nidra meditation followed by a somatic breathwork session designed to let go of stress and anxiety. She followed it with a sound bath designed to activate and open heart, solar plexus and sacral energy centers to promote healing, and creative energies into the fields of the participants.

Everyone was invited at the beginning to speak their one word intention into the large quartz singing bowl which vibrated out into the room. People journaled any insights after both sessions and everyone enjoyed a healthy lunch and shared their experiences and takeaways.

AWD’s Black Directors Advancement Initiative hosted Alexandria Collins and Elizabeth Dell for a virtual panel and learning workshop designed to introduce and demystify the rapidly growing vertical content space.

As platforms continue to prioritize mobile-first storytelling, vertical content has evolved from social media experimentation into a legitimate, high-demand production format across entertainment, branded content, and digital series. This session provided directors with a comprehensive, behind-the-scenes understanding of what it takes to successfully direct in this space.

May’s Social Sunday was hosted by AWD Board Members and Member Relations Committee Chairs Amanda Donenfeld and Jan Johnson Goldberger.

The topic was “Welcome to the Matriarchy”! How do we tell stories and run productions from the lens of the matriarchy? Attendees explored what it really means to embody the matriarchy and how that can show up in how we re-imagine what storytelling and production looks like.

AWD hosted Sarah Gutierrez for a workshop on inclusive filmmaking that covered:

Authentic Representation & Storytelling:
-Portraying characters with depth and agency (avoiding stereotypes and harmful tropes)
-Responsibility when telling stories outside your lived experience
-Hiring cultural consultants and subject matter experts
-Expanding casting beyond default assumptions
-Other things to consider – lighting, costume design, HMU for different skin tones and hair textures.

Equitable hiring practices:
-Addressing barriers to entry and hidden bias
-Diversify hiring pipelines
-Mentorship and sponsorship on set

On-Set Culture & Psychological Safety:
-Creating a respectful set environment under pressure
-Microaggressions and Bystander intervention: what to do in the moment
-Cultural awareness (religious practices, holidays, language differences)
-Accessibility and accommodations

AWD Directing Members were invited to a Demo and Mixer where Picture Shop’s team walked them through their Seward facility, offering insight into the tools, workflows, and creative collaboration that bring projects across the finish line.

Following the tour, the directors stayed for a mixer and connected the Picture Shop team, sharing experiences, and continuing the conversation in a relaxed setting.

AWD hosted a virtual panel exploring the enduring power of theatrical exhibition and why protecting theatrical windows is critical for filmmakers today.

Panelists included:
Timothy Petryni & Annapurna Sriram (Fucktoys)
Annalisa Shoemaker (Suncatcher Productions)
Lela Meadow-Conner (Art House Convergence)

Moderated by:
Amy DePaola (Pink Among Men)

Launched at Sundance by Amy DePaola, in collaboration with Art House Convergence, with a buzzworthy campaign and must-have merch, Theatrical Windows Rule! has grown into an ongoing conversation and advocacy effort aimed at educating filmmakers on the value of theatrical releases. Hosted by AWD, this session continues that momentum, bringing together filmmakers, producers, exhibitors, and distribution experts to break down what theatrical windows mean in today’s landscape and how directors can leverage them to build audiences, visibility, and long-term career sustainability.