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
AWD Directing Members can check their Member Center for details and codes!
NEW COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS
The Wrap is offering AWD Directing Members 75% off tickets to their Power Women’s Summit in Los Angeles on Dec. 2nd.
We are also sponsoring a blocking workshop with AWD Icon Member Rachel Goldberg. Ticket holders can email events@thewrap.com with “Script Submission” in the subject line and they will reply with the submission form. Eligibility: Directors with a pilot, short, or feature script: submit a scene (2–3 pages, max 4 characters) for a chance to block your work live at the Summit.
We Make Movies (wemakemovies.org) is offering all Alliance of Women Director’s members 20% off their production services! WMM redefining what it means to be a film studio and a production company that helps bring hundreds of projects to life each year. If you’re looking for access to affordable production insurance, assistance with film permits, advice on SAG-AFTRA contracts, payroll processing or discount on gear rentals with trusted vendors WMM has got your back! The 20% discount also applies to their post-production services like DCP Creation, color grading and sound mixing. Additionally, WMM offers free weekly labs where you can workshop your script or latest rough cut with fellow filmmakers!
Shamel Studio is offering AWD Directing Members 30% off any of their plans. Shamel is the cutting-edge scheduling and budgeting platform built specifically for filmmakers. Designed to eliminate the chaos of spreadsheets and outdated tools, Shamel empowers directors and producers to stay organized, on budget, and focused on the creative.
Producers, directors, execs, reps — consider this your heads-up! We all know the rule – this business runs on relationships.
But building those connections isn’t easy, especially if you’re not in LA or NY, or just don’t have time to wade through endless noise.
So The Portal has done the heavy lifting for you.
They’ve curated a select group of emerging writers whose work rose to the top from all of the submissions to their screenwriting competition. These are talented writers with serious credentials — Sundance, The Black List, Stowe Story Labs, SFFILM, Emmy winners, published novelists and playwrights, even one whose work is in MoMA’s permanent collection.
It’s a rare mix of talent, vision, and voice — and they’re making it easy to connect. Browse their scripts and bios. See who resonates. If someone catches your eye, request their contact info and we’ll handle the rest. No paywalls. No gimmicks. Just access.
Let us help you find your next project and/or collaborators and discover the writers everyone’s going to be talking about.
Just click on the link: https://www.inspiredscreenwriting.com/sign-up-form-for-np
Enter the password: network
And create a free account.
That’s it!
The DCP Company is a filmmaker-first organization specializing in Digital Cinema Package (DCP) mastering of motion pictures for theatrical exhibition. They are offering our Directing Members 20% off standard short film and feature film DCP mastering packages.
CURRENT FESTIVAL PARTNERSHIPS
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
AWD is pleased to partner with the Atlanta Film Festival and offer 50% submission fees for projects directed by AWD Directing Members. There is also a discount to submit to their screenplay competition.
Submit films at 50% discount on their Film Freeway page.
Submit to their screenwriting competition via their Film Freeway page.
IMPORTANT DATES:
October 17, 2025 – Late Deadline
November 7, 2025 – Extended Deadline
We are thrilled to continue our partnership with the CASCADIA International Women’s Film Festival and offer a 50% reduction on submission fees for SHORT FILMS directed by AWD members.
CASCADIA marks its 10th season this year, proudly showcasing exclusively women-directed films at the in-person festival April 30–May 3 in beautiful Bellingham, WA. Since its founding, CASCADIA has featured the work of over 280 women directors from around the world, and this year will present 30–40 exceptional films across four inspiring days. Each screening is followed by lively Q&As with filmmakers or industry panels, while networking events—from the spirited Saturday night party to the exclusive Honored Guest reception—bring the community together. Attending directors enjoy complimentary accommodations, and all selected filmmakers receive screening fees and laurels in recognition of their achievements.
Important dates:
August 18, 2025 Opening Date
September 18, 2025 Short Film Early Bird Deadline
November 10, 2025 Short Film Regular Deadline
November 30, 2025 Short Film Late Deadline
December 29, 2025 Script Early Deadline
January 23, 2026 Script Regular Deadline
February 27, 2026 Notification Date
AWD is thrilled to partner with the Killer Shorts Horror Short Screenplay Competition to offer 50% off submission fees! This contest offers the rare opportunity to have literary managers read your short scripts. The discount code is valid until Dec 31, 2025 and applies to all categories except those with additional feedback.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Early Deadline: Friday August 1st 2025 – THE AWAKENING DEADLINE
Regular Deadline: Friday October 3rd 2025 – THE BLOOD MOON DEADLINE
Final Deadline: Friday December 5th 2025 – THE REAPING DEADLINE
Extended Deadline: Wednesday December 31st 2025 – THE FINAL HARVEST DEADLINE
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