AFI BACKLOT
We are excited to invite you to join AFI Backlot – the new, exclusive networking platform for AFI Alumni! There’s also exclusive career opportunities that are only listed in Backlot! You can register in under two minutes by following the simple steps below:
- Visit backlot.afi.com
- On first visit, click ‘Get Started’
- Fill out the information requested, including name and email
- Choose your own unique password
- Verify your email address when prompted
- Upon approval, start using the site!
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Don’t know how to navigate Backlot very well? Here’s a couple of step-by-step tutorials:
Directory: https://vimeo.com/329074511/e50b834df3
Update profile: https://vimeo.com/335661218/170d7d987b
How to post or find jobs on platform: https://vimeo.com/347532238/edf245bc5f
COMPETITIONS AND FELLOWSHIPS
SPOTLIGHT DORADOMcDonald’s is excited to launch Spotlight Dorado – an all-new, multi-year platform aimed at uplifting Latino talent across multiple industries, kicking off with a short film contest. The brand is kicking off the short film contest alongside Latina actress, director, producer and representation advocate Stephanie Beatriz with their partners at The Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Ben López’s L21 Consulting.
Aspiring Latino filmmakers can submit screenplays at no cost for a chance to bring your stories to life. Three finalists will be selected to win a production budget of $75,000 to produce the short films along with celebrity and industry mentorship, and one winner will have the opportunity to work alongside McDonald’s in future creative production projects in 2023.
Deadline: June 3, 2022
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The Disruptors Fellowship is an unprecedented fellowship supporting emerging television writers of color who identify as transgender, non-binary, disabled, or undocumented/formerly undocumented. This 3-month fellowship includes mentorship, community building, professional development, master classes and a $6,000 stipend.
COVID-19 continues to cause significant hardship in communities, but it is also a catalyst for rapid cultural change. At The Center for Cultural Power they are doubling down on their commitment to invest in artists and storytellers to help them reimagine a new world where we all belong and thrive. Our Los Angeles-based fellowship will continue to be held fully online, but they will plan some in-person meetings throughout the fellowship if and when it’s safe to do so with COVID-19 conditions. Proof of vaccination will be required to attend for in-person meetings or events.
Deadline: June 3, 2022
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Now in its second year, Hartbeat’s WOMEN WRITE NOW is a comedic writing fellowship designed to champion the next generation of black women in comedy through mentorship, advocacy, production, and exhibition.
Developed in partnership with Sundance Institute, this immersive fellowship will support three talented writers in developing short comedic scripts under the guidance of some of the most influential Black women in comedy. The resulting scripts will be produced by Hartbeat, will premiere at a special screening during the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, and will be distributed across Hartbeat’s LOL Network.
At the end of the program, each of the selected fellows will also receive a one year first-look deal with Hartbeat.
Deadline: June 6, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. PDT
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Firelight Media’s flagship Documentary Lab seeks out and develops emerging filmmakers of color who make artful and innovative nonfiction films. The 18-month Documentary Lab provides filmmakers with customized mentorship from prominent leaders in the documentary world, as well as funding, professional development workshops, and networking opportunities.
The Firelight Media Documentary Lab is an 18-month fellowship program that supports filmmakers in the United States from racially and ethnically underrepresented communities directing their first or second feature-length documentary film. The Documentary Lab provides filmmakers with a $25,000 grant toward their projects as well as customized mentorship from prominent leaders in the documentary world, professional development retreats, and networking opportunities.
Deadline: June 13, 2022 at 11:59 p.m. EST
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Operation Street Kidz is hosting its first script producing competition and is looking for submissions! Thanks to funding from La Plaza de Cultura y Artes’ Eastside Arts Initiative, as well as a partnership with Two Seas Media, we are looking to produce short films from Mexican American writers located in and around the Los Angeles area. Thanks to our partners and their contributions, we are now able to produce high quality, low budget short films that will provide aspiring filmmakers the opportunity to take that first big step as creators!
Application: Year-Round
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The Film Independent + CNN Original Series Docuseries Intensive is a three-day remote workshop that will give filmmakers the tools and access needed to develop and present their nonfiction series to potential collaborators working in the series space. Through executive and peer mentorship, workshopping and fostering industry connections, Fellows will walk away with a deeper understanding of how the business works, as well as having tangible next steps to move their projects forward. The program will elaborate on a range of topics, from funding and development to marketing and distribution, and each filmmaker or filmmaking team will receive a $3500 stipend to utilize as they see fit for their docuseries project.
Non-Member & Member Deadline: June 23, 2022 $25 _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Every year Film Independent selects up to ten fiction and five non-fiction feature projects to participate in an intensive film finance market that takes place over four days in November. Designed to connect producer-director teams with industry leaders and put projects on the “fast track,” the market consists of meetings with top executives, financiers, agents, managers, distributors, granting organizations and production companies. Participants gain valuable exposure and build vital relationships as they propel their films toward completion.
Previous industry participants include 30WEST, Fox Searchlight, MACRO, Mandalay Pictures, Netflix, Participant Media, Plan B, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions and many others.
Non-Member Deadline: June 7, 2022 $65 Member Deadline: June 21, 2022 $45
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The Black List and Warby Parker have partnered to create the Writer’s Vision Grant, which will award $20,000 each to three aspiring writers in film, television, and theater. Each writer will receive $20,000 to either film a short proof of concept based on their feature screenplay, develop a new theatrical work for the stage, or develop and write an original television pilot script.
The Writer’s Vision Grant will foster and celebrate scripts that harness and explore creativity, diversity, inclusion, empathy, and innovation in their storytelling.
Writers are invited to submit their work for consideration by uploading it directly to the Black List website. Writers can opt-in to the opportunity until midnight on August 15, 2022. Though writers can submit work of any genre, the scripts should avoid violence, illegal activity, drugs/alcohol use, and overly explicit content.
Evaluation Deadline: July 15, 2022
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OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Do you love children’s storytelling? Or dream of writing animated films? Oak Tree Comics would love to read your stories. Oak Tree Comics is a new independent publisher of children’s graphic novels that’s currently accepting story submissions. Founded in 2020 by a former AFI fellow, Oak Tree Comics focuses on socially and environmentally-conscious storytelling for readers of all ages. Want to learn more about submission policies? Visit www.oaktreecomics.com/submissions
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HUSSLUP is offering you an exclusive invite to join their Invite-Only Beta. In the first 16 weeks, they already have over 1,600 talented showrunners, writers, producers, directors, editors, execs, and managers, including many AFI alums, on the platform to connect, collaborate, and staff.
All you have to do is RSVP with your full name and your AFI affiliation and they will send a unique invite code:
support@husslup.com
On HUSSLUP, you can discover new professional opportunities and amplify your creative network by connecting with diverse creative talent from premier organizations, including the professional guilds, Women in Film, NALIP, and Outfest, as well as execs from over 45 top studios and production companies, including Universal Studio Group and Universal Film Group.
Making your professional profile is super simple! And you can join the AFI Community Group to connect with each other.
HUSSLUP is transforming Hollywood’s old clique with one click. We can’t wait to HUSSLUP with you!
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Applications are now open for Wscripted’s Second Cannes Screenplay List presented by MUBI. Wscripted’s inaugural list was unveiled in Variety and highlighted a selection of 25 diverse screenplays written by women during the 2021 Cannes Film Festival. Women and non-binary screenwriters or writer-directors from AFI with a screenplay in English or French, are encouraged to apply by April 15th here! Read the Press Release in Deadline.
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Backstage Casting Services AFI Alumni can access
Backstage’s casting services with the promo code:
AFIALUM Student Filmmaker/Emerging Filmmaker Office Hours are also available for additional help or have casting questions.
11:00-11:45am PST every Tuesday at:
https://backstage.zoom.us/j/86842171638. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
For producers: Discover Wscripted, the first marketplace sourcing content written by women and non-binary storytellers, which published its Inaugural Cannes Screenplay List with Variety. Wscripted is pleased to introduce “Pitch a Decision-Maker”, a monthly series featuring a producer or development executive looking to discover female or non-binary talents and 4 storytellers pitching their project available for option or financing. Producers interested in participating can contact Ellie at ejamen@wscripted.com For directors and screenwriters: Discover Wscripted, the first marketplace sourcing content written by women and non-binary storytellers, which published its Inaugural Cannes Screenplay List with Variety. Wscripted is pleased to introduce “Pitch a Decision-Maker”, a monthly series featuring a producer or development executive looking to discover female-led projects and 4 female or non-binary storytellers pitching their project available for option or financing. To apply or rsvp, you can create an account at wscripted.com
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THE BLACK LIST/AFI ALUMNI NETWORK PARTNERSHIP
The alumni-led AFI Alumni Network has created a partnership with Franklin Leonard of The Black List in order to connect AFI writers with AFI producers, showrunners, and directors. We are currently in beta testing on a new search function on The Black List to allow AFI writers to identify their alumni status and for buyers to search for material from other AFI Alumni. Not only that, Franklin has agreed to extend to AFI Alumni the same privileges that WGA members get on The Black List – free listing of your scripts’ loglines, plus your contact information, so you will show up in searches even when you are not paying to host scripts on the website. If you are already on The Blacklist website, you just go to your profile and add your AFI Alumni status. If you are not already on there, set up your profile and select Alumni status. Give it a try!
https://blcklst.com/_________________________________________________________________________________________________
X4Y is a new type of content marketplace, to help you turn your spec content into sold content.
With X4Y, you can sell your spec commercials to brands around the world, giving your work instant credibility and earning you a profit. You can even repurpose your existing short films and other content into 30- and 60-second, brand-agnostic spots that could work for multiple companies. (Just remove any logos or other brand references.) You’ll also be able to create a personal profile that showcases your skills and work to the world.
Sign up for an exclusive, free X4Y early membership and start sharing now! x4y.com/creators
X4Y is built by Sugar23, the team behind 13 REASONS WHY, THE KNICK, MANIAC, DICKINSON, SPOTLIGHT and other award-winning projects.
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WRITEGIRL IS SEEKING VOLUNTEERS! Support the voices of teens in Los Angeles! Volunteer as a writing mentor or help behind the scenes in supporting the work that WriteGirl and Bold Ink Writers are doing to inspire teens to develop their creativity and writing skills!
WriteGirl (
www.writegirl.org) is a creative writing and mentoring organization that empowers underserved teen girls in Los Angeles through mentoring relationships with women writers, hosting large-scale writing workshops at such places as the Huntington Gardens, The Autry and LACMA. Since 2001, WriteGirl has maintained a 100% success rate in guiding girls to not only graduate from high school, but also enroll in college.
WriteGirl is seeking women writers in all genres including novelists, poets, journalists, songwriters, copywriters, legal writers and more to help mentor teen girls, lead workshops and inspire girls to express their creative ideas. Weekly and monthly mentoring opportunities available.
WriteGirl is also seeking women professionals to volunteer behind-the-scenes with events, public relations, fundraising and partnerships. (Strong communication skills required.)
WriteGirl’s Bold Ink Writers Program is seeking men with creative writing skills to lead writing workshops for teen boys and co-ed groups during the school day. Workshops will take place throughout Los Angeles, from alternative schools to detention camps, for teens of diverse backgrounds. Daytime/weekday availability required.
Apply here: www.writegirl.org/join-us.
For more information, sign up for the WriteGirl newsletter at http://bit.ly/2tK9WUr For questions, contact WriteGirl at membership@writegirl.org or call 213-253-2655.
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HIP Sound Stages located near Downtown Los Angeles and Dodger Stadium is offering a 15% discount to any AFI alumni or current fellows. Please contact
info@HipstudiosLa.com or (323) 833-5920 for further information
A new co-writing space in the heart of the Culver City Arts District, Writers Blok provides structure, support and community for writers. Modeled after a gym or a yoga studio, this dedicated writing space is available for writing sessions seven days a week. If you’re looking for a place to get work done where you’ll also find a great community of writers, you’re in luck. Writers Blok is offering a free session to AFI alumni.
Need to find film-friendly locations in the Los Angeles area? Visit Giggster.com to search and book diverse commercial, residential and studio locations.
Kitsplit is a community of tens of thousands of vetted filmmakers and production companies renting gear to and from each other. It has been called “the AirBNB for creative equipment” by Forbes and Fast Company. Kitsplit invites AFI alumni to join as LA Founding Members and list gear with exclusive benefits. Those who reach out in August will receive free concierge service — email your gear list to contact@kitsplit.com and mention AFI. To receive 20% off your first rental, sign up for KitSplit and use exclusive code AFI15 at checkout.
Looking for studio space and equipment rentals? Loyal Studios in Burbank offers 10% discounts to the AFI community. Contact Sadie Dean (AFI Class of 2011) at sadie@loyalstudios.tv.
Sundance Creative Distribution Fellowship — open until full Bertha BRITDOC Documentary Journalism Fund — ongoing
Big Vision Empty Wallet Kickstart Diversity Program — ongoing
Catapult Film Fund — ongoing
Cinereach Grants — ongoing
Digital Bolex Grant for Women Cinematographers — rolling Film Independent Labs & Programs – ongoing
Film Independent AbelCine Camera Grant — rolling Film Independent Camera Grant – ongoing
Film Independent Fiscal Sponsorship — rolling
Film Independent Sloan Distribution Grant — rolling
Firelight Media Producers’ Lab — rolling
The Fledgling Fund — ongoing
Ford Foundation: JustFilms — ongoing
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Fund — rolling
ITVS Open Call — ongoing
Jerome Foundation Grant Programs — ongoing
Kaleidoscope — rolling
Merge AR VR Developer Fund — rolling
NewFilmmakers Los Angeles — ongoing
nextPix/firstPix Crowd Funding Grants — ongoing
OSVR Developer Fund — rolling
Panavision New Filmmaker Program — ongoing
Roadmap Writers Diversity Initiative Program — ongoing
San Francisco Film Society’s Narrative Grants & Programs — ongoing
Scottish Documentary Institute Consultancies — ongoing
Screen Australia: Feature Film Production Program — ongoing
Screen Australia: Documentary Producer Equity Program — ongoing
Sundance Documentary Fund — ongoing
Visions Sud Est Fund — ongoing
World Cinema Fund: Distribution — ongoing
YouPix Competition (Directors and Writers) — ongoing
UTA ENTERTAINMENT JOB LIST
The UTA Job List is refreshed weekly. Simply bookmark the link below or reference the newsletter and use it whenever you wish to view the updated list.
CLICK HERE FOR JOB LIST
NOTE: The UTA Job List is intended for the personal use of its recipients. Posting of this list or any information derived from the list on any website or message board in its entirety or in part without the express written permission of the list administrator is neither permitted nor within the spirit of the efforts put into its creation. All rights are reserved. ©2020
OTHER JOB RESOURCES
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