October 2026 Mini Slate: Industry Greenlights and Gateways
SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL SCREENPLAY AWARDS
FEE WAIVER CODE: AFIWRITERS
Our fellow alumni, Robert L McCullough, would like to give back to the AFI community with a fee waiver code to submit to the Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards.
PAID THEATER & IMPROV TEACHING OPPORTUNITY
JOB POST
Theater & Improv Instructors / Interns
Pay: $20 – $45 (Depending on Experience)
How to Apply: Interested candidates can apply via the Application Link (https://www.jotform.com/262582323319154) or send a brief email with their resume to cagla@leapstartafterschool.com.
- About the Role
We are looking for an energetic and engaging teacher to lead theater and improv summer classes for elementary-aged children. This role focuses on building confidence, stage presence, and teamwork through dynamic and interactive exercises, culminating in a performance each week.
- We are hiring teachers to teach children ages 5–11 during summer break and optionally durin ... SHOW MORE
FRAMELINE COMPLETION GRANT
GRANT
DEADLINE: October 9
You are welcome to submit documentary, narrative, experimental, animated, or episodic projects about LGBTQ+ people and their communities. Before submitting your work, please review our eligibility requirements and guidelines below.
The Frameline Completion Fund provides grants to both emerging and established filmmakers. This program seeks to provide a much-needed source of financial contributions to artists who are struggling to secure funding to complete their works.
FILM REPRESENTATION SUMMIT
FILM REPRESENTATION SUMMIT
WHERE: Hollywood, California (location confirmed a week prior to the event)
WHEN: Thursday, October 15, 2026 at 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
WHO: 150+ Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and Pacific Islander filmmakers
We would like for you to join us at our Film Representation Summit on Thursday, October 15, 2026 from 10 AM to 4 PM in Hollywood, California.
Registration is free and light breakfast and lunch will be provided.
The summit is organized by a coalition for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian and Pacific Islander filmmakers, which includes NAACP, NALIP, NHMC, CAPE, Latino Filmmakers Network, Chicano Hollywood and Film Representation, and sponsored by Los Angeles County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath and Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez.
HALLOWEEN HORROR FLASH FICTION WORKSHOP
WHEN: Saturday, October 17
Coupon: HOLLYWOOD
Valid through October 12 for in-person and online participation.
About the event
What if you could walk into a Hollywood workshop with an idea—and walk out with a complete scary short story?
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FREE ENTRY
JAPAN SHINY AWARDS- FREE ENTRY LINK
DEADLINE: October 28
We exist to help new & diverse filmmakers get into advertising production, connecting emerging directors with the advertising production industry through the Shiny Awards, held at leading ad agencies worldwide.
This year we’re bringing the Awards to Tokyo for the first time, in partnership with Mt Melvil, and we’re looking to celebrate not only emerging directors based in Japan, but also Japanese diaspora filmmakers around the world.
The Japan Shiny Awards will take place on 5th November in Tokyo, with entries closing on 28th October.
As an incentive for emerging filmmakers, we’re offering free entry for the first 50 filmmakers to submit their work via this link:
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THE NEW FILM FUNDING FRONTIER: BRANDS AS STORYTELLING PARTNERS
When: November 3rd, 2026, 6:00-7:30pm PST
Where: Zoom
Tickets: $15 Members; $25 Non-Members; $10 Students
Join Women in Film SF for a one-hour virtual presentation and Q&A on how filmmakers can position their projects for brand funding without compromising creative vision. Producer/Director Lindsay Kent will be joined by branded content consultant and executive producer Gary Freilich for a practical conversation about building mutually beneficial partnerships between creators and brands.
As traditional advertising becomes less effective—especially wi ... SHOW MORE
SUPPORT THE ALUMNI FUND
Alumni Fund gifts are solely designated to support the future of the AFI Scholarship Fund.
DONATE