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DOW Plans

Feb 06, 2026
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DOW  Plans

I am excited, but I will keep this short: I wanted to recap ALL that Friendly Filmmaker will be offering at Dead of Winter, AND announce the secret I teased last week. 
1) We helped make 3 films that will be screening, among the other excellent horror selections. 
2) I'll be a guest on a really cool panel about representation in the horror film community.
3) Our booth will have amazing Art by Jeremy Arruda, as well as merch and sweets to help promote Mother Grimm by Jason Lake!
and 4).... the surprise I mentioned will be.....
*drum roll please!*
Horror Face Paint! 
I told you there was an interactive component! 
The amazing Rebecca Hickman will be at our booth doing SFX makeup for Horror fans to enjoy at the convention! I don't know about you, but I used to love Face Paint as a kid. Well, how about some Horror Face Paint as a grownup? Choose your look and let an expert make it happen!
It's going to be an amazing time. 

I also got an email from the DOW organizers telling vendors that because of the DCU venue choice, there has been an increase in interest in the convention and an uptick in sales. 
If you want to book tickets, use code SUPERB2026OWL to get 10% off tickets and merch until midnight Sunday. This is the last sale before the event! 

 

Book  Update

Still completing the edits to the Friendly Filmmaker Checklist . Despite DOW and other commitments, I haven't slowed down. Stay tuned!

Jan 31st - Feb14, 2026

HYGIENIC ART XLVII SCREENING
79 Bank St, New London, CT, 06320

The Screening Room is New London’s premiere free Independent Film Festival featurig works from both emerging and established filmmakers. As a part of the Hygienic Art XLVII show itself, there will be no judge, no jury, no entry fee, and no censorship! Music Videos, Movie Trailers are welcome!

Free Event
Free Popcorn
Cash Bar

 

FEB 21-22

DEAD OF WINTER HORROR FESTIVAL
DCU CENTER, WORCESTER, MA

Horror filmmakers and fans! DOW is in its 3rd year, and it's going to be AMAZING. Films, panels, and all things horror. Get ready!

The DCU Center is the official home of Dead of Winter Horror Festival 2026! Get your tickets today and stay tuned for more killer announcements. 
Use code SUPERB2026OWL to get 10% off tickets and merch until midnight Sunday. This is the last sale before the event!!

 

SAVE  THE  DATES     

MARCH 7

SOUTHIE FILM FESTIVAL
BOSTON, MA

March 7th, 2026, the first ever Southie Film Fest (SFF) is debuting right in the heart of Southie at Seapoint Bar & Grille. Submit here if you are interested! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe1JK50uMT13S56BgLUa2hcqLIQgh-djrFY-4d0ecCDXuJx1w/viewform

 

MARCH 20-22

LOIS WEBER FILM FESTIVAL
NEWTON, MA

The LWFF team announced the festival dates and venue (West Newton Cinema), with more information to come. 

 

APRIL 15-19

RHODE ISLAND BLACK FILM FESTIVAL
PROVIDENCE & NEWPORT, RI

A powerful celebration of Black storytelling, culture, and creativity. Save the dates!

 

MAY 2

STRANGE MAYNARD FILM FESTIVAL
MAYNARD, MA

Filmmaker Erica Stockwell-Alpert is hosting 5 Hours of fun films! Come out and see some unique horror and comedy shorts made by the community!

MAY 7

LINCOLN SUDBURY STUDENT FILM FESTIVAL
SUDBURY, MA

Filmmakers Karin Trachtenberg, Julia Trueblood, and Liz Bishop are hosting a premiere for their latest short screened alongside local student shorts! Submit films before Feb 15 and Save the date!

CASTING

CASTING CALL by Giro Studio – PAID | EDUCATIONAL VIDEO SHOOT | CAMBRIDGE, MA 

Looking for 3 actors for a series of short educational training videos being filmed at a professional studio in Cambridge, MA. These videos are designed for clinician training and will involve scripted dialogue. There are 2 videos, scripted to be ~10-15 minutes each. Each actor would only be responsible for one of the 2 videos. One video needs 2 actors.

Acting experience is helpful but NOT required — we welcome amateur and non-union actors who are comfortable on camera and able to follow a script.

Project Details

  • Shoot Dates: April 13th or 14th, 2026
  • Time Commitment: Approximately ~4 hours (half day)
  • Compensation: PAID, pay will be shared upon inquiry. Meals and travel expenses not included. Non-union.

Roles Needed

1. Mrs. Morris

  • African American woman
  • Appears age 70–75
  • Portrays a participant with mild cognitive impairment
  • Warm, thoughtful, expressive

2. Mr. Khan

  • South Asian man
  • Appears age 75–80
  • Portrays a research participant
  • Calm, reflective presence

3. Mrs. Malik (Caregiver / Daughter)

  • South Asian woman
  • Appears age 40–45
  • Portrays daughter and legal authorized representative
  • Supportive, engaged, communicative

How to Submit

Please email [email protected] with:

  • Your name
  • Which role(s) you are interested in
  • A recent photo (phone photos are totally fine)
  • A brief note about any on-camera or acting experience (optional)

 


CASTING

From SLATE CASTING:

We are currently casting Transgender Actors, age 18-50, for an upcoming museum installation project in Boston. 

$1000 compensation.  Must be local to New England.

Please pass along to anyone you know who may be interested! 

Send headshot, resume if you have one and your city/state to [email protected]



CASTING

Casting Call via Castillo Holliday Films! Location not specified but the company is based in Boston.

We are casting 4 people for a video featuring a fast paced small court sport.

Who we want

• People who enjoy sports and movement

• Experience with tennis, ping pong, or pickleball is a plus

• Comfortable being active on camera

We are building a diverse group of players and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply. Small stipend available.

DATES TBD

Please fill out this Google Form to be considered.

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfenyMM6bQmJf7WvZEgKu2UvpxamU0lLa80TL5GoYqC9y5SCA/viewform

 

CASTING

CASTING CALL FOR FEATURE FILM by Julia Lauren Casting!

*Open to nonunion/union actors. Paid opportunity! Looking to cast multiple roles.

BIPOC Actors: 20-30 years old

Travel allotment provided.

Filming summer 2026. First table read spring 2026. Location: Massachusetts

Send headshot/resume to [email protected] if interested!



VIDEOGRAPHER

Videographer gig in CT for Jenny from Orange Elephant Press:

Greetings from CT!

I'm a the founder of Orange Elephant Press an independent publisher dedicated to creating books and educational materials that center disability and neurodiversity.  

I'm interested in creating a 2-3 minute promo video to communicate the mission of Orange Elephant Press and build excitement for our first children's title, "A Seedling's Wish."  

I'm looking for a videographer / editor who has experience with promotional videos,  light motion graphics, and accessible captions and  audio descriptions. 

Preference will be given to videographers who identify as disabled or neurodivergent, as lived experience is central to the mission of Orange Elephant Press. 

The shoot likely won't take place until summer, so we have time to get a feel for each other and the scope of the project.  

I’m more interested in alignment, communication, and collaboration than high-gloss production.  

If you are interested, please e-mail 1-2 examples of relevant video work and a brief note about why this project resonates with you to [email protected].

CASTING

Voyager has worked with several companies in the Boston area including MIT’s The Engine. 

CHARACTERS: 6-10 Doctors, Nurses, and Patients, mid-30s to mid-50s. Actors will play multiple roles. All roles are non-speaking.

COMPENSATION: $350/10, plus use of your footage

DATE: 1 day, targeting February 17, 18, or 19

LOCATION: Medford, MA

UNION STATUS: Non-Union

To apply, please fill out the casting form at: https://forms.gle/v162hE3uUHneSGRf8

Feel free to send any questions to [email protected]

 

STUDENT FILMS

CALL FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT FILMS 

MetroWest and surrounding area high school students are invited to submit short films for a community screening on May 7 at Lincoln-Sudbury High School.

Selected student films will screen alongside the premiere of award-winning filmmakers Julia Trueblood, Karin Trachtenberg and Liz Bishop latest short, followed by a Q&A and community reception.

Films 2–8 minutes | No submission fee
Submit here:
https://forms.gle/Qpgd3UF2e232Ef266
Deadline to submit Feb 15th
Questions? [email protected]

"Emerging Voices: An Evening of Short Films" is made possible with generous support from Middlesex Bank and funding from the Southborough, Sudbury, Lincoln, Concord and Carlisle Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. 

 

P.A. Needed

Awesome sounding pirate themed, remote PA gig!

PAID: Looking for a production assistant for documentary.

Hi everyone! My name is Bryanna Reynolds and I am an independent filmmaker based here in Los Angeles but originally from Australia. I am producing my first short film "The Last Eight" and I am looking for a production assistant.

The documentary tells the story of the city of Burbank Community coming together over the course of 2025 and building a float for the 137th Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

The float is a pirate ship and the overall film has a sense of adventure, urgency and emotional reflection of people coming together.

I need a production assistant to help me with festival research, submission, and general outreach to communities and people involved in the float. The job can be remote.

Thank you so much! I look forward to connecting with you all!

Please reach out on the official page The Last Eight [https://www.facebook.com/groups/428311350577561/user/61586111588614/] or on Instagram @thelasteight_film

 

CALLING ALL CARS!

SEEKING LOCAL VEHICLES – FEBRUARY FILM SHOOT (NH)

Independent narrative film seeking dark-colored winter SUVs (ski racks preferred but not required) for a brief exterior/night scene at a private residence.

 â€˘ Vehicles will be filmed briefly pulling into a driveway at very low speed with headlights on, then parked

 â€˘ No faces or license plates shown

 â€˘ No acting or dialogue required

 â€˘ Late-night, single evening

 â€˘ $250 honorarium per vehicle + screen credit

Quiet, atmospheric moment in a character-driven indie film.

Please email: [email protected]

Vehicle make/model/year, color, and February availability.

Central New Hampshire

Professional indie set

IMDb: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm6323958/

Here’s our award-winning short film that inspired this feature: SIBLINGS trailer – https://youtu.be/X3K7pk0Uc14?si=TFgdc3xrVeaZGwY8

  

CASTING

Short film entitled "Black Salt". 

Logline: During a winter blackout, a young woman becomes trapped in her isolated cottage during a snowstorm, in which she awakens spirits bound by ancient rules, forcing her to fight through the night to survive her own home.

Filming will be mid-late March in Central Mass (on a Saturday). The shoot will only be 1 day. All roles will be paid. Non-Union. Crew call to follow once casting is complete. The following roles are:

  1. Savannah (20s)
  2. David (30s-40s)
  3. Gloria (45-70)

Please email resume/imdb page and acting reel to [email protected].
Check out his Director's reel: https://youtu.be/MaDq7y9cBaQ 
and imdb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm4217786/


CASTING

MIDDLE-AGED WOMAN

Writer/Director: Cole McIlvaine, Tufts University

About the Film:

An 86-year-old man confronts the quiet symptoms of dementia through a visit to his barber and a call from his son. This is a quiet, character-driven short film about an aging man confronting change during his haircut. The film relies on subtle, realistic performances in a small-scale setting.

SEEKING:

Role: "Michelle"
Female, ~50s, New England local preferred
Scatter-brained, thoughtful, talkative
A hairdresser/barber who loves her job but is looking for a new life.

• Dialogue-driven performance with subtle humor
• Filming in Somerville/Cambridge MA
• March 7th & 8th
• PAID

To Audition, Send headshot & resume (if available), and a short video introducing yourself to: [email protected]

Subject: Casting – Michelle - Your Name

 

PRODUCER

ISO: Production Designer for a feature film shooting March 2026 in Providence, RI. 

LOSERS IS A PUNK COMEDY ABOUT two aimless best friends, trying to dig themselves out of a hole in a decaying Rhode Island town.

Paid opportunity with a great team of dedicated artists who love art and cinema (and DVD nostalgia). 

Please email with photo references of work. [email protected]

 

 

**As always, if you know of any paid local gigs, reply to this email and I’ll share with the rest of community!**

 

If you have any filmmaking fundraisers you know about, let us know!

 

 
               THANK YOU!              
 

As always, tell your filmmaker friends to sign up for this free Newsletter. Spreading the word helps the community and network grow!

 

Friendly Filmmaker Community

I am VERY excited to bring this community to you. You've heard the spiel, here are the full deets ICYMI: https://ko-fi.com/post/A-Shadow-Launch-and-News-about-Growth-G2G41JPF6M

Reminder: The member cap for initial launch is 100 people! 

It's $2/mo - just enough to cover the cost of running the platform. For newsletter friends, the first month is free. If you want a code, reply to this email.

Friendly Filmmaker CHECKLIST 

Reminder! “The Friendly Filmmaker Checklist” is still in the Preorder phase! The preorder window is being extended due to a delay with the printer, but we will be shipping soon. If you haven’t ordered your copy yet, pick one up today!

Thank you so much to everyone who has preordered already!

 Coaching Calls 

Wanna pick my filmmaker brain?

https://www.friendlyfilmmaker.com/coachingcalls

Plus, even if this might not help you specifically, if you happen to know someone who's just starting their filmmaking journey and wants to save hours of pain and frustration, share this bounty!

 

Happy filming!

Julia

🎥 🎬 🎞

Friendly Filmmaker
Make Movies Reel Good

 

 

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