Thank you for the birthday love!
Thank You !
I got several warm emails and messages (and even a kind donation!) over the past week, and I just wanted to thank everyone for the loving energy celebrating 2 years of this newsletter, and beyond.
I love doing this. I love this community and all the art you make. Being a witness to your collective awesomeness, and even sometimes putting folks in touch with new collaborations, makes my heart happy.
Here's to more Friendly Filmmaking years to come!
Apple Picking !
Are you in the mood for some Fall Fun?
Filmmaker, actor, director and friend Katie Killourhy has a food travel channel called "Taste Away with Katie K", and you neeeeed to check out last episode if you missed it!
Amelia Favata and I joined Katie and DP/editor Chris Esper on an adventure to Red Apple Farms in Phillipston, MA. We tasted cider (hiccup!), ate some apples, tried some amazing food, and took in an incredible amount of history about the farm itself, and the wonderful family that run it.
Click this adorable photo to enjoy the coziest (and most hilarious) 10 minutes of your day:
👀☕️🫖
Super hush hush.... We are veeeeeery close to an offical announcement, but I will low-key hint that Friendly Filmmaker is starting Development on our next film. I know, I know, I'm being circumspect, but I'm just not ready to spill all the tea yet. The teapot is still brewing, let's just say.
HOWEVER! If you are a member of the paid community, you're getting access to news AND OPPORTUNITIES, shameless first-dibs style. Wink wink, nudge nudge.
So for those of you that have gotten an invite code, here's your reminder that it's a good time to use it! And if you WANT a code, reply to this email!
Stay tuned!
Nov 14-15
ESSEX FILM FESTIVAL
ESSEX, CT
THIS WEEKEND! Essex Film Fest is a fiscally sponsored program of the Essex Library Association, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Tickets are offered free of charge with a suggested donation that directly supports the Essex Library and the festival.
Fri 5:30p: Opening Reception (Essex Library) – 90 min
Fri 8p: The Artist’s Wife + Q&A w/ Mike S. Ryan (Centerbrook Architects) – 95 min + Q&A
Sat 9:30a: Producing Masterclass w/ Mike S. Ryan (Essex Library) – 45 to 60 min
Sat 11a: The Missing Girl + Q&A w/ Mike S. Ryan + Dir. A.D. Calvo (Centerbrook Architects) – 90 min + Q&A
Sat 2p: Junebug 20th Anniversary + Q&A w/ Mike S. Ryan (Centerbrook Architects) – 105 min + Q&A
Sat 4:30p: Let’s Scare Jessica to Death House Tour – 20 min est.
Sat 5:30p: Let’s Scare Jessica to Death (Essex Library) + Q&A w/ Dir. John Hancock – 90 min + Q&A
Dec 6
WINTERDANCE FILM FESTIVAL
MILLBURY, MA
Join us for Winterdance 2025, a red carpet multi-premiere event featuring brand new works by GR Films, Stories In Motion, Private Eyes Films, Dreaming Giant Media, A Random Ass Film Production, Thornfall Society, and Kino Films + Trailers, Special Appearances, Q&A and so much more!
Come network and meet our special guests: Your M.C. Jimmy Jackson, Q&A host Matthew Beltz, and "Oliver" from Embrace The Film
+ enjoy red carpet photography!
The fun happens 12-4PM on December 6th, 2025, at the Elm Draughthouse Cinema in Millbury.
What’s Playing?
Fool's Gold (10 Min | Fantasy) - Directed by Gabrielle Rosson
Lovergurl (19 Min | Horror/Experimental ) - Directed by Kris Salvi
Maytime (26 Min | Drama) - Directed by Samual Carl Cohen
Drowned (15 Min | Drama) - Directed by Ryan Nunes
Razor Street (4 Min | Thriller) - Directed by Kris Salvi
Michael Solace (14 Min | Thriller) - Directed by Chris Esper
* Plus new trailers and a sneak peek of Face Crusher 3 by Luke St. Germaine
Tickets and more deets here:
SAVE THE DATES
FEB 21-22
DEAD OF WINTER HORROR FESTIVAL
WORCESTER, MA
DOW is in its 3rd year, and it's going to be AMAZING. Films, panels, and all things horror. Get ready!
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
FILM GRANT PLUS MENTORSHIP
The WAVE (Women at the Very Edge) Grant is devoted to supporting emerging filmmakers from diverse backgrounds and perspectives to tell their own “great f**king story.” Each year, we select five recipients to receive a $5,000 seed grant for the production of their first short film.
DEADLINE IS THIS WEEKEND
https://www.wavelengthproductions.com/wavegrant
FILM GRANT
THIS WEEKEND DEADLINE!
Now accepting applications for the Emerging Filmmaker Short Film Grant, awarding $3,000 to a filmmaker creating their first or second short film as a writer, director, and producer.
Click this link to learn more and to watch the virtual orientation recording: blackfilmspace.com/shortfilmgrant
Applications close SUNDAY, Nov 16 11:59PM ET. The grant supports projects in pre-production, production, or post-production stages.
CASTING
Wickline Casting is casting multiple roles for a short film shooting in PA in April 2026. Check out this link to apply:
https://mailchi.mp/wicklinecasting/newhopeindependentfilm
CASTING
Casting for a new TV comedy/ horror and looking for strong, authentic actors to bring these complex characters to life:
CRIS (Female, 16 to play)
Half-Colombian, half-American. Smart, beautiful, and restless — a girl caught between two cultures and trying to escape her chaotic home life.
ROSA (Female, 65+)
A sweet-looking grandmother with the spirit of a dictator. Loving but controlling, dramatic, and secretly believes in black magic.
STEVE (Male, 45)
Easygoing, detached, and quietly wise. The calm in a storm of family chaos.
DIEGO (Male, early 40s)
Mysterious, still, and intimidating — a man whose silence says everything.
TO APPLY:
Send your headshot, resume, and acting reel to [email protected]
Email Subject: TV Show – [Role Name]
CASTING
Could You Go 6 Weeks Without Social Media?
We’re casting individuals, couples, and families for a powerful new documentary exploring how disconnecting from social media can help us reconnect with what really matters.
$1,000
Open to residents of: AL, AK, AZ, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, KS, MA, MI, MN, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NM, NV, OH, OR, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV All ethnicities welcome — non–white Caucasian strongly encouraged to apply
If you’ve ever felt glued to your phone… this is your chance to see what happens when you finally put it down.
Apply now → https://thegoodandthebeautiful.bamboohr.com/careers/100
**As always, if you know of any paid local gigs, reply to this email and I’ll share with the rest of community!**
SHATTERED DREAMS
Filmmakers Michael Buttino, Golden Groves, and Kristen Skeet
BUFFALO, NY
As artists, with independent filmmaking backgrounds in Western New York, where community collaboration are at the heart of every project, the September Brothers build stories like Shattered Dreams from the ground up with local talent, a microbudget, and a respect for authenticity.
Find more info about the project and the teammates here, and donate what you can!
https://seedandspark.com/fund/shattered-dreams#story
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THANK YOU!
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As always, tell your filmmaker friends to sign up for this free Newsletter. Spreading the word helps the community and network grow!
Friendly Filmmaker CommunityI 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 CHECKLISTReminder! “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 CallsWanna 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 |
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