Manic

JULY 16-18

SHAWNA SHEA FILM FESTIVAL
WORCESTER, MA

The annual event of the year! Many amazing films by local filmmakers will be screened and celebrated!
Friendly Filmmaker was involved in Mother Grimm (Jason Lake), Manic (Amelia Favata), Noctis Monstorum (Patrick Rahall & Ashes Homon Rahall), and Into Reality (Matt Gorman), and truly, there are so many great films to be excited about by amazing filmmakers from this community. I can't wait.

Full schedule here:
https://www.shawnafoundation.org/ssff-film-festival

JULY 25 & 26

CAMP DEAD
PALMER, MA

The Dead Of Winter festival was moved to summer, and rebranded as Camp Dead! More details coming up, as the venue recently changed. 

I'll share more when I know more.

https://www.deadofwinterentertainment.com

AUGUST 6

BURNIN' DOWN THE HOUSE WORLD PREMIERE
WORCESTER, MA

Friend and filmmaker John Keough and actor-filmmaker Tom Dwyer are premiering their independent feature documentary about firefighters and the internal and external struggles they go through. 
I've been excited about this for over a year. 
Come see it at the Hanover Theater and Conservatory for the Performing Arts.
https://thehanovertheatre.org/event/burnin-down-the-house/

AUGUST 7-11

VALKYRIE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
BUFFALO, NY

VIFF 2026 will be held at Hallwalls Contemporary Arts Center, 341 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14202 ! The original venue, The Screening Room Cnema & Arts Cafe, was sadly forced to close.

Hallwalls is a Buffalo Institution, highly respected in the arts community,  in a neighborhood filled with restaurants, cafes and bars. The screening room seats up to 80 people.

This will be the first time we've held VIFF in the summer, and in the city itself, which will allow visiting filmmakers and patrons to really explore everything the city offers and to visit Niagara Falls in warm weather!

https://www.valkyriefilmfest.com

"The Ride"

$3,218/$3.5K

Filmmaker Ryan Nunes and writer/actor Paul Kandarian are making a new film that promises to be spectacular.

The film follows Gizzy, a grad student visiting her grandparents while carrying the weight of a deeply personal decision. Nervous and afraid of being judged, she turns to her grandmother for support, but their conversation reveals the complicated divide between love, faith, fear, and acceptance.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-ride-a-film-on-family-and-compassion

"Trash Queen"

$12,525/$20K

Filmmaker Gabby Rosson is directing a horror-comedy feature co-written by actor/writer Emily Tullock.

Trash Queen is a blood-soaked, female-driven horror-comedy about what happens when a woman who’s spent her entire life being overlooked…finally becomes impossible to ignore.

After a bite from a trash-dwelling alien cannibal leaves her craving human flesh, Sophia, a painfully underestimated office worker, spirals into a grotesque, hilarious transformation. When her washed-up musician boyfriend, Jack, is also infected and trapped in the Town Dump, she’s forced to chase after him and face off against the Trash King.

To survive, Sophia must stop trying to fit in and fully become something else. Something powerful. Something terrifying.

https://www.indiegogo.com/en/projects/trash-queen/trash-queen-a-comedy-horror-feature-film 

LOCATION CALL

Venue Rental request from Breann Vergara:

Email is [email protected]
Looking for a cute apartment to shoot at August 2nd, 8th, and 9th. It’s for a short film (coming of age, comedy) based in Somerville/Cambridge [Boston] area.

Budget is $100 per day, for a 3 day shoot 4pm-9pm.
Dates Aug. 2nd, 8th, and 9th.
6 to 7 people will be involved in the shoot.

LOCATION CALL

ISO Locations, posted by Andrew Drachman:

Putting together a shoot in Rhode Island for the beginning of August (8/3-8/4) and production is looking for two distinct locations to use for half a day.

1. A treehouse

2. A garage that can be used as a "man cave"

Budget is $600 per location

Any help is greatly appreciated! Please email Andrew at [email protected]. 

HMUA

HMU/Hairstylist Needed:

for indie feature in New Milford, CT
filming from July 13th – Aug 7th

$300/day + $75 kit fee

Must be able to do African American hair

MUST BE ABLE TO WORK AS A LOCAL

Email: [email protected]

CREW CALL

PAID.
2nd AC needed for indie feature in New Milford, CT
filming from July 13th – Aug 7th

MUST BE ABLE TO WORK AS A LOCAL.

Email: [email protected]

HMUA

MAKEUP ARTIST NEEDED – AUGUST 23

Seeking an experienced Hair & Makeup Artist for a film/demo reel shoot in the Medford, MA area.

• Pay: $350
• Date: August 23
• Must be great with kids and teens
• Film/video experience preferred

Please send your portfolio, experience, and contact info to:

[email protected]

CASTING

Dreamers Incorporated is casting for Independent Feature Film:

Budget Range:  Moderate Low-Budget (Paid)

Union Status:  Non-Union

Location:  Boston MA, area

Shooting Dates:  September - October 2026

Submission Deadline:  Friday, June 30th  11pm 

Rate: Based on SAG Moderate Low Budget - Approximate $400 per day or $1600 per

Logline:  A resourceful Black high school student undertakes an unusual, high-stakes effort to create education and income equality. Navigating the pressures of poverty-induced street violence, he races against time to save his family and uplift his community.

Dreamers Incorporated has made a detailed character breakdown of all 20+ roles open, and information sheet here, with info on how to apply! 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qIEfZcLoza9B108mL5KCT818C6ImsLC8XqBAPb_VTkE/edit?pli=1&tab=t.0

CREW CALL

Wedding Videographer needed - Paid (Boston/Greater Boston)

We're adding 1-2 members for our wedding videography team.

We shoot mostly in the Boston or Greater Boston area.

Please email [email protected] with:

• Rates (as a lead and as a second)
• Gear list
• Recent wedding work
• If you're comfortable shooting Sony. We have a couple extra FX3s that you could operate.

CASTING

Project type: short film for MFA thesis project

Character: Jude (25, female) - a vampiric creature who blends into society, but chooses to live a solo, nomadio life. She is inherently a people-pleaser, but she puts on a tough exterior.

Logline: In the wake of a blood borne plague, a vampire and a mutilated girl search for life beyond the power lines.

Location/Dates:

Providence, RI

Mid-October

Non-union

Payment TBD (likely a flat rate)

IMDb/meals and transportation covered

Email [email protected] with a headshot and resume

CASTING

Project name: Gunshine

Type: Feature film

Compensation: $100/day

Production Companies: RandomAss Films and Dreaming Giant Media

Director: Sam Cohen

Dates: TBD, but aiming for late July/early August

Duration: 3 days for the first portion of the film, then 11 additional days in Spring 2027 (MUST be willing and able to commit to the project long term). 

Location: Central MA

Status: Union, under the SAG micro budget agreement, but can accept non-union talent. 

Logline: A day in the life of a hitman who moonlights as a janitor goes terribly wrong 

Role details: Character of “Joe,” lead role. Age range of 50-65, male, white, burly. Character references below. 

Please submit headshots, reel, and résumé to [email protected]

CASTING CALL

COMEDY DRAMA SHORT FILMING IN AUGUST (8/14-8/17)

Non-Union $150/day

Title: "Chester Wetherspoon - A Retrospective"

Logline: A pompous conman wildly embellishes his life story to a weary public defender while serving time in a minimum security prison. When his gullible cellmate mistakes him for an undercover actor researching for a role, the conman seizes an opportunity to manipulate his way to freedom.

Location: Middlesex County in Massachusetts - Locations still being finalized

Film Setting: 1970s-1980s

Audition: Please send an email to [email protected]

 - Please include a headshot and/or a reel. Let them know which character you are interested in to receive the sides. 

Characters:

CELLMATE: (Male in his mid-twenties to early-thirties)

An earnest, enthusiastic aspiring actor whose confidence far exceeds his common sense. Friendly, trusting, and endlessly optimistic, he sees every new situation as an opportunity and throws himself into it wholeheartedly. Convinced he's on the verge of something bigger, he's eager to prove himself and make his mark. While intelligent enough to be resourceful, his desire to see the best in others often blinds him to their true intentions, leaving him vulnerable to manipulation.

ARLO: (Any gender of indiscriminate age) -

A weary public defender with a sharp mind, and a dry sense of humor. Practical, organized, and firmly grounded in reality, Arlo approaches every situation with professionalism and common sense, even when surrounded by chaos. Though often exasperated by the people they deal with, they remain committed to doing their job and helping others, no matter how difficult the task.

Cellmate will most likely be required for 2 days of filming. - TBD as the schedule is being finalized.

Arlo will most likely be required for 1 day of filming. - TBD as the schedule is being finalized.

You can also learn more about the project here: 

https://seedandspark.com/fund/chester-wetherspoon-a-retrospective

CASTING - VOICE ACTORS

Dagaz Media is looking for voice actors for LAZULA, an original audio horror series by Fred Greenhalgh.

• Writer/Director/Producer: Fred Greenhalgh (STAR TREK: KHAN, DC HIGH VOLUME: BATMAN, BLOOD FOREST, NARCOSIS)
• Pay rate: $50/hr (hour estimate follows each role) – Non-union
• Record dates: Aug10-21 (Expected availability during business hours)
• Recording location: TK in Southern Maine (Cumberland and York county)
• Audition Deadline: EOD (11:59pm ET) Fri June 19.
• Travel/physical requirements: Performers are expected to have their own transportation and be able to commute to locations in Southern Maine. Reasonable transportation accommodation may be possible with advanced notice. Location recording means we’re recording the audio similar to a film, so there will be a greater deal of physical exertion than in a traditional studio voiceover project. We don’t currently have budget to house out-of-town actors.
• Non-AI disclosure: Artists can be assured their voices will not be used for AI training or to generate things they did not say.
  
  

The Story

In the 1980s, something happened to brothers Dell and Spencer that their family never spoke about again, but changed their lives forever. Now in 2026, after the death of their father, and their inheritance of a questionable legacy – an iconic but haunted Maine lighthouse – the brothers must confront what happened in their past, lest those horrors consume another generation.

LAZULA is an original liminal gothic work of audio horror by Maine native and celebrated worldwide audio fiction talent, Fred Greenhalgh.

Think: Midnight Mass x The Lighthouse x Pet Semetary x House of Leaves

How to Audition/What We’re Looking For

You can submit for multiple characters, however please send a new submission per character. That said we also might hear you audition for one character and cast you for another, so you don’t have to audition for multiple roles. Please slate the top of each audio file with your name, location, and the character you are auditioning for.

Ideally you’ll record with a scene partner. If you don’t have a scene partner, just read your character’s side of the scene with natural breaks where the other character would be speaking (in other words, please don’t read multiple parts in one take!). No need to edit or clean-up the performance. Video is OK but audio only is fine, too. Use Voice Memo App (or similar) on iPhone. Formats accepted: MP3, WAV/AIFF, MP4, MOV, AAC, W4A.

If you have questions you can email [email protected] (but please don’t ask any questions that are answered on this page).

Lead Roles

Dell: male, 30s. From a small town in Maine, Dell had big hopes to go out into the world and make it in the big leagues as an artist, but his career has plateaued in Los Angeles as a writer for branded commercial podcasts. He’s put an emotional wall around himself and become bitter and resentful for not achieving his dreams. He’s forced to confront all the aspects of himself he’d rather forget about after his father dies and he returns to Maine. (50hrs)

Spencer: male, 30s. Spencer is blue collar; he completed high school and immediately went into the trades working with his uncle and then founded his own independent contracting company. He’s got a good heart, but he’s hot-headed and struggles to deal with problems that aren’t solved with a wrench. His brother Dell is somewhat of an alien to him. While they were close growing up, when Dell left for college he basically vanished from the family scene, and Spencer struggles to forgive him for this. (50hrs)

Note: There are 20+ various roles in addition to the lead roles that are up for grabs, please read ALL details on each role and the audition process, via this detailed casting website! In the interest of not making this post 5 pages, we have cut this part short.

https://dagazmedia.com/casting-call-lazula/

EDITOR

EDITOR NEEDED — "Bar Car" | Connecticut Feature Film (PAID & FULLY FUNDED) - posted by Andrew Breunig

We are currently seeking an Editor for Bar Car, a character-driven independent feature film currently in pre-production.

PROJECT DETAILS:

• Feature-length drama

• Approximately 65–70 page screenplay

• Editing timeline: Mid-August through late October 2026

• Connecticut-based applicants preferred, but not required

• Paid position

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

• Experience editing narrative films, shorts, or features

• Strong storytelling instincts and sense of pacing

• Understanding of narrative structure and how to tighten a story in the edit

• Familiarity with sound design and audio polishing

• Experience with color grading or color workflow

• Collaborative mindset and willingness to work closely with the director

• Ability to balance performance, tone, and emotion throughout the edit

TO SUBMIT:

Email [email protected] with:

• Resume and/or relevant credits

• Reel or sample work

• Your typical editing rates

• A brief introduction about yourself and your experience

We're looking forward to finding the right creative partner to help shape this film in post-production.

CASTING

Asylum Casting - Now Casting! 

Non Union Women, late 40's to mid 60's of Middle Eastern descent who have or can do an accent from the Middle Eastern region (Syrian, Turkish, Armenian, Lebanese, Iraqi, Kuwaiti, Iranian/Persian, Jordanian, Omani, Yemeni, Israeli, Palestinian, Egyptian, Qatari, Saudi) 

For a video that will be a part of a museum exhibit about work and culture. 

Shoots in early July in greater Boston and pays $500 for a half day (4-5 hours). To submit email your resume and current photo to [email protected]!

EDITOR

Seeking a paid doc editor...

Michelle Meek is looking for an experienced documentary film editor comfortable working with a more poetic/meditative documentary form for her project "Impermanence". 

From Michelle:

I have a 10-minute reel cut together that recently screened at Salem Film Festival's Docs-in-Progress that I'd be happy to share. I'm looking to work with someone toward a final cut of the film (40-50 minutes in length) over the next few months. Email me at [email protected] or find me on LinkedIn. Information on the project is at my website michelemeek.com or go to impermanenceofeverything.com for more info on the film. 

CASTING

HEARTS IN HARMONY

Project Type: Short Film

Genre: Grounded Romance Drama / Indie Drama

Tone: Emotional realism in the style of A24-influenced indie films, and intimate character-driven storytelling.

Location: Baltimore, MD ( & surrounding areas ) 

Filming date: July 25th 

Union Status: Non-Union

Shoot Duration: 1 Day Shoot / Single Location

Compensation: $200 / Copy, Credit, Meals

Production Type: Independent Short Film

LOGLINE

After a wedding night leaves lifelong best friends Chloe and Aiden alone in a quiet, emotionally charged moment, an unexpected confession of love forces them to confront buried feelings, past heartbreak, and the risk of destroying the only relationship that has ever truly felt like home.

CHLOE — LEAD

Female | 30-35 | Any Ethnicity | 5’5 or Shorter 

Sharp, emotionally intelligent, guarded underneath warmth. Chloe deeply loves Aiden but has avoided acknowledging it due to past relationship trauma and fear of losing their lifelong friendship. She’s emotionally conflicted throughout the film — wanting connection while fearing the consequences of it.

This role requires:
• Strong emotional realism
• Comfort with layered, conversational dialogue
• Ability to balance vulnerability with emotional self-protection
• Strong listening/reactive acting skills
• Natural chemistry and grounded emotional presence

PROJECT DETAILS

Hearts in Harmony is an intimate, dialogue-driven short film centered around one emotionally vulnerable conversation between two best friends after attending a wedding reception. The story explores:

• emotional honesty
• fear of intimacy 
• timing 
• unresolved love 
• the risk of changing a meaningful friendship

The film leans heavily into realism, subtle performances, silence/subtext, and lived-in emotional dynamics rather than heightened romantic drama.

AUDITION INSTRUCTIONS

📧 [email protected]

Please submit:

• Headshot
• Resume (if available)
• Demo Reel or self-tape
• Contact Information

Self-Tape Scene: Selected applicants will receive sides from the script for a chemistry-focused self-tape audition.

Email Subject Line: HEARTS IN HARMONY – [ROLE NAME]

IDEAL PERFORMANCE STYLE -- We are looking for actors who feel:

 • natural on camera
 • emotionally grounded
 • capable of subtle realism
 • comfortable with pauses, silence, and conversational overlap
 • more “lived-in” than theatrical

This project is performance-driven and relies heavily on authentic chemistry and emotional truth. 

CREW - MULTIPLE

Crew needed for student short film:

Senior Skip Day

Logline: When an overachieving athlete is convinced to skip school by a carefree classmate, the two form a budding connection as they spend the day wandering around Boston.

Looking for: Sound mixer, gaffer, 1st AC, PA

Shoot Dates: 8/3-8/14

Rates: 

Gaffer: $200/day
AC: $200/day
Sound: $250-300/day
PA: unpaid

Contact: Ruby Zatz [email protected]

CASTING

CASTING CALL - DRAMA SHORT FILM SHOOTING NEXT MONTH

Non-Union, $100/day

Title: "My Ghost"

Logline: When the love of his life suddenly moves on, Phil is forced to pick up the pieces on his own.

EMAIL: [email protected] with headshot and/or reel, and I'll send you the sides and deadline.

CHARACTERS

PHIL'S DAD (late forties-to-early-sixties)

Divorced yet financially successful, Phil's dad has done everything he can to provide his adult son Phil with a good life. He's less of a talker, more of an action-taker. When Phil comes to him for life advice, it's a little awkward at first, but he realizes that he must offer a different kind of support for him in this vulnerable moment. 

VANESSA (early-to-late-twenties)

Young woman with a fiery spirit who loves having a good time. An extrovert who shows no signs of slowing down, loves hanging with her girlfriends and having adventures. The type to reschedule her therapy session the night before because she's at the bar. Deep down, she knows she's compensating for something, but she'll get to it eventually when she's not as young and having as much fun.

ELIZA (mid-to-late-twenties)

Witty young woman with a calm demeanor. She does a lot more staying in vs. going out on her weekends. The type to light up some candles and read her favorite book. Smart, converses well, doesn't require anyone's validation. Her introverted nature leads to her spending a lot of time on her own, and she wouldn't hate the chance to meet someone who shares her hobbies. 

JC (mid-to-late-twenties)

The main character's best friend, or so he thinks. JC is also a fiery, sometimes toxic guy who doesn't take a lot of shit. He tends to be the loudest in the room.  He's generally mistrusting of women his age, and stays very loyal to his guys. 

ELI (mid-to-late-twenties)

Close friend of our main character Phil, Eli is a thoughtful guy who, though he doesn't always want to step on toes, will go to bat for you at the end of the day. He's smart, funny, and understanding. An all-around hero. He understands how toxic JC (above) can be but still loves him in spite of it.

CASTING

CASTING CALL — "Bar Car" | Connecticut Feature Film (PAID & FULLY FUNDED)

We are in pre-production on a character-driven independent feature film and are seeking talented local actors for six principal roles.

This is an actor-first production. We rehearse collaboratively, we value your instincts, and we build the work together. If you have strong improv chops and love the craft, we want to hear from you.

ROLES AVAILABLE:

JOHN — Male, 40s. A polished, charismatic executive. Charming and commanding, but carrying more than he lets on.

MATT — Male, late 20s. A talented creative in the middle of a slow unraveling. Funny, vulnerable, and genuinely hard not to root for.

KIM — Female, 40s. Sharp, confident, and effortlessly in command of any room. A woman holding her own in a man's world — and then some.

BRILL — Male, 30s. Gregarious, quick-witted bond trader. The guy who keeps everyone laughing — until the moment calls for something more.

LOUIS — Male, 50s. Impeccably dressed, larger than life, and full of stories that may or may not be true. A genuinely unforgettable character.

CHESTERFIELD — Male, 60s. The elder statesman of the group. Wise, warm, and holding onto his dignity with both hands.

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Shooting July 2026 | Overnight shoots in Danbury, CT | Connecticut-based actors strongly preferred

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

Improv experience required

Availability for overnight shoots

Collaborative, professional attitude on set

Comfortable working on an independent feature

COMPENSATION: $30/hr and up, commensurate with experience

TO SUBMIT:

Email [email protected] with your headshot and video reel. Please include a brief note about which role interests you.

SOUND MIXER

ISO: Sound Mixer for short film

You Are My Sunshine is looking for a local on set sound mixer for a low budget short film shooting in Dartmouth, MA July 15-18 (will only shoot for 3 days within this time frame, still locking picture dates).

Must have own kit.

Rate: $350/day including kit (3 days of work)

Please send resume + reel/work samples + kit information to [email protected]

More information on film: @yams.shortfilm on IG. 

SOUND MIXER

Seeking MA-based Sound Designer/Mixer

Molly Bynum is seeking a stellar sound mixer for an ultra-low budget SAG Feature Film shooting in Millis, MA and surrounding areas this fall.

Must have your own kit and be available Aug 17-19 and Sep 21-Oct 13. Rate is $210/day.

Finding someone based in the eastern MA/Boston greater area is a high priority as housing is unfortunately unavailable.

Please reach out for more details: [email protected]

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

CREW CALL — "Bar Car" | Connecticut Feature Film (PAID & FULLY FUNDED)

We are in pre-production on a character-driven independent feature film and are seeking an experienced First Assistant Director (1st AD) to join our team.

This is an actor-first production. We rehearse collaboratively, we value performance, and we are building a tight, focused set environment. We’re looking for a 1st AD who can balance efficiency with respect for the creative process and help lead a smooth, professional shoot.

ROLE: FIRST ASSISTANT DIRECTOR (1st AD)

A strong on-set leader responsible for executing the director’s vision through scheduling, coordination, and crew management. You’ll be the backbone of production — keeping the shoot on time, organized, and running safely while maintaining a positive set culture.

PRODUCTION DETAILS:

Shooting July 2026 | Overnight shoots in Danbury, CT | Connecticut-based crew strongly preferred

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR:

• Prior experience as a 1st AD (indie feature experience preferred)

• Strong leadership and communication skills

• Ability to manage overnight schedules and keep production on track

• Calm under pressure, solutions-oriented mindset

• Collaborative, professional attitude on set

COMPENSATION: Paid (rate commensurate with experience)

TO SUBMIT:

Email [email protected] with your resume and any relevant credits. Please include a brief note about your experience and availability.

We’re looking for the right person to help us run a tight, efficient set and bring this project to life.

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