Big stories, short films, and everything between

This month’s films span formats and perspectives, bringing new stories and familiar faces to the screen. Keep scrolling to find industry news and resources for the filmmaking community.

- Taylor K. Shaw-Omachonu, Senior Outreach Lead, Film

PROJECTS WE LOVE

Never Hike Alone: Ghosts in the Fog

BY WOMP STOMP FILMS

Jason's reign of terror enters the world of animation in this Friday the 13th fan film.

It Was A Beautiful Machine

BY OLIVE SAMUEL GREENSPAN

A sci-fi dance film parable about destroying what sustains you.

Key To Freedom

BY AMELIA JUSTER

A supernatural historical drama starring India Amarteifio (Bridgerton: Queen Charlotte), this film tells the true story of Elizabeth Key, a pregnant indentured servant in 1656 colonial Virginia who risks everything to fight for her freedom.

Garage Sale

BY ROBYN PARIS

In this ghostly comedy starring beloved comedian George Wallace, 8-year old Dillon discovers that his house is haunted by the mischievous ghost of his grandfather, so he hatches a crazy plan to capture the ghost and sell him at a garage sale.

Remember Her

BY LEAH SIMONE

A film about healing through shared memory, and the complex, infinite nature of motherly love.

The Last Picture Shop

BY NAN DAVIES

A legendary London projectionist’s quest to find Quentin Tarantino and ask for his help to save the UK’s last film shop

FILMMAKER RESOURCES

Manhattan Neighborhood Network: Artists in Residency Program

Application deadline: May 1

Manhattan Neighborhood Network: Creative Producer Fellowship

Application deadline: May 1

Virtual Q&A: April 7 at 6pm ET. Register here →

COMMUNITY PICK

Tamika Lamison has been “writing since exiting the womb.” A Virginia native, she earned her BA in Performing Arts & Theatre from American University and Howard University, and honed her directing craft at the New York Film Academy and AFI’s Directing Workshop for Women.

Her award-winning short Superman Doesn’t Steal, which she wrote, directed, produced, and stars in, has screened at over 80 festivals worldwide and won numerous awards including the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Short Form (Live Action).

The project is currently being expanded into a feature and has been supported by prestigious labs including Dan Lin’s Rideback RISE Fellowship, Athena Film Festival Labs, The Writers Lab International, and Gotham’s Shorts-to-Feature program, with a second-round placement at the Sundance Screenwriting Lab.

Tamika continues to build bold, emotionally grounded stories centered on family, justice, and human complexity—while actively shaping pathways for others to do the same.

The Turners

BY FRANK E. ABNEY III

"I picked this film because I like to support unique stories from diverse filmmakers. I particularly want to see Black excellence in animation. This campaign appealed to me because it is a Black western love story with older characters. I love the style of animation and the filmmaker has a track record of contributing to many award winning animated projects and has a solid team behind him."

INDUSTRY NEWS

Vic Mensa Launches Kickstarter for Short Film “Halfrican,” Expands Artistic Vision Beyond Music

What started as Mensa's Orange Tree Series is now coming to fruition in this upcoming Kickstarter campaign. The Orange Tree Series has been nominated for a Webby for Social Content Series: Arts, Culture & Lifestyle. You can vote for the series now through April 16.

Micro Budget Mockumentary Lands on Tubi

This feature comedy from Morgan Evans and Patrick North follows an aspiring director who recklessly moves himself and his pregnant wife from Iowa to LA to shoot a low-budget indie movie. The cast includes beloved actors Bobby Moynihan, Nichole Sakura, Hal Linden, Chris Parnell, and so many more.