WFA2023 Discussion Panels/Workshops

You are absolutely ready and determined to make a feature film, but you have no money. While it certainly is a challenge, there is no reason you cannot make your movie on a laughably tiny budget. Speakers Mars Roberge and Steven deCastro have been making movies for years and have tons of useful advice to help you get started!

Come get all of your questions answered! This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE

Laws related to copyright, employment, licensing and contracts are super-confusing, but as a filmmaker you absolutely must know how to protect your work. Join us for an active discussion about what you need to know about the law.

How do you find the legal information about standard documents all filmmakers need?
When can you rely on google vs when should you really should get an actual lawyer involved?
How can you avoid the most often experienced legal issues?
What is covered by copyright?
In which cases do you need a contract with locations, music and actors?
What do you do if you get sued?
What are the milestones in film production where legal issues must be considered?

Come get all of your questions answered! This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE

40-year distribution veteran Dan Gurlitz, the founder of Soundview Media Partners, is a specialist in establishing and/expanding distribution for independent features and documentaries. He will be discussing distribution strategies for both physical and digital media exploitation including:

The Continued Viability of Physical Media (DVD/Bluray)
The VOD Vernacular and the OTT / VOD playing field from TVOD, SVOD, AVOD to FAST.
The Modulating Non-Theatrical PPR and DSL Arena.


Come get all of your questions answered! This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE

Props and Set Decoration are critical for your indie film, but what do you really need to know to do this properly? And, how do you become a Set Decorator or Prop Master? Join us for a discussion with members of the "Only Murders in the Building" team to learn what you need to know!

What are the different roles the Prop Master and Set Decorator play in a production?
How do you become a Prop master/ Set Decorator, and how do you find one if you are filming?
Sourcing vs Fabricating
Locations vs Stage builds
Explosions and Special Effects
Product Placement, Art and Brand Name Clearances
What is IATSE and why and artist would want to consider joining a Union?
Handling the Unexpected and still having fun!

Come get all of your questions answered! This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE

Curated by Ley Comas and Ireashia M. Bennett, this panel discussion explores the issue of creating safety, care and accountability on film sets from filmmakers with oppressed and under-represented identities. What are the best practices of care we can implement to restructure the hierarchical approach in the film industry? How are we centering instead of tokenizing? What does it mean to be accountable in our inclusivity? Join us as we explore these questions and learn from the experiences of BIPOC, LGBTQ filmmakers in the industry.

Come join the discussion! This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE

Join The Film Festival Doctor, Rebekah Louisa Smith, who will be guiding you through how to get meticulously organised so you can start submitting your film to festivals and create a targeted festival strategy. She also shares with you some essential tips with regards to how to adapt the right type of mindset as you enter the world of film festivals.

Come get all of your questions answered! This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE NY FILM ACADEMY requires proof of vaccination to enter the building. Please be sure to bring proof with you.

In today’s digital universe, creatives are expected to use social media to both showcase their work and find - and capture the attention of – their audiences. Join New York Film Academy instructor Lauren Brickman and Film Festival Department Director Crickett Rumley for a conversation about tips, trends, and things to avoid in enhancing your social media presence, from selecting the platforms that work best for your goals, to creating social media assets and campaigns and interacting with the platforms of other creatives and organizations.

Come get all of your questions answered! This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE NY FILM ACADEMY requires proof of vaccination to enter the building. Please be sure to bring proof with you.

Independent filmmakers creating low-budget features often focus on the bottom line, looking for ways to cut corners in production and post-production as they bring their films to life. But how can the choice of story itself, and the methods used to tell it, keep the budget down, both for fiction and documentary films? New York Film Academy professors and alumni (several with films in this year’s Winter Film Awards) will discuss ways to simplify storytelling and share what has worked and not worked for them in the past. Moderated by Crickett Rumley, Senior Director, New York Film Academy Film Festival Department, and featuring panelists Randall Dottin, Samantha Soule, Micah Stathis, and Daphne Yeager Ostendorf.

Come get all of your questions answered! This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE. NY FILM ACADEMY requires proof of vaccination to enter the building. Please be sure to bring proof with you.