WELCOME EVENT HOSTED BY: FILM LAUDERDALE

Be there at 11 am to kick off the weekend with us, and discover everything we’ve prepared for you.

labs, residencies, and fellowships

A prestigious lab or fellowship can be the catalyst that launches a career. Discover what selection committees are looking for beyond just a good script. This panel will break down the application process, offering concrete strategies on crafting personal statements that stand out, finding the right program for your specific niche, and using these opportunities to build a lifelong network. Get insight from creatives on what you can expect to learn at these labs, and how to leverage them for the next opportunity.

Featured Speakers: TBA

Limited seating. First come, first served.

commercial break

For many South Florida filmmakers, the commercial world is the financial backbone of a sustainable career. But landing spots requires more than just a flashy reel, it requires mastering the agency and creative game. Join top commercial directors and producers as they dissect the art of the treatment, how to build relationships with ad agencies, and how to balance client demands while maintaining your unique visual signature.

Featured Speakers: TBA

Limited seating. First come, first served.

between the lines: anatomy of a character

How does an experienced actor take text on a page and turn it into a memorable performance? Dive into the preperation that goes into a role, such as layering subtext, body language, bold or subtle delivery choices, and how these ideas help create three-dimensional characters. A deep dive into the techniques actors use to bring a character to life.

Featured Speakers: TBA

Limited seating. First come, first served.

television: the future of the small screen

Audiences are spending more time on smaller screens. Consuming media on their televisions, tablets and phones. Not only are audience viewing habits changing, but so is the process of how shows are made. The days of the TV pilot are behind us, and platforms are now finding new ways to find their next big hit. Join experienced TV producers as they discuss what gets greenlit in theses uncertain times, and how the projects being made are finding their audiences.

Featured Sponsors: TBA

Limited seating. First come, first served.

intimate WORKSHoP #1: distressing clothes

Make it look like you’ve lived in it. Fresh-off-the-rack clothing kills authenticity on camera. In this tactile workshop, you will learn the destructive art of "aging and distressing," transforming new fabrics into garments with history and character. Guided by a professional costume designer, you’ll get your hands dirty using industry tricks that go far beyond a pair of scissors.

Featured Speakers: TBA

Limited seating. First come, first served.

INDUSTRY MIXER BROUGHT TO YOU BY FILM FLORIDA

The party before the party. Come hang with other film lovers just like you.

depth of feel: turning emotions into images

Cinematography is the unspoken language of film, defining tone and emotion before a word is spoken. Accomplished DPs discuss the philosophies they use to turn lighting and composition into an emotional image with depth. As well as exploring how cinematographers effectively communicate with directors to ensure the technical choices always serve the emotional core of the story.

Featured Speakers: TBA

Limited seating. First come, first served.

The Actor's Toolkit: Marketable and Bookable

Master the art of getting cast. A breakdown of the major casting platforms, and how to use them effectively. How to build a brand that finds the sweet spot between typecast and bookable. Learn how to control your narrative and make it easy for casting directors to say "yes".

Featured Speakers: TBA

Limited seating. First come, first served.

workshop #2: Acting for directors

Too often there is a gap between a director’s vision and an actor’s performance. This workshop flips the script, placing directors in the actor’s shoes to demystify the process. A first-hand experience of being on the other side of the camera. You will learn the specific vocabulary that unlocks great performances and how to avoid directions that fail to hit the emotional beats you're looking for.

Featured Speakers: TBA

Limited seating. First come, first served.

sustainability before stardom

The journey to a breakout role is a marathon, not a sprint, and financial stability is the fuel that keeps you running. How do you build a life that supports your art without consuming it? This honest conversation explores the best "thrival" jobs for actors, financial planning for freelancers, and how to maintain creative energy while balancing the practical realities of making a living in the regional market.

Featured Speakers: TBA

Limited seating. First come, first served.

Shifting Screens: Distribution in a Digital Age

The rules of distribution are being rewritten in real-time. This panel explores the explosion of alternative distribution models, from the rapid rise of vertical storytelling to the dominance of streaming platforms like Tubi. We are bringing together executives from FOX, who are pioneering high-value vertical content, and Sunshine Films, a local production comapny, who is proving you can produce locally and chart globally, to share how these leaders are taking on distribution in a digital age, and why there has never been a better time to be an independent creator.

Featured Speakers: TBA

Limited seating. First come, first served.

WORKSHoP #3: punching it up

Find the funny. Your script is functional, but is it fun? "Punching up" is the term for tightening rhythm, sharpening dialogue, and adding jokes to an existing draft. In this writers' room simulation, we will deconstruct the mechanics of humor, moving beyond a little funny, to understanding the structural design of a joke.

Featured Speakers: TBA

Limited seating. First come, first served.