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Hello TLL Community!

We know these times can feel heavy, especially with the current political climate and the attacks on DEI under Trump’s leadership. It can be hard to feel proud of your identity and safe as a creative right now. But we want to remind you that The Light Leaks will always be a safe and supportive space for female and nonbinary filmmakers.

As an LLC and a media publication, we are proud to run as an independent platform. We don't rely on government funding or grants to make our work happen—our mission of creating social impact and pushing for equality in the industry remains at the core of everything we do. Our budget might be small, but our impact is huge, and we’re proud of that.

We’re going to keep doing what we do best: spotlighting amazing creatives, sharing resources, telling industry stories, and creating safe spaces (both online and offline) where like-minded filmmakers can connect and grow.

Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!

Exciting news! We have an event THIS SUNDAY in West Hollywood!

Join us and City Señoras for an afternoon of wildfire relief fundraising, community care, and meaningful reflection. It’s the perfect opportunity to connect, give back, and make a difference together.

Don’t miss out— RSVP now and be part of this special day!

Our creative opportunities page has a new look! It’s easier than ever to find the right fellowships, grants, and more on our website page. Be sure to bookmark and share with friends Creative Opportunities: Fellowships, Grants, and Opportunities for Filmmakers

• Check out the Vimeo Short Film Grant, which offers funding, equipment, mentorship, and distribution! Deadline is 4/18/25. 

• Calling all science/tech-themed screenplays— there’s the Sloan Science in Cinema Filmmaker Fellowship! Deadline is 5/16/25.

No matter how experienced you are, networking can always feel a little intimidating. Our founder Kim shares some tips on how to make meaningful connections at film festivals that will hopefully make the experience a little less daunting and help spark some genuine conversations.

Showing support by following our series on Spotify helps us in so many ways and more engagement means we’re able to create more content to share with all of you!

Are you itching to dive deeper into film history or learn something new about the industry? Check out our Film Nerd Moment series, where Mercedes shares insights into all things film and there are even bonus resources for each episode on our site!

If you’d like to further support our mission and connect with others who share your passion for changing the narrative, we’d love for you to join our Patreon and become a part of our Discord community. Here’s how you can get involved: Support us on Patreon 

We’re back on Tiktok and we have lots of videos to share with you! Keep us on your FYP by following us @thelightleaks

Thank you for supporting the Light Leaks and other women and nonbinary filmmakers! We'll check in with another email in two weeks until then take care and stay inspired!

With love,The Light Leaks Team