Hello  ✨ 

In the blink of an eye, it’s already February! With a new month comes lots more to read, watch, and 💙💚💛LOVE 💜❤️💖! Welcome back to The Light Leaks Highlights: your biweekly dose of all things TLL, from industry news to upcoming events and skill-building tips. While we’ve got your attention—

be our valentine?

 😍

Meet Our Editorial & Research Team!

We’re taking some time for a newsletter meet-and-greet, where you get to know the talented folks behind TLL’s operations. You’ve met our newsletter and social teams already this year, but let’s do a little TLL research on the duo that makes sure you get everything you need to know! 

Mercedes was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM (so that makes her an expert on the High School Musical trilogy). She recently graduated from NYU with a master’s degree in Media, Culture, and Communication. Her research interests center around representation and identity within popular culture and digital media.

Brynna

 is a writer and graduate of the University of Oklahoma where she pursued a Bachelor of Arts in Film and Media Studies and a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies.

In her writing

, she specializes in studying movies, TV, and pop culture through an intersectional feminist lens, with a focus on content in sci-fi, horror, and superhero genres. Check out her amazing column at TLL,

What We’re Watching

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Coming Soon: Golden Globes Giveaway

Hey you! Yeah, you. Lean in, we have a secret and we want to tell you first….. WE’RE DOING A GIVEAWAY!! Yup, that’s right. One lucky winner will take home a bundle of our fabulous merch. All you have to do to win is predict this year’s slate of Golden Globes winners 👀 Keep an eye for the official announcement and submission details of our

Golden Globes Guessing Giveaway

 ✨

• Whether you’re boo’ed up, celebrating GALentine’s Day style, or stocking up on Kleenex for the occasion, we’ve got a variety of picks to pop on for however you’re spending the day! This is What We’re Watching on Valentine’s Day.

• If you enjoyed Bridgerton, wait until you get a load of the representation value of these period films, which all portray queer women in love. Just in time for Valentine’s Day! 💕

The Right Swipe - Pilot

• Romcom….but make it intersectional. That’s exactly what creators Kyra Jones & Juli Del Prete did with The Right Swipe, their web series about two best friends who start a business fixing men’s dating app profiles. Get the full scoop on this dynamic duo in our Project Spotlight!

• If unemployment and uncertainty have come to define this time in your life, and you don’t know where to go from here, then you’re going to want to read this. Refinery29 gets real on how to survive being laid off this winter.

• Do you need stock music, SFX, or stock video for your projects? Use our Soundstripe affiliate link or code THELIGHTLEAKS to get some $ off!

• The Athena Film Festivalis returning virtually next month to celebrate Women’s History Month! Use our code: AFF10OFFfor a discount. See you there!

• Entertainment legend Cicely Tyson passes away at 96-years-old after a 40+ year career as a television, film, and Broadway actress and pioneer for the Black community.

• Accio Harry Potter live-action TV series! HBO Max is in VERY early development for a new serialized addition to the much loved wizarding world.

• Kiera Knightley speaks out about being over-sexualized in her career by the male gaze and announces she will no longer shoot nudity scenes with male directors.

• The Ringer asks if cult movies can still exist in the age of streaming… what do you think? Read their take here.

• “Promising Young Woman,” directed by Killing Eve showrunner Emerald Fennell, has been redefining the ‘rape-revenge' genre. TW for this article, but it discusses the female gaze, how the show accomplishes its plot without ever showing assault on screen, and how the male characters mirror our culture.

• TV writers of underrepresented backgrounds are sharing their experiences partaking in fellowships and employment programs aimed at marginalized backgrounds—including how inclusive they really were, impacts on their career, and more!

• [PAID] Write for the Light Leaks! We’re looking for women and nonbinary creators to write think pieces, feminist analyses, and help guides (pro bono education) for our website. We work with writers of all levels and BIPOC, Trans, and nonbinary creators are highly encouraged to pitch. For more info, read our guidelines on how to pitch. 

• Get Featured on TLL: Add your name and info to our submission portal! If you want to be interviewed, do a social takeover, or be part of our YouTube series, share your name and bio right through our signup form! Share with all female and nonbinary filmmakers, screenwriters, producers, below the line creatives, etc!

• [GRANT] The Sundance Institute is seeking documentary projects from underrepresented communities to support! Learn more about their 2021 Documentary Fund, closing on February 8 at 4:30 PM (EST). 

  • We flag down tons of opportunities like this in our Ongoing Creative Opportunities List. Bookmark our resources page where we’re constantly adding creative funding opportunities, fellowships, and more!

• Here at TLL, we value our community's needs and creative ideas. That's why we created The Light Leaks Feedback Form. Is there something you want to see more or less of from us? Submit your thoughts and let us know!

• Like what you see? Be sure to follow us on social for more highlights, more empowerment, and more education. Here's to spreading light ✨

Like what you see? Be sure to follow us on social media for more highlights, more empowerment, and more education. Here's to spreading light ✨