Hello  ✨ 

Welcome to another edition of TLL Highlights! Keep reading for new interviews, free events, and creative opportunities! Remember, if you see something for a creative friend, forward this email to them! 💓 ✨ BTW, happy new year! Check out TLL's 2021 recap here!

• NEW INTERVIEW: We spoke to Disney+’s “Diary of a Future President” creator, Ilana Peña about her career (she started out as an assistant!), what it takes to be a showrunner, and how she’s fighting imposter syndrome (just like us!). Take it all in from the Forbes 30 Under 30 recognized writer and creator. 

• 📺 Do you need a cozy comfort watch? We know this time of year can be stressful - the holiday rush, picking up the pace for a new year, it can be a lot. Don’t go through it alone! Our team compiled our favorite comfort watches to snuggle up to in this month’s What We’re Watching! 📺

• Who else already misses Insecure? 😭😭We gave Insecure it’s final farewell by taking a look back on the iconic series, creator Issa Rae and the impact that the seminal show has had on culture and the entertainment industry. 

• 🏳️‍🌈​​“I wanted to focus on both a bisexual character coming into her own identity and a young lesbian stepping out of her comfort zone and chasing her heart. I also prided myself in the fact that most of my team were queer women or women of color.” - Shawna Khorasani, director of LoverGirl the queer rom-com with 1.1M views on youtube. Read her project spotlight with TLL! 🎬

• Our advice column, The Hustle has a new edition! Read “How Creative People Can Set and Keep Goals”

• 📅Setting your goals doesn’t need to suck or be scary, join us THIS WEDNESDAY for a free Realistic Goal Setting event with our friends at Seed & Spark! In this workshop, we’re focusing on creating goals for creatives and how to always prioritize your wellness in this journey. PLUS you’ll be able to download a free workbook that’ll help you keep on track in 2021. RSVP today!📅

• In the Cut, one of our fav orgs empowering BIPOC creators in Hollywood, has one of their master classes - Breaking Into the Industry As a TV Writer, for FREE! Watch the recording and take in all the knowledge. 🧠

• Redbull’s Microgrant program for artists in Detroit is seeking more applicants. Score access to both sharing your work through their socials and a nice lil $1000 here!

• 🇲🇽Mexican female filmmakers such as Fernanda Valadez, and Tatiana Huezo are finally getting the recognition they deserve and share more about the machismo and other limitations they’ve faced in the industry.

• Bookmark this for your watch list! IndieWire collected every studio film directed by female filmmakers coming out in 2022 and 2023.

• Actress Claire Foy speaks out about the role of Intimacy Coordinators on set and how she and other actresses still struggle with feeling exploited during the filming of intimate scenes.

• Women in Film has released their #VoteForWomen 2021 ballot, this campaign pushes for women and nonbinary professions to be awarded in the industry at mainstream award shows for their work! 🏆🏆

• Check out The Hollywood Reporter’s list of European Breakout Talents 2021 - this year they notes four female directors who made their debut in 2021!

• ReFrame (founded by Women In Film and the Sundance Institute) is hiring an assistant to help with their programs focused on increasing women in the film industry! Apps close today at 5 PM PST, apply or send to a friend job searching.

• 💰Are you looking for Fiscal Sponsorship for your film or media project? Women in Film and Video is taking applications now until April 15, 2022 💰

• Chicken and Egg’s Project: Hatched is a fund for non fiction filmmakers. Their 2022 call is open until January 17th, get your app in!

• Are you making social issue films? Learn how to expand your impact and get your film to make an even bigger change with this free guide. 

• Did you know MIT has their own documentary lab program? Learn new storytelling techniques in this collaborative residency among some of the brightest minds in the world! 🧠

• 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! ✨