Hello  ✨ 

Welcome to The Light Leaks Highlights: your biweekly dose of all things TLL. From industry news to upcoming events to skill-building opportunities, we've got you covered! And the best part? As a devoted subscriber, you get exclusive access to all these announcements

FIRST

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WHAT'S HAPPENING AT TLL

• MAJOR NEWS!Are you ready? *drumroll pleaaase* TLL team has officially grown from 1 to 12! Read a personal message on the changesfrom our founder, Kim Hoyos, and stay tuned for upcoming editions of TLL Highlights, where we’ll showcase a more up close & personal look at the team.

• Our “What We’re Watching” column is back and better than ever! Under our more gender-inclusive title, this month we’re our picks for the TV/film moments that fueled hope for us during this trying year. Find out What We’re Watching!

STAY INSPIRED

• Despite how difficult this year has been for creatives, actress and filmmaker Xenia LeBlanc is still paving her way in Hollywood! Known for her role as Young Red in Netflix's OITNB, this time Xenia is behind the camera for her latest project Knitty & Gritty. Recently winning Film Riot's Stay at Home Film Challenge, the multi-hypenated talent spoke to TLL about her artistic journey, her role on OITNB, and what's next for Knitty & Gritty.

• Pre-quarantine, webseries writer Anya Steiner opened up about how she navigates the world of remote filmmaking and multinational collaboration. Who knew her creative process would resonate so strongly 2 years later? 

• If the pandemic’s got you feeling overwhelmed and defeated as a creator, know you’re not alone — there are tiny things you can do each day to bounce back. Here’s a list of Ways to Stay Creative When the World Feels Heavy. 

DON'T MISS THIS

• Sitting on a killer horror story idea? It’s not too late to enter Killer Shorts’ Horror Screenplay Competition! Historically, this competition has seen a devastingly low turn-out of female-identifying and non-binary applicants. Now’s your chance to be the fresh new voice in horror! Get your entry in by December 15, and be sure to use code TLL50OFF for 50% off your submission fee!

• Get a FREE 30-minute consultation with the best of the best. Our friends at Seed&Spark, a crowdfunding platform with the highest campaign success rate in the world (80%) and the lowest fees, are offering 1-on-1 call mentoring to TLL community. Sign up now!

  • Have a Seed&Spark campaign live right now? Send us the link and we’ll promote it for free on our exclusive page!

• Are you a rising filmmaker looking to share your work with a larger audience? TLL highlights students and first time filmmakers through our project spotlights! Submit to this form for a chance to be featured.

WHAT'S HAPPENING IN HOLLYWOOD

• So many are excited for the first official Selena TV series which yields an all Latinx cast, crew, and writers room but some in the Latinx community are voicing concerns on representation and which stories Hollywood typically tells.

• Despite being canceled by yet another network (Pop) and having their fourth season cut short, the beloved rebooted sitcom, One Day At a Time, fights to stay alive.

• Winter is coming and so are job cuts. Traditional media giants continue to downsize at alarming rates as they restructure their business models toward the future of streaming.

• Many viewers give two thumbs up to Hulu’s latest Christmas movie Happiest Season, regarding it as a pleasant holiday surprise. Written and directed by Clea DuVall, this feel-good holiday flick breaks barriers as one of the few in its genre to center LGBTQ+ love.

STAY SKILLED

• Want to make the most out of your free time? Check out our pile of free PDFS and resources to help you strengthen your knowledge and skills in screenwriting, filmmaking, and more! 

• The year ahead is looking up — make sure landing an awesome internship is a part of your  2021! 🍾🎊Whether in-person or remote, we’ll help you get the gig with The Hustle: Advice From Us.

• And don’t forget to check out our ongoing list of opportunities for creators! We’re always updating this list with current film festivals, labs, funding opportunities, and more, so check back often!

KEEP IN TOUCH

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