Hello  ✨ 

Hello, friends! We have SO. MUCH. TO. TELL. YOU! We’ve got new shorts, events, and Hollywood updates galore on this fabulous Monday. Give it all a scroll, a click, and then pass on the 4-1-1 to someone else who needs to be on our mailing list! 📬

• 🎥 Are you an up-and-coming filmmaker looking to get more eyes on your work? Submit your project to the Light Leaks and receive the Hollywood treatment with your own exclusive premiere, social media takeover, and editorial interview! 🌟

• As the conversation continues on unfair wages in Hollywood, read “Paying for Experience: The Reality of Unpaid Hollywood Internships”, one TLL contributor’s real experience in the industry. 

• 🌀How do you fight creator’s block? Share your response in our private facebook group for women and nonbinary filmmakers! Prompts, job postings, and community are just a click away!

• In less than 10 mins. you can support a female director (aka the incredible Katherine Chou) AND watch a cool sci-fi short on family and culture, just click here.

• 🗣️🗣️“It is important for more women and gnc filmmakers to make work because this gaze is so rarely seen in film and TV. The prevalence of the male gaze in mainstream media and entertainment only enforces the patriarchal nature of our society.” - Savannah Magruder, heck yeah let’s fight back against the male gaze!

• At TLL, we champion women and gender non-conforming filmmakers all year long. That’s why we’re giving you a little Women in Film History crash course this July📺Add these women directed films to your watchlist, handpicked by our team! 

• No path is linear—where are you in your creative journey? Before Directing Plan B (now out on Hulu🎬❤️), Natalie Morales did everything from bartending to photography before diving into tv and now the director’s chair —watch her journey.

• 🚨NEW EVENT!!⁠🚨⁠Stretch That Buck: Film Budgeting 101 is a free virtual workshop from Seed & Spark x The Light Leaks. Learn the ins and outs of film budgeting from the pros and don't let crowdfunding keep you down! 💸 Join us 8/23 from 1:30-3 PM PDT for this event! RSVP here

• Save the Date! Rianne Pictures is hosting WomenX, a digital festival dedicated to women and femme filmmakers from Sept 2nd - Sept 4th! Get your tickets and learn about the festival here. 

• Our friends at non-profit Obvi are dedicated to telling women’s stories. Are you passionate about that mission? They’re looking for folks to join their team growth, strategy and other positions. They’re super fun, apply today!

• Remember when we mentioned GLAAD’s open letter to the Emmy’s? It made an impact: Mj Rodriguez has made history with her “Pose” Emmy nom, becoming the first out trans woman to be nominated in the outstanding lead actress category in the role of Blanca. Check out the full list of Emmy nominations.

• 🎶Come on Barbie, let’ go party🎶Barbie is hitting the big screen, directing queen Greta Gerwi will take on the comedy with none other than THEE Margot Robbie. Read on for details, dolls.

• Shonda Rhimes has redefined the television industry and just continues to make moves every chance she gets. Four years after her original nine-figure deal with Netflix and the global success of Bridgerton, Rhimes extended her Netflix pact for five more years. Read more about the details of her raise and what’s to potentially come from the streaming service and its largest producers. 

• Legally Blonde just got fact-checked on Twitter. Fans online have been suggesting that there’s a queer alt ending for the film. Elle+Vivian holding hands in Hawaii? Not it, director Karen McCullah said on Twitter. It’s a shock for fans —here’s how the wires got crossed.

• ✅This advice is great for anyone trying to self-finance a film. These are some helpful things to remember for when you’re planning your next project!

• 🎬 Need inspiration for your next film? Catch up on our latest episode of Dissecting the Scene with Daisy Leigh-Phippard—learn about directing actors for fresh takes and the crafty ways she brought her feminist period piece to life! 🏰

• If you’ve been in search of a professional boost, take a look at these six tips for how to get ahead in your career! From networking to setting boundaries, these are a few ways to help you get where you want to be.

• Able to help out a fellow creator? Check out this crowdfunding project that needs a push to reach their goal!

• 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! ✨