Hello  ✨ 

Time for your mid-month TLL check-in! We’ve got some exciting creative opps, good reads, can’t-miss events, community inspo and Hollywood news alerts coming down the pipeline. See something you like? Forward to a friend and tell them to sign up!!

• Passionate about film, media and representation? Looking to learn or build new skill sets? Then YOU should join the TLL fam! We’re looking to build up our awesome team of volunteers—you can fill out this online app. :)

• Not only do we want you on our team, we want to highlight all the amazing things you’re *already* doing. Women and nonbinary filmmakers can submit this form to be considered for project spotlights, interviews, crowdfunding plugs 🌟and more🌟

• We’ve got a new free online event with Seed&Spark this month! If you’ve got a script you’re proud of, want to bring it to life, but don’t have a budget yet, then this one’s for you! We’re talking crowdfunding 101— sign up here!

• K$K is a writer, director and advocate for womxn working at the intersections of filmmaking and cannabis who explores her real life experiences through short experimental essay films. Watch now!

• M A N I F E S T I N G. We interviewed, Isabel Sandoval, a trans Filipina filmmaker, to hear how she does it. Her most recent feature film Lingua Franca has been nominated for over 20 awards from organizations, so we know she knows a thing or two about actualizing art. Hint: manifestation starts with trusting yourself! 

• Growth—we♥️2👀it!!! In this throwback piece for TLL, writer Anna Los shares how finding her niche in media was a challenge at first: “I thought about careers the way Barbie does, trying each one on for a little while but always moving to the next.” She started out as a business major, but flipped her own script by following her interests and going into journalism. Here’s your start-of-week reminder that the things we love are always worth pursuing.

• Get your tickets for Mixed Asian Media’s MAM Fest, a virtual celebration of mixed Asians who express themselves through creative art forms including film, theatre, art, dance and more! TLL will be presenting a workshop at this festival—we can’t wait to see you there!

• Killer Shorts is a screenwriting contest seeking the best new horror short scripts in the world! Shoot your shot! Submit your script with the discount code: TLL50OFF for 50% off of the submission fee.

• Women x is coming up on September 2! Check out the online schedule to see which screenings you’ll catch at this year’s digital festival. 

• Hellllooo sunshine!🌞Reese Witherspoon just sold her company for $900 million. But don’t worry, she says the sell actually means something good, read more!

• Hollywood stardom isn’t what it used to be. A fresh-faced actor can still burst onto the scene and captivate industry insiders, but agents, managers and studio executives say it’s harder for those actors to take hold like DiCaprio or JLaw once did. Meet the new Hollywood A-List. 

• This year and next are gearing up to be big ones for BIPOC, and IndieWire is giving us a line-up. Here are some scripted series created and/or overseen by BIPOC creatives for major platforms for the upcoming TV season. 

• When theaters were shut down, TikTok was there for us. It’s been a place to learn, share tips and tricks, and even find community, Today, the hashtags #filmtiktok and #filmtok tally up to nearly 3 billion views.

• Women in Film, ReFrame and Time's Up are criticizing Disney's handling of ScarJo’s Black Widow rollout confusion, issuing a statement that the company’s "gendered" image of Johansson presents her as selfish, when she just wants to get paid what she’s owed.

• Did you know we’re always updating this resource page with fellowships, labs, festivals, and more for filmmakers? Bookmark it to and refresh to find new opportunities!

• Applications are due August 31for WarnerMedia Access Post Coordinator Training program! This free 7-week training program to develop post-production coordinators that will prepare them to work in high-end scripted programming.

• 🎬TIPS FOR DIRECTING ACTORS: If you’re looking for how to work with your actors for fresh takes… check out this tip!

• Here’s a guide to make sure your screenplay is always in the right format—remember this is industry standard and a MUST if you’re looking to collaborate clearly with others.

• 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! ✨