AJ Prager blends sci-fi and magical realism in “One Minute Ahead,” winner of the CFA Quarterly Film Challenge. She shares how grounding high-concept ideas in familiar settings, creative camera work, and teamwork under pressure shaped her eerie, unforgettable short.
Blocking and marking rehearsals are essential for young actors stepping onto a film set. Directors shared insights on using space as a character, balancing structure with playfulness, and building trust.
The CFA Indiewood Screenwriting Fund kicks off with a deep dive into log lines and the power of community. Program Director Yaroslav Altunin inspire writers to craft impactful stories, share diverse voices, and embrace collaboration to strengthen their screenwriting craft.
Sydney Ribot, winner of the CFA Quarterly Film Challenge, explored modern intimacy in her short “Prayer is Whatever You Say on Your Knees.”
At NAB 2025, CFA’s Haeleigh Royal sat down with FBRC.ai’s Todd Terrazas and Rachel Victor to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the filmmaking process.
Liana, aka VAMP, proves you don’t have to fit into one box to thrive in film. From puppets to production, her journey shows how embracing all your passions—and building community—is key.
Filmmaker William Hellmuth joined CFA to reflect on his short film "Alone" and the power of storytelling through collaboration. From adapting literature to overcoming VFX hurdles, William’s journey shows how courage, community, and creative vision can bring indie films to life.
DITs are the unsung heroes behind the camera, blending tech and creativity to protect a film’s visual integrity. As immersive filmmaking expands, pros like Dane Brim show how DITs adapt to new tools like Apple Vision Pro—proving their evolving role is key to modern storytelling.
At NAB 2025, Butcher Bird Studios’ Stephen and Lillian shared how story-first thinking, creative problem-solving, and collaboration can thrive under constraints offering insights that align with CFA’s mission to uplift and empower underrepresented filmmakers.
From goat-powered livestreams to app-controlled lighting, NAB 2025 brought bold ideas and inclusive energy. CFA was proud to engage with tools, people, and practices that support underrepresented filmmakers and push the boundaries of creative storytelling.
At Podcast Movement 2024, John Scanlon unveiled Poditude, the first social platform built just for podcasters and their fans. Designed to spark real community and audience engagement, Poditude could change how creators and listeners connect, grow, and thrive together.
At Podcast Movement 2024, Nagier Chambers of Big Gold Belt Media shared how smart workflows, solid lighting, and real-time audience engagement can elevate your podcast, no fancy gear required. His advice? Keep it consistent, keep it real, and invest where it counts.
Discover how Annika Jackson enhances her podcasting workflow using Simplified, from content creation to social media management.
Learn how to use compression to make your voice sound polished and professional. Audio engineer Marcus DePaula breaks down threshold, ratio, attack, release, and makeup gain—making it simple for podcasters and creators to level up their sound.
In a powerful collaboration, Tilta and Oscar-winning cinematographer Claudio Miranda, ASC, present The X Gift — a heartfelt short film that explores universal emotion and cultural connection through bold, modern storytelling.
