James P. Gannon & Matt Ferrin's "Wrecked a Bunch of Cars, Had a Good Time" Premieres at HollyShorts
James P. Gannon and Matt Ferrin’s HollyShorts short dives into demolition derby culture with instinctive storytelling and cohesive visual flair.
Seren Calloway
Tom Koch’s "Olive" Explores Memory and Love at HollyShorts Film Festival
"Olive" immerses audiences in the tender, fractured world of dementia, blending memory, love, and loss at HollyShorts.
Jens Kevin Georg Explores Darker Themes in "Crust" at HollyShorts
Jens Kevin Georg’s short film "Crust" marks a bold departure from his comedy roots, embracing darker themes and horror-infused aesthetics.
James A. Castillo's "The Quinta's Ghost" Haunts HollyShorts Film Festival
"The Quinta's Ghost" explores the universal emotional engine within Goya's isolated struggle, pushing animated genre storytelling into new territories.
Aaron Blaise's "Snow Bear" to Premiere at HollyShorts Film Festival
Animator Aaron Blaise channels personal loss and the magic of hand-drawn storytelling in his intimate short film, "Snow Bear".
Matt Campanella’s "Sunday Sauce" Shines at This Year’s HollyShorts Film Festival
A surreal, heartfelt, and hilariously chaotic portrait of family, identity, and love, "Sunday Sauce" takes audiences on an unforgettable ride through an Italian American household.
AJ Prager on Serendipity, Sci-Fi, and Filmmaking Under Pressure
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.
Mastering Blocking: Essential On-Set Skills for New Actors
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.
How to Write a Powerful Log Line
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 on "Prayer is Whatever You Say on Your Knees" and the Art of Creative Risk
Sydney Ribot, winner of the CFA Quarterly Film Challenge, explored modern intimacy in her short “Prayer is Whatever You Say on Your Knees.”
How FBRC.ai Is Redefining Filmmaking Tools with Ethical AI
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.
VAMP of All Trades: Liana’s Path to Creative Freedom and Community
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.
William Hellmuth Builds "Alone" Through Storytelling and Collaboration
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.
What Digital Imaging Technicians Do—and Why It Matters
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.
Butcher Bird Studios Thrives on Creativity Over Constraints
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.
NAB 2025: Creative Tools and Goats
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.