HFAF Workshop Series:
A Community Approach to Filmmaking
During the festival in March 2022, we’ll be hosting a series of three workshops that explores ways to build relationships with local businesses, organizations, media, and funders, and utilize that community support to help make your production successful. Join us over the course of three mornings – Friday, Saturday, and Sunday – to explore these topics!
Friday: Collaborating with Local Businesses and Organizations
Local businesses and organizations can provide unique locations that have a huge impact on the overall success of your film. Every step, from preproduction through marketing the completed film, presents both opportunities and hurdles when you pursue these partnerships. This workshop focuses on building strong relationships that will help you succeed when shooting at locally owned and run places such as stores, restaurants, churches, parks, hotels, schools, museums, and more. Make the entire process run more smoothly by learning strategies for coordinating with the people who manage the locations where you want to film. What concerns should you be prepared to address? What should you pay attention to while you shoot? How can you build mutual support for one another, so both the film and the business benefit from the production?
Friday, March 25, 9:30-11:30 am at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Saturday: Grassroots Marketing and Building Your Media Presence
Many indie filmmakers lack the funds, manpower, and expertise to extensively market their films. How can you overcome these challenges? What are the most effective ways to generate interest in your production? Learn how to start small, work efficiently, gain useful experience, and build a bigger audience for your film. We’ll cover strategies for approaching the media, promoting your films, and growing your audience by building strategic local relationships. As a filmmaker, you’re already a good storyteller. This workshop will help you learn the best ways to pitch the story behind the story.
Saturday, March 26, 9:30-11:30 am at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater
Sunday: Appealing to Local Funding Sources
Indie filmmakers know that financing a film can be a difficult. Approaching people in your community who have never funded a film before opens up great new opportunities, but can also present a challenge. This workshop focuses on communicating about your work to potential investors, grantors, and others who might not be experienced in the film world. When and how should you contact different types of funders? How should you prepare for those conversations? What research should you do? How can you best describe your work – not just your story, but your profession – to local supporters who don’t know much about the film industry? What’s your most effective elevator pitch? Learn about regional funding opportunities and the best ways to build local financial support for your films.
Sunday, March 27, 9:30-11:30 am at the Monroe Convention Center