2022 Theme Quote
THE TWO-WEEK FILMMAKING CHALLENGE
Make a film.
Build your network.
Win prizes.
Build your network.
Win prizes.
MEET THE 2022 JUDGES
Our judges will speak at a panel after the screening at Harmony Gold Theater on June 10th.
MATTHEW LILLARD
Matthew Lillard is an actor, director and producer. He is best known for his roles as Stu Macher in Scream, Shaggy in the Scooby-Doo film series, and his dramatic turn in Alexander Payne’s acclaimed The Descendants.
More of his comedic performances include Without a Paddle alongside Dax Shepard and Seth Green, She's All That with Freddie Prinze Jr., and NBC's Good Girls. Matthew’s directorial debut Fat Kid Rules the World premiered at the SXSW in 2012, where it won the Audience Award. He recently launched Midnite Movie Club, an NFT based project, with writer-director Bill Whirity. MMC deems itself the first ever 'Decentralized Movie Studio' by giving the power back to the audience and letting them decide what films the company produces. Midnite Movie Club’s focus is specifically in the genre space, i.e. Horror, Sci-Fi, Action/Adventure, and Fantasy. The first project from the newly established company is a high-concept vampire movie titled Let them Die, which will go into production summer 2022. SONIA MCCARTER
Sonia McCarter is an Emmy award-winning Producer that has developed content for
television, radio, podcasts, and other digital media. Born in Madrid, Spain, Sonia moved to Austin, Texas at a young age and earned her B.A. in Electronic Media from Texas State University. During her time at Texas State, she served as Assistant News Director of the college radio station KTSW 89.9 where she won several awards for radio documentaries she wrote, produced, and edited. Sonia then went on to work at the prestigious Austin Film Festival where she ran operations for over 7 years and served as Executive Producer of their successful PBS series, On Story and won an Emmy Award. She currently serves as Operations Manager and Chief of Staff at Emergent Order Foundation, a non-profit studio that celebrates American freedom and the potential it unlocks in each of us. Emergent Order Foundation is currently producing Dad Saves America, a YouTube Channel on a mission to celebrate, empower and entertain Dads, could-be Dads, and father figures of all stripes. |
CARLA RENATA
Carla Renata aka The Curvy Film Critic™ is a graduate of Howard University and named one of 2018’s Underrepresented Critics of Color by the Los Angeles Times. Her reviews, articles and/or op-ed’s have been featured at IGN Movies, ET Live! Maltin on Movies, RogerEbert.com, as well as Shadow and Act, EUR Web, FOX 11-LA, Good Day LA and Variety.
She is a highly sought after host/moderator who had the privilege to host an evening of The Black Experience on Film for Turner Classic Movies-sponsored by AAFCA, Q&A’s for Bentonville Film Festival, Netflix, SAG-AFTRA, American Cinematheque, Lionsgate, Film Independent and more. Being a proud member of AAFCA (African American Film Critics Association), (OAFFC) The Online Association of Female Film Critics, (AWFJ) Alliance of Female Journalists, Tomatometer approved critic on Rotten Tomatoes, a Television Academy Member and (CCA) Critics Choice Association. Her award-winning podcast The Curvy Critic with Carla Renata streams LIVE every Monday at 5pm PST via YouTube featuring reviews, news and interviews with stars in front and behind the camera. GUS KRIEGER
Gus Krieger is an award-winning writer/director/producer of stage and screen.
His first produced feature screenplay “The Killing Room” premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. In 2012, Krieger served as Associate Producer on the horror feature “Would You Rather.” In 2016, he produced "Fender Bender" for Shout! Factory, and managed the development of 2021's "Old Henry." As writer-director-producer, Krieger’s feature films include the philosophical thriller "The Binding," and the 2018 Slamdance Audience Award-winning hip-hop drama "My Name Is Myeisha." In 2020, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Krieger’s debut novel “Superworld” would be adapted into a feature film for Warner Bros. Entertainment and director Jason Bateman. |
GABRIELLA REVILLA LUGO
A dramedy feature/TV writer/director/producer and formerly undocumented immigrant, Gabby Revilla Lugo started her career in physical production. Gabby then ventured into the independent feature space where she worked with names like Damian Chazelle on his award-winning film, Whiplash. Eventually, she went on to have a successful film career with films including the award-winning hit Palm Springs, Melissa McCarthy's Netflix indie, The Starling, and Fox Searchlight's Next Goal Wins, written and directed by Taika Waititi.
Gabby’s writing career took off after graduating from both the Fox Writers Program and The Disney Writers Program. Gabby was staffed on ABC's hit drama, A Million Little Things, and teaches screenwriting at the ScriptAnatomy school. In 2021 Gabby sold multiple podcasts and landed a feature film writing job for Mattel, with multiple shows currently in development. She most recently sold 15 Candles, a TV pilot based on John Hughes' 16 Candles, to Peacock, alongside UCP and OJALA, which is led by award-winning playwright, Tanya Saracho. She also worked on the TV series BRUJAS and completed the WGA's showrunner training program. Lugo is excited to continue telling Latine stories that exemplify more than just our collective trauma. GIANINNI SEMEDO MOREIRA
Gianinni Semedo Moreira is an award winning director, producer and screenwriter with a background in the performing arts.
Gianinni was born and raised in The Netherlands and studied at CODARTS, the University of Performing Arts in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. After participating in the TV competition show “So You Think You Can Dance,” Gianinni moved to Los Angeles to pursue his professional dance career. He has worked with Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Kanye West, Paula Abdul, Nicki Minaj, Kelly Clarkson, and Shakira, and has toured the world with Cirque du Soleil's “Michael Jackson: The Immortal World Tour”. It was during this time that Gianinni discovered his love for filmmaking. Gianinni started writing, producing and directing his own independent projects as he balanced both his dance and film career. In a few years, Gianinni made several short films, directed music videos, commercials and short documentaries. His latest film “The Border” won the Grand Jury Prize at CFC 2021, among other awards. He is currently developing several projects with production companies. |
THE CHALLENGEFinish a short film in just two weeks. Work with at least one other filmmaker in the challenge and receive help from another participant on your project. After all, filmmaking is a team sport!
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THE OPPORTUNITYExpand your professional network by meeting and working with talented individuals. Our generous sponsors help us provide resources so that filmmakers can get their films made and win prizes. Last year, four development deals were awarded, in addition to over $20,000 worth of prizes!
Films are judged by industry decision makers. Our official selections screen at the prestigious Harmony Gold Theater along with a panel of our celebrity jury. |
THE COLLABORATIONWe understand the importance of networking, so we foster an environment where collaboration is rewarded.
What if you don't want to make a film? That's okay! We're still looking for plenty of collaborators. If you'd like to join as an actor, writer, cinematographer, sound recordist, grip, editor, or more, you can still participate in as many films as possible. In fact, the participant that helps out the most wins the coveted Key Collaborator award! |
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You do not need to live in Los Angeles. You do not even need any experience as a filmmaker. All you need is a love for movies, and the desire to make some new friends. Still have questions? Check out our FAQ page!
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MEET OUR PREVIOUS GRAND JURY PRIZE WINNERS
2012
2017
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2013
2018
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2014
2019
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2015
2021
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2016
2022
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