Write, shoot and edit a short film in one weekend while getting access to top-of-the-line equipment, mentors, and workshops. That’s what the WWFC (Women’s Weekend Film Challenge) offers. Read more about it below, including how you can apply to participate in this filmmaking festivity.
WWFC (Women’s Weekend Film Challenge)
Women’s Weekend Film Challenge (WWFC), founded in 2017 by filmmakers Katrina Medoff and Tracy Sayre, works for gender equity by creating opportunities for women to bring their leadership, talents, and stories to the forefront of the film industry. In its signature film challenge, WWFC places professional filmmakers on crews to write, shoot and edit a short film in one weekend and provides top-of-the-line equipment, insurance, and workshops.
700 female filmmakers, 30 short films, and 90 festivals
The signature film challenge constitutes a career-building opportunity and is free for participants. According to the WWFC team, since its first challenge in January 2018, WWFC has worked with more than 700 women to produce 30 short films, which have been accepted to more than 90 festivals. Check out the BTS video below:
2022’s film challenge
This will be the organization’s fifth film challenge, and the first since the pandemic forced productions across the country to shut down. “We are so excited to once again be hosting the Women’s Weekend Film Challenge to provide a diverse group of talented filmmakers with the opportunity to tell their stories on screen,” Sayre said. “Many creative relationships have been fostered through our four previous challenges, and the results — 30 expertly crafted short films — prove there is no shortage of skilled women in every role of production.”
WWFC has worked with more than 700 women to produce 30 short films, which have been accepted to more than 90 festivals.
Write+shoot+edit: In one weekend
This summer, female filmmakers will be placed on teams to write, shoot and edit a short film in just one weekend. It’s free to apply to and participate in the challenge, and the organization provides top-of-the-line equipment, workshops, and more. Organizers are expecting more than 1,000 applications and will select about 200 participants. The challenge weekend will take place Aug. 11-14.
Shoot on high-end cinema cameras
According to the WWFC team, top-of-the-line equipment, software, production insurance, production stipends, and film festival submission stipends are provided courtesy of WWFC and its sponsors, including Zeiss, Sony, ARRI, Cinelease, Gotham Sound, Casting Networks, and Final Draft. “While progress has been made to combat gender imbalance in the film industry, more work must be done to achieve equity,” Medoff said. “Participants will finish the weekend not only with a highly professional short film but also with a broad network of motivated, talented women.”
Participants will finish the weekend not only with a highly professional short film but also with a broad network of motivated, talented women.
Schedule
Participants will meet their fellow crew members for the first time during a pre-production meeting at CarStage in Long Island City in early August. The film challenge kicks off on Thursday, Aug. 11, when organizers will pick a genre out of a hat for each team and announce a prop that all films must incorporate. Teams will begin writing their scripts that evening and will have until Sunday, Aug. 14, at 11:59 p.m. to submit the completed film. WWFC will host a premiere screening of the films in late August at Village East in Manhattan. Participants will network with each other and other industry members at an afterparty.
Check out the NYC 2022 timeline below:
This year’s judges include cinematographers Nancy Schreiber, ASC, and Carmen Cabana; casting director Adrienne Stern; and filmmakers Anna Sang Park, Annie Sundberg, Danielle Eliska, and Mahak Jiwani.
How to apply?
Filmmakers in every role of production — from gaffers and sound mixers to writers and actors — can apply between June 1 and 27 to participate in the challenge. WWFC enlists the help of guest judges to thoroughly review each application. This year’s judges include cinematographers Nancy Schreiber, ASC, and Carmen Cabana; casting director Adrienne Stern; and filmmakers Anna Sang Park, Annie Sundberg, Danielle Eliska, and Mahak Jiwani. WWFC then places accepted individuals onto crews in order to ensure that each team has the talent necessary to make a stellar short film.
Wrapping up
I’ve participated once in this kind of a challenge — making a short film in 24 hours, from scratch. And all I can say is it was a very educating experience which I highly recommend at. Beyond that, the WWFC grants participants access to high-end equipment and the knowledge of acclaimed mentors. It should be a hell of a challenge and a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Explore the application page here.
