Winter Film Festival is proud to present six awesome sessions geared towards emerging filmmakers!
Speakers and Panelists
Azadeh Moaveni
NYU Global Journalism Program
DirectorChristina Delfico
iDig2Learn
FounderDan Gurlitz
Soundview Media
Founding Member & CEODr. Rebekah Louisa Smith
The Film Festival Doctor
J.R. Stokes
Director – Beautiful, Pam
- 2026 Education Session
Film Festivals and How to Look After Your Mental Health
Thursday Feb 19, 12:45 PM-2:00 PMFREERegal Union Square Theater 2850 BroadwayBrought to you by The Film Festival DoctorIn this session, The Film Festival Doctor; Rebekah Louisa Smith, introduces to you how to look after your mental health by sharing with you some essential tips and techniques with regards to how to adapt the right type of mindset and take care of yourself as you navigate the often intense and stressful world of film festivals.
This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE- 2026 Education Session
Casting Strategies for Indie Filmmakers & Actors
Thursday Feb 19, 2:15 PM-3:30 PMFREERegal Union Square Theater 2850 BroadwayBrought to you by Richard Jordan CastingCasting is a crucial element in filmmaking that can make or break the success of a project, especially in the indie realm where resources may be limited. Join Richard Jordan from Richard Jordan Casting and learn what you need to know to navigate the casting process effectively and efficiently. The session is geared both towards filmmakers looking to find and attract talent, choose the right actors, SAG vs non-union, handling auditions, contracts and negotiations and to actors preparing for auditions, getting their name out there, handling rejection and protecting their rights.
This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE
- 2026 Education Session
Independent Distribution Strategies: Information vs. Disinformation
Thursday Feb 19, 3:45 PM-5:00 PMFREERegal Union Square Theater 2850 BroadwayBrought to you by Soundview Media PartnersBACK BY POPULAR DEMAND! 40-year distribution veteran Dan Gurlitz, the founder of Soundview Media Partners, is a specialist in establishing and/expanding distribution for independent features and documentaries. He will be discussing distribution strategies for both physical and digital media exploitation.
This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE
- 2026 Education Session
- 2026 Mixers + Meetups
Discussion – When Art Is Risk: Creative Expression in Iran Today
Thursday Feb 19, 7:00 PM-8:15 PMFREEWFF Lounge @Regal850 Broadway (outside Auditorium 2)Moderated by Azadeh Moaveni, NYU Associate Professor, Director Global and Joint Program StudiesWFF2026 includes six films by Iranian filmmakers and will be screening them together in a block on Thursday February 19 from 8:30-11:15PM. Join Azadeh Moaveni with our filmmakers in an informal moderated talk about the current situation for artists in Iran.- 2026 Education Session
Crash Course in Making Your First Feature Film
Friday Feb 20, 12:45 PM-2:00 PMFREERegal Union Square Theater 2850 BroadwayShooting your first feature film is an enormous and sometimes terrifying undertaking! We’ve assembled a team of first time directors with feature films in the fest to talk about their experience and what they learned about the process, including fundraising, casting, the advice they wish they had taken (and what they wish they’d ignored), building a rational film festival strategy and so much more!
This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE- 2026 Education Session
Sustainable Filmmaking 101: Why It Matters and How to Get Started
Friday Feb 20, 2:15 PM-3:30 PMFREERegal Union Square Theater 2850 BroadwayBrought to you by NYC Film GreenNYC Film Green Office Hours Presents Sustainable Filmmaking 101: Why It Matters and How to Get Started. Join the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment in NYC for a LIVE NYC Film Green 101-level session. We will be exploring why sustainability matters, where productions have the greatest impact, and what emerging filmmakers can do. Film and television production has a significant environmental footprint, but it can be mitigated with the right planning and strategies. The NYC Film Green Office Hours series is an initiative of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) and is moderated by Shira Gans, Sr. Executive Director of Policy and Programs.
This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE- 2026 Education Session
Producing 101
Friday Feb 20, 3:45 PM-5:00 PMFREERegal Union Square Theater 2850 BroadwayBrought to you by Women Independent Producers
Moderated by Judy Balkin, Chairwoman of the NYU Arts and Entertainment NetworkThe right producer can make all the difference in the world! If you are a filmmaker, how do you find a producer, how do you work with one and what you should expect from your producer? If you want to be a producer, what are the ins and outs of really being a producer and what are some of the skills you haven’t even thought about that you might need? We will demystify film production for filmmakers and those looking to get into the field!
We’ve gathered a group of talented and hardworking producers to discuss the profession and offer some guidance about bringing on the producer who is right for your project or the experience you need to become a producer in today’s independent film industry.
This event is FREE and open to the public but you must REGISTER IN ADVANCE
