FilmStack Friday

Happy Halloween!

Hello Lovely Film/Substackers!

I started a write up for FilmStack Recommends Redux, but unfortunately I’ve been running around on negative spoons for too long, so that’s getting pushed another week. (I swear that this is not my Matt Damon/Maris, and that this will actually, truly happen, and that you will actually be able to read it one day. I appreciate y’all bearing with me.)

Instead of a feature, I have a pitch for you: I desperately want someone to do a doc on Courtney Romano’s FilmStack 50 project! I ran it by Courtney, and she’s good with it. I don’t have the spoons, resources, or know-how to do it, but I would love for it to happen. I would totally help in whatever way I could, if someone wanted to take that on, but I’m throwing the idea out there now. I told Courtney that I would love for it to be the secret 51st film, but then Courtney got the 51st film on her list 😂 Whatever number it would be though, it would be cool.

General Announcements:

Portland, Oregon’s FilmStack contingent is going IRL! The first ever Portland, Oregon FilmStack Meetup is happening on Monday, November 17, 2025. RSVP here. Reach out to Sasha Santiago with any questions, and help Sasha shape this and other FilmStack Meetups by filling out this questionnaire.

Let Alex Bhat know your availability for the first ever FilmStack UK Meetup here and then subscribe to IRL Filmstack UK for updates.

For those keeping score at home, that means that there are now FilmStack IRL Meetups currently happening or planned in LA, New York, London, and Portland, Oregon! That’s pretty wild! (I think it’s funny that FilmStack Portland is gonna beat FilmStack London to the IRL punch after announcing later, but it’s incredible that they’re happening at all!) I can’t wait to see who announces next!

David Brownstein is looking for a Line Producer/PM based in LA. If this sounds like you or someone you know, definitely DM him. It’s a paid gig! See details here

Want to be featured in FilmStack Daily Digest? Now’s your chance! We’re launching a new feature called FilmStack 1:1 in which FilmStackers pair up and interview each other. Bring your own FilmStack buddy or ask us to pair you up with someone. It’s a great way to introduce yourself to the community! DM me (Sara's Soliloquies) or Courtney Romano to get on the schedule! We look forward to seeing what y’all come up with!

Today (Friday, October 31) is the last day that you can use this link to upgrade to a free 1 year “paid” subscription to FilmStack Daily Digest! If you can afford to pay for a subscription, please consider doing so as the revenue raised from FilmStack Daily Digest subscriptions will go to a Filmmakers’ Emergency Relief Fund administered by Ted Hope. However, if you are not in a position to be able to do so, please absolutely use the above link today!

Also, since I was asked recently, for those who are curious, read Spoon Theory by Christine Miserandino here. I highly recommend it, and it’ll give you a better idea of some of what I talk about. I’d say more, but I’m out of spoons lol (This is why there’s no good writing in this week’s FSF and it’s mostly just me throwing things at you, ha)

Other Odds n Ends, a.k.a The FilmStack Roundup:

Skip Berry proposes using local academic and cultural institutions such as universities, libraries, and museums as unconventional methods of distribution and screening in this great piece. He and Taylor Lewis are working on compiling a national list of such places to create a potential network of distribution and screening. Read Skip’s piece and then message them with your local suggestions.

Update: Taylor and Skip are asking that you provide the seating capacity for the venues that you recommend/submit to them for the database, if possible. Thank you!

Ever wondered what happens after a script for a TV movie is turned in? Lauren Greenwood gives us a look at what happens after a writer turns in their “final” draft in her interview with Sean Cisterna, along with a look at Sean’s current community-based NonDē distribution for his new doc, Silver Screamers.

Rantz Hoseley is thinking about distribution and promotion after talking with a guy who does booking for an arthouse/indie theater in small town/rural US. Looking forward to what you share, Rantz!

Guys, I desperately want to go to filmjourn Micro. Read this piece by jake S. weisman and then join me in my FOMO. Their programming sounds awesome! But jake, no Halloween programming?? Or did I just miss it?

Once again, this week is short. Make sure to check in with FilmStack Daily Digest for all the latest and greatest!

FilmStack Events:

The first organizational meeting for Courtney Romano’s FilmStack 50 is happening November 4, 2025 at 6 pm Eastern IRZL (in real Zoom Life, as Courtney said). Make sure to register here for the Zoom. Don’t know what I’m talking about? Check out Courtney’s original post here and see her note on November 4th’s meeting here. Space is limited, so sign up now!

The first ever NonDē filmmaking panel is taking place Thursday, November 6, 2025 at 3 pm Pacific in Pasadena, CA. Amanda Sweikow is producing the panel featuring Ted Hope, Ellis J. Sutton, Jon Stahl, Courtney Daniels, and the now confirmed Taylor Lewis as part of Cinemix. You can get in for free when you use code FAVIP. Get tickets here. See Amanda’s note here for more info.

Later that day (November 6), Ami Vora will be on a panel that is also part of Cinemix at 5 pm. Her panel is on distribution. Get more information on that here and use code FAVIP (same as above) to get your free tickets here.

Livestream information for both panels should be forthcoming, so make sure to follow Amanda for that.

The guys of Vintertainment are doing a Halloween screening TONIGHT (Friday, October 31) at 7 pm Pacific! Details here

The deadline to RSVP for the second ever FilmStack New York Meetup is TOMORROW, November 1, 2025. The meetup is happening on Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 2-5 pm. Please message Adam Kritzer Tom Violett to RSVP or for more details and subscribe to IRL Filmstack NYC to get the latest on New York Meetups.

Update: Adam Kritzer is unable to host the November Meetup for New York FilmStack. Luckily, Tom Violett stepped up and is hosting, instead. Please direct all RSVPs and questions to Tom for this round of the New York Meetups.

This is what I love about FilmStack. If someone needs to step back, they can, and someone will step up and step in for them. This is true community and a human-first approach. We are building the industry we want to see.

The deadline to submit to filmjourn for this cycle of their programming is this Sunday, November 2. Submit via their FilmFreeway here. Get all the info on filmjourn’s programming here and follow jake S. weisman for the latest.

The 5th LA FilmStack Meetup is happening this Sunday, November 2 at 4 pm in Highland Park. Please RSVP here. Reach out to Jon Stahl with questions.

This Sunday, November 2 is the last day to watch Mark Hensley’s feature Clown N Out on Vimeo. Go to the FilmStack Discord to get the super secret link.

Adam Kritzer’s film Lost Cause will have its East Coast premiere in Philly on Thursday, November 13 at 8 pm Eastern. More info here

For those of you that prefer a less chaotic version of the above:

IMPORTANT DATES:

Oct 31 (TODAY)

Enjoy a Halloween Screening with the guys of Vintertainment at 7 pm Pacific! Details here

Last day to claim your upgrade to a free 1 year “paid” subscription to FilmStack Daily Digest using this link

(We can’t underline on here? Weird…)

Saturday, November 1 (TOMORROW)

Deadline to RSVP for the second ever New York FilmStack Meetup. DM Adam Kritzer to RSVP or for more info.

Sunday, November 2 (THIS SUNDAY)

FilmStack LA Meetup #5. RSVP here.

Deadline to submit to filmjourn. Submit here

Last day to watch Mark Hensley’s feature Clown N Out on Vimeo. Go to the FilmStack Discord to get the super secret link.

Tuesday, November 4

The very first organizational meeting of Courtney Romano’s FilmStack 50. Register here for the Zoom, which will be at 6 pm Eastern. See her note about the meeting here.

Thursday, November 6

The very first NonDē panel on filmmaking will be at 3 pm Pacific. Use code FAVIP to get your free tickets here

Ami Vora’s panel on distribution at 5 pm Pacific. Use code FAVIP to get your free tickets here

Follow Amanda Sweikow for information about livestreaming both panels, as that becomes available

Thursday, November 13

The East Coast premiere of Adam Kritzer’s film Lost Cause at 8 pm Eastern. Info here

Saturday, November 15

The second ever New York FilmStack Meetup, from 2-5 pm.

Monday, November 17

The first ever Portland, Oregon FilmStack Meetup (!!!) RSVP here and help Sasha Santiago shape the meeting by responding to this.

Remember to reach out to Eugene over at First Features to get added to the list for their online international meeting of filmmakers that happens every Sunday! They “hold an Internet meeting on Sunday’s at 1pm in Hollywood, 4pm in New York, 9pm in London, 10pm in most of Europe and 7am in Tasmania.” If you’d like to join the meeting, you can reach out to Eugene via email at firstfeatures@mail.com or message him on Substack at First Features

Remember to subscribe to Angelica Marciano for a weekly calendar of all things film NYC, including a crew call and list of crowdfunding campaign!

Follow Optic Nerve for screenings in New York.

Check out the weekly calendar at FilmStack Daily Digest

I’m sure I’m missing stuff…

Reminders:

Tell Jon Stahl you want a FilmStack Screening Series here

Avi Setton has passed the curator baton to Donny Broussard for Days 101-200 of the FilmStack Daily Inspiration Posts, so make sure to check the schedule here and then sign up with Donny for a day!

Join the FilmStack Discord here. Thanks Dave Baxter!

Joshua Caldwell is still offering to be a FilmStack Mentor. See his post here for more details

Suspicious Minds episode 3 dropped

Since someone asked for it just now, see my comment here for how to opt out of AI training on Substack.

Whew, that’s a lot! But there’s a lot going on on FilmStack right now! If you don’t stop and look around every once in a while, you might miss it!

As always, let me know if you have any corrections or want to be untagged.

Happy Halloween! 🎃 👻

Updated to reflect Tom Violett taking over for Adam Kritzer for hosting the November New York FilmStack Meetup.

Updated with Taylor and Skip’s request for seating capacity