: BEA is a premier international academic media organization, driving insights, excellence in media production, and career advancement for educators, students, and professionals. It offers memberships for students, which include access to BEA’s vast resource library, scholarship opportunities, and the ability to participate in their annual conference and competitions.
The Broadcast Education Association’s is a competitive festival open to BEA individual faculty and student members. Here’s a guide on how students can submit their work to the festival.
: UFVA is an organization for professors, scholars, and film and video makers. It offers student memberships that provide access to a community of professionals, annual conferences, and publications related to film and video production and education.
: SCMS is a leading scholarly organization in the United States dedicated to promoting a broad understanding of film, television, and related media. They offer student memberships, which include subscription to Cinema Journal, access to a job database, and opportunities to apply for travel grants to attend the annual conference.
Film Archives and Libraries
: A digital library offering free access to digital movies, including classic films, documentaries, and independent content.
: Offers a selection of free films from the BFI National Archive, including classics and independents.
: Provides access to digital collections of historical material, including motion pictures that cover a wide range of topics and periods in history. This is an excellent resource for students looking for primary sources and historical films.
: Hosts a wide range of collections that include newsreels, silent movies, and TV broadcasts. It’s one of the largest repositories of moving image materials in the United States and is a fantastic resource for research and education.
: Provides free streaming of thousands of documentaries, animated films, experimental works, and interactive productions from Canada, reflecting Canadian perspectives and diverse cultures.
: Offers a rich online archive of Australian film and television, with over 1,000 clips from the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia. It includes titles that date back to the early 20th century, making it a valuable resource for studying Australian cinema and cultural history.
: A repository of digital video content for the digital video, multimedia retrieval, digital library, and other research communities. It includes educational and documentary footage across a wide range of subjects.
: A free Brazilian streaming platform featuring a diverse catalog of films, series, and cultural programming. It includes curated selections from various festivals and institutions, celebrating Brazil’s rich cinematic history. The platform is accessible via web and mobile devices, and it emphasizes the importance of cinema in understanding cultural and social issues. Registration is straightforward, and the content is available without any advertising.
Online Courses and Educational Platforms
: Offers free behind-the-scenes lessons on Pixar’s filmmaking process, from storytelling to animation.
: Offers free access to course materials from MIT, including courses on film theory and digital media.
Video Lectures and Documentaries
: Features engaging talks by filmmakers, critics, and experts in the field of cinema from around the world.
: A website that provides free access to thousands of documentaries spanning various genres and subjects, including arts and cinema.
: Offers a variety of free documentaries and series about art, history, and culture, including film and media.
Blogs and Film Criticism Sites
: Offers insightful articles, interviews, and film criticism, focusing on international and independent cinema.
: Provides news, reviews, and analysis of independent films and the film industry, with a focus on innovative and international cinema.
: An online journal devoted to the serious and eclectic discussion of cinema, including international film and filmmakers.
: Published by the Film Society of Lincoln Center, it features reviews, essays, and interviews, focusing on independent and international cinema.
is a treasure trove of insights into international cinema from one of the most respected film scholars in the world. Co-authored with Kristin Thompson, the blog extends Bordwell’s academic work into a more accessible format, offering deep dives into film analysis, theory, and history. The content ranges from detailed examinations of narrative strategies and stylistic techniques in both contemporary and classic films to discussions on the evolution of cinematic norms and the craft of filmmaking.Â
Hollywood Industry Trade Journals
: A premier source of entertainment news, including film, TV, and digital content, with in-depth coverage of Hollywood productions and the entertainment industry.
: Offers film, television, and entertainment news, including reviews, box office results, and industry trends.
: Provides breaking news in the entertainment industry, covering film, television, and international content.
: Focuses on independent film, television, and digital news, offering reviews, interviews, and industry analysis.
International Industry Trade Journals
: Covers the international film industry, including festival reports, market trends, and global film news.
: Dedicated to European cinema, offering news, interviews, and analysis of European film industry and policies.
: Focuses on the film industry in Asia, providing news, analysis, and data on Asian cinema and box office trends.
: An international film industry magazine that covers production, international sales, distribution, finance, marketing, and more.
Online Journals and Databases
: Offers free access to a wide range of open-access books and scholarly articles in the humanities and social sciences, including film studies.
: Provides free access to peer-reviewed open-access journals across various fields, including film and media studies.
Undergraduate Scholarly Film Journals
: Film Matters is an undergraduate academic journal published by Intellect. It’s the first international undergraduate film journal and is dedicated to showcasing the scholarly work of undergraduate students from around the world.
: Run by graduate students at the University of British Columbia, Cinephile is a peer-reviewed journal that occasionally publishes outstanding undergraduate work. It focuses on the critical study of cinema.
: While primarily a literary magazine, The Kudzu Review, produced by undergraduate students at Florida State University, has been known to feature scholarly essays on film and media studies.
North Carolina Filmmaking Resources
: The official state film office, offering comprehensive information on film productions in North Carolina, including a production directory, filming locations, and details about film incentives. It’s a great starting point for students looking to understand the landscape of film production in the state.
: As North Carolina’s statewide public media network, UNC-TV offers a variety of programming that includes documentaries, educational content, and films that reflect the diverse aspects of North Carolina’s culture, history, and community. It’s a platform for local filmmakers to potentially collaborate, screen their work, and access a broad audience across the state.
: Based in Wilmington, this foundation supports independent and innovative filmmakers through its annual film festival, residency programs, and community cinema events. It provides opportunities for students to volunteer, intern, and participate in various film-related activities.
: Dedicated to providing a diverse range of film experiences to the Charlotte community, the society offers screenings, special events, and discussions. It’s a platform for students to engage with the film community and learn more about cinema from around the world.
: Represents the central region of North Carolina and works to attract film, television, and commercial productions to the area. The commission can be a resource for students interested in local production opportunities and industry networking.
: Promotes film production in the western part of the state, offering location scouting assistance and information on regional resources. Students in the area can explore opportunities to get involved with productions coming to this picturesque part of North Carolina.
: An informal network of filmmakers, students, and enthusiasts in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area. While not a formal organization, this community often gathers for meetups, workshops, and collaborative projects, making it a valuable network for film students looking to connect with peers and mentors.
: A coalition of film, television, and commercial production professionals and companies in North Carolina. The alliance advocates for the state’s production industry and offers networking events and educational opportunities for those looking to break into the industry.
North Carolina Film Festivals
: Location: Durham, NC. An international event dedicated to the theatrical exhibition of non-fiction cinema, offering a platform for filmmakers and film enthusiasts to engage in meaningful discussions and networking. Interested in getting involved with the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival or more involved with documentary filmmaking at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ? Check out elondocs and reach out to Associate Professor of Cinema & Television Arts Nicole Triche (triche@elon.edu).Ìý
: Location: Winston-Salem, NC. Showcases a wide variety of film genres from independent films to international cinema, providing educational programs, filmmaker Q&As, and panel discussions.
: Location: Carrboro, NC. Celebrates independent films of all genres and showcases the vibrant artistic community in Carrboro and Chapel Hill. The festival features screenings, workshops, and opportunities for filmmakers and enthusiasts to connect.
: Location: Wilmington, NC. Celebrates independent and experimental films, and is known for its unique, non-competitive atmosphere, offering workshops, discussions, and live performances.
: Location: Charlotte, NC. Focuses on showcasing international, independent films and providing a platform for emerging filmmakers to present their work.
: Location: Cary, NC. This festival celebrates the art of storytelling through cinema, featuring a curated selection of independent films, screenwriting competitions, and educational workshops. It’s an excellent venue for emerging filmmakers and students interested in the craft of narrative filmmaking.
: Location: Chapel Hill, NC. Dedicated to experimental, non-commercial films, Cosmic Rays highlights works that push the boundaries of traditional filmmaking. The festival provides a platform for avant-garde and experimental filmmakers to showcase their unique visions, making it a fascinating event for students interested in the more artistic and experimental aspects of cinema.
: Location: New Bern, NC. Currently, a specific website for an Experimental Film Festival in New Bern is not available, but students can look for local event listings or arts council announcements in New Bern for updates on experimental film showings or festivals.
: Location: Winston-Salem, NC. Celebrates LGBTQ+ cinema, showcasing a diverse range of films that explore LGBTQ+ experiences, stories, and cultures. The festival offers screenings, discussions, and networking events, providing a supportive environment for filmmakers and audiences to celebrate diversity and inclusivity in film.
: Location: Durham, NC. Formerly known as the North Carolina Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, it is one of the Southeast’s largest LGBTQ+ film festivals, showcasing films that reflect diverse perspectives and stories.
: Location: Asheville, NC. Features a range of films from documentaries to narratives and shorts, emphasizing the artistic contributions of filmmakers and providing educational panels.
: Location: Various locations across North Carolina. Aimed at promoting and celebrating aspiring filmmakers, this festival features screenings, awards, and networking opportunities for students and young professionals.
: Location: Kings Mountain, NC. Hosted by the Cleveland County Arts Council, this festival showcases a variety of genres, including animations, documentaries, and student films, encouraging interaction between filmmakers and audiences.
: Location: Raleigh, NC. Hosted by the North Carolina Museum of History, this festival highlights the best of independent film, with a special focus on films that have a connection to North Carolina, either through their content or by the filmmakers themselves.
: Location: Tryon, NC. This festival showcases films from around the globe, offering workshops, galas, and discussions that foster the exchange of ideas and experiences among filmmakers, students, and film enthusiasts.
: Location: Greensboro, NC. Focuses on promoting the art of filmmaking and provides a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work. The festival includes screenings, networking events, and educational panels.
: Location: Charlotte, NC. Dedicated to showcasing the voices and stories of African-American filmmakers, this festival includes screenings, workshops, and discussions that celebrate and promote diversity in the film industry.
: Location: Winterville, NC. Supports and promotes the film industry in Eastern North Carolina by showcasing independent films and providing networking opportunities for filmmakers and students in the region.
Southern United States Filmmaking Resources
: Based in Durham, North Carolina, the Southern Documentary Fund (SDF) is a nonprofit organization that supports documentary filmmakers in the American South. SDF provides fiscal sponsorship, project support, and mentorship to filmmakers creating stories that delve into Southern issues, traditions, and culture. This organization is instrumental in bringing compelling Southern stories to a wider audience through documentary cinema.
: Offers year-round programming including the Atlanta Film Festival, educational workshops, and networking events to support the vibrant film community in Atlanta and the broader Southeast region.
: Hosts the annual New Orleans Film Festival and provides numerous opportunities for filmmakers through screenings, filmmaker labs, and industry meetings, fostering a rich film culture in the heart of Louisiana.
: Founded by filmmaker Richard Linklater, AFS promotes the value of film and supports filmmakers through grants, education, and exhibition, contributing to Austin’s reputation as a hub for independent film.
: One of the longest-running film festivals in the US, offering a platform for independent filmmakers to showcase their work, alongside panels, workshops, and networking opportunities in the music city.
: A state-wide not-for-profit entertainment production association that provides information on film incentives, resources, and networking opportunities to bolster the film and entertainment industry in Florida.
: Located in Birmingham, Sidewalk Film promotes the art of filmmaking by hosting an annual film festival, year-round screenings, and educational programs for filmmakers and students alike.
: A non-profit organization based in Columbia that offers film education, hosts the annual Indie Grits Festival, and supports Southern filmmakers through grants and fellowships.
: Focuses on showcasing independent and diverse voices in cinema, with a particular interest in promoting films that explore rural life and culture, reflective of the Ozark region.
: Provides resources, location scouting assistance, and information on tax incentives to support film production in Mississippi, along with promoting local talent and workforce development.
International Film Festival Resources
: A community platform offered by the Sundance Film Institute that provides free master classes, webinars, and resources on various aspects of filmmaking, from writing and directing to producing and editing. Sundance Co//ab also hosts Q&A sessions with industry professionals and provides opportunities for feedback on your work.
: The educational branch of the Cannes Film Festival focuses on discovering new talent and providing support to emerging filmmakers. They offer various workshops, residencies, and competitions throughout the year.
: A development program for emerging filmmakers that takes place during the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale). It offers lectures, panel discussions, and workshops led by industry experts, with many resources made available online for free.
: A series of free panel discussions and conversations with leading filmmakers, actors, and industry professionals at the Tribeca Film Festival. These talks cover a wide range of topics, from storytelling to the business side of filmmaking.
: Provided by the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), this program offers free access to events, workshops, and resources aimed at post-secondary students, faculty, and researchers, including filmmaker talks, industry panels, and film analyses.
: The British Film Institute’s educational branch offers a wide array of resources, including free online lectures, archival materials, and teaching resources that span the history and theory of film, coinciding with the BFI London Film Festival.
: Part of the broader SXSW Conference & Festivals, SXSW EDU is primarily an education conference that offers sessions intersecting with film and media. These sessions include discussions on storytelling, digital media, and the role of film in education.