FROM SCRIPT TO SCREEN

Turn Your Short Script Into a Career-Building Film

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Your Instructors

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Ramfis Myrthil

• Sundance-premiered producer behind Ricky, CICADA & A Boy, A Girl, A Dream
• Films acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films + distributed internationally
• Speaker & mentor at Sundance, Cannes, SXSW & BFI

John Trefry

• Producer for Netflix, Paramount+, NBCU
• Producer behind Oscar-qualifying shorts including How To Be Alone & Stucco
• +12 more films premiered & featured at SXSW, Tribeca & Oscar-qualifying festivals
• Speaker at SXSW, Tribeca, HollyShorts

Overview

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• The Short Film Trap: Why Most Filmmakers Miss Out Their Best Opportunity�
• 4 Proven Ways to Fund Your Short Film�
• The Festival & Distribution Playbook�
• Working with Us�
• Interactive Q&A

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Short Film Case Study

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• Exclusive release in Hollywood Reporter

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• Winner SXSW 2020

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• Distribution deals with Short of the Week, Alter, Omeleto, Argo�
• Over 138 millions views

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How to Turn Your Short Film into a Proof of Concept That Launches Your Career?

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THE SHORT FILM BLUEPRINT

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The Short Film Trap

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• Most filmmakers treat shorts like practice runs—instead of the career-defining opportunities they can be

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• They cut corners, aim small, and assume serious talent or funding isn’t an option�
• Even great shorts get ignored without a strategy—getting into a festival isn’t enough

Why Most Filmmakers Waste Their Best Opportunity

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“Going Pro” With Your Short Film

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• Filmmakers who succeed treat their short like a feature—with professional pitch materials, clear strategy, and high standards�
• Top talent says yes to shorts because they want to work with new filmmakers & the commitment is smaller�
• Every short should serve a bigger purpose—feature, series, or career move�

Solving the Problem with a New Mindset

“Going Pro” With Your Short Film

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• Strategic filmmakers build real partnerships—attracting investment and in-kind support instead of self-funding alone�
• Getting into top festivals takes strategy—leveraging them for meetings and press is how careers are made�
• A pro short can rocket your career with the right distribution, press and exposure

Solving the Problem with a New Mindset

Short Film Case Study

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• Sundance 2023 Official Selection
• Winner — 3 Craft Awards
• Grand Jury Prize Nominee
• Feature Premiered at Sundance + Secured Distribution

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If you’re serious about “going pro”… How do you actually raise the money to make it real?

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4 Proven Ways to Fund Your Short Film

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Fiscal Sponsorship

Strategic Crowdfunding

Grants, Labs & Fellowships

In-Kind Partnerships

Best when Combined and Leveraged Together

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Fiscal Sponsorship

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• Partner with a nonprofit to offer tax-deductible donations—no investor agreements needed�
• Ideal for shorts because they never make money plus fiscal sponsors only take 5–10%�
• Trusted options: The Film Collaborative, Creative Visions & BraveMaker

The Funding Hack Most Filmmakers Miss

Strategic Crowdfunding

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• Story-based crowdfunding wins—your project is not your plan�
• Recruit a team and assign roles for outreach, updates and social momentum

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• Success is front-loaded—12 weeks of prep drives momentum in the first 48 hours

Solving the Problem with a New Mindset

Grants, Labs & Fellowships

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• Thousands in grant funding go unclaimed—apply early and plan for the lead time

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• Grants are available at every stage—development, production, post—through Vimeo, Vanishing Angle, WeShort, and Stowe Story Labs

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• Think of grant applications like festival submissions: your pitch needs to stand out and your project must feel undeniable

Overlooked and Under-utilized

In-Kind Partnerships

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• In-kind partnerships can slash your budget—think camera rentals, post houses, locations and even catering�
• Bigger companies often say yes faster—they have the resources and their name adds credibility to your project

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• A killer pitch deck is key—show how your short adds value now and brings long-term opportunity (like a feature version)

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Stack with Other Funding Strategies to Maximize Your Budget

Case Study

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• $33K+ raised via crowdfunding
• $52K+ secured through fiscal sponsorship & private financing
• Direccted by Denzel Whitaker (Black Panther)
• Fully financed independent production

$85,000 Production Budget

You’ve got the funding… Now how do you break through the noise at festivals and with distributors?

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The Festival & Distribution Playbook

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USE FESTIVALS AS STRATEGIC ACCESS POINTS

Step 1

3 Steps to Maximizing the Career-Impact of Your Short

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LEVERAGE DISTRIBUTION TO BUILD VISIBILITY & CREDIBILITY

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TURN EXPOSURE INTO CAREER MOMENTUM

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Secrets to Maximizing Festivals

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• Be strategic and use your premiere wisely— focus on Oscar-qualifying and mission-aligned festivals that attract reps, press and decision-makers

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• Contact programmers directly—email with a short intro, logline, private link and 1–2 sentences on why it’s a perfect fit for their audience

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• Prep for the festival & research attending reps, schedule meetings in advance, and follow up after the fest to build real relationships

Step 1: USE FESTIVALS AS STRATEGIC ACCESS POINTS

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How to Effectively Distribute

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• Your online premiere is a one-time asset—pitch platforms like Short of the Week, Vimeo Staff Picks, WeShort, Film Shortage, Omeleto & Argo

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• Getting in front of reps, execs, and tastemakers matters more than total view count—distribution is about the right eyes, not just reach.

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• A multi-phase rollout builds momentum—layer your platform releases, press outreach and social campaigns to extend your film’s visibility

Step 2: LEVERAGE DISTRIBUTION TO BUILD VISIBILITY & CREDIBILITY

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Leveraging Your Short for What’s Next

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• Reps sign through referrals—use your network, leverage festival & distribution traction and feature momentum

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• Use your short to prove you’re ready—back it up with a pitch deck, team and clear path to your feature

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• Make your short a launchpad and focus on pitching the “meta story” of your film

Step 3: TURN EXPOSURE INTO CAREER MOMENTUM

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Case Study

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Evan Miller used the short film Thoughts and Prayers as a strategic filmmaking tool to build industry momentum:

• Secured high-profile cast including Zachary Levi (Shazam!) & Adrianne Palicki
• Earned visibility through major film platforms including Film Shortage
• Expanded creative collaborations into future feature film work including Due West (2025)

You’ve seen the full blueprint

Now the real question is: what’s stopping you from actually doing it?

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Let us know what your biggest challenge is!

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I can’t raise my budget

I can’t get high quality talent

I can't get into festivals or secure distribution

(Drop the number that feels most true right now)

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The Short Film Myth

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I can’t raise my budget

Budget is a packaging problem, not a money problem.

The Industry Misconception

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I can’t get high quality talent

You need the right pitch, not the right contacts.

What Most Filmmakers Get Wrong

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I can't get into festivals or secure distribution

Treat festivals like a campaign, not a lottery.

Anyone can succeed with the right system

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Your talent is already in the room. System changes the outcome.

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A partnership built for filmmakers who are serious about their career.

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THE SYSTEM TO TURN A SHORT FILM INTO A CAREER LAUNCHPAD

• Raised $43,388 on Kickstarter from 208 backers for Moving Her Remains
• Earned Kickstarter’s “Project We Love” distinction
• Attached recognizable talent including Mehcad Brooks (Mortal Kombat)
• Secured feature momentum with exceptional short film as proof-of-concept

HOW JAMIN MEARS BUILT MOMENTUM WITH ONE SHORT FILM

COURSE

| COURSE

MODULE 1: Laying the Groundwork for a Career-Defining Short

Kick off with a clear roadmap and learn how to use the course tools—like pro pitch decks—to power your project from day one

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MODULE 2: Developing Your Short Film Like a Pro—From Idea to Talent Attachment

Learn how to take your short film from idea to script, craft a realistic budget, and position your project to attract name talent and serious financing

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MODULE 3: Pre-Production Mastery—Build a World-class Team & Prep Like a Feature

From navigating SAG agreements and legal essentials to assembling your crew, locations, and schedule—get everything in place to shoot like a pro

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MODULE 4: Production Essentials—Bring Your Vision to Life and Create a High-Caliber Set

Create the conditions for collaboration, creativity, and on-set magic—so your film can capture lightning in a bottle

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MODULE 5: Post Production to Truly Elevate Your Project and Securing Best-in-Class Partners

Uncover the process for top quality editorial, sound, color, and music—and discover how to attract top-tier post partners to elevate your project

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MODULE 6: Marketing & Distribution to Crack on the Code on Top-Tier Festivals and Securing Press

Build a standout release strategy, design attention-grabbing assets, and secure the kind of industry buzz that will get you (and your film) noticed

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MODULE 7: What’s Next and Using Your Short Film to Level Up Your Career & Open Doors

Use your short as a launchpad to get repped, greenlight your feature, and secure bigger opportunities in film, TV and beyond.

8 Guest Instructors. 1 Proven Roadmap.

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Learn directly from top industry voices—guided by producer John Trefry.

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| COURSE

COMMUNITY

| COMMUNITY

• Connect with like-minded filmmakers, collaborators and future creative partners

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• Get exclusive invites to special events—our members have participated at SXSW and beyond

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• Access a private community portal with downloadable pitch decks, outreach templates, and course materials all in one place

| COMMUNITY

BONUSES

Targeted support for your project which is the closest thing to having John & Ramfis produce your film

Access to the SFDD network we have a deep roster of vendors, crew and professionals to support your project

Downloadable Pitch Decks templates to help you confidently pitch your short film to investors, sponsors, and talent

Alumni Directory of past SFDD filmmakers you can connect with for feedback and insights

Email Outreach Templates for connecting with actors, reps, programmers, distributors and press

+40 Downloadable Resources including budgets, EPKs, contracts and much more to save you countless hours

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| BONUSES

Your Script Is Step One

Short Film Deep Dive

Is Everything That Comes After

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Great Scripts Need a Strategy to Become Exceptional Films

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SFDD Helps You Build Everything After.

In partnership with Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest.

Take your project to the next level with the proven system.

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Don’t miss out! �The Big Break contest deadline is June 29th!

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Submit your script for your chance to be part of Short Film Deep Dive

Want to Join SFDD now?

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Sign up directly at:

shortfilmdeepdive.com

Questions?

We look forward to working with you!

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Thanks for being here today.

As a thank you for attending, we’ll send you this slide deck.

John Trefry

• @johntrefry on Instagram

Ramfis Myrthil

• @ramfismyrthilofficial on Instagram

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