Seven weeks in and this is one of the bigger issues yet. Lots of new casting and crew calls this week and some local premieres worth checking out. Good stuff all around. Let's get into it.

One quick thing before you dive in: you'll notice some listings from last week are still here. Crew calls, job postings, and festival deadlines stick around until positions are filled or deadlines pass, so if you're new to PHILMlist you're seeing the full picture. If you're a returning reader, anything with a white background and black outline is new this week so you can skip straight to what's fresh.

A quick reminder that PHILMlist is only as good as what gets submitted. If you have an event, crew call, casting call, job posting, festival deadline, or anything else worth sharing with the community, get it in by Wednesday at 6pm at philmlist.com/submissions. The more people contribute, the better this gets for everyone.

One thing worth knowing: rush calls and last minute events pop up all the time between issues. When I spot them I repost immediately on Instagram and Threads so if you need real time updates, follow @philmlist there.

Same disclaimer as always: everything here is sourced from public listings, submissions, and social media. Use your best judgment and if something looks off, let me know at [email protected] right away.

Enjoy!
Nick Moyer

Quick Links

What’s Going On

BlackStar Film Festival
Sourced from BlackStar
August 6-9
BlackStar Film Festival is an annual celebration of the visual and storytelling traditions of the global majority—showcasing films by Black, Brown, and Indigenous people from around the world.
Schedule | Festival Guide | Film Guide | Passes

Rox The Block: Annual Fundraiser for Lil' Filmmakers
Sourced from Eventbrite
August 8 12-4p · 6156 Ridge Avenue Philadelphia, PA 19128
As many of our close friends know, Lil’ Filmmakers recently faced an unexpected financial hurdle. But just like our resilient young storytellers, we roll on. This event is our collective comeback story. 100% of proceeds go directly to media educational programs, film productions and operational expenses.
Event Details & Tickets

“Bigg County Restorations” Premiere
Submitted via PHILMlist.com
August 9 @ 7:30p · PhilaMOCA 531 N 12th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123 & Virtually · Free
Local comedy pilot Bigg County Restorations is having its LIVE premiere to celebrate the ONLINE release. The pilot just got finished a festival run, including blowing the roof off of screenings at Dances with Films LA and New York. Details Here

48 Hour Film Festival Premiere Screenings
Sourced from 48 Hour Film Festival
August 11 Group A: 7p | Group B: 9p · Film Society Bourse 400 Ranstead St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Event Details

Local News

Meet the local filmmakers presenting their works at the 15th annual BlackStar Film Festival
Sourced from The Philadelphia Inquirer
Article Can Be Found Here

At 20, BlackStar founder Maori Karmael Holmes’ documentary on the women of Philly hip-hop remains a cultural touchstone
Sourced from The Philadelphia Inquirer
Article Can Be Found Here

Workshops & Education

The Gotham’s Advanced Essentials: Proving Your Film's Value with Data
Sourced from The Gotham
August 11 5-8p · Virtual · $75
This class teaches independent filmmakers how to use modern data tools to test their projects before spending a single dollar on filming. You will learn how to turn your script into a professional "package" that shows investors exactly how you plan to lower their financial risk and make their money back. Details Here

Tips for SIP - Screenwriting Workshop (2027 Edition)
Sourced from GPFO
August 12 6-8p · Studio Symphony 516 N 5th St Unit 104, Philadelphia, PA 19122 · $16.30
Join us at Studio Symphony for TIPS for SIP, a screenwriting workshop led by Screenwriter and SIP Coordinator Brian Wade. As the submission window officially opens, we’re breaking down exactly what it takes to write an award-winning script and stand out to our industry judges.
Event Details & Tickets

The Gotham’s Free Workshop: Audience Insight for Independent Creators
Sourced from The Gotham
August 12 1-2p · Virtual · FREE
Learn how a deeper understanding of audiences can strengthen storytelling, refine positioning, build emotional connection, and increase a film’s potential! Details Here

Casting Calls

Pee Your Pants (Pilot Cold Open)
Sourced from Backstage
Shoots ASAP in Philadelphia, PA
Elderly Woman Role · Non-Union · Day Rate $125
See Casting Call

Lifestyle Video Shoot, Real Family (Pel Productions)
Sourced from Backstage
Shoots early-mid August in West Chester, PA
Real Family · Non-Union · Flat Rate $1500
See Casting Call

Liquor Shoot
Sourced from Backstage
Shoots Aug. 14 in Philadelphia, PA
Female & Male Hand Models · Non-Union · Flat Rate $250
See Casting Call

Atlantic Avenue
Sourced from Backstage
Shoots August 16-22 in Wildwood, NJ
Extras Roles · Non-Union · Volunteer
See Casting Call

Automotive Services Company Video
Sourced from Backstage
Tentative Shoot Date mid August in the PA, NJ area
Various Roles · Non-Union · Flat Rate $500
See Casting Call

The Audit
Sourced from Backstage
Shoots September 7-10 in Lancaster, PA
Various Roles · Non-Union · Various Rates
See Casting Call

Freevengers (Telligys)
Sourced from Backstage
Shoots weekends from September through December in the Reading, PA area
Various Roles · Non-Union · Various Rates
See Casting Call

The Jeweler (Ghoststar)
Sourced from Backstage
Shoots October 14-20 in Philadelphia, PA
Various Roles · Non-Union · Various Rates
See Casting Call

Umbrella Man (Stage Right Films)
Sourced from Backstage
Shoots October or November in the South Jersey area
Various Roles · Non-Union (SAG Micro-Budget Agreement, pending) · Deferred Rate/Profit Share
See Casting Call

Untitled Psychological Thriller
Sourced from Backstage
Shoots October-November in Washington DC, Maryland, and Delaware
Various Roles · Non-Union · Day Rate $150
See Casting Call

Crew Calls

2nd AD/PA
Sourced from ProductionHub
Shoots August 10-14 in Lancaster, PA
Commercial Shoot · Non-Union
See Crew Call

Sound Mixer
Sourced from Staff Me Up
Shoots August 13-16 in Philadelphia, PA
“Fatal Attraction” · Non-Union · Day Rate $600-$650
See Crew Call

Gaffer
Sourced from Backstage
Shoots August 13-18 near Philadelphia and South Jersey (Rowan University)
TAFIM” · Non-Union · Day Rate $225-$350
See Crew Call

Grip / On Set Sound Recordist/Boom Operator / Production Assistant
Sourced from Backstage
Shoots August 16-22 in Wildwood, NJ
Atlantic Avenue” · Non-Union · Various Rates
Grip Crew Call / On Set Sound Recordist/Boom Op Crew Call / PA Crew Call

Production Assistant
Sourced from Staff Me Up
Shoots August 23-26 in Elkins Park, PA
Music Video · Non-Union · Day Rate $200
See Crew Call

Gaffer
Sourced from Staff Me Up
Shoots August 25-26 in Wayne, PA
Corporate - Confidential · Non-Union · Rate $1200 - $2000 Daily Rate - Depending on included gear
See Crew Call

Director of Photography
Sourced from Production Hub
Shoots August 26 in Philadelphia, PA
Maeil Business TV Project
See Crew Call

Production Assistant / Wardrobe
Sourced from Backstage
Shoots October or November in the South Jersey area
“Umbrella Man” · Non-Union · Various Rates
Production Assistant Crew Call / Wardrobe Crew Call

Gaffer / Production Assistant & Script Supervisor / Sound Recordist
Editor / Sound Designer
Sourced from Backstage
Shoots late September in the Philadelphia, PA Area
“Where You Belong” · Non-Union · Various Rates
Gaffer Crew Call / PA & Script Supervisor Crew Call / Sound Recordist Crew Call / Editor Crew Call / Sound Designer Crew Call

Hair & Makeup Artist
Sourced from ProductionHub
Shoots October 13 in Philadelphia, PA
See Crew Call

Set Tech & Camera Assistant
Sourced from ProductionHub
Shoots October 12-15 in Philadelphia, PA
See Crew Call

Jobs & Opportunities

Video Editor
Sourced from Kathy Wickline Casting
Editing for Kids Film & TV Camp Footage
Job Posting

The Joan Bressler Set in Philadelphia (SIP) Screenwriting Competition
Sourced from GPFO
Earlybird Deadline ($75 entry fee): September 15, 2026
The Greater Philadelphia Film Office (GPFO) has announced submissions will officially open for the annual Joan Bressler Set in Philadelphia (SIP) Screenwriting Competition on August 3. Celebrating screenwriters nationwide, the competition seeks compelling feature-length and original TV pilot scripts that feature the Greater Philadelphia region as a focal point or shootable setting. More Info

Digital Content Producer
Philadelphia, PA · WHYY
Job Posting

Associate Producer
Camden, NJ · The Campbell’s Soup Company · Salary Range $86,600-$119,100
Job Posting

Sundance Institute Merrell Brand-Supported Storytelling Program
Sourced from Sundance Institute
Deadline August 19
In collaboration with Sundance Collab, Merrell is launching a global storytelling program built to bring its brand platform, It Starts Outside, to life through emotionally grounded, culturally resonant films. Through a series of original social-first short films, selected filmmakers will explore how stepping outside can spark connection, renewal, and personal change. More Info

Sundance Institute’s Catalyst
Sourced from Sundance Institute
Pre-Application Ends August 19
Through our year-round program, we aim to build a culture of partnership between independent investors and filmmakers; to unlock funding for ambitious new independent films; and to engage our community in supporting the independent film ecosystem. More Info

Sundance Institute Episodic Program
Sourced from Sundance Institute
Regular Deadline August 25
The Episodic Lab offers writers an opportunity to workshop an original pilot and develop their writing and pitching skills. Working with accomplished showrunners, producers, and executives, the fellows participate in one-on-one story meetings, pitching sessions, craft workshops, and writers rooms, which altogether provide creative and strategic tools to develop their pilots and navigate the industry. More Info

Film Independent Screenwriting Lab 2027
Sourced from Film Independent
Regular Deadline: August 31, 2026
The 2027 Screenwriting Lab is a full-time, two-week program that will take place in the spring of 2027. The program is designed to provide individualized story and career development for emerging screenwriters with a fiction feature screenplay. More Info

2026 Black List Parenthood Writers Fellowship
Sourced from The Black List
Regular Deadline: September 1, 2026
Four Fellows will receive a $15,000 grant and mentorship to support development of a screenplay or pilot about parenthood as a transformative human experience, aiming to shift cultural narratives and inspire broader recognition of parenthood’s value. More Info

International Screenwriters' Association’s The Great Pitch Competition
Sourced from Tepper Talks
Regular Deadline: September 30, 2026
The Great Pitch Competition is a groundbreaking, free-to-enter opportunity from the International Screenwriters' Association (ISA), one of the industry's most trusted champions of screenwriters. This competition puts ISA's powerful Development Slate behind your work, giving 2 writers unparalleled access, support, and visibility. More Info

What's Filming

Task (Season 2)
July - TBD · TV Series · Philadelphia Area

Festival Submission Deadlines

Wellsboro Film Festival
Submitted via PHILMlist.com
Regular Deadline is August 23
Late Deadline is November 29

Every accepted filmmaker (2 people per film) gets a two-night's stay at The Penn Wells Hotel, and we have $15,000 in prizes! We're a really cool film festival that we like to call a filmmaker retreat in the beautifully quaint town of Wellsboro, PA.

Festival is February 19-21, 2027 · Wellsboro, PA FilmFreeway Page

Philadelphia Independent Film Festival
Submitted via PHILMlist.com
Earlybird Deadline is November 14
Regular Deadline is March 10, 2027
Late Deadline is April 5, 2027
Extended Deadline is April 8, 2027
Festival is May 4-7, 2027 · Philadelphia, PA FilmFreeway Page