SWIF digest 📬 1 September 2026
Lots of panels and mixers in this week's digest...
👋 Hello filmmakers. We're close to three years since I launched SWIF. What began as a project to keep myself accountable to finding opportunities and networking for my own films has grown far bigger than I ever predicted. Thank you for forming this community with me, uplifting your fellow filmmakers and making films that just need to be made. Come celebrate on 11 Sep.
🥰 Please consider supporting this resource that connects the community, helps people get their first creative jobs and has no access barriers. You can give a one-off amount, or take an on-going membership if you want access to the filmmaker resources.
Here’s your weekly digest for independent film in the South West:
📸 Thanks to everyone who came to the SWIF x St Anne's House short film screening last week. And thanks to Nathan for the photo that took me totally off guard!
🏋🏾♀️ Script Club Cardiff are hosting an informal co-working session for writers on 6 Sep and a pitching event to find collaborators on 9 Sep. - Eventbrite
🧑🏾 BFI Network SW & BlackFrame's mixer for Black & Global Majority creatives takes place in Bristol on 10 Sep. - Humanitix
🎂 Join the SWIF community to celebrate three years on 11 Sep in Bristol with a mixer, games and cake. Regional screen orgs will be there giving updates on their upcoming support for filmmakers. - SWIF
🤪 Creative Cardiff are hosting a panel with filmmakers, artists & academics on using play in creative practice on 16 Sep. - Creative Cardiff
☕️ Catch up with filmmakers & the BFI Network SW team at their online coffee morning on 17 Sep. - Humanitix
📽️ Filmmakers Plymouth Social's September scratch film night takes place on 24 Sep. Grab your ticket and submit your film now. - Eventbrite
🟦 Bluescreen short film night in Bristol takes place on 30 Sep. Submissions open on a first come first screened basis. - Headfirst
🎶 Watch a screening of documentary Broken English followed by a Q&A with one of the Composers on 8 Oct in Bruton. - Eventbrite
⏱️ Somerset Film's shoot a documentary in a day workshop takes place on 10 Sep in Bridgwater. - Somerset Film
📺 SeriesFest & Shondaland's Women Directing Mentorship programme for those wanting to break into TV, has its regular deadline on 15 Sep. - SeriesFest
🏃 Plimsoll Productions are building their Trainee talent pool. Apply now. - Plimsoll
👩🏽🔧 Multiple cast & crew roles across departments needed for this Bristol based first feature film. - Tabb
💜 New Trustees needed to help shape the next chapter at Knowle West Media Centre. No deadline, apply soon. - KWMC
🎪 A Bristol based Writer-Director is seeking a Producer for a retro surrealist short film. - Tabb
🎨 Production Designer wanted for a satirical short film in Bristol. - Tabb
🤑 First Flights short film fund has its regular deadline on 30 Sep, with a special offering for filmmakers using Kodak 16mm. - First Flights
📮 Upcoming film festival submission deadlines: Bournemouth International Film Festival (1 Sep), Cornwall (6 Sep), Cardiff Mini (10 Sep), Two Short Nights (20 Sep), Cardiff Animation (22 Sep), Portsmouth Shorts::Cut, Pigeon Laughs (both 30 Sep), Southampton Film Week (9 Oct) & Screams by the Sea (8 Nov). - FilmFreeway
🏔️ Bristol Documentary Film Festival takes place 3-5 Sep. - BDFF
🌍 Watch Africa Film Festival takes place 11-13 Sep in Cardiff. - WAFF
😺 ANiMiNSPO Mini Animation Festival takes place on 12 Sep in Bristol. - Animinspo
🎬 Encounters Film Festival takes place 23-27 Sep in Bristol. - Encounters
↗️ Elevation Film Festival takes place 3-4 Oct in Devonport. - Elevation
🗣️ Poetry Film Festival takes place on 17 Oct in Bristol. - Eventbrite
🍿 On film club: Beanpole dir. Kantemir Balagov (on Mubi) & The White Diamond dir. Werner Herzog (on Amazon Prime).
📣 Have something to share on the next digest? Could be an event, workshop, behind the scenes updates, crew call, showcasing your work or a personal ad. Get in touch! hollyholdsworth@gmail.com
💌 If you found this helpful please forward it to a friend.
Until next week!
Holly Holdsworth (she/her)
Writer/Director
watch my films
Inclusion in this email does not denote endorsement. I will always try to platform the best opportunities for this community and am not affiliated with any organisation, unless explicitly mentioned besides the link.
