There’s a version of screenwriting that lives inside a formula. Three acts, a likable protagonist, a clear antagonist, a resolution that leaves audiences satisfied and sequel-ready. Studios didn’t invent that structure arbitrarily — it works, it sells, and it manages risk across a $200 million production budget. But it also eliminates entire categories of human […]
Emerging Filmmakers
How the Film Festival Circuit Works
The 2026 festival season has been one of the most active in recent memory. Sundance sparked distribution bidding wars in January. SXSW debuted 49 world premieres in March. Cannes just unveiled its full lineup ahead of a May 12 opening. For independent filmmakers, none of this is background noise — festivals are the primary pipeline […]
Adelaide Launches a New Community-Driven Indie Film Festival
A new film festival is taking shape in Adelaide, South Australia, and it’s built from the ground up. The Semaphore Summer Film Festival, created by the local Movie Juice collective, is debuting as a one-day event that blends independent films, restored classics, and neighborhood film culture into a single, shared experience. Set at the historic […]
San Francisco Teens Premiere Indie Dark Comedy “JAR”
Seventy-one teenagers in San Francisco have pulled off what many seasoned filmmakers struggle to achieve—conceiving, producing, and premiering an original film in a matter of weeks. The result is “JAR”, a surreal dark comedy packed with jailbreaks, glitter bombs, and shrink rays. Guided by filmmaker Joe Talbot and his summer program 48 Hills, 24 Frames, […]
Sundance to Host Final Utah Film Festival
It’s the end of an era. The Sundance Film Festival is moving out of Utah. After nearly 50 years between Park City and Salt Lake City, the iconic film festival will be moving to Boulder, Colorado. Jeffrey Ikahn, American filmmaker and Director of Candy Flip discusses how Utah will be making their final Sundance something […]
Lighthouse International Film Festival 2025 Winners Announced
The votes are in and the winners of the Lighthouse International Film Festival have been announced! Jeffrey Ikahn, American Filmmaker and Film Director, was honored by the opportunity to watch exclusive screenings of the films from the festival. With the winners announced, Ikahn reflects on his favorite films from this year’s Lighthouse on the majestic […]
Global Cinema Festival of Boston: Films That Make Us Care
Global Cinema Film Festival of Boston (GCFF) celebrates a decade of independent, grassroots filmmaking with Films That Make Us Care: a partnership with the West Newton Cinema Foundation of West Newton, MA. Jeffrey Ikahn discusses: Films That Make Us Care This year’s Global Cinema Film Festival of Boston (GCFF) has unveiled a unique theme for […]
7th Annual Block Island Film Festival
The Block Island Film Festival is back for its seventh annual event! Jeffrey Ikahn, American Filmmaker, features the screening set to take place May 28th and 30th, 2025 in New Shoreham, RI: As if you needed another reason to visit the quaint New England island of Block Island, RI! Well, here’s another reason to add […]