Not at all. The Gulf Coast Filmmaking Workshop is designed for emerging and first-time filmmakers. Whether you’ve never picked up a camera or you’ve already made a few projects, you’ll learn by doing and have an opportunity to contribute to the creative process.

No. Your phone is your camera. The workshop is designed around accessible filmmaking techniques that can be accomplished with a mobile device. If you have additional equipment, you’re welcome to bring it, but it isn’t required.

You’ll collaborate in a team of five to develop, shoot and edit an original short film. Each team will take an idea from concept through production and post-production, culminating in a premiere at the end of the day.

You’ll develop a short, production-ready story and script as part of the workshop. Because we’re making a film in one day, we’ll focus on simple, visual storytelling that can actually be produced within our time and resource constraints.

The workshop is designed with a focus on Black, Latine and LGBTQIA+ emerging storytellers, while welcoming anyone who shares our passion for accessible, bold and original storytelling.

It’s a great fit for aspiring filmmakers, writers, directors, actors, producers, photographers, content creators, artists and anyone with a story they want to bring to life.

Each session is intentionally limited to 10 participants. You’ll be divided into two production teams of five, creating an intimate environment where everyone has an opportunity to contribute.

You’ll work as part of a five-person production team. Depending on your interests and the needs of your team, you may take on roles such as director, producer, writer, camera, editor, sound or performance.

You don’t need to know which role you want beforehand. Part of the experience is discovering how you like to create.

At minimum, bring:

• A smartphone with a camera

• Charging cable

• Headphones or earbuds

• Notebook and pen

• Comfortable clothing and shoes

Tripods, microphones, lights, props and other equipment are welcome but not required.

It’s helpful, but not required. We’ll introduce accessible mobile editing tools during the workshop and provide guidance on how to use them.

That’s completely fine. iPhone and Android devices are welcome. The workshop is about filmmaking principles and resourcefulness—not owning a particular device.

Absolutely. Just make sure each person registers individually. You’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with other participants throughout the workshop.

Yes—and we encourage it. You can arrive with an idea, character, scene or concept you’ve been sitting on. We’ll help you shape it into something you can actually make during the workshop.

Yes. Each team will receive access to their completed short film following the workshop, subject to the team’s agreed-upon use and distribution terms.

Yes. Each team will receive access to their completed short film following the workshop, subject to the team’s agreed-upon use and distribution terms.

The workshop does not automatically submit films to festivals. However, you’ll learn about festivals, digital platforms, community screenings and other distribution opportunities so you can determine where and how you’d like to share your work.

The workshop may be documented through photography and video for Gulf Coast Filmmaking Workshop storytelling, promotional and archival purposes. You’ll be asked to provide your consent during registration.

There will be a 30-minute meal break during the workshop. Food is not included with registration, so participants should plan to bring a meal or make arrangements to purchase food during the break.

Light snacks and water will be provided.

The goals of the Gulf Coast Filmmaking Workshop to remain accessible to emerging storytellers, and we recognize that financial circumstances can vary.

If the registration fee presents a financial challenge, please email us at apinapro@gmail.com and tell us a little about your circumstances. We’ll do our best to honor financial considerations and explore available scholarship support or payment arrangements.

Reaching out does not guarantee a scholarship or alternative payment arrangement, but we encourage you to connect with us rather than letting cost prevent you from asking.

Workshop registrations are subject to the following cancellation policy:

• More than 7 days before the workshop: A 50% refund is available.

• 7 days or less before the workshop: Registrations are non-refundable.

If you can no longer attend, you may also request to exchange your registration for another workshop date, subject to availability.

Yes. If you can no longer attend your selected date, you may request to move your registration to another available workshop date.

Date exchanges are subject to availability and must be requested in advance.

That’s exactly why we’re here.

You don’t need to arrive knowing how to make a movie. You just need to arrive willing to try.

The workshop is designed to create a collaborative, supportive environment where experimentation is encouraged and mistakes are part of the process.