End of the Year Recap - 2021
The Light Leaks has never needed to be ‘in person’ to feel the force of our community. When we started in February 2017, as a digital space for filmmakers - slowly our community asked for events. Before the pandemic, we had our IRL events to connect us offline but in 2021, we moved to digital events, boosted our newsletter, and focused on what was the best thing for our community.
When the world can feel so isolating, the power of connection can still shine through. The Light Leaks community is comprised of filmmakers, photographers, writers, creatives and more who believe in the power of women and nonbinary filmmakers having a dedicated space. And despite how tough the last two years have been, our community of creatives have come together even more than ever. From connecting in the comments section to hiring each other for work, to supporting each other’s projects! Community and connection is why we exist.
And even while the world isolated, our remote volunteer TLL team and creative community kept growing and adapting.
We did things we’ve never done before- like taking on a whole new volunteer team, piloting digital events and publishing new editorial content! We can't say thank you enough for believing in us, and giving our platform the opportunity to support and empower each one of you.
Let’s take a look at what 2021 looked like at TLL…
We published:
9 editions of What We’re Watching! This is our watch list focused on a specific theme every month where our volunteer team shares tv shows and movies in an open, VERY anti gate keeping, kinda way.
Read What We’re Watching: time loop, valentines day for every situation, women created, hero films/tv shows, tv shows canceled too soon, pride, spooky season picks, study break, and comfort watches!
3 flagship interviews with incredible filmmakers! If you haven’t met GLAAD and Netflix recognized River Gallo, DIY horror and camp extraordinaire Dyan Mars Greenberg, and storytelling goddess Isabel Sandoval - dive into their interviews to learn from their art and lives.
10 Editorial Pieces that ranged from researched deep dives into the golden globes, AAPI creators in Hollywood, and what horror movie character you would be based on your sign! For our advice column, the Hustle we shared more info on making your crowdfunding pitch even better and navigating unpaid work in film/tv realistically. Our contributor community and our team contributed amazing think pieces on identity and media. You can explore Euphoria’s impact on nonbinary representation or read how Erotophia led a creator to become an on set intimacy coordinator! If you want to dissect promising young woman and feminism- that’s covered. Or if you’re a comedy lover, check out how Kathryn Hanh’s characters opened the door for more feminist comedic portrayls. If you were as addicted to Netflix’s Queens Gambit as the rest of the world - then read on about the male gaze present as well in the gripping drama.
6 Project Spotlights featuring rising female and nonbinary filmmakers were posted this year! In each of these Q&As you can meet K$K, ArianaMartinez, Katherine Chou, KZ Elisabeth, Angie Loveday, Shawna Khorsani and watch their incredible short films on our youtube channel!
13 Digital Events came to life in 2021 for TLL! We launched our digital writing mixer events for the first time, coming together on video chat to cowork together and network with creatives across the world. We hosted 6 of these throughout 2021. We also teamed up with our partners, Seed and Spark for 4 events this year dedicated towards building skills for filmmakers. From learning how to distribute your short film to building your first budget, TLL’s community got so much out of these events. And finally, we also hosted 1 digital movie night where we watched “the 40 Year Old Version” on Netflix together and live tweeted!
Next year is going to be even bigger for TLL! We have new video series premieres in the works, a podcast we’re planning, and we hope to do so much more. Remember, if you want to support the Light Leaks, please consider becoming a monthly Patreon supporter or donating via our paypal!
With so much love,
TLL Team