Online. 1 session: Tuesday, May 7, 7:00-9:30 pm

Do you have a film in the works or recently completed, but find yourself unsure of what steps to take next? Are you eager to ensure your film makes a lasting impact and also generates an income for the years you’ve invested in its production? Join us for a hands-on and action-oriented 2.5-hour workshop designed for filmmakers and film professionals at all stages of the filmmaking and distribution journey.

Led by industry veteran and documentary film impact director, Lisa Y Allen, this workshop dives into the most important strategies for selling and creating impact with your film. 

We’ll cover the following essential tools in your impact toolkit:

• Identifying your target audience
• Clarifying your film impact goals
• Crafting compelling pitch decks
• Utilizing distribution tools and apps 
• Pricing your offerings effectively

Each participant will have 10 minutes dedicated time to ask questions and receive personalized feedback and discussion. Please send a website, trailer, clip, or film material to Lisa Yamashita Allen with the Subject Line “FilmNorth Impact Producing Masterclass — [Your Name]” in advance of the workshop.

You’ll leave the masterclass with fresh ideas for your film’s impact, actionable steps for bringing this vision to life, and a renewed sense of excitement and purpose around your film.

NOTE: Participation in this online course requires that you use the free Zoom cloud-based video conferencing service. For optimal performance it is recommended that you install Zoom on your computer rather than running it from a web browser. We’ll e-mail you a course reminder and Zoom link a few days prior to the first session. Click here for a Zoom tutorial.

Tuition: $120 regular | $95 member | $75 low-income

Lisa Yamashita Allen has over a decade of experience in building partnerships for documentary films and social impact campaigns, focusing on issues of women’s rights, criminal justice reform, addiction and recovery, LGBTQ+ rights, and safe and dignified housing. Recent films include Home is a Hotel (2023 SFFILM, Big Sky, Austin), No Matter What (2023 REEL Recovery, Alexandria), and Mama Has a Mustache (2021 Mountainfilm, Outfest, Mill Valley, Nantucket). She has created partnerships between these films and organizations and companies, including JPMorgan Chase, Impossible Foods, Google, United Way Bay Area, PFLAG, and Grace Cathedral to book screening events and speaking engagements. Previously, Lisa was festival manager at Double Exposure Investigative Film Festival, served as a Japanese-English interpreter for The Phillips Collection Japan Tour, head of outreach at Kyoto Journal, and outreach director at Meridian Hill Pictures and their 2015 film City of Trees.

Class Registration Guidelines & Cancellation Policy

• Space is assigned on a first-come basis. Registrations must include payment in full. Registrations are accepted after registration deadlines if space is available.
• If minimum enrollment has not been reached by 7 days prior to the start date of a class, FilmNorth may cancel it, in which case registrants will immediately be notified and receive a full refund within 2 business days. A check will be issued for registrations that were paid in cash. In lieu of a refund, students have the option of applying their tuition to another class scheduled in the same calendar year.
• For those needing to cancel a registration at least 7 days prior to the first class session, 100% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. For registration cancellations received less than 7 days prior to the first class session, 50% of the tuition will be refunded minus a $25 administrative fee. As of 5:00 pm the day prior to the first class session, no refunds or credits/exchanges will be given (Friday at 5:00 pm for Sunday classes). 
• Tuition is not prorated for missed class sessions.
• By registering for this FilmNorth class you are agreeing to our Community Values Statement.