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I’m new to Washington State, how can I get involved in the film community?

If you live in the greater Seattle area consider these possibilities:

  • Sign up for the Seattle Office of Film + Music Newsletter. The Seattle Office of Film + Music is the permitting agency for Seattle and is devoted to promoting Seattle’s film and music industries.
  • Sign up for the Seattle International Film Festival Newsletter. The Seattle International Film Festival creates experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world.
  • Sign up for the Women in Film Seattle Newsletter. Women in Film Seattle is a non-profit organization of professional women in the film, video, and new media fields who are dedicated to helping filmmakers through support, education, and professional connection. WIF hosts events throughout the year where you can meet and mingle with other industry members. 
  • Check out the Northwest Film Forum Call Board and sign up for The Northwest Film Forum’s Newsletter. The Northwest Film Forum is a film arts organization that screens independently made and classic films, offers a year-round schedule of filmmaking classes, and supports filmmakers at all stages of their careers.
  • Sign up for the Seattle Documentary Association Newsletter. Seattle Documentary Association is a non-profit organization whose mission is to cultivate and support an equitable and professional community of nonfiction storytellers. SeaDoc is a volunteer-run organization, offering year-round programming and events to support the craft of nonfiction storytelling.
  • Like them all on Facebook! Check out the Facebook pages for everyone listed above.  We are also aware of several reliable pages regarding film work in Washington, they are: ‘Production Peeps’, ‘Seattle Area Filmmakers’, and ‘The Film Maker Matrix’.  Washington Filmworks is not affiliated with these pages, which are privately administered.
  • Meet other filmmakers and get involved in the Seattle film community by participating in timed film competitions such as the 48 Hour Film Project and the 48 Hour Film Horror Project. These film events are wild and sleepless weekends in which you and a team make a movie – write, shoot, and edit – in just 48 hours. 
  • Volunteer and attend local film festivals! This can be a great opportunity to meet filmmakers and fellow cinephiles. Check out our list of local film festivals. 

If you live in the greater Spokane area consider these possibilities:

  • Get involved with the Spokane Film Project. Spokane Film Project is an organization that nurtures and supports local filmmakers through educational programs, networking events, screenings of local projects, creative support, and working with government agencies to enable filmmakers to create content and find jobs right here in the Inland Northwest. 
  • Sign up for the Spokane International Film Festival Newsletter. The Spokane International Film Festival is an intimate festival where filmmakers and audiences engage in the art of cinema. 
  • Sign up for the Spokane Arts Newsletter. Spokane Arts exists to provide leadership, support and advocacy for the arts community of Spokane and the Inland Northwest.  
  • Meet other filmmakers and get involved in the Spokane film community by participating in the annual 50 Hour Slam. The 50 Hour Slam Film Festival is a film event that incorporates a 50 Hour time-based competition to produce a 3-6 minute video project to be judged by local Media Critics and professionals, as well as a public screening of the finalists where the audience gets to vote for their favorite film.  
  • Like them all on Facebook! Check out the Facebook pages for everyone listed above.  We are also aware of several reliable local film groups on Facebook: ‘Production Peeps’, ‘Spokane Film Project’, and ‘EWU Film Casting Calls’, ‘Spokane Women in Film & Television SWIFT’.  Washington Filmworks is not affiliated with these pages, which are privately administered.
  • Volunteer and attend local film festivals! This can be a great opportunity to meet filmmakers and fellow cinephiles. Check out our list of local film festivals. 

How do I become an extra?

There are local extras casting agencies that are hired to work on various film productions that come to Washington State. For a list of companies that hire extras, go to Northwest Production Index and click the “Talent” tab. Washington Filmworks does not keep talent and extras resumes on file. For more information, see our Talent Cautions and Guidelines page.

How do I get a job on productions filming in the area?

Go to the hot sheet on the Northwest Production Index list yourself in the Northwest Production Index as this is where we send productions/commercials that are looking for crew and vendors. We are also aware of several reliable pages regarding film work in Washington, they are: ‘Production Peeps’, ‘Seattle Area Filmmaker Alliance’, and ‘The Film Maker Matrix’.  Washington Filmworks is not affiliated with these pages, which are privately administered.

I want to work in the film industry. How do I get started?

See our Breaking Into the Business Section. There are also a number of film schools on our resource in the state that have great programs. Start networking!

How do I know if I am an employee or independent contractor?

If you are working on a film set then it is likely you are an employee. See the Department of Labor and Industries for more details.

Can I volunteer on a film set?

Volunteers are not allowed in a “for-profit” business. Any individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, or any person or group of persons acting directly or indirectly in the interest of an employer, who permits any individual to work, is subject to the provisions of the Minimum Wage Act.

Do you have any resources for film funding?

Please contact our office or check back for updates soon.

How do I get filmmakers to come to my city?

Filmmakers need close proximity to hotels, crew, equipment and the office. However there are times when they travel out of the “zone.” Here is a document on what you can do to market your city or location to filmmakers. Click here to download.

A film is coming to my town; what do I need to know?

Washington Filmworks has put together guidelines for filming in your community. If you need help or have any questions about the filming process, please contact us for assistance.

What are all the film festivals and cinematheques in Washington State?

Here is a list of festivals and cinematheques we have on record. If you know of additional film festivals or cinemateques, please email us at Info@WashingtonFilmworks.org.

How do I add my property/town/building to your location database?

See our section: List Your Property.

Are there any sound stages or studio type spaces available in Seattle?

A listing of Stages/Sound Stages/Studio Rentals is available here on the Northwest Production Index.  Big House Production also provides a list here.

I have an event I want the community to know about, what can I do?

Email your event information to Info@WashingtonFilmworks.org, with “Facebook Post” as the subject.