Above the Line Education Forum + Mentorship FAQs

EDUCATION FORUM APPLICATION

Where can I find a link to apply to the Above the Line Education Forum?
The application will be available on the Washington Filmworks’ website here.

How long will the application window be open?
The application window will open at 8:00am (PST) Friday, October 17th and close on Monday, October 27th at 11:59pm (PST).

Do you need to apply with a project to qualify for the Education Forum?
A project is not required in order to apply or participate in the educational portion of the Above The Line Program, although having one ready to work with will be helpful to you!

Can people apply as a duo or do they have to apply individually?
For the Education Forum, only applications from individuals will be accepted.

It’s hard to choose! For the filmed content, can I submit a demo reel of my past works?
Yes. Submit work you are proud of and that best represents your work as a producer or director. Be sure that all uploaded work was produced or directed by you.

Is there a minimum/maximum length for the submitted filmed content?
Five minutes or less. There is no minimum length. Please ensure the content is not password protected.

Is my filmed content/project too scary/weird/experimental?
The Education Forum is designed to provide information, tools, and connections for Washington State directors and producers working in both narrative and documentary feature film and episodic formats. All genres are welcome (except erotic material, as defined in RCW 9.68.050).

I am not sure if my identity/experience qualifies as historically underrepresented. Am I eligible for this program?
Here’s our definition of Historically Underrepresented Community:
An individual or group of persons who have been relegated to an unimportant or powerless position such that they are prevented from participating fully in decisions affecting their lives. People may experience further marginalization because of their intersecting identities.
They are often communities or populations that face systemic economic, political, social, and cultural barriers, many of them embedded in local laws and norms. The term encompasses communities with a shared experience of marginalization stemming from circumstances beyond their control.
Our definition is focused on lived experience and not immutable characteristics. If you feel that your lived experience meets this definition, then please apply!
View the full definition in the Definition of Terms section of the Education Forum Guidelines & Criteria.

What’s better – more of a traditional resume, or a film resume with title, production company, etc.?
We are looking to see your experience in the realm of filmmaking. A resume that showcases your past experiences in this field would be best.

What if I get stuck or have an issue while completing my application?
Join the FWD team at either Q&A Session (October 7th or 22nd) to ask any questions or get technical assistance. RSVP here

How will Education Forum participants be selected?
Completed and eligible applications go through a jury evaluation process in order to select a cohort of up to 25 for the Above The Line Education Forum.

When will I know if I was selected?
Applicants will be notified in mid-December 2025 before a program start in mid-January 2026.

EDUCATION FORUM

When does the Education Forum take place?
The third cohort of the program will run from January 20th – April 30th, 2026. The Education Forum is a 5 hour per week commitment and will be held on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:30-8:00pm via Zoom, it will culminate with an in-person event May 2-3, 2026 in Seattle, WA.

Is a script/treatment required to participate in the Education Forum portion of the program?
A proposed project is no longer part of the application process. That said, we have seen the benefit of having a project in mind to directly apply the learnings from each session as you progress through the Education Forum.

How much does it cost to participate in this program?
The Above the Line Education Forum + Mentorship program is available at no cost to those selected to participate.

Wait! You’re paying me to participate?
Yep! We recognize that participants’ time is valuable and that folks are making sacrifices in order to attend program. Each Education Forum participant will receive up to $1,875 in scholarship support during their time in program.

Is there an issue with missing sessions?
In order to be eligible to apply for the Mentorship portion of the program and be considered a program graduate, participants must attend at least 80% of the required Education Forum sessions.

I heard the program was only for Documentary filmmakers last time?
Cohort 1 of the program focused on Narrative filmmakers while Cohort 2 was for Documentary filmmakers – for Cohort 3 and beyond the Education Forum will combine tracks for both Narrative and Documentary Filmmakers.

MENTORSHIP

What’s the difference between the Education Forum and the Mentorship?
The Education Forum is the first portion of the Above the Line program and focuses on providing an overview of the business of film skills over the course of 15 weeks of classes, panels, discussions. The Mentorship portion of the program follows the Education Forum and will pair selected Education Forum graduates with mentors to help move individual projects forward.

How long is the Mentorship portion of the Above the Line program?
The Mentorship portion of the program will pair selected Education Forum graduates with mentors for six months.

How are the mentors selected?
Each participant will be paired with an in-state and out-of-state mentor, aligned with that participant’s project. The potential mentor list is currently growing, and final pairings are made before the start of the Mentorship.

What is the timeline for the Mentorship portion of the program?
The next Mentorship portion of the Above the Line program will accept applications from Education Forum graduates in the Summer of 2026, with mentorships running from November 2026 – April 2027.

QUESTIONS FOR FWD TEAM

I missed both Info Sessions! Am I able to watch a recording of them?
A recording will be available on the website after the first session.

How do I keep up to date with all that FWD is doing?
Join Washington Filmworks’ email list
Follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Threads, and Bluesky
Email the FWD team directly at FWD@WashingtonFilmworks.org
Learn more on our website

Are Washington filmmakers really the best?
Duh.