If you're making a short film, you already know that every decision you make on the page and on set carries enormous weight — but few decisions carry more weight than your cast. The actors you choose don't just deliver your dialogue; they are your film. Think about some of the most celebrated short films that went on to launch careers and land on the Oscar stage — what made them unforgettable wasn't just the writing or the cinematography, it was the performances. Films like Stutterer, The Phone Call, and Whiplash — yes, Damien Chazelle's Oscar-winning feature started as a short — succeeded because the right actor was in the right role at the right time. And none of those filmmakers had unlimited resources. They had clarity, preparation, and the ability to make actors believe in the project enough to show up and give everything they had. That's exactly the kind of thinking and approach Kate is here to help you build. Because the truth is, you don't need a massive budget to attract real, talented, committed actors — you need a strategy. And that's precisely what you're about to get.

Here's the challenge so many emerging filmmakers run into: you've got the passion, you've got the script, but when it comes to actually attracting talent without a paycheck to offer, the path forward feels unclear. Maybe you've posted a casting notice that didn't get the response you hoped for. Maybe you've sat across from someone in an audition who was talented, but just not right for the role — and you cast them anyway. Or maybe you've struggled with how to even approach an actor professionally when you don't have a big name or a big budget behind you. You're not alone. The truth is, assuming a good script is enough is one of the most common mistakes in no-budget filmmaking. Actors are looking for professionalism, clear communication, and something of genuine value — whether that's compelling material for their reel, a well-run set, or meaningful creative collaboration. Unclear casting notices, disorganized auditions, and inconsistent follow-up can quickly turn the right actors away before you ever get the chance to work together.

The good news? You're learning from someone who has navigated every one of these challenges — and come out the other side with real results. Kate Rees Davies is an Oscar-qualifying producer and award-winning director with a track record that spans narrative features, short films, music videos, and commercials. Her feature Altered Perception, starring Jon Huertas of Castle and This Is Us, is currently streaming on Amazon and qualified for a DGA Newcomers Award following its theatrical release. Six of her directed short films screened at the Cannes Short Film Corner and secured distribution. She's shadowed on Amazon's Transparent under the mentorship of Joey Soloway, and she has a documentary nearing post-production. Kate hasn't just studied what makes casting work at the short film level — she's lived it, repeatedly, at the highest levels of the independent film world. She knows what it takes to attract talent when budgets are tight, and she's here to show you how.

In this webinar, Kate is going to walk you through the entire casting process from the ground up — and she's leaving nothing on the table. You'll get a sample casting notice you can put to use immediately, and you'll dig into how to define your goals, identify the talent your project needs, and understand exactly what attracts actors to no-budget projects. You'll learn where to find talent, how to research and approach actors — including emerging talent and even Oscar-nominated performers — and how to use tools like IMDb and the power of six degrees of separation to your advantage. Kate will cover how to write casting notices and character descriptions that actually compel people to say yes, how to run auditions and callbacks with confidence, and why table reads and rehearsals are non-negotiables for getting the performance your film deserves. By the time you walk away from this webinar, you'll have a clear, actionable casting strategy — and the tools, language, and confidence to go out and attract the talent your short film has been waiting for.