Summary
Learn from an award-winning director whose short films have led to feature deals and commercial distribution!
Receive a comprehensive checklist and clear strategies to turn your short film into a long-term career asset
The Festival Run Isn’t the End — It’s Just the Beginning. Finishing a short film and getting it onto the festival circuit is a major accomplishment — and it’s only the start of what your project can do for you. Your short film has the potential to open doors, spark new collaborations, and build lasting momentum for your career. In this exclusive Stage 32 webinar, you’ll learn how to extend the life of your short, reach new audiences, and turn it into a powerful tool for future opportunities. Whether you’re planning your next steps or looking to maximize your film’s impact, this lab gives you the roadmap to do it with confidence.
The biggest mistake filmmakers make is thinking the festival circuit is the finish line. In reality, it’s just one part of a much longer journey. Without a clear post-festival strategy, great shorts can end up gathering digital dust instead of working for you. This interactive webinar addresses that head-on, offering tools to help you monetize your short, build your audience, and connect with the right decision-makers for your next project. You’ll get guidance on digital distribution, marketing, legal rights, and using your short as a proof of concept for future work.
Your Stage 32 educator James Kicklighter is a multi-award-winning director and producer whose work has been recognized by The Hollywood Reporter, Film Courage, and FilmInk Australia. He’s built a career directing acclaimed shorts and features like The Sound of Identity, Every 9 Hours, and The American Question, working with Emmy-winning and high-profile producers and talent. James has firsthand experience with how to use short films as creative and career leverage — and he’s here to help you do the same.
You’ll leave this webinar with a clear understanding of what to do after your festival run, how to prepare your short for digital platforms, and how to use it as a springboard to pitch your next big idea. You’ll also get insight into how to build a personal brand through your work, create lasting industry relationships, and turn your film into a tool for real growth!
PLUS! You will receive the following handout to help you:
- Short Film Distribution Checklist
PRAISE FROM JAMES'S TEACHINGS:
“His experience and expertise as a writer and producer of film were greatly enhanced by his enthusiasm and energy as a speaker. He presented a series of workshops in the production of film, and also was the keynote speaker at our Young Writer's Conference. In both cases, he was able to inspire and connect to many different age groups including several professors in attendance.” - Gareth Jones, Brewton-Parker College
“I think James is a rare breed of artist that combines his business and marketing skills with a cohesive artistic vision. ” - Jason Winn, Film Director
“James is sharp as a razor, quick to grasp an idea, and like mercury when it comes to social media.” - Lilly Lee, Co-Founder, UNICEF Chinese Children’s Initiative
“James exceeds your expectations and helps turn your ideas into reality.” - Susan Woolf, Director of Operations, National Student Leadership Conference
“James is an extraordinary individual. He represents to me, the best of what this business holds in the next few decades.” – Gemma Puglisi, Assistant Professor, American University
What You'll Learn
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Understanding The Post-Festival Landscape
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Why the End of Festivals is Just the Beginning
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The Evolving Digital Distribution Ecosystem for Short Films
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Kicklighter Case Study: How "Angel of Anywhere" Found Commercial Distribution
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Setting Realistic Post-Festival Goals for Career Growth
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Digital Distribution Strategies
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Evaluation of Major Short Film Platforms (Pros and Cons)
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Monetization Opportunities vs. Exposure Benefits
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How to Prepare Your Film for Digital Distribution
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Managing Rights and Understanding Platform Terms
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Leveraging Your Short Film For Funding Future Projects
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Using Your Short as Proof of Concept
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Creating an Effective Pitch Package with Your Short Film
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Kicklighter's Method for Presenting Short-to-Feature Transitions
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Converting Festival Success into Investor Interest
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Case Study: How "The Car Wash" Led to New Production Opportunities
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Building And Maintaining Industry Relationships
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Strategic Networking Beyond Festivals
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How to build your Network Through Short Films
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The Art of the Follow-Up: A provenCommunication Strategy
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Creating a Memorable Personal Brand Through Your Short Films
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International Markets And Sales
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Understanding International Rights and Distribution for Short Films
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Translation, Subtitling and International Preparation
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How to approach Distribution for Short Form Content
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Q&A With James Kicklighter
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Personalized Advice
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Next Steps and Additional Resources
Who Should Attend
-You’ve completed a short film and want to turn it into career momentum
-You’re navigating festivals now and want to plan for what’s next
-You’re in development and want to know how to set your short film up for long-term success
-You’re interested in distribution, proof of concept strategy, industry relationships—or all of it
Executive
James Kicklighter is a multi-award winning writer/director whose work has been recognized by the world’s press, including The Hollywood Reporter, The Times of India, Film Courage and FilmInk Australia.
His first feature film, Desires of the Heart, was released theatrically across India in November 2015. The film was an official selection of numerous festivals across the United States and around the world, including the Cannes Marché du Film and was the winner of Best Foreign Film at the Los Angeles Femme Film Festival.
In May 2016, James completed Digital Edition, a documentary about the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s transition from print to digital as they operate in a new media environment. Additionally, he is revising his first book, the biography of famed entertainment publicist Bobby Zarem, and shopping the coming-of-age screenplay Escaping Bellview, featured on The Black List, SpecScout, Slated and most recently, named to the Top 50 in the 2016 International Screenwriters’ Association Fast Track Fellowship.
James is developing several films with a southern voice for producers Richard Saperstein (The Mist, Se7en), M. Elizabeth Hughes (Short Term 12, Girlfriend’s Day) and Beau Turpin (Beneath the Leaves, Counterpunch), including The Perpetual State of Georgia from Casey Nelson and Kate Murdoch (The Last Treasure Hunt) and Erk, a biopic about legendary college football coach Erk Russell.
He serves on the Advisory Board for the Department of Communication Arts at Georgia Southern University, his alma mater, where he was recently chosen out of over 30,000 living graduates to be listed on the inaugural “40 Under 40 Alumni” for “impact in business, leadership, community, educational and/or philanthropic endeavors.”
Testimonials
PRAISE FROM JAMES'S TEACHINGS:
“His experience and expertise as a writer and producer of film were greatly enhanced by his enthusiasm and energy as a speaker. He presented a series of workshops in the production of film, and also was the keynote speaker at our Young Writer's Conference. In both cases, he was able to inspire and connect to many different age groups including several professors in attendance.” - Gareth Jones, Brewton-Parker College
“I think James is a rare breed of artist that combines his business and marketing skills with a cohesive artistic vision. ” - Jason Winn, Film Director
“James is sharp as a razor, quick to grasp an idea, and like mercury when it comes to social media.” - Lilly Lee, Co-Founder, UNICEF Chinese Children’s Initiative
“James exceeds your expectations and helps turn your ideas into reality.” - Susan Woolf, Director of Operations, National Student Leadership Conference
“James is an extraordinary individual. He represents to me, the best of what this business holds in the next few decades.” – Gemma Puglisi, Assistant Professor, American University