Cause Pictures Impact Lab

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​Build a Real Strategy for Your Film in Just 5 Weeks

Two focused tracks for filmmakers at critical moments: making the leap to a feature, or building a path from festivals to distribution.
​
Choose one track, or join both.

Grounded in 25 years of experience, and brought to life through a live case study of my current feature, Alchemy in Venice.

Apply Now

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Most films don’t fail because they aren’t good.

They fail because there’s no clear path forward.
You finish a film, get into festivals—and are left choosing between weak offers or no plan at all.
OR
You’ve made strong short film, but don’t know how to turn it into a feature and get it made.
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Different stages. Same problem: 
- No strategy
- No clear next move
- No momentum

What if you built the strategy before you needed it?

This lab is designed to give you clarity before you need it, so that every decision has intention, direction and leverage.
This is not a course.
It’s a working lab where we apply everything directly to your project, in real time. 

What’s included?

• 5 weeks of live working sessions
• Two private strategy calls
• Direct feedback on your project
• Guest practitioners across festivals, distribution, and impact
• Access to the Cause Studios network
• Small cohort of filmmakers​

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Choose Your Track

Each week includes two 1-hour sessions plus Q&A.  Join one track, or both.

​Shorts → Features

Week 1

• Asking questions about your audience and goals
• Expanding/Developing your concept into a feature
• Defining scope and ambition

Week 2

• Story structure (Scripted and Unscripted)
• Character & Location considerations
• Thinking about your budget

Week 3

• Scheduling
• Budgeting

• Team

Week 4

• Seeking Investment 
• Fiscal Partners & Donations
• Partnerships

Week 5

• Production Strategies
• Post Production & Release Targets
• Timeline

Festivals → Releases

Week 1

• Goal oriented Festival strategies
• Getting on the programmer's Radar
• Maximizing Festival Participation

​Week 2

• Distribution models & audience goals
• Theatrical release vs Event releases & Roadshows
• Community & Hosted screenings

​Week 3

• Streaming platforms (TVOD, SVOD, AVOD, PVOD)
• Aggregation
• Virtual Events

​Week 4

• Educational distribution
• Impact Screenings
• Took Kits & Curriculum

​Week 5

• Marketing Materials
• Partnership & Social Media Outreach
• Discovering, Engaging & Igniting your audience​

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​A live case study

You won’t just learn what works. You’ll see how decisions are actually made in real time.
Through an insider view into the production of my current feature film, Alchemy in Venice, you’ll have visibility into how festival, impact, and distribution strategies are built as they happen.

This is for you if:

• You have a feature or ambitious short in development, production, or post
• Your film has a social, environmental, or cultural impact
• You want a career, not just a release
• You’re ready to do real work
• You want to build a clear, intentional strategy for your film​

​Can’t Make Every Session Live? 

All sessions are recorded and available to all participants to:

• Attend live when possible
• Revisit sessions on your own time
• Engage with both tracks, even if schedules overlap

Why this moment matters.

• The systems that once supported independent and impact filmmaking are changing.
• What used to be centralized is now fragmented—creating both uncertainty and opportunity.
• Filmmakers who understand how to build strategy around their work will define what comes next for their projects

I’ve spent 25 years helping filmmakers navigate this space, through consulting,
classes, and conversations.  This is the first time I’m bringing that experience into a focused, hands-on lab that supports your film across its full lifecycle,
​from positioning to festivals, distribution, and impact.

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Enrollment Options

Choose the track that fits where you are—or join both to build a complete strategy for your film.
Single Track - $1,500
Join either:

1. Shorts → Features
2. Festivals → Releases

Includes:

• 5 weekly live sessions
• Session recordings
• Direct project feedback (2 calls with Jon)
• Access to cohort and network

Full Lab (Both Tracks)- $2,500
For filmmakers who want to build an end-to-end strategy—from development through release.
Includes:

• Access to both weekly sessions (all 5 weeks)
• Session recordings for both tracks
• Expanded feedback across both phases of your project
• Full integration of development + distribution strategy (and personal time to advise on festivals and distribution strategies)

APPLY NOW