BOLDtFEST Workshops

Go From Script-To-Screen

Access Humboldt now offers our year-round short film incubator that takes 10 award-winning short film screenplays through production to a World Premiere at the Eureka Theater. Humboldt County residents can now enter their scripts for a chance to participate in a short film incubator that will result in 10 shorts created in Humboldt County each year. Participate with us every season of the year!

Start writing now. Submissions close January 5th 2026. ENTER HERE

FALL:

Submit a Screenplay of 10 pages or less to compete. Winners go through to the next round

WINTER:

Take advantage of Pre-Production, Production, and Post Production classes.

SPRING:

Finish planning your short film and take advantage of the community Cast & Crew Call

SUMMER:

Shoot & Edit your short and prepare for the World Premiere event using our tools, spaces, and mentorship.

BOLDtFEST Modules

Screenwriting 101

This Seminar style workshop was held over 4 Thursdays, October 2-23, from 6-8pm at Access Humboldt at College Of The Redwoods Campus. FREE for Members, $60 for Non-Members

Registration opens next Fall

Christina Jeffers goes over what it takes to write a great 10-page screenplay. By the end of class you will have a script that can be submitted to any contest. In this workshop you will learn:

Proper Format
Story Arc
Character Development
Writing for engagement success
Writing for affordability in film-making

Pre-Production 101

Was held over three Thursdays, November 6, 13, & 20, 2025 from 6-8pm at Access Humboldt at College Of The Redwoods Campus. FREE for Members, $60 for Non-Members

Registration opens next Fall

Learn from Christina Jeffers what it takes to break down 10-page screenplay so you can have the most successful shoot. By the end of class you will have a:

Broken Down Script
Budget
Schedule

You will need a 10 page script printed out, some markers/highlighters, a pen.

Editing 1, 2, 3

This three day workshop will be led by Montel Vander Horck and will occur on Thursdays, January 8, 15, 22, 2026, from 5-8 pm. This series is $60 for non-members and FREE to Access Humboldt Members (Membership is only $50/year). This series will teach you:

Running DIT on set/ in the lab: Ingesting data, placing data in the timeline based on Script Supervisor's notes.
Creating the Assembly Edit, Rough Cut, and Picture Lock
The Audio Edit and enhancing with basic SPFX like Tiles, Mattes, and Color

About Montel Vander Horck III

Having to choose a favorite medium is a tough decision. I feel like I can do a top three, because to me they are intertwined and can't really be separated. I am an actor, a sculptor, and a filmmaker and each medium augments the next. Much of my film and video work is highly sculpturing, experimental, and sometimes involves puppetry. Even the act of deciding out to shots will cut together feels like sculpture, because it is what defines the texture and shape of the experience. My work on stage, particularly understanding how I will be perceived, informs and is informed by my time behind the lens. My sculpture, primarily masks created from ceramics and found materials, take shape guided by my sense of nuance and expression gained from acting and film editing.

Acting/Directing Actors For The Camera

This one day module led buy Michele Simms will jump start your acting on camera skills and occurs February 12, 2026 from 5-8pm. By the end of class you will know:

Acting for the camera has different methods from stage acting and how to convert those skills
Continuity in performance when capturing scenes "out of order"
How to be "An Actor's Director"
How to convey big and small emotions as a Director using basic framing and angles

About Michele Simms

Michele Simms is an award winning actress, writer and comedian. She is a graduate of both The Groundlings and The Second City Conservatory. She has an extensive 30 years of experience. She’s performed as an improviser at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood, as well as film, TV and theater. She writes and performs sketch, stand up and solo shows. Her favorite (most funny) roles include “drunk cheerleader” in The Waterboy and “drunk Amish girl” in Sex Drive. She played the title role in the indie film A Christmas Karen and was the “Oversharing mom” in Carvana’s Super Bowl commercial.

Lighting Basics

This one day module led by Gordon Clatworthy goes over basic lighting tips & tricks and occurs February 19, 2026 from 5-8pm. By the end of class, you will know:

Three-point lighting
How to use natural light to your advantage
How to match/fix lighting methods before you "fix it in post".

Capturing Audio & Visual For A Good Edit

This one day module will go over the tips & tricks to a smooth capture process. This 3 hour class Occurs February 26, 2026 from 5-8pm. By the end of class, you will know:

Workflows & methodologies to getting the scene captured correctly
How to document what you have shot in your "Production Bible"
Where to focus your attention when considering a low budget film so it looks like a million bucks!

Cast & Crew Call Feb 28

The whole community is invited to gather and network! Audition on camera as an Actor, or get on the sign up lists for a film making team. Do you Direct, Grip/ Gaff, PA, Script Supervise, 1st AC? Maybe you have no idea what those jobs are, but you can cook for a team (Craft Services), or serve as a driver (Transpo)? Do you like sewing clothes (Wardrobe Master)? Or designing sets (Swing Gang)? Perhaps you have a GREAT location to host a film shoot? WE WANT YOU.

February 28th, 2026 at Access Humboldt

10 Shorts Premiere Annually

Experience the thrill of the red carpet!

Whether you are a serious filmmaker in the making, or a hobbyist looking for a complete experience, the Red-Carpet Premiere Event is an exciting portion of BOLDtFEST and a glamorous way to wrap up the year's program.

Win Audience Choice & Other Awards!

Once you are selected to participate in BOLDtFEST, you are already winner! Participants in BOLDtFEST are selected from our short screenplay contest. But there's more. Our formal awards show is televised on Cable TV & Streaming. Compete for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Cinematography, and MORE.

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