http://www.novacvideo.org/, https://linktr.ee/novacvideo

NOVAC, 4422 S Carrollton Avenue, New Orleans, LA (2026)

01/07/2026

🎬 is back and relaunching our New Orleans chapter this Spring in partnership with us and !

Filmshop NOLA is a weekly works-in-progress workshop for filmmakers based in New Orleans. If you’re looking for thoughtful feedback, accountability, and a creative community to grow with, this is your call.

🗓️ Applications due: Jan 11

💻 Virtual Open Houses: Jan 7. Register at link in our linktree!
📍 Season runs: March 5–May 28
💸 $150 dues | Free to apply
🔗 Apply now via the link in our linktree!

12/26/2025

10 years of Born Digital led us here.

What started as youth learning to tell their stories has grown into a true bridge to the creative workforce. Our Video Editing Pre-Apprenticeship builds on a decade of Born Digital programming: connecting young creators (ages 16–24) to real-world editing experience, professional mentors, and paid internship pathways.

Already, our second cohort of pre-apprentices have:
*Created a commercial project with Matthew David Wilder (FatHappy)
*Talked post-production with award-winning filmmaker Dwayne LeBlanc at NOFF
*Explored the intersection of architecture and filmmaking with Marion Forbes.

Coming up next: documentary work with editor and filmmaker Stephen Pfeil in Winter 2026. 🎬

This work is powered by community. Deep thanks to our mentors for investing in the next generation of storytellers. You help us keep the bridge strong.
We’re raising $10K for 10 years of Born Digital.

👉Donate via the link in our linktree.

Our Video Editing Pre-Apprenticeship program is funded in part by a grant form YouthForce NOLA and contributions from the Four Friends Foundation, Gulf Coast Bank and generous individual donations.

IMAGES
1. Some of our current video editing pre-app students with Instructor, Zain Hashmat, Commercial Mentor Matthew David Wilder, FatHappy Founder and Creative Director.
2. Victoria, video editing pre-apprentice intern, first cohort, who created a reel about the Art Department Pathway Intensive (reel link in our linktree)
3. Noah, video editing pre-apprentice intern, first cohort, who helped with assets for our End of Year campaign including making a mini-doc (link in our linktree)
4. Zain Hashmat, Filmmaker and Video Editing Pre-Apprenticeship Instructor (.hashmat).
5. Matthew David Wilder, Filmmaker and FatHappy Founder ( ) Matthew was a guest instructor.
6. Dwayne LeBlanc, Filmmaker and guest speaker ()
7. Marion Forbes, Filmmaker and guest speaker ()
8. Stephen Pfeil, Filmmaker and guest instructor ()
9. Celebrating 10 Years of Born Digital Youth Programming

12/18/2025

Start your New Year off right. Get trained. Be set-ready-to-work with Production Office 101 with Chasidy Morris!

WHAT WE'LL DO:
In this two-day course, trainees will learn the ins and outs and trajectory of the Production Coordinator position. This training is designed for individuals interested in careers in the production office. The goal of this training is to prepare Louisiana natives for entry/mid- level work in the production office (Office PA/Production Secretary), and to provide the tools necessary for career advancement. Participants will review production culture and expectations, learn Production Office structure and positions, and practice administrative procedures and skills used in production offices.

APPLY: https://buff.ly/IyYvCMp
APPLICATION DEADLINE: December 29, 2025
APPLICANT NOTIFICATIONS: January 6, 2025

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday | January 10 & 11, 2026
WHERE: Virtually on ZOOM
COST: Free for Louisiana Residents, 18 and up | Must have a Louisiana driver's license or proof of residency

ABOUT CHASIDY:
Chasidy Morris is a Production Coordinator and IASTE 161 member. She is also a Regional Producer for The Moth, New Orleans. Previously, she worked at NOVAC as a Workforce Development Program Manager and now instructs workforce training after her departure. With over 14 years of experience in film, scripted and unscripted television, commercials, music video production, and live shows, she has expertise in production management and coordination.

Chasidy attributes many of her skills to the workshops she took at NOVAC early in her career, such as AD Bootcamp, Location Scouting, Production Coordinator, and Production Accounting. She values the relationships built during these workshops, which have endured throughout her career.

She holds a Master of Science in Entertainment Business, a Media Communications certificate, and a Line Producing certificate. She is expanding her skills by learning to code, develop apps, and AI filmmaking.

This program is supported in part by Delta Regional Authority and Louisiana Economic Development.

Questions? Email Local Workforce Development Manager, Shantrell at [email protected].

12/04/2025

Time to dance the night away at REEL reSET! What better way to close out 2025 with us and the Black Film Festival of New Orleans ()?

If you’ve been to our parties, you know they’re a time. If you haven’t been, consider this your sign to be there.

Always free. Always fellowship. Always for you, our filmmaking community.

What You Need To Know:
WHEN: Thursday, December 18, 2025
TIME: 6pm-9pm
WHERE: NOVAC: New Orleans | 4422 S. Carrollton Ave. | 70119
COST: FREE!

Dress to impress and we’ll see you on the “SET” at a holiday fete fit for a filmmaker.

This program is funded in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and Film New Orleans, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy ( ) and in partnership with the Black Film Festival of New Orleans.

12/03/2025

It’s hard to believe Giving Her Flowers was only one month ago. This curated event was a way for us to pour into Stevee-Rayne Warren and Dee Speed, two people that show up for us even and especially when no one is watching.

NOVAC thrives through collective effort and the intentional contributions of our staff, board, and volunteers. Stevee-Rayne and Dee are both multi-talented women that have made NOVAC a priority time and time again, and we are forever grateful for them.

Thank you for coming or showing your appreciation in spirit if you couldn’t be there in person. It’s hard to encapsulate what such an outpouring of love looks like, but highlights certainly help.

Giving Her Flowers could not have happened without the support of so many. We are humbled by the community businesses that helped make our event a success.

A special thanks to Fritai Nola who came through with a beautiful space and delicious food. Stevee and Dee received flowers and gift baskets filled with in-kind donations from Hotel Peter & Paul Apartment 4 Lifestyle, St. Noir Café, Bayou Wine Garden and Manship Theatre at Shaw Center for the Arts

We are so grateful for everyone’s generosity.

Couldn’t attend this special fundraising event, but still want to help empower storytellers? Our End of Year Campaign donation link is in our linktree, where your donation directly impacts our Born Digital Youth Programs empowering our young generation of storytellers.

We do what we do because of your powerful support and continued partnership. Thank you for helping us in our mission to provide access to our community storytellers. Here’s to 10 more years of Born Digital Youth Programming.

All photos by Jay Evans.

12/03/2025

It’s hard to believe Giving Her Flowers was only one month ago. We are humbled by the love and support shown to Stevee-Rayne Warren and Dee Speed, our two honorees at our first fundraising dinner.

This curated event was a way for us to pour into two people that show up for us even and especially when no one is watching. NOVAC thrives through collective effort and the intentional contributions of our staff, board, and volunteers. Stevee-Rayne and Dee are both multi-talented women that have made NOVAC a priority time and time again, and we are forever grateful for them.

Thank you for coming or showing your appreciation in spirit if you couldn’t be there in person. It’s hard to encapsulate what such an outpouring of love looks like, but highlights certainly help.

Giving Her Flowers could not have happened without the support of so many. We are humbled by the community businesses that helped make our event a success.

A special thanks to Fritai () who came through with a beautiful space and delicious food. Stevee and Dee received flowers and gift baskets filled with in-kind donations from Hôtel Peter & Paul (), Apartment 4 Lifestyle (), St. Noir Café (), Bayou Wine Garden () and Manship Theatre (). We are so grateful for everyone’s generosity.

Couldn’t attend this special fundraising event, but still want to help empower storytellers? Our End of Year Campaign donation link is in our linktree, where your donation directly impacts our Born Digital Youth Programs empowering our young generation of storytellers.

We do what we do because of your powerful support and continued partnership. Thank you for helping us in our mission to provide access to our community storytellers. Here’s to 10 more years of Born Digital Youth Programming.

All photos by Jay Evans ().

12/02/2025

NOVAC X NOFF 2025 () was a time! Our 2025 Black Maternal Health Community Documentary Cohort films, “Orí”and “Nô Médsinn, Go Back and Get It,” premiered in the Empowered Storytellers block. It was a beautiful night filled with community and love. Thank you to all who attended and supported our filmmakers.

We’re incredibly honored that for the fourth year in a row, our Community Filmmaker Cohort takes home the New Orleans Film Festival Louisiana Documentary Audience Award! This year, “Nô Médsinn, Go Back and Get It,” tied with “Inspire the City: What’s the Name of Yo School?!” directed by Edward Buckles Jr.

Congrats to the entire filmmaking team who received this recognition. We’re so proud!

Our Black Maternal Health Community Cohort Filmmakers are:
ORÍ:
DIRECTOR: Ausinikka
PRODUCER: Shari Wilson
EDITOR: Kai Davis
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Ammara Khalid .machete

NÔ MÉDSINN, GO BACK AND GET IT:
DIRECTOR: Kiersten “Gillette” TâLéigh Ifákẹ́mi Ọláyínká Adéọlá Gillette-Pierce
PRODUCER: Samaiyah Clayton
EDITOR: Tia Alphonse
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Joanitah Nakiggwe .nakiwi

Thank you to the mentors that went above and beyond for this project.
PRODUCER MENTOR: Angela Tucker
DIRECTOR MENTOR: Nailah Jefferson
CINEMATOGRAPHER MENTOR: Alejandro de los Rios
EDITOR MENTOR: Misty Talley
CREATIVE SERVICES PROGRAM MANAGER: Kelsey Scult
CREATIVE PRODUCER: India King Robins
COMMUNITY LIAISON : Zana Washington

A part of film festin’ is the parties. This year, along with NOFF and Film New Orleans, Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy (), we celebrated indie filmmakers at The Broadside where party goers enjoyed free food, drinks and a screening of 48 Hour Film Projects films that were made during NOFF.

We’re closing out the year with a REEL reSET on Th. 12.18 with Black Film Festival of New Orleans (). Details coming soon!

bffno

11/17/2025

10 years of Born Digital means 10 years of young storytellers making their mark.

In 2019, filmmaker Garrett Bradley (yes, the MacArthur Genius!) welcomed our students into her NOMA America exhibit, alongside mentors Zuri Obi and Nic Aziz. Our youth created short films that screened in Bodies of Knowledge—exploring freedom, history, and identity through their own lens.

We say it because it’s true: empowered storytellers empower communities.

Support the next generation—and donate to our end of year campaign today. Link in our linktree.

IMAGES
1. Garrett Bradley, Nic Aziz, and Julia Berghammer with “I, too, am American” summer intensive students at NOMA.
2. Zuri Obi, Julia Berghammer, Nic Aziz and Darcy McKinnon with the 2019 summer intensive students.
3. Garrett Bradley with 2019 summer intensive students at NOMA.
4. Screening flyer for “This is My America” as part of the “Bodies of Knowledge” exhibit at NOMA
5. Zuri Obi leads summer intensive students in a Q&A after their short film screening at NOMA.
6. Celebrating 10 Years of Born Digital Youth Programming

11/12/2025

UPDATE: This workshop is postponed to 2026. Stay tuned details!

Fall into our November workshops! Our second November workshop, Finance, Accounting & Taxes for Film Professionals is with Joe Carleton!

Joe will unravel the fundamentals of organizing your financial reality as a business professional in the film industry.

WHAT WE'LL COVER:
*Understand the difference between a 1099 and W2 Job
* Bookkeep income, expenses, and deductions to minimize the taxes you owe.
* Learn about establishing a Loan Out Company and the pros and cons that come with it.
* Consider retirement planning for the gig worker - Roth IRAs and more!

💡WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
🗓️ Wednesday | November 19th
⌚️6pm-9pm
📍NOVAC: New Orleans | 4422 S. Carrollton Ave | 70119
💲$30 Non-NOVAC Members | $25 NOVAC Members | $15 NOVAC Filmmaker Alumni

This workshop is a partnership between NOVAC, Carleton & Company APAC Certified Public Accountants, and the Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival

📣 ABOUT JOE:
Joe Carleton, EA grew up and found his love for filmmaking in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Louisiana State University in 2019, and has been working across the United States for BBC, Amazon Prime, and ITV, as well as many regional theatres. Joe holds an Enrolled Agent license with the IRS and helps companies and individuals both in and out of the film industry manage their finances and navigate tax law. As an actor/producer, Joe strives to find efficiency and FUN in every project. Since moving back to Baton Rouge in 2023, Joe has independently produced seven ALL LOUISIANA feature films with many more on the horizon. “Live Big, Live Easy!!”

11/11/2025

Fall into our November filmmaker workshops! Up next is Setting-Up Your Production Company: LLCs & Filmmaking with our own Rachel Witwer!

Rachel will discuss the when, how, and why to consider establishing a Limited Liability Company (LLC) for your next independent film project.

WHAT WE'LL COVER:
*Types of LLC's & which is right for you
*How to set-up and run an LLC
*Taxes, reporting and financial obligations & considerations

💡WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
🗓️ Monday, November 17, 2025
⌚️6pm-9pm
📍NOVAC: New Orleans | 4422 S. Carrollton Ave | 70119
💲$30 Non-NOVAC Members | $25 NOVAC Members | $15 NOVAC Filmmaker Alumni

🖱️Register here: https://buff.ly/Bn1OL6c

📣 ABOUT RACHEL:
Rachel Witwer is a New Orleans based independent film Producer. She has been a Line Producer on an array of projects, ranging from $35k micro-budget shorts to $1.9 million budget features. Additionally, she has over 20 years experience managing operations & finances for non-profit arts and health organizations, both domestic and international. In equal measure, she enjoys traveling the world and staying home with her orange cat LiLi.

11/05/2025

Make your New Year's Resolution early and Save-the-Date for our first Workforce Development Training of 2026: Production Office 101 with Chasidy Morris!

Get trained. Be set-ready-to-work!

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
🗓️Saturday & Sunday | January 10 & 11, 2026
🖱️Virtually on ZOOM
💲Free for Louisiana Residents, 18 and up | Must have a Louisiana driver's license or proof of residency

Check out the 2025 Production Office 101 Training Zine to get a glimpse of what you'll learn in 2026. 👉https://buff.ly/Hc2MGiL

Questions? Email Local Workforce Development Manager, Shantrell at [email protected].

🎙️ABOUT CHASIDY:
Chasidy Morris is a Production Coordinator and IASTE 161 member. She is also a Regional Producer for The Moth, New Orleans. Previously, she worked at NOVAC as a Workforce Development Program Manager and now instructs workforce training after her departure. With over 14 years of experience in film, scripted and unscripted television, commercials, music video production, and live shows, she has expertise in production management and coordination.

Chasidy attributes many of her skills to the workshops she took at NOVAC early in her career, such as AD Bootcamp, Location Scouting, Production Coordinator, and Production Accounting. She values the relationships built during these workshops, which have endured throughout her career.

She holds a Master of Science in Entertainment Business, a Media Communications certificate, and a Line Producing certificate. She is expanding her skills by learning to code, develop apps, and AI filmmaking.

This program is supported in part by Delta Regional Authority and Louisiana Economic Development.

11/03/2025

UPDATE: This workshop is postponed to 2026. Stay tuned for details!

Please join us for our second November workshop, Finance, Accounting & Taxes for Film Professionals with Joe Carleton!

Joe will unravel the fundamentals of organizing your financial reality as a business professional in the film industry.

WHAT WE'LL COVER:
*Understand the difference between a 1099 and W2 Job
* Bookkeep income, expenses, and deductions to minimize the taxes you owe.
* Learn about establishing a Loan Out Company and the pros and cons that come with it.
* Consider retirement planning for the gig worker - Roth IRAs and more!

💡WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
🗓️ Wednesday | November 19th
⌚️6pm-9pm
📍NOVAC: New Orleans | 4422 S. Carrollton Ave | 70119
💲$30 Non-NOVAC Members | $25 NOVAC Members | $15 NOVAC Filmmaker Alumni

This workshop is a partnership between NOVAC, Carleton & Company APAC Certified Public Accountants, and the Baton Rouge Underground Film Festival

📣 ABOUT JOE:
Joe Carleton, EA grew up and found his love for filmmaking in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He graduated Summa Cum Laude from Louisiana State University in 2019, and has been working across the United States for BBC, Amazon Prime, and ITV, as well as many regional theatres. Joe holds an Enrolled Agent license with the IRS and helps companies and individuals both in and out of the film industry manage their finances and navigate tax law. As an actor/producer, Joe strives to find efficiency and FUN in every project. Since moving back to Baton Rouge in 2023, Joe has independently produced seven ALL LOUISIANA feature films with many more on the horizon. “Live Big, Live Easy!!”

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