Ladies and gents, let’s talk about the future of TriFilm, the organization I began in 2009. We held our first social in 2010 but a lot has changed since then. TriFilm has always evolved based on what the community needs and wants.

So tell me: what do you want from a community of local filmmakers? What resources do you need? Let me hear your thoughts, needs, and desires for our film community. Please use the comments section below to get the conversation going.

In the meantime, let’s recap what’s happened since 2009 when TriFilm was born. It started as a tweet and became a live event in early 2010. About 20 of us got together in downtown Raleigh, N.C., and had drinks together.

Josh Mills and Zach Abrams at one of the first filmmakers networking events I organized.

Josh Mills and Zach Abrams at one of the first filmmakers networking events I organized.

At the time I was working on Abandoned Allies, my very first feature-length documentary film. I was working with incredible people but some of them had never met. I was facing some big challenges and these folks helped me a lot so I wanted them all to meet, be inspired, and find resources they needed for their own projects.

Since that first event, TriFilm has grown a lot. There’s a strong community here, which I dearly love and appreciate. It’s still a little segmented, however, and TriFilm offers an opportunity to bring these groups together. It seems like a good thing. I hear “thank you” every time we do it.

The TriFilm at Trailblazer Studios social on 3.21.2013 was organized by Camden Watts with kind and generous support from Trailblazer Studios. Photograph by Camden Watts.

The TriFilm at Trailblazer Studios social on 3.21.2013 was organized by Camden Watts with kind and generous support from Trailblazer Studios. Photograph by Camden Watts.

Last year we had really fun events at Trailblazer StudiosPoyner Spruill, and filmSPARK. You read about some of these in my 2013 In Review last December. We had more than 100 people registered for some of them. Packed houses, hugs all around, and incredible conversations. I love this community.

So I want to know from you, my friends, what would you like to see for the future of our film community? I have a few ideas but they’re just that: ideas. I want to see if they’re viable. Please use the comments to keep the conversation going.

That being said, here are some ideas I’ve had for the future of TriFilm.

Socials

There are some very passionate people getting together on a regular basis in small groups, which is awesome. I don’t want to compete with that. What I do envision for TriFilm, however, is a quarterly gathering for the entire community. Four times a year we could get together to say hi to the friends we haven’t seen in eons, shake hands with folks we’ve never met, and basically feel the love of a thriving community.

Panel Discussions

Panel discussions are incredible educational opportunities for all of us. It’s one of the things I love most about film festivals and Q&As that follow screenings. Wouldn’t you love a chance to hear from your fellow filmmakers about lessons learned, available resources, and ways to work smarter? I know I would.

Screening Opportunities

We make films, y’all. Don’t we want to share them? I feel like this one is pretty obvious. Sharing your film in a theater with a live audience is one of the greatest feelings. Let’s have more of that.

Short films created by local filmmakers were screened as part of the TriFilm // filmSPARK 2012 social.

Short films created by local filmmakers were screened as part of the TriFilm // filmSPARK 2012 social.

A Membership Organization

As the TriFilm events grew, changed, and thrived over the years an idea has continuously nagged me: wouldn’t it be great if TriFilm became a membership organization? I have a vision for it but I need a lot of help bringing that idea to life. A lot of help.

This membership organization would provide resources for my fellow filmmakers. It would be easily accessible to newcomers, like folks who have moved here from L.A. It’d offer incredible programming, like some of the ones I mentioned previously, and make it easier to plan ahead.

It would feel like home because it’s so supportive and loving. But at the same time it would push us all to hone our craft and become better filmmakers. It would show us how to become better leaders and story tellers.

Something like that could take off and it could be awesome. But I don’t want to push it forward too hard. It needs to be developed organically, strategically, and with the support of the community.

What do you think?

Let me reiterate, this TriFilm thing is still evolving. It changes based on what the community shares with me. So your feedback is crucial.

What do you want for our film community? What resources do you need? What events would be most helpful? Are you willing to volunteer some time or talent to help make it happen?

Chat me up. I love a great convo.