For Immediate Release
Witchcraft Works-in-Progress is a new private development and finishing initiative dedicated to emerging and established independent genre filmmakers currently in post-production on feature films and complete episodic projects (entire season of episodes).
Please note that this is a private event and does NOT constitute a premiere of any kind.
From the producers of the breakout horror franchise DOLLY (IFC & Shudder), as well as projects such as BLOOD FOR DUST starring Kit Harington & Josh Lucas, Tribeca Audience Award winner HERE ALONE, HELLCAT with Shudder & Blue Finch, INFIRMARY with Shudder & Raven Banner, Fantasia premiere SWALLOWED with XYZ and eOne, Independent Spirit Award Nominee THIS IS NOT A WAR STORY for HBOmax, and Peacock Original JOHN WAYNE GACY: DEVIL IN DISGUISE, the program is designed to help ambitious independent films bridge the gap between rough cut and release through practical support, strategic guidance, and select industry access.
Focused on horror, thriller, science fiction, dark fantasy, and boundary-pushing genre work, Witchcraft Works-in-Progress is designed to support filmmakers working independently in the genre space as they move through post-production and toward completion, festival positioning, and release. The initiative aims to spotlight ambitious emerging voices and help elevate projects that may benefit from finishing support, strategic guidance, packaging insight, and marketplace consultation.
Witchcraft Works-in-Progress will review submissions of feature narrative projects only (no documentaries or nonfiction) currently in post-production. Participating filmmakers may be seeking post-production services, sales representation, distribution guidance, festival strategy support, or broader producing and release consultation. Finalists will receive direct engagement and feedback from the Witchcraft team regarding their projects, positioning, and potential next steps.
Selected prizes and opportunities may include:
• Cash Prize to be announced
• Executive Producer attachment from Witchcraft Motion Picture Company
• Post sound mix services
• Legal delivery services
• Sales agent negotiation and strategy support from Witchcraft
• Prestige foreign sales agent consulting and advisory session
• Festival strategy and release guidance
• Free title report, clearance report, and UCC search
• Delivery management support and template “Soft Delivery” documentation
• Mentorship sessions with Rod Blackhurst, Bryce McGuire, and others
• Edit consultation from Noah Lang & Ross O’Connor
• First-look opportunity on participating filmmakers’ next independently financed project
• Executive Producer attachment opportunities negotiated in good faith between parties
• 50% discounted festival premiere publicist retainer
• Select festival waiver codes
• Six free months of the Stage 32 Writer’s Room package
• Finalists may elect for inclusion of a previously produced short film on a future Witchcraft Presents anthology release, subject to mutual approval and rights availability
General submission requirements include:
• Production company or lead creative team must be based in the United States, Canada, or internationally with English-language materials available
• Projects should be narrative features or completed series (a full season) only
• Projects must be in active post-production with a full cut of the film available to screen
• Projects should be seeking finishing support, strategic guidance, sales representation, festival positioning, or distribution opportunities
• Filmmaker or producer participation is preferred for selected projects
Projects will be selected through an online call for submissions. Additional executives, sponsors, strategic partners, and participating industry guests will be announced at a later date.
Weekly meetings and strategy sessions with Finalists shall take place through the month of October 2026. Sessions are optional but strongly encouraged. The Winning project shall receive a custom award sent at Witchcraft’s expense.
While Witchcraft Works-in-Progress is intended to foster community and industry connectivity within the independent genre filmmaking space, no meetings, introductions, representation, financing, distribution, exhibition, or business outcomes are guaranteed except where explicitly stated as part of an awarded prize package.
The Grand Prize-winning project will be offered an Executive Producer attachment from Witchcraft Motion Picture Company and its executives, subject to mutual interest and separate good-faith discussions between the parties.
Should you have any questions please reach out at: