Indie Film Grind Sessions

Indie Film Grind Sessions

A Biweekly Online Meetup for Indie Filmmakers in Johannesburg (and Beyond)

The Indie Film Grind Sessions is a biweekly online meetup designed to bring together independent filmmakers, creatives, and storytellers from Johannesburg and across South Africa — and beyond.

This Biweekly Online Meetup Will Feature:

Workshops & Guest Speakers

Practical online sessions led by industry professionals covering real-world filmmaking topics.

Networking Sessions

Online Indie Film Speed Dating – connect with collaborators, crew, actors, and creatives through structured online networking.

The Pit – Pitching Sessions

Filmmakers pitch their ideas to a live online audience to find collaborators, crew, and creative partners.

• dates:
• November 7, 2026
• November 21, 2026
• December 5, 2026
• December 19, 2026

Who Can Attend?

• High school students (18+)
• Aspiring filmmakers
• Emerging filmmakers
• Intermediate to expert filmmakers

What Makes This Event Unique?

Entrepreneurs have business networking events.

Indie filmmakers have Indie Film Grind Sessions.

This biweekly online event focuses on:

• Real inspiration stories
• Practical resources
• Actionable tips and tools
• Collaboration that leads to actual films being made

Our goal is not just to talk about filmmaking — but to make films

What to Expect

?? Online Workshops on Film Industry Topics

We cover:

• Industry insights
• Tech, gear & software
• Pitching tips
• Makeup, costumes & wardrobe
• Music & sound
• Acting & casting
• Locations & cameras
• Post-production
• Films, series & storytelling

Most importantly, we share resources and practical advice that can be applied immediately.

The Pit – Online Pitching Sessions

Attendees with ideas for short films or web series pitch their projects in under 3 minutes and receive:

• Live, constructive feedback
• Potential collaborators from the online audience

Online Networking Sessions

Our Online Indie Film Speed Dating allows creatives to connect across cities, disciplines, and experience levels.

More About Indie Film Grind Sessions

The intention of this group is to get films made.

We bring together:

• Professionals
• Students
• Talented amateurs

More experienced members support those with less experience, while expanding their own creative practice.

Our aims:

• Teach
• Learn
• Have fun
• Make movies, short films, documentaries, and storytelling content

Get Involved

If you have skills ranging from directing to dressmaking, and you’re willing to contribute your time remotely, please join and make yourself known.

Your skills are highly valued.

If you want to learn, put yourself forward and join one of our online-led projects. There is always something happening at some stage of development or production.

We especially need:

• Directors of Photography
• Assistant Directors
• Sound Designers
• Heads of Department

If you can fill any of these roles, please introduce yourself to the organisers.

Whatever your skill level, take part in someone else’s project — or take the plunge and make your own film. We’re here to support you.

Community & Online Socials

We host regular online socials to:

• Get to know one another
• Build real relationships
• Collaborate across locations
• Have fun

Yes — even online, we’re a solid community.

Important Notes

• This is not a production company
• We currently do not offer paid work
• We welcome professionals who want to mentor, guide, and experiment creatively
• We encourage independent production through collaboration

What We Do

• Develop and produce short films remotely
• Shoot monologues for up-and-coming actors
• Breed independent writers and producers
• Produce low-budget and one-location projects
• Support all genres:
• Drama
• Horror
• Action
• Sci-fi
• Art films
• Fashion films
• Documentaries
• 360° videos and more

We discuss every aspect of filmmaking:

Tech, gear, VFX, props, makeup, acting, producing, contracts, marketing, budgeting, wardrobe, and post-production.

Our Track Record

We:

• Hosted 9 meetups in 2017 and are back stronger and more accessible online
• Now meet biweekly
• Have hosted 5+ pitches per session
• Have helped produce:
• 3 short films
• 1 web series
• 1 indie feature film
• Have been featured on CliffCentral
• Are based in Johannesburg but now operate online
• Have hosted talks with:
• Animators (2D & 3D)
• VFX artists
• Writers
• Directors
• Producers
• Actors
• Makeup artists

Our Vision

To connect, share, and promote collaboration between creatives and content creators across

Africa, Europe, the USA, and Asia,

and to build a world-class cross-border creative directory.

Our Three Core Offerings

1. Access
2. Actors, creatives, workshops, online sessions, indie shoots, and masterclasses
3. Acceleration
4. Helping ideas move from concept to production with the right tools, resources, and remote support
5. Creation
6. Making films consistently — sometimes as often as one short film a month

Our Community Levels

• Young Bloods – Students and first-time filmmakers
• Young Lions – Creatives with more than two short films
• Young Masters – TV & film professionals seeking creative freedom
• Young OGs – Creatives with feature film experience

Our Philosophy

We value creating over talking.

We follow a 23-step production guide from concept to delivery.

We believe in:

• Safety
• Contracts
• Balancing creativity, business, and professionalism

Event Details

This event is FREE

Format: Online (link shared after registration)

Frequency: Biweekly

If you miss our sessions, you can catch up via our social media platforms and website.