Alabama Entertainment Office

05/13/2026

"The Rivals of Amziah King" also stars Kurt Russell and is set for release in August 2026.

03/10/2026

The clock is ticking for filmmakers with a story that deserves to be seen.
For 35 years, the Roy W. Dean Grants offered by From the Heart Productions have helped independent filmmakers bring meaningful films to life—projects that explore real issues, elevate unheard voices, and contribute something important to society.
Now the Spring 2026 Roy W. Dean Grant is entering its final weeks for submission.
If you know a filmmaker with a powerful project, this is the moment to apply.
We would be grateful if you would share this opportunity with filmmakers, students, and alumni in your community.
⏳ Submission Deadline: March 31, 2026
🎬 Eligible Projects:
Documentaries, Narrative Features, Short Films, and Web Series
(Projects should be budgeted at $500,000 or less)
Students are welcome to apply.
Spring Grant Award Includes:
• $3,500 cash grant
• $600 IndiPro V-Mount Battery & Charger Kit
• 40% discount on post-production services from ProMedia NYC
• $500 in grip, lighting, or expendables from Filmtools
• 30% equipment rental discount from AbelCine NYC
• $1,600 sound mix session from Silver Sound
• Plus additional film products and services from generous donors
A Grant That Helps Every Filmmaker
One unique benefit of the Roy W. Dean Grants is that every filmmaker who applies can receive a 15-minute consultation about their project—offering guidance on funding, marketing, and building a supporter base.
👉 Apply here:
http://fromtheheartproductions.com/grant-application-form/
More information:
https://fromtheheartproductions.com/roy-w-dean-film-grants-and-awards/
For questions:
[email protected]
805-984-0098

The film fiscal sponsorship program helps filmmakers raise money by giving donors a tax deduction for their donations. It is uniquely designed to help independent filmmakers get their films funded.

03/05/2026

NOW CASTING SPEAKING ROLES!

LOOKING FOR ACTORS IN THE CALERA / MONTEVALLO / BIRMINGHAM AL AREA!

COMMERCIAL SHOOT FOR ALDOT WORK ZONE SAFETY AWARENESS COMMERCIAL

Looking for 6-8 experienced actors: 1 female (any ethnicity, age 25 - 55yrs) and 5 -7 males (any ethnicity, aged 25 - 55yrs). These roles will be speaking roles in an ALDOT commercial to be shot on Tues. Mar. 17th in Calera, AL. You will need to wear appropriate pants, shirts and boots, and we will be providing you a vest and hard hat on set.

SHOOT LOCATION : Calera, AL. Exact location is still being decided but we will be shuttling you to a work zone

SHOOT DATE: Tuesday March 17th 2026

SHOOT TIME: TBD (once exact shoot location is nailed down, I will have the shoot times available

Pay rate: $150/hr (expect to be on set at least 2 hours )

To submit: Send your Acting Resume, a Recent Head and Body Shot along with any Acting Reels, if available, that you’d like to submit to:

[email protected] with subject: ALDOT SAFETY 2026

Please LIKE & SHARE!

Casting Sites: DO NOT REPOST

03/05/2026

NOW CASTING!

LOOKING FOR ACTORS IN THE MONTGOMERY AND SURROUNDING AREA!

COMMERCIAL SHOOT FOR MONTGOMERY CANCER CENTER

Looking for 2 actors: 1 Middle Aged Black female and 1 Older Asian female for commercial shoot on Wed. Mar. 11th.

No speaking lines for either role.

SHOOT LOCATION : Montgomery Cancer Center

SHOOT DATE: Wednesday Mar 11th 2026

SHOOT TIME: Sometime in the morning, exact time is still TBD, but shouldn’t last more than 30 minutes.

Pay rate: $75 each

To submit: Send a recent head shot and body shot to:

[email protected] with subject: MARCH MCC AD

If you have a reel you’d like to submit, feel free to include in your email, but it is not a requirement.

Please LIKE & SHARE!

Casting Sites: DO NOT REPOST.

02/23/2026

We’re pleased to announce that submissions are now open for the 2026 Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant, proudly sponsored by From the Heart Productions, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting independent filmmakers whose work makes a meaningful contribution to society.

Now in its 35th year, the Roy W. Dean Grants have provided critical funding, mentorship, and production services to hundreds of filmmakers, helping them complete and share powerful, socially relevant films with audiences worldwide.

🎬 Grant Eligibility

The Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant is open to:

• Narrative short films

• Live action or animated projects

🏆 What the 2026 Short Film Grant Includes
Selected filmmakers receive a robust package of funding and professional production support, including:

💵 $3,000 cash grant from From the Heart Productions

🎥 $15,000 Panavision grant for 35mm or 16mm camera and equipment (live action only)

🎼 $3,000 in music and audio services from acclaimed composer David Raiklen

🎨 $6,000 in animation services from Emmy Award–winner Charlie Canfield (⅓ off standard rate for six weeks)

💡 $500 in grip, lighting, or expendables from Filmtools

➕ Additional donated services and exclusive industry discounts
In addition, every applicant is offered a consultation to discuss their project, funding strategies, and next steps—regardless of grant outcome.

📅 Application Deadline: April 30, 2026
We invite you to share this opportunity with your filmmaking community.

The Roy W. Dean Short Film Grant exists to champion bold, original storytelling—and we are honored to help filmmakers bring these important stories to life.

For full guidelines and application details, please visit:

The film fiscal sponsorship program helps filmmakers raise money by giving donors a tax deduction for their donations. It is uniquely designed to help independent filmmakers get their films funded.

01/28/2026

Birmingham city leaders approved new funding Tuesday aimed at bringing more film and TV productions to the Magic City.

01/20/2026

The Roy W. Dean Grant for Spring 2026 is now open for submissions.

Now in its 35th year, this respected grant supports independent filmmakers creating unique films that make a meaningful contribution to society. Sponsored by From the Heart Productions, a top-rated 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Roy W. Dean Grant helps filmmakers not only fund their projects, but also complete and successfully bring them to the public.

We welcome projects in documentary, narrative feature, short film, and web series formats told with passion that are both creative and socially impactful. Projects should be budgeted at $500,000 or less, and students are encouraged to apply.

What the Spring 2026 Grant Winner Receives:

💵 $3,500 in Cash

🎥 Thousands of Dollars in Donated Film Products & Services, including:

• $600 value IndiPro 2x Kratos 99Wh V-Mount Battery & Dual Charger Kit

• 40% deduction on color, editing, sound and all production services from ProMedia NYC
• $500 in grip, lighting, or expendables from Filmtools
• $1,600 value sound mix session from Silver Sound
• Plus, additional services from our generous industry partners

New for This Year: The Stories That Matter Awards

In addition to the Roy W. Dean Grant, three projects will be honored with The Stories That Matter Awards, each with a $500 cash award. These honors recognize films that meaningfully reflect real lives, communities, and pressing social issues, stories that resonate beyond the screen and will leave a lasting impact.

Additional Opportunity: The Britt Penrod Award

All submitted films are also eligible for the Britt Penrod Award, a $500 cash honor presented to one or more finalists across our four annual Roy W. Dean Grant cycles. This award recognizes a film that is especially unique and makes an exceptional contribution to society.

Every Filmmaker Benefits Just by Applying

One of the most distinctive features of the Roy W. Dean Grant is that every applicant is offered a complimentary 15-minute consultation.

During this session, filmmakers can choose to receive personalized insight on:

• Finding funding and donors
• Building investor and supporter databases
• Marketing and positioning their film
• Strengthening their submission

Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
Apply Here: http://fromtheheartproductions.com/grant-application-form/

More Information: https://fromtheheartproductions.com/roy-w-dean-film-grants-and-awards/

The film fiscal sponsorship program helps filmmakers raise money by giving donors a tax deduction for their donations. It is uniquely designed to help independent filmmakers get their films funded.

01/15/2026

"The Rivals of Amziah King," a crime thriller, was filmed in the Birmingham metro area in 2023.

01/12/2026

The famed actor talked about his visit to Birmingham on a podcast with Ted Danson and Woody Harrelson.

01/04/2026

Are you really from Alabama if you haven't seen these classics?