Top 50 Series Has Officially Begun

Warren Workman
March 01, 2026

The UIFF Top 50 Series is officially live!

All to highlight the people who are making things happen.

And you get to be the first to know… because you actually check your inbox.

Here are the first four lists for 2025:

And yes… we’ll probably roll out two or three more lists before the year is done.

These are curated lists — not popularity contests.

There’s no public voting and no rankings. That starts to feel a little too subjective.

But we do need your help to make sure we don’t miss anyone.

So nominate someone. Or nominate yourself.

Let’s recognize the doers in our industry right now.

A lot of new filmmakers make the excuse that they don’t have any money to make their first short film, specifically for locations.

Stop.

You have locations.

Here are 15 free places almost anyone can use for their first short film.
And yes… I added some quirky titles to get your brain moving.

For years, indie filmmakers and YouTubers felt like two different worlds.

Film festivals on one side. Online creators on the other.

But not anymore.

Some YouTubers are now releasing movies in theaters. And a few of them are making serious money.

So what can indie filmmakers learn from them?

or to participate.