Summer Shorts Announcement!!!
- nick96852
- 4 days ago
- 4 min read
Leadership Transition at OlyFilm
Big changes have been happening at OlyFilm! At our July 13th Board of Director’s meeting, Adeena Chamberlain announced that she will be stepping down from her role as Board President. We are grateful for her incredible leadership and are pleased to welcome our current Vice President, Nick Canchola, as our new Board President.
Honoring Our Outgoing President
Adeena joined OlyFilm in 2020 and, in the fall of 2022, became Chair of the Community Outreach Committee. She joined the Board of Directors in February of 2024, and in July that year, she was voted Board President. Since then, she has played a vital role in building a solid foundation for our organization. Her passion for supporting the local film community was evident in everything she did. Under her leadership, OlyFilm launched grant programs supporting LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC filmmakers, creating new opportunities for underrepresented voices to tell their stories.
She also worked diligently to secure grant funding through the Inspire Olympia Grant that helped advance OlyFilm’s mission of supporting filmmakers throughout the South Sound. Adeena helped to foster meaningful community partnerships that helped to expand opportunities for our members to showcase their work and connect with wider audiences. But Adeena’s most significant achievement was successfully spearheading the Request for Proposal process for the City of Olympia, securing OlyFilm as a foundational anchor partner in the $19 million Olympia Armory transformation.
The creative campus, scheduled to open in 2027, will house eight anchor arts non-profits, including OlyFilm, to manage programming and studio spaces in the 43,000-square-foot facility.
We want to extend to Adeena, our deepest gratitude for her vision, commitment, dedication and countless contributions to OlyFilm over the years. We will miss her and we wish her continued prosperity in her next business venture!
Welcoming Our New President
Nick Canchola has been with the organization since 2024, working both on set and in the editing room. He joined the Board of Directors in July of that year and has been instrumental in creating programs that empower local filmmakers, including establishing the OlyFilm Writer’s Room where screenwriters can receive constructive feedback on scripts and collaborate with fellow creatives.
He also launched the Production Closet, a resource for local members to access cameras and sound equipment while giving them the opportunity to learn the fundamentals of filmmaking to bring their own short films to life.
Nick’s passion for education, collaboration, and community-building makes him an outstanding choice to lead the organization into its next chapter. We look forward to the vision he will bring as we continue to grow and serve our members throughout the South Sound.
Please join us in thanking Adeena for her outstanding service and leadership and congratulating Nick as he steps into his new role!
OlyFilm Presents
Summer Shorts at Wild Child
Attention Filmmakers! OlyFilm is looking for film submissions for a screening event at Wild Child! The event is open to all ages and there is no fee for submitting or an entry fee to the event. The screening will be on August 14th Doors open at 7pm, show starts at 8pm and event ends around 10pm. Space is limited so reserve your spot soon by visiting this link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/summer-shorts-with-olyfilm-tickets-1993502242872
Film submissions are open to any and all. Please keep in mind that the event is open to all ages so a censored version of your short film would be greatly appreciated, but not required. Submitting does not guarantee your film will be accepted. You will be notified whether or not your film was accepted a week before the screening. There will be a Q&A with the filmmakers so you are encouraged to attend the screening. You are still permitted to submit if you cannot attend the screening. Submissions close Aug 3rd. To submit your film, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/A5Bcw49ajriGyqfg9
Or contact nick@olyfilm.com
OlyFilm's Booth at Pride!
June is Pride month and a time to celebrate and uplift our LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. And Oly Film was honored to be a part of the Capitol City Pride Fest on June 27!
Board members and volunteers alike spent the day reaching out to community members and partners, celebrating the spirit of love and inclusion.
Photos provided by Adeena Chamberlain
At OlyFilm, we believe that artistic and personal expression should be celebrated. And we want to do our part to help our Queer and BIPOC community members realize their vision.
Photo provided by Adeena Chamberlain
In honor of Pride, Oly Film is proud to announce its first LGBTQIA+ grant for filmmakers. The LGBTQ+ Inclusive Production Grant provides a $1,000 award to support independent film productions that demonstrate meaningful LGBTQ+ representation both on-screen and behind the camera. Our goal is to encourage inclusive hiring practices and expand opportunities for LGBTQ+ filmmakers, cast, and crew, because we believe everyone deserves to have a safe place to share their stories.
More details to be released soon, in the meantime you can contact info@olyfilm.com to find out more!
Upcoming Events!
Production Meeting Olympia Center
@ 6pm
Summer Shorts
Aug 14th
@ Wild Child
Doors open 7pm
Film submission open till Aug 3rd
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