Square Peg co-founders Ari Aster and Lars Knudsen want to help make aspiring filmmakers’ dreams come true. With IndieWire as its exclusive media partner, Square Peg Social will bring together 30 select creators — 20 writers/directors and 10 producers — to SoHo House Austin for four days of networking and mentorship.
All projects and skill levels will be considered, with submissions (now open here) encouraged from all interested. (IndieWire readers can get a 25% discount on the submission fee with the code INDIEWIREGO.)
Square Peg Social will include private dinners, special programming, and intimate gatherings desgned to foster conversation and collaboration for those looking to expand their careers in the world of film.
“Whether you’re a graduate student with a bold first short, a writer-director redefining genre, or a producer looking for advice and opportunities — if your voice is distinct and your work unapologetically your own — we want to hear from you,” Knudsen said in a statement.
In addition to the chosen applicants, Knudsen and Aster will invite 30 of their most trusted collaborators across multiple disciplines to share their insights and experiences, making for a one-to-one attendee-to-professional ratio. The weekend promises invigoration, renewed hope, and unique connections, as the lucky participants head out into the world to truly craft a new future of filmmaking.
Aster spoke with IndieWire about why he was inspired to launch the workshop. “I just remember starting out and not knowing what to do,” he said. “A lot of filmmakers have struggled. Sometimes when I meet them they say it is super helpful just to talk for 30 minutes and give advice about if what they’re doing is right, or if there’s something I would suggest they do instead.”
Knudsen told IndieWire that the weekend’s format places the emphasis on conversations because he believes it’s the most effective setting to provide real-world guidance.
“There’s some producers that are very good at teaching and talking,” he said. “And I’m definitely not one of those. I think I am much better in a very informal, intimate, one-on-one setting. I can sit with a young filmmaker for two hours and just tell them everything they want to know.”
Apply now, and unlock a special discount on the application fee by using code INDIEWIREGO.