In the Cut

For security purposes, you will be sent webinar login 2-3 days before the class.

In an industry where "no" is the default and gatekeepers hold all the cards,
this course flips the script: you become the gatekeeper with the greenlight.

Greenlighting yourself isn't just about scraping together a budget. It is about building an ecosystem where your project becomes irresistible. We will dissect what investors actually fund (hint: it's not just your idea), how to package yourself as the artist they can't afford to ignore, and the specific tactics to access decision-makers, audiences, and capital before you need them. This class aims to be the survival toolkit for artists operating in an era of infinite content, fractured attention, and shrinking traditional pathways.

In this two-day bootcamp, you’ll learn: 

• Market yourself, not just your pitch 

• Decode investor psychology 

• Build your network like an infrastructure 

• Know the full content value chain 

Who should take this class: Any creative who is tired of waiting for permission. If you have something to say and refuse to let the system silence it, this class is your blueprint.

ABOUT THE INSTRUCTOR:
Iram Parveen Bilal is a global citizen and award-winning storyteller whose work bridges imagination and empathy to spark bold, inclusive narratives. A Caltech-trained environmental engineer turned filmmaker, she is a powerful voice in World Cinema, recognized for crafting socially resonant stories that challenge norms and inspire change. She spearheaded the formation of the Pakistani Oscar committee and founded QALAMBAAZ, South Asia’s first professional screenwriting lab, now in its twelfth year and operating across the region.

A sought-after mentor for women in film and tech, Iram has been spotlighted as one of eight directors to watch by the Alliance of Women Directors. She serves on the boards of Film Fatales and Noorani Dance, and is a fellow of both Film Independent and the Thomas J. Watson Foundation. Her honors include multiple Women in Film awards, and her work has been featured in The New York Times, NPR, BBC, Bloomberg, and Filmmaker Magazine.

When not on set, she can be found dancing to Bollywood or brainstorming with fellow activists and polymaths. She believes curiosity is the most powerful antidote to fear. Her latest and boldest project, WAKHRI (One of a Kind), an audacious feature inspired by real-life digital activism, is currently on its journey of global distribution, with acclaimed filmmaker Deepa Mehta on board as presenting Executive Producer.