Hey there,

Popping in with some behind-the-scenes snapshots from my corner of the indie film world: producing, mentoring, traveling, and reflecting. Whether you’re a friend, collaborator, or supporter, or you’re simply curious about the producer life, I’m grateful you’re here.

Below you’ll find highlights from our recent production in Chicago, lessons (and lilacs!) from the Stowe Producers' Lab in Vermont, a quick note about a workshop I led on navigating the festival circuit with intention, and a rundown on where you can watch A Season of Rain's films.

-Rachel Stander

🎂 The Birthday Gift is Wrapped (and in Post!)

At the end of May I jetted off to Chicago for production of The Birthday Gift, which shot in the lovely village of Barrington. Think tree-lined streets, bunnies frolicking in the yard, and (perhaps most delightfully) no film permits necessary! Our Chicago-local crew was top-notch and the support from our fiscal sponsor, Teatro Vista Productions, has been unparalleled.

The film is currently in Post, with the picture edit underway, and we're on track to start submitting to festivals in the fall. While director Arianna Ortiz works with our editor, I'm working with Chicago-based Full Spectrum Features on our tax incentive paperwork so we can maximize the benefits of having shot in Illinois.

For anyone considering shooting in Chicago (or the surrounding suburbs), I highly recommend it. The crew was excellent, there was wonderful community support, and tax incentives are accessible for low-budget productions, including short films! If you're a filmmaker considering where to shoot next, I'm happy to share what I learned.

🌲 From Set to Stowe:
Highlights from the Producers' Lab

After wrapping production in Chicago, I headed to Vermont for the Stowe Producers' Lab with a feature film in development: Mama, Don't. Mine was one of 15 projects selected for the program, and it was an honor to be in such a thoughtful, talented cohort of producers.

We spent our days at a beautiful inn, complete with ducks, chickens, and aromatic lilac bushes in the expansive backyard. Over the four-day intensive, we had group sessions to dive deep into financing plans, sales strategy, and script development, as well as small-group and one-on-one sessions focused on our individual projects. Thankfully, there was also time to enjoy Vermont—and no one organizes an off-schedule hang quite like a group of producers!

I especially loved getting to know the other projects at the Lab and having candid conversations about real-world challenges and actionable next steps. It was inspiring to see the range of stories being championed by the group, and I came away with renewed excitement for my own slate of films.

It also reaffirmed a piece of wisdom I come back to often: the size of your network matters far less than the quality of your relationships, and nothing beats authentic, generous connections.

🎬 Festival Strategy: A Practical Approach

Over the past two years, I've been mentoring with The Reel Champs' Next Gen Executive Diversity program, an experience that continues to be one of the most meaningful parts of my year. This spring, they invited me to lead a workshop on demystifying festival strategy, and it was a joy to share what I've learned with a wider group of filmmakers.

I've spent a lot of time working one-on-one with filmmakers on this topic, and I know how overwhelming the festival landscape can feel, especially when you're balancing limited time, limited funds, and big hopes. My goal is always to cut through the noise and help filmmakers make strategic, informed choices that actually serve their goals (and budgets).

If you know a group of filmmakers who could use a no-fluff, practical approach to festival strategy, I'd love to connect. Helping others navigate this space with confidence is one of my favorite ways to support the independent film community.

Where to Watch

A Season of Rain's films: in festivals and at home

It's been wonderful seeing audiences and press responding well to Such A Pretty Girl. You can check out the reviews we've received on the film's website. And here's one of my favorite quotes, from Overly Honest Reviews:

As always, thanks for supporting independent film and new voices in storytelling! If anything in this update sparked curiosity or questions—or if you're working on something of your own—I'd love to hear from you.

Until next time,
-Rachel

P.S. If you're reading this from somewhere fun this summer, send a photo or say hi! I love knowing where these updates travel. :)