FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
** SCHEDULE OF EVENTS IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE **
Festival Schedule Overview
Guests can expect the festival to follow this general flow:
Thursday, April 30, 2026
Opening day experiences, festival welcome activities, film screenings, networking, and featured programming to kick off the weekend.
Friday, May 1, 2026
A full day of workshops, Lunch & Learns, live staged readings and special festival experiences.
Saturday, May 2, 2026
Pitch and Audition competitions and the signature WSO Honors Red Carpet Awards Ceremony to close out the festival in style.
PROGRAMMING STRUCTURE
The WSO Festival is strategically organized into focused learning tracks, allowing attendees to plug directly into sessions that align with their goals and career paths:
🎭 Actors & Performance Track
Focused on performance, auditioning, branding, and building a sustainable acting career.
🎬🎥 Filmmakers & Producers Track
Designed for creators developing, funding, producing, and distributing film and media projects.
✍🏽 Writers & Creators Track
Centered on storytelling, script development, and adapting content for stage and screen.
💼 Business, Legal & Monetization Track
Equipping creatives with the knowledge to protect, position, and profit from their work.
🤝🌐 Industry Access & Networking
Providing direct connection to organizations, professionals, and collaborators across the creative ecosystem.
9:00AM - 10:10AM - WORKSHOPS
SC STATE MUSEUM | 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC
🎬🎥 Real Stories, Real People:
Cinematography & Interview Techniques for Documentary Filmmakers
Instructor: Wade Sellers
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, documentary creators, producers, content creators, storytellers
Description:
Powerful stories deserve powerful visuals. In this session, you’ll learn how to capture authentic, emotionally compelling narratives through strategic cinematography and intentional interview techniques. Whether you’re telling community stories or producing full-scale documentaries, this class will help you elevate your storytelling and connect deeply with your audience.
🎭 Actor Branding: Headshots, Reels, and Casting That Gets You Noticed
Instructor: Amy Brower
Who Should Attend:
Actors, performers, talent, aspiring actors, working actors
Description:
Before you say a word, your brand speaks for you. This session dives into how to create headshots, reels, and casting materials that immediately grab attention and position you as a professional. Learn what casting directors are actually looking for and how to make sure you stand out in a crowded room.
🎬 Breaking Into the Industry Without Asking for Permission
Instructor: Dennis White
Who Should Attend:
Actors, directors, filmmakers, creatives, and emerging talent
Description:
The industry has changed and waiting for gatekeepers is no longer the only path forward. In this high-impact session, Dennis White challenges you to take ownership of your career by creating opportunities, building strategic relationships, and positioning yourself to be seen.
Learn how to move with intention, leverage your network, and step boldly into your purpose without waiting for validation. If you’re ready to stop asking for permission and start making moves, this is the room you need to be in.
10:20AM - 11:30AM - WORKSHOPS
SC STATE MUSEUM | 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC
✍🏽 From Page to Production: Turning Your Book or Play into Film & Stage Success
Instructor: Jalene Mack
Who Should Attend:
Writers, playwrights, screenwriters, authors, creators
Description:
Your story deserves more than a manuscript, it deserves a stage and a screen. Learn how to adapt your work, protect your intellectual property, and position your project for production and distribution. This session bridges creativity with strategy to help you move your story forward.
🎭 No Hollywood Address Required
Instructor: Arischa Conner & Ursula O. Robinson
Who Should Attend:
Actors, performers, creatives, talent outside major markets
Description:
Success is no longer limited by geography. This empowering session reveals how actors are building thriving careers without relocating to Hollywood, using digital tools, relationships, and strategic positioning. If you’ve ever felt limited by your location, this session will shift your mindset.
🎬🎥 The Future of Filmmaking: AI, Virtual Dramas, and New Media
Instructor: Akintunde
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, producers, digital creators, innovators, content creators
Description:
The future isn’t coming...it’s already here. Dive into how AI, virtual production, and emerging media platforms are transforming storytelling and opening new doors for creators. This session will challenge you to think bigger, move faster, and embrace innovation.
12:00PM - 1:30PM - LUNCH & LEARN EXPERIENCES
SC STATE MUSEUM | 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC
🎭 Booked & Busy: How to Turn Talent into Opportunity (Actors Panel)
Moderator: Arischa Conner
Panelists:
Javon Johnson, Dennis White, Natarsha Garcia, Amy Brower
Who Should Attend:
Actors, performers, talent, aspiring and working actors
Description:
Talent alone is not enough. Strategy creates opportunity. This dynamic panel pulls back the curtain on how actors position themselves, build meaningful relationships, and consistently book work.
Hear directly from industry professionals who understand what it takes to move from trying to working and walk away with insight you can immediately apply to your career.
🎬 Don’t Wait… Create It Yourself! (Producers Panel)
Moderator: John Ewing III
Panelists:
Akintunde, Vanessa Lynn, Jalene Mack, Wade Sellers
Who Should Attend:
Producers, filmmakers, writers, directors, content creators, and creative entrepreneurs
Description:
Waiting is not a strategy and permission is no longer required. In this powerful panel, industry professionals share how they’ve taken control of their careers by developing, producing, and distributing their own projects.
Learn how to move from idea to execution, build your own opportunities, and navigate the challenges of independent production with confidence. If you’re ready to stop waiting for a green light and start creating your own lane, this is your room.
💰 5 Shifts to Get Your Movie Funded (Film Financing Session)
**REGISTRATION REQUIRED**
Moderator: Scott duPont
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, producers, serious creators (PRO PASS)
Description:
Indie Film Finance Expert | Producer of Movie Money CONFIDENTIAL | Author of Finance YOUR Movie | Host of theFinance YOUR Movie Podcast (7 Seasons)
Join Scott duPont for an exclusive 90-minute Lunch & Learn experience designed specifically for WSO Festival pass holders. In this powerful session, Scott will break down the 5 critical shifts filmmakers must make to successfully finance their projects and move from concept to production.
During this session, you’ll gain clarity on:
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Who the right investors are for your project
-
Where to find them
-
How to approach them with confidence
-
What tools and materials you need to be prepared
-
When—and how—to follow up effectively
If you’re serious about getting your film funded, this session will give you the strategy, mindset, and actionable steps needed to position your project for success.
This is not theory. This is the blueprint to Finance YOUR Movie.
2:00PM - 3:10PM - WORKSHOPS
SC STATE MUSEUM | 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC
✍🏽 Twists, Turns & Tension: Writing Stories Audiences Can’t Predict
Instructor: Vanessa Lynn
Who Should Attend:
Writers, playwrights, screenwriters, authors, storytellers, content creators
Description:
Great storytelling doesn’t just entertain, It keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. In this high-impact session, Vanessa Lynn breaks down how to craft layered narratives, build suspense, and create unexpected twists that leave a lasting impression.
Learn how to structure your story for maximum impact, develop compelling characters, and keep your audience fully engaged from beginning to end. If you’re ready to write stories that stand out, spark conversation, and stay with your audience long after the final scene, this is the session for you.
💼 Make It Make Money: Monetizing Film & Theatre Projects
Instructor: John Ewing III
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, producers, writers, directors, theatre creators, content creators, creative entrepreneurs, business-minded artists
Description:
Creating great content is only half the battle, knowing how to turn it into revenue is what sustains your career. In this powerful session, John Ewing III breaks down real-world strategies for monetizing your film and theatre projects, from development to distribution and beyond.
Learn how to identify multiple income streams, leverage partnerships, and position your projects for financial success. If you’re ready to stop creating for exposure and start creating for profit, this session will give you the tools to make it make money.
🎬🎥 Act Right: What Working Actors Know That Others Don't
Instructor: Javon Johnson
Who Should Attend:
Actors at all levels, performers, aspiring talent, and working actors looking to grow
Description:
There’s a clear difference between actors who are talented and actors who are consistently working—and this session breaks down that difference. Javon Johnson pulls back the curtain on the habits, mindset, and strategies that separate those who are trying from those who are booked.
Gain real insight into how working actors prepare, position themselves, and stay ready for opportunities. If you’re ready to elevate your craft, sharpen your approach, and step into a more consistent acting career, this is the room you need to be in.
3:20PM - 4:30PM - WORKSHOPS
SC STATE MUSEUM | 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC
🎬🎥 Real Stories, Real People:
Cinematography & Interview Techniques for Documentary Filmmakers
Instructor: Wade Sellers
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, documentary creators, producers, content creators, storytellers
Description:
Powerful stories deserve powerful visuals. In this session, you’ll learn how to capture authentic, emotionally compelling narratives through strategic cinematography and intentional interview techniques. Whether you’re telling community stories or producing full-scale documentaries, this class will help you elevate your storytelling and connect deeply with your audience.
🎭 Actor Branding: Headshots, Reels, and Casting That Gets You Noticed
Instructor: Amy Brower
Who Should Attend:
Actors, performers, talent, aspiring actors, working actors
Description:
Before you say a word, your brand speaks for you. This session dives into how to create headshots, reels, and casting materials that immediately grab attention and position you as a professional. Learn what casting directors are actually looking for and how to make sure you stand out in a crowded room.
🎬 Breaking Into the Industry Without Asking for Permission
Instructor: Dennis White
Who Should Attend:
Actors, directors, filmmakers, creatives, and emerging talent
Description:
The industry has changed and waiting for gatekeepers is no longer the only path forward. In this high-impact session, Dennis White challenges you to take ownership of your career by creating opportunities, building strategic relationships, and positioning yourself to be seen.
Learn how to move with intention, leverage your network, and step boldly into your purpose without waiting for validation. If you’re ready to stop asking for permission and start making moves, this is the room you need to be in.
6:00PM - 9:30PM 🎥 FILM SCREENINGS
SEGRA PARK | 1640 Freed St, Columbia, SC
(FREE EVENT - REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
Judges: Javon Johnson, Scott duPont, Tressa Smallwood, Dennis White
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, actors, creatives, film lovers, industry professionals
Description:
Experience powerful storytelling on the big screen. These curated film screenings showcase emerging and established creators, with live evaluation from industry professionals. This is where stories come to life, and careers gain visibility.
9:30PM - 11:00PM 🤝 THE CALL NETWORKING EXPERIENCE
PUBLICO TAP AT BULLSTREET | 2180 Boyce St, Columbia, SC
(FREE EVENT - REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
Judges: Javon Johnson, Scott duPont, Tressa Smallwood, Dennis White
Who Should Attend:
All creatives, artists, industry professionals, and attendees
Description:
This is where connections turn into collaborations. “The Call” is a high-energy networking experience designed to bring creatives together in a vibrant space where relationships are built, ideas are shared, and real opportunities are created.
Enjoy music, prizes, and an atmosphere filled with energy, creativity, and possibility. Meet new collaborators, build meaningful connections, and position yourself for your next opportunity.
Looking to get on set? Whether you’re an actor or interested in working behind the scenes in crew, production, or support services, we are actively hiring and casting for Season 3 of Secrets in Plain Sight. Be sure to stop by the WSO Table to drop off your headshot and resume and connect with our team.
Don’t just attend…connect, engage, and make your move.
FRIDAY, MAY 1, 2026
9:00AM - 10:10AM - WORKSHOPS
SC STATE MUSEUM | 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC
✍🏽 Twists, Turns & Tension: Writing Stories Audiences Can’t Predict
Instructor: Vanessa Lynn
Who Should Attend:
Writers, playwrights, screenwriters, authors, storytellers, content creators
Description:
Great storytelling doesn’t just entertain, It keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. In this high-impact session, Vanessa Lynn breaks down how to craft layered narratives, build suspense, and create unexpected twists that leave a lasting impression.
Learn how to structure your story for maximum impact, develop compelling characters, and keep your audience fully engaged from beginning to end. If you’re ready to write stories that stand out, spark conversation, and stay with your audience long after the final scene, this is the session for you.
🎭 Having the Capacity to Handle This Industry
Instructor: Natarsha Garcia ("The Star Maker")
Who Should Attend:
Actors, creatives, emerging professionals, and working artists
Description:
The industry will test your talent, but it will challenge your mindset, your discipline, and your capacity even more. In this powerful and honest session, “The Star Maker,” Natarsha Garcia, goes beyond the surface to help you evaluate where you truly are and what it really takes to sustain success.
Learn how to be honest with yourself about your purpose, your preparation, and your readiness for the opportunities you’re asking for. Natarsha not only shares what it takes to get and land an agent or manager, but also equips you with the tools to recognize and rise to, the level of capacity required to thrive in this industry.
🎬 The Psychology of Investors: How to Get Your Film Funded
Instructor: Scott duPont
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, producers, directors, content creators, and creatives seeking funding
Description:
Investors don’t just invest in projects, they invest in confidence, clarity, and vision. In this powerful session, Scott duPont breaks down how to think like an investor and position your project in a way that captures attention and secures funding.
Learn how to communicate your idea effectively, present with confidence, and align your vision with what investors are actually looking for. If you’re serious about getting your project financed and moving from concept to production, this session will give you the mindset and strategy to make it happen.
10:20AM - 11:30AM - WORKSHOPS
SC STATE MUSEUM | 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC
🎬 Lights, Camera, Longevity: Building a Career in Film & TV
Instructor: Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs
Who Should Attend:
Actors, performers, creatives, and industry professionals at all levels
Description:
Success in this industry is not just about getting in, it’s about staying in. In this powerful and interactive session, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs brings decades of experience across theatre, film, and television to the room and he’s ready to talk.
Bring your questions. All of them. Acting, directing, theatre, film, television… Nothing is off the table and no question is too dumb. This is a rare opportunity to gain real insight, honest answers, and hard-earned wisdom from someone who has lived the journey.
If you’re serious about building a lasting career, not just chasing a moment… get in the room.
💼 Make It Make Money: Monetizing Film & Theatre Projects
Instructor: John Ewing III
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, producers, writers, directors, theatre creators, content creators, creative entrepreneurs, business-minded artists
Description:
Creating great content is only half the battle, knowing how to turn it into revenue is what sustains your career. In this powerful session, John Ewing III breaks down real-world strategies for monetizing your film and theatre projects, from development to distribution and beyond.
Learn how to identify multiple income streams, leverage partnerships, and position your projects for financial success. If you’re ready to stop creating for exposure and start creating for profit, this session will give you the tools to make it make money.
🎬🎥 The Psychology of Investors: How to Get Your Film Funded
Instructor: Scott duPont
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, producers, directors, content creators, and creatives seeking funding
Description:
Investors don’t just invest in projects. They invest in confidence, clarity, and vision. In this powerful session, Scott duPont breaks down how to think like an investor and position your project in a way that captures attention and secures funding.
Learn how to communicate your idea effectively, present with confidence, and align your vision with what investors are actually looking for. If you’re serious about getting your project financed and moving from concept to production, this session will give you the mindset and strategy to make it happen.
12:00PM - 1:30PM - LUNCH & LEARN EXPERIENCES
SC STATE MUSEUM | 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC
🌐 The Resource Hub: Funding, Support & Opportunities for Creatives
Panelists:
-
Dan Young – South Carolina Film Commission
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Dr. Donald Lee – South Carolina Theatre Association
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Faith Creech – Carolina Film Network
-
Beth Watkins-Brown – Southeast Theatre Conference
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, writers, producers, creatives, arts organizations, community leaders
Description:
This is where access meets opportunity and where information turns into action. The Resource Hub brings together key organizations that are actively investing in and supporting creatives across the region, giving you direct insight into funding, programs, and pathways available to you right now.
Learn how to tap into grants, resources, partnerships, and support systems designed to help you grow, fund, and sustain your work. If you’ve been asking “what’s next?” or “where do I go from here?”, this is one of the most important rooms you can be in.
🎭 Live Audition Feedback Session
(Pre-registration is required. Must be a Festival Pass Holder to participate)
Instructor: Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs (with a few industry guests)
Who Should Attend:
Actors, performers, and serious talent ready for real feedback
Description:
If you don’t want the truth, there are other rooms you can go to. But if you’re ready for honest, constructive feedback on your audition, this is the room.
Whether you’ve been auditioning without callbacks or you’re trying to understand what’s missing, this is your opportunity to step into the spotlight and be seen. Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, alongside select industry professionals, will provide real-time feedback designed to sharpen your performance, elevate your presence, and strengthen your approach.
This is more than a session. It's a moment that can shift your entire trajectory.
This class is priceless.
Pre-registration is required. Must be a Festival Pass Holder to participate.
💰 Pitch Right: The Greenlight Formula
Panelists: Tressa Smallwood, Jalene Mack, Scott duPont
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, producers, writers, directors, and creators
Description:
Too many great projects never make it past the room. Not because the idea wasn’t strong, but because the pitch, the package, or the presentation missed the mark. In this no-nonsense session, industry leaders break down exactly what goes wrong and how to fix it.
Learn how to pitch with confidence, package your project strategically, protect your content, and position yourself for funding and distribution. If you’re serious about getting your project greenlit and not left on the table, you need to be in this room.
2:00PM - 3:10PM - WORKSHOPS
SC STATE MUSEUM | 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC
🎭 Having the Capacity to Handle This Industry
Instructor: Natarsha Garcia ("The Star Maker")
Who Should Attend:
Actors, creatives, emerging professionals, and working artists
Description:
The industry will test your talent, but it will challenge your mindset, your discipline, and your capacity even more. In this powerful and honest session, “The Star Maker,” Natarsha Garcia, goes beyond the surface to help you evaluate where you truly are and what it really takes to sustain success.
Learn how to be honest with yourself about your purpose, your preparation, and your readiness for the opportunities you’re asking for. Natarsha not only shares what it takes to get and land an agent or manager, but also equips you with the tools to recognize and rise to the level of capacity required to thrive in this industry.
💼 The Business of Stage, Screen and In Between
Instructor: Jalene Mack
Who Should Attend:
Actors, producers, writers, filmmakers, creatives, entrepreneurs, content creators
Description:
Talent may open doors, but understanding the business keeps you in the room. In this essential session, Jalene Mack breaks down the legal and financial foundations every creative must know to protect their work and build a sustainable career.
From contracts and intellectual property to negotiations and ownership, you’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to move strategically in the industry. If you’re serious about longevity and making smart business decisions, this is a session you cannot afford to miss.
🎭 Act Right: What Working Actors Know That Others Don't
Instructor: Javon Johnson
Who Should Attend:
Actors at all levels, performers, aspiring talent, and working actors looking to grow
Description:
There’s a clear difference between actors who are talented and actors who are consistently working and this session breaks down that difference. Javon Johnson pulls back the curtain on the habits, mindset, and strategies that separate those who are trying from those who are booked.
Gain real insight into how working actors prepare, position themselves, and stay ready for opportunities. If you’re ready to elevate your craft, sharpen your approach, and step into a more consistent acting career, this is the room you need to be in.
SC STATE MUSEUM | 301 Gervais St, Columbia, SC
3:20PM - 4:30PM - WORKSHOPS
🎬 From Script to Screen: Landing Distribution on Major Platforms
Instructor: Tressa Smallwood
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, producers, writers, directors, content creators, and creatives ready to get their projects seen and sold
Description:
Great projects don’t just need to be created, they need to be seen. In this powerful, distribution-focused session, Tressa Smallwood breaks down what it really takes to get your project picked up by major platforms, networks, and streaming services.
Go beyond the pitch and learn how to position your project for acquisition, understand what distributors are actually looking for, and avoid the costly mistakes that keep great content off the screen. From packaging to platform readiness, this session gives you insider knowledge on how deals are made and how to position yourself to be next.
If your goal is not just to create but to sell, distribute, and scale your content, this is the room you need to be in.
✍🏽 Write Right: Indie Writers Writing Big-Time Stories
Instructor: MoReese Madu
Who Should Attend:
Writers, playwrights, screenwriters, authors, content creators, independent storytellers
Description:
You don’t need a major studio to write a major story. You need strategy, consistency, and a voice that demands attention. In this empowering session, MoReese Madu breaks down how independent writers can develop compelling stories, stay consistent in their craft, and position themselves for real opportunities in today’s industry.
Learn how to think bigger, write smarter, and move your work beyond the page into spaces where it can be seen, produced, and respected. If you’re ready to stop playing small and start writing stories that open doors, this session is for you.
💼 Making It Make Money: Monetizing Film & Theatre Projects
Instructor: John Ewing III
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, producers, writers, directors, theatre creators, content creators, creative entrepreneurs, business-minded artists
Description:
Creating great content is only half the battle. Knowing how to turn it into revenue is what sustains your career. In this powerful session, John Ewing III breaks down real-world strategies for monetizing your film and theatre projects, from development to distribution and beyond.
Learn how to identify multiple income streams, leverage partnerships, and position your projects for financial success. If you’re ready to stop creating for exposure and start creating for profit, this session will give you the tools to make it make money.
6:00PM - 9:00PM 🎭 Theatre Performances
CMFA Theatre | 914 Pulaski Street, Columbia, SC
(FREE EVENT - REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
Judges: Vanessa Lynn, Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Natarsha Garcia
Who Should Attend:
Actors, theatre lovers, creatives, industry professionals
Description:
Experience live storytelling at its finest. These performances highlight powerful talent and give actors the opportunity to showcase their work in front of industry professionals.
9:30PM - 11:00PM 🤝 THE CALL NETWORKING EXPERIENCE
PUBLICO TAP AT BULLSTREET | 2180 Boyce St, Columbia, SC
(FREE EVENT - REGISTRATION REQUIRED)
Who Should Attend:
All creatives, artists, industry professionals, and attendees
Description:
This is where connections turn into collaborations. “The Call” is a high-energy networking experience designed to bring creatives together in a vibrant space where relationships are built, ideas are shared, and real opportunities are created.
Enjoy music, prizes, and an atmosphere filled with energy, creativity, and possibility. Meet new collaborators, build meaningful connections, and position yourself for your next opportunity.
Looking to get on set? Whether you’re an actor or interested in working behind the scenes in crew, production, or support services, we are actively hiring and casting for Season 3 of Secrets in Plain Sight. Be sure to stop by the WSO Table to drop off your headshot and resume and connect with our team.
Don’t just attend…connect, engage, and make your move.
SATURDAY, MAY 2, 2026
10:00AM - 1:00PM - COMPETITIONS
SEGRA PARK | 1640 Freed St, Columbia, SC
🎭 Shoot Your Shot – Actors Competition
Who Should Attend:
Actors, performers, and serious talent
Description:
This is your moment to be seen. Actors will perform live in front of industry judges and receive real-time, professional feedback that can sharpen their craft and elevate their presence.
With high energy and real stakes, this competition offers more than recognition. It creates opportunity. If you’re ready to step into the spotlight and show what you’ve got, this is your stage.
🎤 Shoot Your Shot – Pitch Competition
Who Should Attend:
Filmmakers, writers, producers, and creators
Description:
Bring your vision to life in front of industry professionals who are ready to listen. Creators will pitch their projects, receive valuable feedback, and gain insight into how to strengthen and position their ideas for funding and production.
This is more than a pitch. It is an opportunity to be heard, to be seen, and to take your project one step closer to becoming a reality.
5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
SEGRA PARK | 1640 Freed St, Columbia, SC
🏆 WSO Honors Awards Ceremony
Who Should Attend:
All attendees, creatives, industry professionals
Description:
A night of excellence, recognition, and celebration. Walk the red carpet, experience live entertainment, and honor the best in film, theatre, and community impact.
*MUST PURCHASE TICKETS TO ATTEND*