Inside the Framework | Vol. 4

Hey creators 👋🏽 Ciara here —founder of Emerging Frameworks and your monthly co-pilot in turning ideas into real momentum.

This month, I want to dive into one of the questions I’ve been getting the most lately: “How did you get distribution for your first film?”

The truth? I didn’t wait for permission or connections —I just started.

And while there’s no one-size-fits-all formula to landing distribution, I wanted to share a few key lessons from my own journey that might help you get your next (or first) project into the world.

Back in 2020, my alma mater, Lane College—an HBCU in Jackson, Tennessee—asked me to represent them in a historic photo re-creation featuring HBCU alumni taking place in Harlem. This was during a pivotal time in the U.S. —the height of the pandemic, the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, and a surge in corporate interest in amplifying Black institutions like HBCUs.

Around the same time, I watched the documentary Summer of Soul, and it clicked: this photograph wasn’t just a powerful image —it was history in the making. So I reached out to Darryl Roberts, the photo organizer, and asked if I could document the moment. That’s how The Historic HBCU Photograph came to life, through an opportunity, a gut feeling, and recognizing a need in the market.

Before the film found a home on MPT, PBS Maryland, as part of their HBCU Week programming, it became a part of my application for PBS’s inaugural Ignite Program, a mentorship for emerging filmmakers. Had I not created the film, I wouldn’t have had anything original to submit, despite my prior experience producing for outlets like SLAM Magazine. That work, while valuable, wasn’t mine to own.

I submitted the film to nine festivals that aligned with the spirit and story of the project. Three accepted it. One month after our final screening, I received an email from MPT (Maryland Public Television) expressing interest in including the film in their HBCU week lineup. That single “yes” led to so much more than I imagined.

What I learned from making and distributing my first film was simple: Just start. You don’t need permission or a big-name connection. You need intention, a sense of timing, and a willingness to share your story even if you’re unsure where it’ll land.

Here’s the framework I used —not a checklist, but a guide to help you move with more clarity and purpose:

🛠 Framework for Getting Your Project Out There

• Find a story that’s timely and marketable – Not just what you think is cool, but what the industry and audiences are actively showing interest in.

• Create with your community – Tap into the people and stories around you. They are your first collaborators and your first audience.

• Be strategic about festivals – You don’t need to submit to every festival or chase Sundance. Focus on those that align with your film’s purpose, message, and audience.

• Use your film as a tool – Apply to fellowships, labs, and mentorships that can support both you and your project.

• Set your intentions, then let go of the outcome – When I made The Historic HBCU Photograph, I envisioned PBS as a platform, but I was fully prepared to release it on Emerging Frameworks’ YouTube if that didn’t work out.

Whether or not your film lands a distributor, that doesn’t determine its value or your future. You just have to get it made, put it in front of people, and let it move the way it’s meant to. For me, one film opened the door to mentorship, distribution, and the development of my next project, She Hoops Too, my first feature-length documentary.

So wherever you are on your journey, start. Stay grounded in your “why.” And trust that the right eyes will find your work.

Check out The Historic HBCU Photograph, streaming on MPT - PBS Maryland Now

Community Spotlight 

📍 From NY Tech Week to Tribeca Film Festival
 Following Your Curiosity Can Get You in the Room —Sometimes for Free

This month reminded us that when you follow your curiosity and lean into your interests, it can lead you to the right rooms, rooms filled with opportunity, community, and insight. And if you’re paying attention, you’ll notice that sometimes the cost of entry is free. From NY Tech Week to the Tribeca Film Festival, we showed up, asked questions, and walked away with new connections, fresh ideas, and a deeper sense of what's possible when you just start.

🎬 Tribeca Film Festival x AT&T’s Untold Stories + Indeed’s Rising Voices

Thanks to an amazing initiative by Tribeca Film Festival and its partners, we were able to attend panels, talks, and screenings completely free of charge. The programming included valuable sessions on funding strategies, grant opportunities, and professional development resources (including free headshots!). It was a powerful reminder that when doors open, it’s up to you to walk through them.

🤝 DCTV x Nonfiction Hotlist — Tribeca Documentary Mixer

Outside the official Tribeca lineup, DCTV and the Nonfiction Hotlist co-hosted a mixer that brought together a vibrant community of documentary filmmakers, editors, producers, and doc lovers. We left inspired by the people we met —and excited about the future of nonfiction storytelling.

👻 Beacons x Snapchat Mixer

We linked up with our friends at Beacons.ai at Snapchat’s NYC offices for an exclusive look at the future of creator growth. The mixer was packed with strategy gems around content development, audience expansion, and monetization. We even got to meet some of our favorite creators like Winta Zesu, who reminded us how far authentic storytelling can go.

🏀 Arena’s Female Founders & Funders Mixer — NY Tech Week
Hosted by Adriene Bueno and Parul Khosla, this event was a standout. It brought together a dynamic group of women leading in sports, media, tech, and entertainment, proving once again that when women gather with intention, rooms shift. Arena is building tools for the next generation of creators in this space, and this mixer captured that mission perfectly.

👀 Upcoming Emerging Frameworks Event

Creative Momentum Workshop
 Build the framework for your dream project
 📅 Event Date: TBD – Sign up for this newsletter to be the first to know when registration opens.

We’re building this with the community, for the community. Don’t miss it.

Creator Resources, Mentorships & Jobs

🎥 Join the Emerging Frameworks Team
We’re currently on the lookout for:
→ A Social Media Intern (ideal for someone looking to build their creative marketing chops, get hands-on experience, and grow with a small but mighty team)
→ Production Assistants for both Emerging Frameworks and She Hoops Too —We’re looking for people who are curious, creative, and ready to learn.

📩 Interested? Fill out this quick form, and we’ll be in touch.

Upcoming Basketball Documentary is looking for staff and crew.

We're looking for Production Assistance in the following areas:

• Social Media Associates

• Videographers

• Assistant Video Editors

📩 Interested? Fill out this quick form, and we’ll be in touch.

🔎 Inside the Algorithm —

This month, we’re spotlighting creators who are showing up boldly, proving that you don’t need permission to create impact. They didn’t wait to be discovered. They just started, stayed consistent, and let the work speak for itself.

🎥 IG: @Tommyboyfreezem
A director and visual storyteller with a cinematic eye and cultural depth. His work is a masterclass in mood, movement, and meaning.

🎙️ IG: @WintaZesu
A breakout creator using humor, honesty, and hustle to grow her platform. She’s a reminder that showing up as yourself is still your superpower.

💬 Thought of the Month

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” —Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Sometimes clarity comes after the action, not before. Whether you’re launching your first project, applying to a new opportunity, or simply trying something new, don’t wait for a full blueprint. Just start.

Until next time,
✨ Ciara & The EFW Team

Thanks for reading and being a part of the Emerging Frameworks community. Let us know what you’re working on and what you'd like to see more of in future issues.