2026 OFF Academy
Welcome to the 11th Annual Omaha Film Festival Academy, hosted by the Omaha Film Festival (OFF), a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to cultivating the passion for filmmaking in the next generation.
Designed for 7th-12th grade students from the Omaha area, the OFF Academy strives to educate, entertain, and inspire budding filmmakers through interactive and specialized sessions led by esteemed industry professionals. Held in a conducive and secure learning environment, participants explore various facets of the filmmaking process, benefiting from hands-on experiences, networking opportunities, and creative collaboration.
In addition to the Academy, students will have the privilege of using their OFF Academy badge to attend the six-day Omaha Film Festival from March 10th - March 15th, 2026. This extension provides a unique chance to view narrative features, documentaries, and short films at Aksarben Cinema in Aksarben Village. Attendees can engage directly with filmmakers during post-screening Q&A sessions and immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the Writers Theatre, where screenplay finalists come to life before a live audience.
Breakfast and lunch are included during the Academy, along with an OFF Academy t-shirt. The total cost for participation is $300 per student; however, thanks to the generous contributions from local donors and organizations, we are pleased to offer a partial scholarship to all students, reducing the fee to just $50 per participant.
As advocates for arts education, we take pride in offering a distinctive program that fosters creativity, inspires, and celebrates imagination while imparting valuable filmmaking skills to our students. We are eager to collaborate with your student and look forward to an exciting and educational experience at the OFF Academy.
Designed for 7th-12th grade students from the Omaha area, the OFF Academy strives to educate, entertain, and inspire budding filmmakers through interactive and specialized sessions led by esteemed industry professionals. Held in a conducive and secure learning environment, participants explore various facets of the filmmaking process, benefiting from hands-on experiences, networking opportunities, and creative collaboration.
In addition to the Academy, students will have the privilege of using their OFF Academy badge to attend the six-day Omaha Film Festival from March 10th - March 15th, 2026. This extension provides a unique chance to view narrative features, documentaries, and short films at Aksarben Cinema in Aksarben Village. Attendees can engage directly with filmmakers during post-screening Q&A sessions and immerse themselves in the vibrant atmosphere of the Writers Theatre, where screenplay finalists come to life before a live audience.
Breakfast and lunch are included during the Academy, along with an OFF Academy t-shirt. The total cost for participation is $300 per student; however, thanks to the generous contributions from local donors and organizations, we are pleased to offer a partial scholarship to all students, reducing the fee to just $50 per participant.
As advocates for arts education, we take pride in offering a distinctive program that fosters creativity, inspires, and celebrates imagination while imparting valuable filmmaking skills to our students. We are eager to collaborate with your student and look forward to an exciting and educational experience at the OFF Academy.
Location
DoubleTree by Hilton
Omaha Southwest
Legacy Ballroom
3650 S 72nd St
Omaha, NE 68124
Omaha Southwest
Legacy Ballroom
3650 S 72nd St
Omaha, NE 68124
Date & Time
March 12 - 13th, 2026
8:30AM - 2:30PM
8:30AM - 2:30PM
Mentors
During the Academy participants will have the opportunity to work with a variety of industry professionals providing insights into the art of filmmaking.
Christine Burright
Writer and director whose screenplays, teleplays and films have been included in film festivals around the world. She has also worked on set as a script supervisor and assistant director, and is teaching a new screenwriting course at UNO.
Cody Jones
From cinematographer to assistant camera to colorist, Cody has worked on projects for AppleTV, Spotify, Netflix, Hulu, Facebook, Bank of America, AirBnB, TMobile, Creighton University, FNBO, and more.
Kevin Keplar
A multimedia professional with over 20 years of experience in radio, television, and film. An accomplished freelancer, he has worked nearly every crew position from sound mixer to director, and is an experienced editor and sound designer.
Scott Lynam
Media production professional primarily working as a location sound recordist/mixer. Projects include work for CNBC Documentaries, Modern Marvels, Tommy Lee Goes to College, and several local commercial and short film projects.
Kate Roberston Pryor
Actress, writer, and producer known for her roles in film and television projects such as Snack Shack (2024), Until the Music Fades, and A Place Where the Sun Sets. She is also the founder of Heartland Hunny Productions.
Aaron Smith
A Gaffer, CLT, Grip/trician with over 15 years of experience in the film and television industry, working as a freelancer in the Omaha area. Aaron is a very respected professional in the production community.
David Weiss
Director, executive producer, cinematographer, and editor. Owner of D.M. Weiss Productions, David's work includes documentaries, commercials, and independent films.
Richard Reese
More info to come.
What to Expect
For two high-energy days, you and a creative team will roll up your sleeves and dive into every stage of filmmaking — from concept to camera, from set to screen. You’ll work side-by-side with professionals in the field, gain hands-on experience in multiple crew roles, and build your own short film from the ground up.
You will...
Choose your top two crew roles (for example: screenwriter, sound mixer, lighting technician, cinematographer, editor, grip, gaffer, director, actor).
Collaborate with fellow participants to bring a project to life: write or pitch your idea, step into production, and see it through post-production. Plan to actively participate in a film crew to produce a short film.
Learn from industry pros who will guide you through gear setup, set etiquette, running a shoot, capturing sound, lighting a scene, editing footage — the whole workflow in real time. Your team will be assigned a mentor who will help guide your filmmaking process.
At the end of the experience, you’ll present your work, reflect on your process, and leave with new skills, insights, and creative confidence. You will be responsible for editing your film the week following the Academy. We will plan a screening of all OFF Academy films at a later date.
The application process...
Submit a creative application that shows you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and be an active, hands-on learner. Your submission could be:
- A written piece telling us why you’d be a great candidate (your passion, goals, what you hope to learn).
- A film concept pitch, outlining an idea you’d love to execute or a role you’re eager to play.
- A short video (even a minute or two) demonstrating your creativity, initiative, or past self-made work.
Spaces are limited — we are looking for motivated participants who are ready to dive in, collaborate, and learn actively.
- A written piece telling us why you’d be a great candidate (your passion, goals, what you hope to learn).
- A film concept pitch, outlining an idea you’d love to execute or a role you’re eager to play.
- A short video (even a minute or two) demonstrating your creativity, initiative, or past self-made work.
Spaces are limited — we are looking for motivated participants who are ready to dive in, collaborate, and learn actively.
Schedule
Thursday,
March 12th, 2026
8:00 AM-2:30PM
March 12th, 2026
8:00 AM-2:30PM
The Foundations of Visual Storytelling
Learning the Language of Film & Building Your Story
Students will attend the following sessions:
Session 1: The Fundamentals of Filmmaking
Session 2: Story Development & Shot Listing
Session 3: Hands-On Camera & Sound Lab
Session 4: Pre-Production & Gear Preparation
Students will attend the following sessions:
Session 1: The Fundamentals of Filmmaking
Session 2: Story Development & Shot Listing
Session 3: Hands-On Camera & Sound Lab
Session 4: Pre-Production & Gear Preparation
FriDAY,
MARCH 13th, 2026
8:00 AM-2:30PM
MARCH 13th, 2026
8:00 AM-2:30PM
The Director's Chair
Bringing Your Vision to Life
Sessions will continue with:
Session 5: Production Time
Session 6: Preparing for the Edit
The day will wrap up with a Wrap Party& Mission Hand-Off
Sessions will continue with:
Session 5: Production Time
Session 6: Preparing for the Edit
The day will wrap up with a Wrap Party& Mission Hand-Off
Post Workshop
The Edit and Premiere
March 14 - 21:
Students will use the week following the workshop to edit their films on their own time using the skills and resources provided.
Friday March 21 by 5:00 PM:
Groups will upload their finished 1-5 minute film to a designated online portal (still to be determined).
Date TBD:
A scheduled event where all the films are screened by students, family, and friends (date, time, and location to be determined).
Students will use the week following the workshop to edit their films on their own time using the skills and resources provided.
Friday March 21 by 5:00 PM:
Groups will upload their finished 1-5 minute film to a designated online portal (still to be determined).
Date TBD:
A scheduled event where all the films are screened by students, family, and friends (date, time, and location to be determined).
Join us March 12 -13th, 2026!