What we’re about
🎬 Welcome to the Silicon Valley Film Makers & Film Society!
We are a thriving, inclusive community of writers, directors, producers, editors, actors, and film lovers who are passionate about the art and business of filmmaking. Whether you’re an indie filmmaker, aspiring screenwriter, or a fan of powerful storytelling, this is your space to collaborate, learn, and create.
We host in-person and virtual events where creatives can connect, exchange ideas, attend workshops, screen works-in-progress, and develop projects together. Our goal is to make filmmaking more accessible, more collaborative, and more innovative—right here in the heart of Silicon Valley.
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### 🎥 Now Under the Leadership of Donna P. Mitchell
I’m Donna P. Mitchell—Marketing & AI Expert, media strategist, and host of the Pivoting to Web3 Podcast. With a background in business transformation, storytelling, and emerging tech, I’m passionate about empowering creators at the intersection of film, innovation, and culture.
I bring a strategic vision to this group focused on creative excellence, professional development, and future-forward opportunities—including how AI, blockchain, and Web3 are reshaping the film industry.
👉 Connect with our extended creative tech community:
Pivoting to Web3, AI & Emerging Tech Facebook Group
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🎬 Why Join Us?
âś… Build meaningful industry connections
âś… Workshop scripts & film concepts
âś… Learn production & distribution strategies
âś… Stay ahead of film tech trends (AI, Web3, NFTs)
âś… Participate in showcases, panels, and collaborative projects
Whether you're prepping your first short film or finishing your third feature, this is the community to grow with. Your next collaborator—or breakthrough—might just be one meetup away.
Let’s make magic—together. 🎞️
Upcoming events (4+)
See all- Startup Fundamentals #2 : Developing a Funding StrategySnell and Wilmer, Palo Alto, CA
This event is organized by Access Silicon Valley.
Our meetup group is collaborating by promoting this event.
Startup Fundamentals 2: Developing a Funding Strategy
Thursday, June 12 | 5:00 – 9:00pm5 Palo Alto Square
3000 El Camino Real
Palo Alto, CA 94306SEATING IS EXTREMELY LIMITED, SO RESERVE YOUR SEAT ON EVENTBRITE HERE.
Unlock Your Startup’s Potential: Join Our Essential Workshop! Learn how to develop and implement a funding strategy that is right for your startup!
Are you an entrepreneur ready to transform your vision into a successful, fundable startup? Access Silicon Valley invites you to join us for an invaluable 3-hour workshop designed to equip you with the legal and business tools and insights necessary to build a fundable and scalable startup and thrive in the startup ecosystem! Learn how to develop and implement a funding strategy that is right for your startup!
This is the second of three workshops in the Access Silicon Valley Startup Fundamental Series for startup founders, startup executives, entrepreneurs, innovators, and developers. While advantageous to have attended all 3 workshops, this is stand-alone content. You can still attend this program if you missed the first.
CONTENT
In this second workshop of the Startup Fundamentals series, Roger Rappoport, a former entrepreneur, founder of Access Silicon Valley, a partner at Snell & Wilmer and co-leader of its Emerging Growth and Venture Capital practice group, will conduct an interactive, informative session with in depth content on how successful Silicon Valley startups develop and implement successful funding strategies, securing funding from angel, seed and VC investors. Learn the best way to raise the money you need to successfully launch and scale your startup!
This session will cover:- How to develop a funding strategy appropriate for your startup
- When to raise funds, how much to raise, and from who
- The danger of taking too much or too little from investors
- Identifying the valuation inflection points of your company
- The differences between seed, angel and venture capital funding
- Alternative funding sources
- Appropriate funding instruments for each round of funding, including convertible notes, SAFE's, common stock and preferred stock
- The pros and cons of selling equity, convertible instruments, and venture debt
- Selecting and gaining access to the right investor
- What to do to increase the pre-money valuation of your company
Materials:
A comprehensive 70+-page digital workbook with an actionable step-by-step guide will be distributed to all registered event attendees on the day of the event.
Agenda:
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM - Dinner and networking
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Startup workshop
8:45 PM - 9:00 PM - Q & ASEATING IS EXTREMELY LIMITED, SO RESERVE YOUR SEAT ON EVENTBRITE HERE.
About the Speaker:
Snell & Wilmer Partner Roger Rappoport, Co-Leader of the Emerging Growth and Venture Capital Practice Group, is a seasoned advisor to startups and emerging growth companies and the investors who finance them, guiding clients from inception through exit. With over two decades of experience in the startup ecosystem, Roger focuses on venture capital and angel investor financings, including convertible notes, SAFEs, and other debt financings. His knowledge extends to mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, distribution, development, manufacturing, and licensing transactions, as well as executive compensation and the establishment of equity incentive plans.
Questions? Email Alex Levine at alevine@swlaw.com.
Up Next
Part 3: Understanding the "Terms" In Term Sheets | July 17, 2025
Join Snell & Wilmer’s AI Leadership Collective
Snell & Wilmer is excited to announce the S&W AI Leadership Collective, a forum designed for exceptional Silicon Valley-based CEOs of AI-first or AI-driven startups to Series B companies. Led by Snell & Wilmer Partner Roger Rappoport, this initiative fosters strategic, peer-to-peer discussions on building and scaling AI companies, navigating regulations, securing funding, and leading high-performing teams. CEOs have the option to nominate themselves or their peers for this program. This in-person gathering will be held monthly in Palo Alto, and group size is limited to encourage meaningful interaction and knowledge exchange. The AI Leadership Collective offers a platform for collaboration, accountability, and lasting connections. Learn more here: https://bit.ly/4huWFnt. - Rodin Collection / Cantor Arts Center Tour and Social Networking - StanfordCantor Arts Center at Stanford University, Stanford, CA
This event is organized in collaboration with other groups.
This event is FREE to attend.
In order to attend, please register here:
This event is FREE to attend.
Agenda
10:45 AM Meet in front of the Cantor Arts Center
Look for the MEETUP sign!
Meet and greet!
Network, socialize and connect!
11:30 AM Group tour of the Rodin collection
12:30 PM Roam the exhibits or have lunch in the cafe at the Cantor Arts Center
OPTIONAL: 1:30 PM Group tour of the Stanford campus
(Attendees will purchase their own food and beverages.)
Please review this link for info on the Cantor Cantor Arts Center, directions and parking info.
https://museum.stanford.edu/visit
Please review this link for info on the Rodin collection.
https://museum.stanford.edu/exhibitions/rodin-shock-modern-body
Please register here for admission to the Cantor Arts Center.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cantor-arts-center-reservations-tickets-159897258003
(Admission is free but registration is required.)
- Meet New People! Sunday Night Networking (In-Person)Panera Bread, Foster City, CA
Look for the MEETUP sign!
Organizational Sponsors:
KEAP
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Visit:
https://app.mobilemonkey.com/instachampIPO
Look for the MEETUP sign!
Come out and meet new people!
Network, socialize and connect!
This event is free to attend.
Please register here:
Attendees must purchase their own liquid refreshments and food.
There's no content or speaker at this event -- just business and social networking.
Build your business and social network - face to face! (in-person)
Come out and enjoy a great evening of good food, liquid refreshments, and connecting.
You may meet your next business collaborator, client, employer, employee, friend, or tennis partner!
Getting away from a screen for a few hours will do you some good!
: -)
Meet Silicon Valley movers and shakers - Internet entrepreneurs, developers, engineers, mobile app coders, attorneys, bloggers, academics, financiers, marketing professionals, community organizers and investors.
This event is organized in collaboration with other groups!
@ideatoipo
www.idea-to-ipo.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjYga11avYH_CUpC0BSyDng
(videos of online events)
Look for the MEETUP sign!
- Silicon Valley Business Networking (Online)Link visible for attendees
Organizational Sponsor:
Startup House
Need a place to stay short term in Silicon Valley?
Stay at Startup House in Palo Alto - the heart of Silicon Valley - for as low as $50 a night!
-Network, socialize and connect with entrepreneurs all over the world!
-Enjoy social events and startup and venture capital-related programming!
- Have access to world class amenities, iconic tech companies, top tier venture capital firms, Stanford University, etc. - all within walking or biking distance!
For more info, send an email message to:
siliconvalleystartuphousing@gmail.com
Put this in the subject header:
Silicon Valley Startup Housing
Or visit:
https://startuphouse.carrd.co/
This event is 100% online.
Participants can be located anywhere in the world!
This event is FREE to attend!
In order to attend, please register here:
(The login link will be sent via email to Eventbrite registrants right before the start of the event.)
Hurry! Slots are limited!
There's no content or speaker at this event -- just business networking.
Build your business network - face to face (online)!
Join a virtual gathering of professionals from all walks of life from all over the world!
You may meet your next business collaborator, client, employer, employee or friend!
Meet Silicon Valley movers and shakers and influencers from all over the world - tech entrepreneurs, developers, engineers, attorneys, bloggers, academics, thought leaders, community organizers, artists, financiers, and investors!
Network, socialize and connect!
For more info on Idea to IPO events, visit:
www.idea-to-ipo.com (our main meetup group among 160 meetup groups globally)
https://www.youtube.com/@ideatoipo2 (videos of online events)
