Consulting for Filmmakers, Producers & Writers

Aaron at film festivals and beyond (featuring Tilda Swinton, Ryan Gosling, Roy Wood Jr. & more)

The film industry is a never-ending Wild West full of impenetrable gatekeepers and corporate ghouls. Let me save you time, money, and bad decisions.

I've been on the other side of the table: reading your script, watching your submission, deciding what gets in. After nearly 25 years as a critic, festival programmer, distribution exec and related roles, I know what makes people say yes... or quietly pass.

[Schedule your consultation with Aaron.]

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"I have known Aaron for nearly two decades and have collaborated with him in his capacity as a journalist, programmer and curator. I can state firsthand that he brings a distinct passion, knowledge and drive to everything he works on. He is a true champion of cinema."
— Dan Berger, president of Oscilloscope Laboratories

Who this is for:

Filmmakers deciding where (and whether) to submit their feature or short
Writers and producers who want honest notes before the project goes out
Anyone with a finished film who's stuck on what comes next

Why listen to me?

I've worn many hats in indie film: critic (Village Voice, Variety, VICE), festival programmer (Cucalorus), acquisitions scout (Cannes, Sundance, Toronto, Berlin), distribution (director of programming at Fandor, genre consultant for Bleecker Street), marketing (head of Indiegogo's NYC film and creative office), and feature filmmaker (SXSW). Along the way, I've helped raise over $2M for indie projects and consulted for companies like Gunpowder & Sky, Cineverse, Variance Films, and Shaka King's I'd Watch That. More on my background →

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"As a producer, manager and former publicist, I see how many good films get lost between the final cut and an audience. Aaron has worked every side of that gap and knows how to navigate it. He's one of the rare people in this business who understands both the art and economics of independent film, and will tell you the truth about both."
— Adam Kersh, co-founder of Fusion Entertainment

What you'll get:

One warm introduction, if it makes sense. If your project and a contact of mine are a fit, I'll make the connection myself.
Brutally honest feedback from someone who's watched thousands of films, including countless submissions.
A clear plan. Festival strategy, distribution options, marketing, or "what do I do now?", with specific next steps you can act on that week.
A perspective you won't get from a manager or distributor alone. I'm not selling you anything except my time.

What you WON'T get:

Fake guarantees of festival acceptance
Empty networking promises
Flattery if your project isn't ready

How it works:

Book a time.
- "Let's Have a Coffee" chat: 20 min, $100 (good for a quick gut-check, a festival-list sanity check, or finding out whether a longer session makes sense. Start here, I'll credit the fee toward any additional consulting on the same project.)
- Short Film Consulting: 45 min, $250 (script notes, screening feedback, or festival strategy for your short: where to submit, in what order, what to skip. Send your script or screener link, logline, and potential festival list.)
- Script & Marketing Development: 45 min, $350 (notes on your feature script, pitch, or marketing materials so the project is ready before it goes out. Send the screenplay, deck, and/or one-sheet.)
- Feature Film Consulting: 60 min, $500 (full strategy session for a finished feature or rough cut: festivals, sales and distribution, marketing, and what to do next. Send your screener link and any festival or distributor conversations so far.)
Send me your materials. Script, cut, deck, or festival list (by 7 days before).
We talk on Zoom. Bring your hardest questions.
You leave with a plan. Follow-up notes land in your inbox within 24 hours.
Have questions before you book? aaron@thesecretscreening.com

[Click HERE to schedule.]

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