IPG Members Honored

Austin Horror Film Fest Honors IPG & PUNC Members

Congratulations to Diamond Monique Washington IPG and to Christina Cooper, on being nominated for best comedy short at the Austin Horror Film Festival for their collaboration on the film Dinner With The Joneses. The festival took place the weekend of October 10, 2025.

Dinner With The Joneses is a horror-comedy written by Stage And Screen Innovations Artistic Director Diamond Monique Washington, and directed by PUNC (Producing Unique New Creators) program participant Christina Cooper. The film received its nomination and Christina and Diamond were on site to discuss the film before audience. The film has been selected as well in other festivals as well.

Christina has been cutting her teeth as a director in the horror genre. She is good at it. Christina, and with her producing partner Danielle Schenzel, she is carving out her own space in the film industry. Appropriately, their production company is called Carved Out Entertainment. In the PUNC program, Christina Cooper is also a valuable member of the production team on Uncharted Freedom, a documentary series currently in production through that program. Christina is the media and publicity coordinator for the series.

Dinner With The Joneses was written by Diamond Monique Washington. The film looks at a seemingly normal family, with a bizarre and surprising family tradition. As a writer-director, Diamond focuses on horror, fantasy and scifi. She mentors the talented up-and-coming producers and directors through her with overseeing the PUNC program. In addition, Diamond is the Showrunner on Uncharted Freedom and is in preparation for her upcoming feature Dark Veil, which she wrote and will direct. Her accumulated work includes fantasy series, horror film. As Artistic Director of SSI, Diamond oversees the PUNC program, and is one of the visionaries developing the Virtual Theatrical initiative.

Dinner With The Joneses will be available on YouTube, on October 29, 7:30 p.m. Central Time, at youtube.com/@CarvedOutEntertainment. Christina Cooper’s professional website is CarvedOutEntertainment.com. Diamond Monique Washington’s web presence is DiamondsDarkHouse.com.

PUNC Program Expands! - YOU Can Be Part Of It!

The funding crunch just continues to get worse… but despite that, PUNC is expanding with several new, very motivated, very talented young producers coming. On. Through SSI, we are able to place participants onto series, feature projects and special events (like the upcoming 72-hour livestream Dark Veil Game Jam), where they get hands-on skills and the opportunity to grow their own network.

If you have watched the progression over the last several months, you will be excited about the PUNC program. You might even want to be involved as a mentor, as someone who can bring in sponsorship or help arrange placement of PUNC particpants on suitable productions, or even as a program participant yourself. The PUNC is a unique skills development program, done nowhere else. Find out more at stagescreen.org and if you want to know how to get into the program, or how you can help support it, contact Shadow Dragu-Mihai direct.

FilmPods Move Forward!

Another FIRST for IPG developed ideas - FilmPod is now moving forward with the Digital Box Office paradigm that has been alluded to over the last year. FilmPod, literally, is going to be the first and the only studios securing distribution and revenues for independent filmmakers. It uses blockchain technology - something often thought of as possible in film - but never done in a legally or contractually practical way. Following this year’s Pepperdine’s 100 Most Fundable Startups competition, in which FilmPod got to quarter finals, FilmPod is starting to get attention from tech investors. Those who have supported us in small ways - we thank you. There are still spots open you as we move closer to larger venture capital arrangements.

IPG Expansion

We are seeking to expand dramatically in 2026. It is time, after several years for the IPG to assert its leadership position in the world of independent film. If you believe in the mission of the Guild, and would like to step into a more active role, contact Shadow Dragu-Mihai directly. Specifically, we are seeking a Deputy Director, a Membership Director and some support people.