The Fall Finishing Retreat

for emerging filmmakers | Fall 2026
Upcoming Retreat
The Fall Finishing Retreat
$500.00

The Fall Finishing Retreat, led by Emmy-Award winning filmmaker Resita Heavenly Cox, is a prestigious 3-day film completion fellowship held in Asheboro, NC. This intensive retreat is specifically designed to guide filmmakers through the crucial final stages of their projects. Participants will benefit from rigorous feedback sessions with industry experts and receive personalized one-on-one story and career development coaching directly from Resita. Upon completion, filmmakers will be equipped with robust, immediately actionable strategies for film festival submissions, impact campaigns, and distribution.

Only

10

Spots

The Details

Eligibility:

  • Successful receipt of full application materials and confirmation of acceptance [while the application is open to those in the Indie Film School community, your invitation to the finishing retreat is still pending approval]

  • Successful completion of the Impact and Indie Film incubator or one of RC’s Duke courses prior to the retreat date

  • Must have one film in post production or ready for to implement impact strategy by the retreat date 

  • Must be available for the entire duration of the fall retreat 

  • Must be financially viable to pay for travel, lodging and food outside of included meals during the retreat

Application Process:

Eligible candidates should email sonna@resitacox.com to book a mandatory info session in order to receive access to the application. Applications are due August 01, 2026.

  1. Book Info Session [15 minutes] by emailing sonna@resitacox.com. Please use Info Session on Finishing Retreat as your subject.

  2. Submit application materials by August 15, 2026, which will include:

    Cover Letter

    Film Values Statement

    Documentary Core Application 3.2

    Visual Sample of up to 30 minutes

    [2] Peer References

    Completed application with additional questions

    Potential Dates, pending availability of selected cohort:

    OPTION 1: September 25 - 27, 2026

    OPTION 2: October 15 - 17, 2026 or October 16 - 18, 2026

    OPTION 3: November 13 - 15, 2026

  3. Successful applications will advance to Panel Review, where a panel of industry professionals will select up to 10 candidates for the 2026 Fall Finishing Retreat. Those who advance to panel may be asked to participate in an interview with our panelists and will be notified by August 15, 2026. We intend to make final decisions and invite successful applicants by August 30, 2026.

  4. Remit full payment to hold your spot!

The Fall Finishing Retreat, led by Emmy-Award winning filmmaker Resita Heavenly Cox, is a prestigious 3-day film completion fellowship held in Asheboro, NC at the remarkable Post Card Cabins Campsite.

This intensive retreat is specifically designed to guide filmmakers through the crucial final stages of their projects. Participants will benefit from rigorous feedback sessions with industry experts and receive personalized one-on-one story and career development coaching directly from Resita.

Upon completion, filmmakers will be equipped with robust, immediately actionable strategies for film festival submissions, impact campaigns, and distribution.

SAMPLE AGENDA:

FRIDAY - Arrive on campgrounds for group check-in - 2:00 PM 

4 PM - Check in to cabins

5 PM - Group Exercise

6 PM - Group Dinner

7:30 PM - Group exercise 

SATURDAY 

7 AM - Group Yoga

8 AM - Breakfast 

9 AM - Group Session

11 AM - One on Ones

1 PM - individual lunch

3 PM - Group Session

5 PM - Solo edit time 

SUNDAY 

7 AM - Group Yoga

8 AM - Breakfast 

9 AM - Group Session

11 AM - CHECK OU

11:15 AM Departing Group Session

1 PM WRAP & DEPART

Fee Overview:

Participation in the Fall Finishing Retreat is estimated at a total $1,550, based on personal, situational differences. The only fixed fees are lodging and participation fees. Payment plans and financial support is available upon request. You are required to remit full payment upon acceptance into the program.

Lodging: $500

Travel: up to $350

Food: up to $200 [some group meals are included in your participation fee]

Participation and admin fees: $500