Uploaded June 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
WePresent, the arts platform from @wetransfer not only commissions provocative director-led short films, it backs their makers with the freedom, funding and reach to create exactly the work they want, while providing a worldwide audience eager to watch it. In our conversation, editor-in-chief Holly Fraser outlines how the platform approaches commissioning, production support and a distribution model which sees directors retain the rights to their films — and why they, "Don't want to work with artists who are too safe".
🔗 Find out more about WePresent's "For artists, with artists" philosophy & watch their films wepresent.wetransfer.com
🔔 Watch more interviews with visionary filmmakers on our channel: youtube.com/c/directorsnotes
🎥 Want to see your film here? Submit your work to Directors Notes: directorsnotes.com/submit
📬 Get filmmaking insights delivered: Subscribe to our free Newsletter: directorsnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
📷 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/directorsnotes
🎧 Listen to our Podcast: pod.link/192507317
👍 **Loved this deep dive?** Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss a conversation with the world's best filmmakers.
💬 Join the Conversation
Do you have a favourite short film from the WePresent slate? Let us know which one & why in the comments.
** VIDEO CHAPTERS **
00:00:00 - Intro: Holly Fraser & WePresent
00:05:51 - Brands Actually Making Good Films Not Glorified Ads
00:08:16 - How Holly Took WePresent Towards More Original Short Film Commissions
00:21:16 - Commissioning Work That Provokes — The Long Goodbye as a Turning Point
00:26:34 - Deep Dive: Original Sin — Production Support & Shooting on 35mm
00:31:44 - Deep Dive: Vote Gavin Lyle — Anil Karia's Satire of the Far Right
00:38:45 - Distributing Short Films to WeTransfer's Worldwide 80M Strong Monthly Audience
00:42:11 - Building Festival Strategies With Filmmakers — Wish Lists, Submissions & Rights
00:46:48 - Pairing Filmmakers with the Right Interview Collaborators
00:49:59 - How WePresent Finds New Filmmakers
00:57:53 - One Takeaway from WePresent's Approach to Film
#sponsored #wepresent #shortfilm #commissioning #wetransfer #filmindustryinsight
WePresent, the arts platform from @wetransfer not only commissions provocative director-led short films, it backs their makers with the freedom, funding and reach to create exactly the work they want, while providing a worldwide audience eager to watch it. In our conversation, editor-in-chief Holly Fraser outlines how the platform approaches commissioning, production support and a distribution model which sees directors retain the rights to their films — and why they, "Don't want to work with artists who are too safe".
🔗 Find out more about WePresent's "For artists, with artists" philosophy & watch their films wepresent.wetransfer.com
🔔 Watch more interviews with visionary filmmakers on our channel: youtube.com/c/directorsnotes
🎥 Want to see your film here? Submit your work to Directors Notes: directorsnotes.com/submit
📬 Get filmmaking insights delivered: Subscribe to our free Newsletter: directorsnotes.beehiiv.com/subscribe
📷 Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/directorsnotes
🎧 Listen to our Podcast: pod.link/192507317
👍 **Loved this deep dive?** Hit LIKE, SUBSCRIBE, and turn on notifications so you never miss a conversation with the world's best filmmakers.
💬 Join the Conversation
Do you have a favourite short film from the WePresent slate? Let us know which one & why in the comments.
** VIDEO CHAPTERS **
00:00:00 - Intro: Holly Fraser & WePresent
00:05:51 - Brands Actually Making Good Films Not Glorified Ads
00:08:16 - How Holly Took WePresent Towards More Original Short Film Commissions
00:21:16 - Commissioning Work That Provokes — The Long Goodbye as a Turning Point
00:26:34 - Deep Dive: Original Sin — Production Support & Shooting on 35mm
00:31:44 - Deep Dive: Vote Gavin Lyle — Anil Karia's Satire of the Far Right
00:38:45 - Distributing Short Films to WeTransfer's Worldwide 80M Strong Monthly Audience
00:42:11 - Building Festival Strategies With Filmmakers — Wish Lists, Submissions & Rights
00:46:48 - Pairing Filmmakers with the Right Interview Collaborators
00:49:59 - How WePresent Finds New Filmmakers
00:57:53 - One Takeaway from WePresent's Approach to Film
#sponsored #wepresent #shortfilm #commissioning #wetransfer #filmindustryinsight
