Rewriting the Indie Feature Playbook With Stephen Mastrocola and H. Nelson Tracey | DIFF 2026

DIFF 2026 PROUDLY PRESENTS REWRITING THE INDIE FEATURE PLAYBOOK WITH STEPHEN MASTROCOLA AND H. NELSON TRACEY

INDUSTRY WORKSHOP-- Bring your questions and prepare for a unique, up-to-date panel on how indie features are really getting made in 2026. Geared towards filmmakers looking to direct their first feature, as well as filmmakers looking to release their completed indie feature, this no-nonsense approach to the current landscape of indie films is an invaluable look at the realities of the independent film landscape, fresh from the front lines. Producers Stephen Mastrocola (of Buffalo 8) and H. Nelson Tracey collaborated together on Breakup Season, which went on to have a very healthy film festival run winning several accolades in the process, Best Feature at the 2024 Desertscape International Film Festival among them. Mastrocola and Tracey have both since produced additional features and bring unique perspectives on the current independent film landscape.

*This insightful workshop will begin with a brief open forum/mingling session at 12 PM, with the panel beginning at 12:15 PM.

Topics of note may include:

• Making the leap from short to feature

• Financing in traditional and non-traditional ways

• Regional financial incentives and fundraising beyond just family & friends

• How to be a director and a producer at the same time on a feature

• Casting Name Actors

• Producing Roles: Finding Collaborators whose combined skills make 1 + 1 = 3

• On-set dynamics between director/producer and lessons from the trenches

• Film Festival Strategy (beyond submitting to Sundance and buying a lottery ticket)

• Demystifying theatrical releases

• The reality check of distribution in today’s landscape

• Marketing and promotion: getting eyeballs on your work

BIOS--

STEPHEN MASTROCOLA

Stephen Mastrocola is an Executive Producer at Buffalo 8, the sister company to Bondit Media Capital (best known for financing such films as Woman of the Hour, Terrifier 3, and SXSW winner Bob Trevino Likes It), where he oversees a wide slate of independent films, providing strategic guidance on financing, production, and distribution. Stephen brings that same commitment to championing innovative, director-driven work in his role. Prior to joining Buffalo 8, Stephen co-founded Static Films in 2021, an LA-based production company dedicated to launching emerging voices and first-time feature directors. In its first two years, Static Films produced five features and several shorts, often finding creative pathways to bring independent films to market. Their work has screened at numerous festivals, including the Austin Film Festival, Newport Beach Film Festival, Dances With Films, Palm Springs ShortsFest, RiverRun Independent Film Festival, and Aspen ShortsFest. His most recent feature as an Executive Producer, Dog Years, starring Leah Lewis and Xolo Maridueña, wrapped principal photography earlier this year and is set for a 2026 release. Since then, he has executive-produced 4 more yet-to-be-announced feature films, all helmed by first or second-time feature directors in 2025.

H. NELSON TRACEY

H. Nelson Tracey is a director and producer based in Los Angeles. After graduating from Chapman University and building a career as a documentary editor and assistant editor while concurrently directing short films, he made his feature directorial debut in 2024 with Breakup Season, starring Chandler Riggs (The Walking Dead) and Samantha Isler (Captain Fantastic). The film had its World Premiere at the 2024 Desertscape International Film Festival and went on to screen at 39 film festivals nationwide, including Newport Beach, RiverRun, and Naples. It had an 18-city theatrical run before receiving a worldwide VOD release through distributor Buffalo 8, and is now available to stream on Amazon and Tubi. Breakup Season was independently produced and financed alongside Los Angeles-based production company Static Films, run by producers Stephen Mastrocola and Rafi Jacobs. Since completing Breakup Season, Nelson has produced two feature documentaries, The King of Color (formerly known as The Pantone Guy) and The Clyde Best Story, and directed the music video "What if I Die Flying Over Oklahoma" (a Desertscape 2026 Official Selection). He is currently developing his sophomore narrative feature.