The CFVA Producer Accelerator
A first-of-its-kind Colorado initiative aims to train the next generation of producing talent through mentorship, business education, and industry access.
The Colorado Film & Video Association (CFVA), in partnership with The Eii, is launching the inaugural CFVA Producer Accelerator Pilot Program, a six-week professional development program designed to support Colorado producers navigating the business side of the entertainment industry.
Applications for the pilot program open June 1, 2026, with only 12 producers selected to participate.
Transform from a project creator into a long-term business builder.
This program teaches you how to build a sustainable career, master project ownership, and scale your production business right here in Colorado.
Born out of the needs identified in the FAMCO Initiative and statewide industry Town Halls, the Colorado Film & Video Association (CFVA) and The Eii have partnered to launch a holistic, business-first program designed to demystify the entertainment industry for local producers.
Why This Accelerator Is Different
Traditional film labs focus almost exclusively on creative development or distribution. The CFVA Producer Accelerator focuses on the business mechanics of Hollywood.
"Many emerging producers understand storytelling but haven’t had access to the real business mechanics behind financing, packaging, negotiations, ownership structures, or career strategy."
— Shayla Riggle, Founder of The Eii & Program Facilitator
By joining this exclusive pilot cohort, you will bridge the gap between creative talent and commercial viability, learning how to develop projects strategically from the inside out.
This program combines:
Creative development
Packaging and attachments
Financing strategy
Budgeting and incentives
Production workflows
Post-production strategy
Sales and distribution education
Career sustainability and ownership thinking
The goal is not just to help producers make one project.
The goal is to help Colorado producers build sustainable careers and long-term producing power right here in Colorado.
The 6-Week Curriculum
The program takes place virtually over six consecutive Monday evening sessions (6:00 – 9:00 PM MT via Zoom) from July 13 through August 17, 2026. Each session features industry mentors, pitch practice, project feedback, and peer collaboration.
7/13 Session 1 — Story Readiness Learn how to communicate your project clearly and strategically to collaborators, financiers, talent, and buyers.
7/20 Session 2 — Packaging + Attachments Explore how projects are packaged, what attachments actually matter, and how producers create momentum around a project.
7/27 Session 3 — Budgets That Work Understand practical budgeting strategy, incentives, financing realities, and how to build projects that can realistically get made.
8/3 Session 4 — Pre-Production + Production Dive into production planning, leadership, logistics, and how producers guide projects through execution.
8/10 Session 5 — Demystifying Post-Production Gain insight into editorial, finishing, VFX, color, sound, delivery, and the realities of post workflows and costs.
8/17 Session 6 — Sales + Distribution Learn how projects are sold, positioned, distributed, and monetized in today’s entertainment landscape.
Each session includes:
A mentor presentation and Q&A
Live pitch practice and feedback
Group discussion and producer support
Attendance is mandatory for all selected participants.
Program Mentors
Krista Gano
Story Readiness
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Shayla Riggle
Packaging + Attachments
Sales + Distribution
Shayla Riggle is a writer, producer, and founder of The EII (Entertainment Industry Intelligence), an educational platform focused on entertainment industry development, creator advocacy, and professional training for independent filmmakers and storytellers. Her experience includes work in film production, distribution strategy, sales, intellectual property development, and independent financing structures. To date, projects connected to her work have sold over 8,000 films across 80 countries and helped raise more than $7.5 million in financing. Shayla’s work centers on helping creatives better understand the business framework surrounding content creation, with an emphasis on sustainable career development and industry accessibility. As part of the Colorado Film & Video Association Producer Accelerator, Shayla contributes industry insight and practical guidance designed to help emerging producers navigate development, packaging, distribution, and professional positioning within the evolving entertainment landscape.
Rob Moran
Budgets that Work
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Iana Dontcheva
Preproduction + Production
Biography details here. Learn about their background in production or post-production.
Christine Bowden
Preproduction and Production
Christine is a performer and theatre professional with more than 25 years of experience, beginning her career in dance at the age of two. A military veteran with both a bachelor’s degree and MFA, she has also served on advocacy boards supporting wildlife and environmental conservation. As a First Nations Shawnee and Cherokee woman, she is passionate about empowering marginalized voices in the film and television industry and is proud to support the Colorado Film and Video Association’s mission of fostering inclusion and representation.
Joel Veirtel
Demystifying Post-Production
A former Director of Creative Affairs at Paramount Pictures, Joel is a co-founder of Hyphenate Films, through which he has produced, directed, written and edited a variety of film and television content. A frequent collaborator with writer-director George Nolfi, Joel co-produced Nolfi’s debut feature THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU (Matt Damon, Emily Blunt), and went on to produce and edit his subsequent feature films THE BANKER (Samuel L. Jackson, Anthony Mackie, Nia Long, Nicholas Hoult - winner of the NAACP Best Independent Feature Film award) BIRTH OF THE DRAGON (which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival), and ELEVATION, starring Anthony Mackie and Morena Baccarin, which was released by Vertical Entertainment in the fall of 2024. With his writing partner Mora Stephens, Joel produced, co-wrote and edited ZIPPER (Patrick Wilson, Lena Headey, John Cho, Ray Winstone, Richard Dreyfuss - Sundance selection), as well as CONVENTIONEERS (winner of the Independent Spirit Awards’ John Cassavettes award). Joel also produced the independent features STRICTLY SEXUAL, WHAT? and READY OR NOT. In television, he served as coordinating producer on ALLEGIANCE (starring Hope Davis) for NBC and as producer/director for STRICTLY SEXUAL: THE SERIES. Joel has also produced and edited television and theatrical stage content for recording artists such as Lady Gaga, P!NK, Miley Cyrus and Katy Perry, and served as an originating producer on the hip hop stage show GROOVALOO, which launched at the Gary Marshall Theater in Los Angeles before moving to the Joyce and the Union Square Theaters in New York, followed by a national tour. Joel’s more recent work include editing the feature film THE DUTCHMAN (Andre Holland, Kate Mara, Zazie Beetz, Aldis Hodge, Stephen McKinley Henderson), which premiered at SXSW in 2025, and serving as Co-Producer on KILLING CASTRO (Al Pacino, Ron Livingston, Titus Welliver) which is set to premiere at the 2026 Tribeca Film Festival.
The Grand Finale: Live Final Pitch Session
The program concludes with a live public pitch session where the 12 participating producers will present their projects to an audience of filmmakers, industry professionals, potential collaborators, and invited guests.
This event is designed to:
Showcase Colorado projects
Build visibility for participating producers
Encourage collaboration and networking
Strengthen Colorado’s producing ecosystem
Program Timeline & Deadlines
June 1, 2026 Applications Open
June 26, 2026 Applications Close
July 6, 2026 Selected Producers Announced
July 13 – Aug 17, 2026 Weekly Virtual Sessions (Mondays, 6–9 PM MT)
September 19, 2026 Final Pitch Event - Open to the public!
What Selected Producers Receive
Six weeks of producer-focused business training
Mentorship from working industry professionals
Live pitch feedback
Access to peer collaboration and support
Practical education around financing, production, post, and distribution
Visibility through the Final Pitch Event
Connection to Colorado’s growing film ecosystem
Credentials for your project in completing the program
Eligibility for grants from Colorado Organizations
Who Should Apply?
This program is designed for:
Emerging Producers
First-time feature Producers
Experienced Producers looking to strengthen business strategy
Independent filmmakers stepping into a producing role
Colorado creators building projects intended for production or post-production in Colorado
The CFVA is dedicated to supporting diversity, equity and inclusion and helping all voices tell their stories. LGBTQ+, BIPOC and Producers with disabilities encouraged to apply.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided, with written requests upon offer.
Who is Eligible?
We are looking for Colorado-based producers who want to build local infrastructure, create jobs, and keep production opportunities in our state.
Core Requirements:
You must be a Colorado-based producer.
You must have a project currently in development or beyond (eligible stages include development, pre-production, production, post-production, or preparing for sales/distribution).
You must intend to produce, film or complete post-production in Colorado.
You must commit to attending all six Monday evening virtual sessions.
Note: Space is highly competitive. Only 12 producers will be accepted into this exclusive pilot cohort.
Eligible projects may include:
Features
Series
Documentaries
Unscripted
Animation
Short films with expansion potential
Projects that are already filmed or currently in post-production are still eligible, provided the project was produced or finished in Colorado. Completed projects in the sales or distribution process are also eligible.
Ready to Build a Sustainable Film Career?
Apply now.
If you are selected, the fee to participate is $550
Discounted to $450 for CFVA Members
Session fee is non-refundable once the program begins
Applications close June 26, 2026.
About Eii
The Eii
An entertainment industry initiative focused on creator-first education, transparency, and practical industry training. The Eii supports filmmakers and producers in navigating and building sustainable careers within the evolving entertainment landscape.