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laser-focused on local filmmaking

Connecting Filmmakers of the Southwestern PA Region

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Our Mission

Pittsburgh Shot supports local film production and film culture with networking, training, exhibition, and facilitation of resources.  We help connect filmmakers together, and help them illuminate the culture of the south western PA region. We help local filmmakers complete the challenge of making films here. 

Our history

The 501c3 nonprofit Pittsburgh Shot began as a series of separate events by other organizations with PJ Gaynard taking the helm of each over the past five years and bringing them together under the Pittsburgh Shot Initiative umbrella in 2026.

  • The Crew Connect was first started by local nonprofit Carnegie Screenwriters, who partnered with Steeltown Entertainment Project and the 48 Hour Film Project. The event started approximately 15 years ago. PJ took it over in the spring of 2025.

  • The Pittsburgh 48 Hour Film Project has been running for 20 years in Pittsburgh. PJ became the city producer in 2020. 

  • PJ started the Filmmaker Flea Market in 2021.

  • In 2025, PJ negotiated with local film presenting nonprofit Film Pittsburgh to expand on an initiative called PA Shot, now renamed Pittsburgh Shot.

Our programs

  • The Pittsburgh Crew Connect

    The Pittsburgh Crew Connect is a free, all‑ages quarterly networking event that unites filmmakers, crew, performers, production companies, and other media creatives from across the Pittsburgh region. Through a lively rapid‑fire on‑stage pitch format, the event offers an open, inclusive space—welcoming both union and non‑union participants—for individuals and organizations to share their work, build new relationships, and strengthen the area’s film and video community. We average over three hundred people per networking event. We are proud to be the current stewards of the event that has been happening in various iterations for over fifteen years.

    Tickets

  • A woman in a red dress with red hair receiving an award next to a young girl in a white floral dress on stage, with a man in a tuxedo at a podium in the background, illuminated by pink and purple lights, during the 48 Hour Film Project event.

    The Pittsburgh 48 Hour film Project

    Local Film Teams, from beginners to pros, compete to make a short film in only a weekend! Write, shoot and edit a short film based on an assigned genre, character, prop, and line. The largest incubator of new, world-premiered local short film work in the region averaging more than 120 new films per year since 2007, the Pittsburgh 48 Hour Film Project is a chapter of a global event that happens in more than 100 cities.

    More info:
    Spring 48
    Horror 48

  • Two men standing and a woman sitting at a table, surrounded by equipment. There are various cases, bags, and tools.

    The Filmmaker Flea Market

    Buy, sell, & trade gear with Pittsburgh filmmaker neighbors. In partnership with Steel City Cinema, Lightbulb Rentals, & Goat Milk Fudge Productions.

    2026 Flyer
    2025 Promo Video

  • Audience seated in a movie theater, watching a film.

    The Pittsburgh Shot Film Initiative

    The Pittsburgh Shot Film Initiative is a regionally focused funding program that strengthens local filmmaking by supporting emerging and established creators through workshops and a competitive film festival. Open exclusively to filmmakers from the Pittsburgh area, the festival showcases all submitted works and awards funding to the top three projects, enabling recipients to develop new films and continue contributing to the region’s creative landscape.

    Coming Soon!

Our impact 

Pittsburgh Shot was formed in January of 2026. This new 501c3 nonprofit consolidates projects that have accomplished the following over the past five years:

  • More than 600 short films have been made and world premiered locally through the Pittsburgh 48 Hour Film Project since 2020. Since 2022, the Pittsburgh 48 has presented more than 80 films per year and since 2024, more than 100. This year we are on track to present approximately 130 films, which is the highest number of locally made films ever premiered.

  • More than 1,200 filmmakers have networked at Crew Connects in the last year with many going on to work together on film projects. (In 2026, Crew Connects are averaging approximately 300-400 people per meetup.)

  • More than 500 filmmakers have been served at the Filmmaker Flea Market since it began in 2021. 

  • Almost 40 local artists were engaged to make original art pieces for the Pittsburgh 48 Hour Film Project in the fall of 2025 and the spring of 2026 with new art created for each cycle.

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our Partners

Pittsburgh skyline silhouette in white on black background.
Pittsburgh skyline silhouette in white on black background.

Our Films

More than 600 short films have been made and world premiered locally through the Pittsburgh 48 Hour Film Project since 2020. Since 2022, the Pittsburgh 48 has presented more than 80 films per year and since 2024, more than 100. This year we are on track to present approximately 130 films, which is the highest number of locally made films ever premiered.

The Best Film of 2026 goes to One 48 After Another! Their film ‘’A Shot in the Dark’’ will go on to represent Pittsburgh against all the other city winners from around the world at Filmapalooza 2027!

Watch Other 2026 Films

Our Feedback

  • This experience was definitely surreal...seeing and hearing over 400 people in the same location that all have common passion. I have already received a few emails and started connecting with people I met at this AWESOME event. HUGE THANK YOU to PJ Gaynard for organizing this opportunity.

    — Geno Blair

  • Thank you PJ Gaynard for inviting me to the Pittsburgh Crew Connect networking event! It was an amazing experience! Over 350+ individuals stemming from artists, the film communities surrounding all of Pittsburgh, makeup artists, podcasters, musicians, radio show hosts, photographers, videographers, producers, directors, actors & actresses, film crew & even animals cast in film, ALL under one roof rooting each other on! This is the kind of support I love to see and be a part of!

    — Miz Kellie Artistry

  • It sounds crazy to drive three and a half hours for a networking event in Pittsburgh, but it did not disappoint! Huge turnout, great community!

    — Austin Green

  • The Pittsburgh 48 Hour Film Project gave me the push to stop waiting for the perfect time to make a film and just make one. It taught me that great stories don't come from the biggest budgets or unlimited time, but from passionate people simply doing what they love. What started as a fun weekend challenge has become an incredibly rewarding experience for me. Representing Pittsburgh at Filmapalooza in Paris, France, and Lisbon, Portugal showed me just how far one weekend and a talented group of friends can take you.

    — Jeremie Musyt, team leader of 48 team C47s and two time city winner

  • Being able to make something in my home city of Pittsburgh with a bunch of people who are also from here is great. When we came together for the shoot, it was really special. It showed that we could all do this with the time limit that we had. Seeing everyone band together and be so creative with everything that we accomplished was awesome. Seeing everyone on set bring it to life was special and having that time crunch showed us what we could do in the future with even more time.

    — Keyaira Cameron, of Exit 95

  • The 48 Hour Film Project really means a lot to me. Personally, I got my start in film a year ago with the 48, and made three films total so far. I'm really thankful to do it. I think the Pittsburgh community for film, it's not Hollywood or New York or anything like that. I think the 48 carries a lot of weight for independent filmmakers here.

    — Grant Hester, of Granny Productions

  • It's my 26th 48 Hour Film Project. It's a wonderful opportunity to be creative. It's also an opportunity to learn how to tell a story under pressure which you have to do as a filmmaker. Plus you just meet the most wonderful people!

    — Kevin Hejna, Firebird Films and Legacy Award Winner

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