IFH 818: From Setbacks to Festival Wins: The Filmmaking Path of Dawn Fields

Dawn Fields is a Los Angeles-based producer, writer, and director whose journey through the film industry is marked by both struggle and triumph. Beginning her career as a production assistant in Atlanta, she quickly discovered her true passion was behind the camera. After relocating to Los Angeles with nothing but determination, she worked in distribution and acquisitions before founding Palm Street Films. From early crowdfunding attempts like Zombie Elves to the painful shutdown of Shattered Love, Dawn’s career has been shaped by hard-earned lessons in persistence, preparation, and the realities of independent filmmaking. Her breakthrough came when she stepped into the director’s chair, turning setbacks into opportunities with projects like 209, Found, and Fragile Storm starring Lance Henriksen. Along the way, she learned to navigate the challenges of crowdfunding, casting, and maintaining creative control while still building credibility and an audience. Today, she not only develops new projects but also shares her knowledge through seminars and script contests, guiding emerging filmmakers. Her story stands as a powerful example of resilience in filmmaking—showing that while the path may be filled with setbacks, passion and persistence can transform failures into lasting successes.

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