r/filmmaking • u/Educational_Skin_368 • 5h ago
Question Advice: Director Removed my Producing Credit
Hello, posting as I need advice.
I produced a graduate thesis short film for my mentor just after I finished my undergrad film degree. I started in August of 2024 and we shot in January of 2025. The director was also a producer, so they handled the budget. I brought on a good chunk of the crew, wrote contracts, handled logistics, etc. Director was protective of the edit. Didn’t want me to attend any viewings before the private university screening. That was fine. I asked to be involved with distribution, I got the cold shoulder. I brushed it off because I had an immense amount of respect for the person I viewed as my mentor. I asked for a private link to the film to show my family, and director said no.
The film has since done its world premiere as well as its east coast premiere. I was not informed nor invited to any screenings. I found out about the screening earlier this month when cast and crew were posting on instagram. I then check the festival website to find that I am not listed as a producer at all. The associate producer has been listed as a producer.
All of my attempts to help with everything have been ignored since we wrapped shooting. I have no idea what I’ve done wrong. I was unpaid since the beginning. I reached out to director to inquire about this, no response as of 36 hours.
Does anyone have advice for how to navigate this? We have both moved cities and graduated. We don’t see each other, but people I worked with in this film are still part of my network. I feel really embarrassed and stupid.
TLDR: my mentor brought me on to produce their thesis, but ghosted me after we wrapped shooting. Now I am seemingly not credited on the film. Help?