The 8th annual Winter Film Awards Festival is underway this week. 

The goal is to give emerging filmmakers with low budgets and few connections an opportunity to showcase their work. 

The 10-day event includes film screenings, discussion panels, development workshops and even parties at different venues throughout the city. 

Organizers say although everyone is encouraged to send in their work, they try to make sure that women and minorities are seen and heard during the event.

Fifteen winners will receive a cash prize to fund a future film.

“Instead its story driven, its acting driven, they’re such wonderful films and such exciting stories and they’re beautiful,” said Executive Director Stefanie Finn

Fifteen winners will receive a cash prize to fund a future film.