What better way to kick off the New Year than with a standout networking event? We’re excited to host a monthly networking gathering on the last Wednesday of every month throughout 2026, each one at a fresh and unique location across town.

These events are designed to bring together film professionals, makers, and enthusiasts — a place to connect, exchange ideas, build relationships, and ignite collaboration within our community.

Have a great venue in mind or want your company to sponsor an event? We want to hear from you! Email your suggestions to director@ompa.org.

Mark your calendars and join us as we strengthen our creative network and make this year one of the most connected yet!

January’s Networking Event

📅 When: Wednesday, January 28, 6-9p
📤 Where: The Zed, 9201 SE Foster Rd, Portland, OR 97266

Let’s kick off the new year with a bang!

One of the absolute highlights of the OMPA Holiday Showcase was spotlighting the incredible sizzle reels from our creative community! We are truly blessed to be surrounded by so many gifted storytellers, filmmakers, and artists across Oregon — and it was pure joy to watch your work light up the stage.

Now, we’re thrilled to share the magic with everyone! We’ve posted the Showcase sizzle reel on the OMPA YouTube channel, and we invite you to head to the link in our bio to dive in and experience all of the inspiring, powerful, and beautifully crafted submissions we received.

Your talent deserves to be seen — and celebrated by the whole community!

Shoutout to directors Brain Zalewski, Daniel Blanco and Leslie Bloom for their contribution to our sizzle reel!

What an incredible time we shared at the OMPA Holiday Showcase!

To everyone who participated, performed, volunteered, and joined us at the Hotel Vance — THANK YOU! Your energy, talent, laughter, and generosity helped make this festive evening a true celebration of community, joy, and holiday spirit. We’re so grateful for each of you and for the connections we continue to build together.

As we look ahead to the year to come, I’m reminded of this beautiful line from Melody Beattie:

“The new year stands before us, like a chapter in a book, waiting to be written. We can help write that story by setting goals.”

To accomplish anything wonderful, we need a plan — whether it’s scribbled on a cocktail napkin, lovingly inscribed in a journal, spoken aloud with friends cheering us on, or held quietly in the recesses of our hearts until we’re ready to set it free.

In my mind, goal setting is a form of manifesting — a way of declaring what we intend to create in the world. And that brings to mind the word “Abracadabra” — a magical reminder that what we speak with intention truly takes form. Did you know “Abracadabra” is widely believed to come from Hebrew or Aramaic, often interpreted as “I will create as I speak” or “What I say, becomes.” In this spirit, let’s lean into the joyful power of speaking our dreams into existence!

Let’s make our goals public — and let the universe hear them!

Share your 2026 goals with our community on Instagram @OregonMediaProduction, or email them to director@ompa.org. I’m honored to be a part of holding your brave declarations as you step confidently into the new year.

I truly believe that declaring our goals is a crucial step in manifesting progress — and I can’t wait for future newsletters filled with your updates, milestones, celebrations, and breakthroughs.

Who knows… maybe I’ll finally get that little tattoo I’ve been dreaming about — a tiny, elegant “Abracadabra” on the inside of my wrist — as a reminder that what I’ve boldly declared has come to life again and again.

- Michelle Damis, Interim Executive Director

P.S. Head to the link in our bio to see the rest of the photos from our showcase!