We've curated a list of the top websites for filmmakers for stock footage sites, educational sites, and more.
As a filmmaker, your journey involves more than just capturing breathtaking visuals: it requires mastering the art of editing, post-production, distribution, and more.
And with access to a ton resources on the internet, it can be overwhelming to sift through the noise and find the best websites for filmmakers.
In this article, we've curated a list of the top websites that will take your filmmaking skills to the next level. From comprehensive tutorials to industry insights, these websites are a one-stop shop for all your filmmaking needs.
For easy navigation, we created four categories:
Stock websites
Software and hardware websites
Collaboration websites
Educational, industry news, and product review websites
These websites are also useful throughout the entire filmmaking process, including pre-production, production, and post-production.
So sit back, grab your popcorn, and let's dive into the world of websites for filmmaking.
Best Websites for Filmmakers
Here are our top 20 filmmaker websites:
ActionVFX
ProductionCrate
Pond5
RawFilm
Shutterstock
PremiumBeat
Adobe Creative Cloud
Red Giant
Autodesk
Blackmagic Design
Color Grading Central
FilmConvert
StudioBinder
Celtx
Frame.io
No Film School
Film Riot
ProVideo Coalition
IMDb pro
CineD
Best Stock Websites for Filmmakers
To save some cash, you might want to consider subscribing to a stock platform and gain access to visual effects and footage. Here are some of the best platforms to find quality stock materials like visual effects, footage, and sound.
1. ActionVFX: Best for High-Quality VFX Stock Footage
ActionVFX main page
ActionVFX is a community-driven platform with high-quality stock footage elements for both personal and professional use. The platform features curated footage of real-life elements, such as explosions, rain, and snow, in various formats to simplify and accelerate the compositing process.
VFX assets can help enhance the realism and visual impact of your projects while saving you time and budget. You can easily integrate these assets into your scene and adjust them to your preference and shot.
Additionally, allassets include pre-keyed Alpha Channels and R3D camera data when applicable for easy integration into your shot and can be used with most compositing software.
ActionVFX features over 20 categories of quality assets like:
Smoke & Fog
Fire
Explosions
Gun FX
Animals
People & Crowds
Water
Space
And more
ActionVFX library
Using ActionVFX elements helps cut down production costs. You can avoid hiring extra staff or investing in costly equipment while maintaining the quality of your final product. This can be particularly advantageous for independent filmmakers or those with limited financial resources.
Here is how ActionVFX works:
ActionVFX Community
ActionVFX’s community plays a significant role in platform development. There are different channels where you can stay in touch with the latest products and exchange ideas with other filmmakers:
User Request Feature - Vote and comment on upcoming products and website features.
Discord - A place to connect, share your work, interact with the ActionVFX team, and more.
Forum - A hub for Filmmakers and VFX Artists to connect, learn, and improve their craft.
ProductionCrate features a range of stock materials, including music, graphics, visual effects, and 3D&AR elements. Its pre-organized Creator Kits simplify asset navigation, making it easy for users to find specific elements.
The stock materials are available in various formats, including HD and 4K. You have the option to download visual effects as pre-keyed MOV or MP4 files, which are compatible with greenscreens. Additionally, sounds and music are available for download in WAV or MP3 formats.
Their Comp-Ins, which are renders of Front and Back or Front and Full simulations or animations, allow users to preview and evaluate visual effects before incorporating them into their project.
ProductionCrate Features
HD VFX and Motion Graphics use lossless codecs
CG magic effects like energy balls, spells, beams, magic circles, and smoke
Photo-realistic 3D&AR elements
Buttons and Icons: Call to Action, Social Media builders
Textures and overlay filters
Typography kits and fluid colors
Aspect Ratio Toolkits, Facebook & YouTube Templates, Film & Video Helpers
Material maps for realistic surface projection
ProductionCrate Pricing
They offer subscription plans that range from $15 to $79 a month.
Pond5 provides a range of stock videos and photos, as well as additional assets such as music, sound effects, after-effects, and 3D models. These resources can greatly enhance the creative depth and flair of any project.
Incorporating advanced computer vision technology into its search engine, Pond5 ensures highly accurate search results and provides suggestions for similar content, facilitating efficient and effective searches for the perfect asset.
Pond5 is an exceptional resource for high-quality video content to visually elevate your projects. With its diverse collection of assets and user-friendly interface, Pond5 is a trusted go-to platform for creators across industries.
Pond5 Features
Over 31 million stock videos
16+ million 4K videos
Add-on for Final Cut Pro and Adobe Premiere Pro
Royalty-free license
Pond5 Pricing
Video clips, images, and music can be purchased on-demand at varying price points. You can subscribe to a membership plan that allows you to download clips periodically, including bonus music selections and images. Prices vary from $25 to $199 a month, and they also offer credit packs you can use to download different assets.
RawFilm offers self-produced, exclusive stock content shot on RED cameras and available for download in REDCODE RAW. While their content is organized in collections like many other sites, RawFilm takes it a step further by grouping footage from one cohesive shoot into each collection.
While some collections may seem geared toward commercials, many are versatile enough to work in narrative projects and can be used to fill in gaps or supplement shots that may be out of budget.
RawFilm’s footage is tagged and searchable, and it's also suggested by context to help you find the perfect shot for your project.
All clips are shot in log formats, and a switch in the collection view allows you to see footage with or without a light pass of color correction applied. And if you need to test out footage before downloading, lower-resolution previews are available.
If you can't find what you're looking for in RawFilm's library, they encourage you to get in touch and request that they produce it for you.
RawFilm Features
Unlimited downloads
All clips are available in 4K & 8K (RAW + ProRes)
Themed footage collections
Different angles available
Worldwide use licensing
RawFilm Pricing
RawFilm offers individual clips and a monthly and yearly subscription.
Pricing varies from $49 per clip to $67.15 a month.
One clip means one license for one clip in one project. Unused credits for clips from one month will roll over to the next month.
Shutterstock boasts an extensive collection of nearly 200 million royalty-free stock photos, vector graphics, and illustrations, along with an impressive portfolio of 10 million video and music clips, all available for online download. Whether you're looking to enhance your visual or audio content, Shutterstock caters to a diverse audience seeking high-quality, professional-grade media.
Through its collaboration with over 80,000 contributing artists, including photographers, videographers, and illustrators from around the globe, Shutterstock's content is consistently updated with fresh material, ensuring that you always have access to the latest trends and styles.
For filmmakers seeking to elevate the overall quality of their projects, Shutterstock is an invaluable resource. With its vast library of high-quality footage and music, finding the media you need is easy and efficient, thanks to Shutterstock's user-friendly platform.
Shutterstock Features
Large library of high-quality stock footage and images
Easy search and filtering options
Royalty-free licensing
Access to music tracks and sound effects
Shutterstock Pricing
There are multiple subscription options depending on the stock materials you are looking for and the number of downloads. Prices vary from $49 to $249 a month for stock video. There is also an option to purchase credit packs.
PremiumBeat is a subscription service powered by Shutterstock and geared towards filmmakers looking for high-quality, exclusive music at an excellent value. They feature an extensive music library, which includes 5 Standard Licenses per month. Unused credits do not roll over to the following month, so be sure to take full advantage of them.
The Standard License covers a wide range of web-based projects, such as videos hosted on websites, social media, and video-sharing platforms. This only includes personal and student projects. As long as your advertising spend is below $5,000 USD, you're good to go. Additionally, the license covers all edited versions of a single project worldwide, in perpetuity.
However, if you plan on using music in TV or radio advertising, point-of-sale, apps, games, and DVDs up to 1000 copies, regardless of your advertising budget, you'll need to purchase the Premium License, which is $199.
PremiumBeat Features
Large library of professionally produced music tracks
Easy search and filtering options
Royalty-free licensing
Customizable edits and loops
PremiumBeat Pricing
Whether you're working on a web-based project or a larger-scale production, their licenses cover a wide range of uses, giving you the freedom to create without worrying about additional costs. The subscription plan is $64.95 a month.
Best Software and Hardware Websites for Filmmakers
Whether you are in production or post-production, these tools will be an important building block in your filmmaking journey. From video editing to creating and adding visual effects and color grading, here you can find all the tools you need.
Adobe Creative Cloud suite includes top-tier applications such as Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Photoshop. The benefits are immense, whether you're a photographer, graphic designer, video editor, filmmaker, or social media enthusiast. You can easily choose an individual app or have access to all of them, with flexible subscription plans that cater to your specific requirements.
Adobe Creative Cloud offers free memberships. Here you can try out various starter plans for Adobe Fresco, Premiere Rush, and XD. You can also access the free Adobe Express plan and explore the vast collection of resources and web services that Adobe Creative Cloud offers.
Adobe's all-in-one product suite allows you to effortlessly edit and create videos and audio, design stunning graphics and titles, and adjust colors to your liking.
With Adobe, you have the flexibility to bring your creative ideas to life without worrying about compatibility issues or switching between different applications. Plus, with access to a wide range of professional-grade features and tools, you can take your creativity to the next level and achieve outstanding results.
Adobe Creative Cloud Features
Advanced editing and color grading tools
Integration across Adobe software
Access to a library of stock footage and audio
Community forums and tutorials
Adobe Creative Cloud Pricing
If you choose to subscribe to all apps, you get 20+ Creative Cloud apps including Photoshop, Illustrator, Adobe Express, Premiere Pro, and Acrobat Pro for $54.99 a month.
Individual tools vary from $4.99 to $20.99 a month.
Red Giant is part of the Maxon group and offers a variety of post-production software tools for visual effects, motion graphics, and color grading.
Various suits include the Magic Bullet Suite for color correction, finishing and film looks and the VFX Suite with plugins for keying, tracking, cleanup, and visual effects compositing inside. As well as ZBrush, a sculpting software that combines 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing, painting, and visual effects.
You can use all of the tools on both Mac and Windows, and they are all compatible with Adobe After Effects. Some of the tools even work in additional host applications, giving you even more options to explore.
Red Giant Features
Tools for video editing compositing and visual effects
Comprehensive tutorials and support
Access to a library of presets and templates
Integration with popular editing software
Red Giant Pricing
With Red Giant's subscription-based plans, you can access their entire collection of suites and tools at a manageable price point, making it a great choice for both professional and aspiring filmmakers. The subscription plans range from $39 to $149 a month.
Red Giant Complete is the ultimate package, offering a wide range of plugins that can take your projects to the next level. It includes Universe, Trapcode Suite, Magic Bullet Suite, and VFX Suite. Designed to eliminate video noise, simulate film, and correct color. These plugins can make a big difference in the quality of your final product, ensuring that your footage looks polished and professional. This package is $79 a month.
Autodesk offers a wide range of professional-grade software solutions across various industries, including entertainment and media. Filmmakers, in particular, can benefit greatly from Autodesk's tools, such as 3ds Max, Maya, and Arnold.
Using these powerful tools, you can design and produce stunning visual effects, animations, and immersive experiences. What's even better is that the software's comprehensive capabilities enable you to create high-quality content, regardless of your level of experience in the field. The user-friendly interface ensures that even novice filmmakers can use the software with ease.
In addition to its filmmaking software, Autodesk offers a cloud-based platform that enables seamless collaboration, co-authoring, and coordination for architecture, engineering, and construction teams. With its robust collaboration features, team members can share files, assign tasks, and monitor project progress in real-time, ensuring efficient and effective project delivery. Autocad offers a range of products to its users as well as:
Autodesk Features
Tools for 3D modeling, rendering, and animation
Technical support specialists
Online tools to manage user permissions and software downloads, providing ease and convenience for users
Flexible subscription terms ranging from monthly renewal to 3-year subscriptions
Users have access to cloud and software services, which enable faster computing-intensive tasks and more efficient collaboration
Autodesk Pricing
Autodesk's range of software solutions offers benefits for filmmakers and teams across different industries. There are different subscription plans, depending on the software, and the prices range from $10 to $235 a month.
Blackmagic Design is a company that specializes in creating premium equipment and software solutions that are widely used in the video industry. From professional-grade cameras and storage options to affordable workstations and broadcast converters, Blackmagic offers everything necessary to make a movie.
One of the standout software solutions offered by Blackmagic is DaVinci Resolve, an all-in-one post-production tool that includes features for cataloging, organizing, editing, altering, and compositing footage. With DaVinci Resolve, users have access to a comprehensive suite of tools that streamline the post-production process and allow for more efficient and effective workflow.
Additionally, integrated into DaVinci Resolve is Blackmagic Fusion, a powerful tool for creating cinematic visual effects and motion graphics. Fusion features a node-based workflow and hundreds of 2D and 3D tools, making it ideal for everything from minor touch-ups to creating Hollywood-caliber effects. Whether you're looking to retouch and repair shots or create stunning, cutting-edge visual effects, Blackmagic Fusion is a highly versatile and effective tool.
Blackmagic Design Features
High-quality equipment
Tools for video editing and creating visual effects and animations
Online user manuals and tutorials for their products
Community forums for sharing advice and experiences
Access to software downloads and updates
News and updates on product releases and updates
Blackmagic Design Pricing
DaVinci Resolve 18 is free while Studio costs $295 and provides users with a lifetime of updates. Fusion Standard visual effects software is also free. The Premium will cost you $295, and it's a one-time purchase.
Color Grading Central is an online platform that provides resources for color grading and correction. They offer free LUTs, available for direct download from their website. During the download process, you will be prompted to join their Instagram page or provide your phone number.
For those seeking a more advanced solution, Color Grading Central offers Cinema Grade. This professional plugin is compatible with popular editing software such as Final Cut Pro X, Adobe Premiere Pro CC, and DaVinci Resolve.
To get started with Cinema Grade, you'll need to purchase the appropriate version t compatible with your editing software. Once purchased, accessing it is easy. You can apply your desired look to your footage from within the editing software.
Color Grading Central Features
Comprehensive tutorials on color grading techniques
Access to professional-grade color grading software and plugins
Different LUT presets
Resources for creating custom LUTs and presets
Free LUT packages
Consulting and training services
Color Grading Central Pricing
The Basic version of Cinema Grade costs $69 and comes with limited features.
The Pro version offers a shot-matching feature with groups, Academy Color Science (ACES), Xrite chart support for easy Log footage adjustments camera matching, and over 60 presets. With the Pro version, you'll have the ability to make adjustments with a click and drag, as well as preview LUTs. This will cost you $99.
The Filmmaker version includes a series of high-quality training videos and sample footage in the Color Grading Academy, a Look Hacking System that teaches you how to get the look of your favorite films and TV shows, and an additional collection of 52 looks for $199. The Filmmaker version is a great choice if you're new to color grading and want to learn more about the process.
FilmConvert offers FilmConvert Nitrate, a film emulation and grain suite, video plugins, camera packs, and grain and film stocks.
Using FilmConvert Nitrate, you can easily achieve the look of different film stocks in your digital footage that can give your project a beautiful, classic film look.
The suite includes video plugins for popular editing software such as Adobe Premiere Pro, After Effects, DaVinci Resolve, and Final Cut Pro.
The camera packs they offer improve the color accuracy of your footage and match it to the chosen film stock. They are tailored to each camera picture style, providing an authentic film stock look across a range of cameras and settings, ensuring that your video has a professional-quality finish.
FilmConvert collaborates with camera companies directly to offer the latest profiles for your camera, ensuring that your footage always looks its best. When you purchase a FilmConvert license, you gain access to all available camera packs and receive 12 months of new updates.
FilmConvert Features
Access to a library of film stock presets
Customizable color grading tools
Video plugins
Integration with popular editing software
Comprehensive tutorials and support
FilmConvert Pricing
Benefits for users include easy access to a range of film stock looks, precise picture profiles, and access to the latest camera profiles for the best possible results. The FilmConvert bundle with all plugins is available for $174.
Best Collaboration Websites for Filmmakers
To efficiently organize your team and workflows there are platforms that offer various collaborative tools. This can help you throughout all the stages of your production, from screenwriting to post-production.
StudioBinder is a versatile project management tool designed to streamline the pre-production process for filmmakers. It provides a comprehensive resource suite for the planning and organization of film projects. As a one-stop-shop solution, it caters to the unique needs of video production, offering tailored options for each project.
For example, StudioBinder offers Call Sheets that enable you to create and send personalized call sheets and track RSVPs. The software also provides Screenplay and Script Breakdown Sheets, which allow you to import scripts and tag elements like props and wardrobe.
A customizable Shot List and Storyboard builder, as well as a Drag-and-Drop interface, can help with planning and scheduling multi-day shoots through its Shooting Schedule feature. The platform also enables you to manage and send messages to talent, crew, vendors, clients, and more through its Contacts and Lists feature.
The Collaboration and Production Calendar feature facilitates collaboration and commenting on tasks, files, and production calendars.
Celtx is cloud-based comprehensive scriptwriting and production management tool designed for filmmakers, writers, and other media professionals. With multi-format script editors for film, TV, theater, and documentaries, Celtx automatically formats your script to industry standards, making it easy to pitch your ideas like a pro.
Celtx features an array of story development tools, including storyboard framing and Beat Board planning, to help conceptualize, write, and enrich your script. Its powerful pre-production tools allow you to organize shot lists, break down your script scene by scene, scout locations, and maintain catalogs, giving you a complete picture of your production before the camera starts rolling.
It provides production tools that take you from concept to camera, including call sheets, shot lists, and sides to keep your cast and crew on the same page during a shoot. Its revision tracking, budget creation, and cost reporting tools help simplify script changes and monitor expenses.
Designed for creative collaboration, allowing you to invite others to read, edit, or approve your script using text-anchored comments. You can see co-writers work on your script, and Celtx keeps your project organized with a complete history of script revisions, feedback, and approvals.
Celtx Features
Collaboration and review tools
Shot list and script breakdown tools
Budgeting and scheduling features
Access to a library of creative assets
Celtx Pricing
Celtx offers different subscription models based on the size of your team. The prices range from $14.99 to $59.99 a month.
Frame.io is a cloud-based collaboration tool that streamlines the post-production process and facilitates remote work. It allows you to share media, receive feedback, and streamline your workflow all in one place.
You can upload your media and invite your team to collaborate, allowing everyone to stay on the same page and ensure that your vision is realized. The platform also makes it easy to track feedback, allowing you to see comments and suggestions in real-time and making it easier to make changes quickly. You'll be able to easily communicate your ideas and feedback with precision, saving you time and effort.
You can comment directly on specific frames and even draw on the video to highlight specific areas. With its intuitive interface, you'll have no trouble navigating the platform and finding what you need.
With features like automatic file transcoding and easy project organization, you can focus on the creative aspects of your project rather than getting bogged down in the technical details.
Frame.io Features
Review and approval tools
Unlimited sharing
Unlimited projects
Camera to Cloud
4K Ultra HD playback
Password-protected sharing
Custom presentations
Custom-branded emails
Frame.io Pricing
You can use Frame.io for free with up to two users with 2GB of storage, other plans include Pro$15 per user, per month, and Team$25 per user per month.
Best Educational, Industry News, and Product Review Websites for Filmmakers
Having access to credible sources will keep you up-to-date with the latest industry trends, technologies, and techniques, allowing you to continually improve your skills as a filmmaker. Here are some sites you should definitely look into.
No Film School is a hub for filmmakers to help stay up-to-date with the latest news, tutorials, interviews, and videos. The site has over a million visitors every month and offers a unique perspective on the industry, with a distinct voice that has been "by filmmakers, for filmmakers" since the beginning.
One of the site’s most popular features is its podcast, where you can see interviews with industry leaders and the latest news on filmmaking technology and trends.
To get started, simply create your free profile. They also offer a free screenwriting eBook.
No Film School Features
Free online courses on various aspects of filmmaking
Film Riot offers comprehensive and engaging resources for those passionate about the art of filmmaking. The platform is created by the Connolly Brothers, who are both writers and producers of short movies like PROXiMITY, UFOh Yeah, and Ghost House.
With their industry experience and unique perspective, they cover a wide range of topics, including practical tips on creating stunning visual effects and behind-the-scenes looks at the production process.
The Connolly Brothers present complex concepts in a way that is both accessible and easy to understand. Through their online platform, podcast, and YouTube channel, they share personal experiences, triumphs, and challenges, offering you a unique insight into the creative process.
Film Riot Features
Tips for lighting, sound design, and cinematography
ProVideo Coalition is an award-winning site that brings together top writers, bloggers, and video experts in the film industry who share their knowledge and experience to provide users with valuable resources.
Whether you work in major studios and post houses or are an independent filmmaker, educator, student, or storytelling enthusiast, you can benefit from the wealth of information available on ProVideo Coalition.
You can expect to find news, reviews, and training materials that are specifically tailored to the needs of video professionals. With ProVideo Coalition, you can explore the latest industry trends and developments, learn from experts in the field, and enhance your skills to take your video production to the next level.
ProVideo Coalition Features
Technical advice on camera and lighting setups
In-depth tutorials on post-production workflows
Resources for networking and career development
Information on production and post-production in multi-distribution environments
IMDb Pro is a professional subscription service that provides filmmakers with access to a database of industry contacts and resources. With IMDb Pro, you can broaden your connections by using various features, like finding contact information, securing representation, searching for up-and-coming talent, and browsing job opportunities.
Additionally, you can highlight your own talents and achievements by optimizing your IMDb page with Known For titles, demo reels, featured images, and videos, as well as providing demographic information.
You can also gain access to exclusive content, like in-development titles, box office data, and industry rankings, which can help you make informed decisions within the industry.
IMDb Pro Features
Listing of upcoming productions and crew calls
Tools for managing and promoting your professional profile
In-depth industry news and analysis
Access to industry-specific analytics and data
IMDb Pro Pricing
The monthly plan for subscribing to IMDb Pro is $19.99 a month.
At CineD, you have access to in-depth assessments conducted by seasoned professionals, showcasing the latest cameras and equipment used in real-world film projects. With this website as your go-to resource, you can make informed decisions about investing in new gear for your productions.
You can see exactly what kind of content you can produce with each device, empowering you to choose the equipment that best aligns with your vision.
Led by three experienced film directors and cinematographers, the site offers a specific focus on gear reviews for the most relevant cameras in the market, providing an abundance of valuable content on the topic.
CineD Features
Reviews that feature detailed information, pros and cons, and gear in action
The latest news and technological advancements in the industry
Thought-provoking opinion articles
Interviews with professionals
CineD Pricing
CineD is free.
Take Your Projects to the Next Level with ActionVFX
ActionVFX offers the best visual effects stock footage in the industry.
A great place to start is by downloading some of our free VFX stock assets. You might consider an annual ActionVFX subscriptionto get 80% off our library of assets. At ActionVFX, our mission is to be the undisputed best and largest library of VFX stock footage in the world, and we love assisting Filmmakers and VFX Artists enter the industry!
By subscribing to our YouTube channel, you help us continue doing what we love - making content for you! We're quickly approaching 100k subscribers and your support would mean the world to us. So what are you waiting for? Show us some love and hit that subscribe button now!
