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30+ Real Gifts for Filmmakers: Something for Every Budget [2025]

By Filmmaker Tools Team

Are you looking for the perfect gift for a filmmaker or creator in your life? Whether they are an aspiring director, a YouTube creator, a seasoned cinematographer, or just love to make movies as a hobby, there are plenty of great gifts that can help them take their film-making skills to the next level.

From basic accessories and tools to more advanced gadgets and equipment, we've rounded up some of the best gifts for filmmakers on any budget. So whether you're shopping for someone who's just getting started or an experienced professional, keep reading to find something special that will bring joy and satisfaction this holiday season!

And don't miss our selection of gifts for aspiring writers for gifts that are perfect for screenwriters.

9 Quick Gifts for Filmmakers

Leatherman Multitool

Leatherman Multitool

Price: Starting at $49
Every filmmaker in the world can use a good multitool in their pocket, and Leatherman is the original multitool and still the best option. A great lower-budget option is the Gerber line of multitools.

Film Clapboard

Film Clapboard

Price: About $20
Perhaps there is no more iconic symbol of filmmaking than the camera slate. Useful both as a functional clapboard that can be used in production or simply as a decoration, this unique clapboard is made of high-quality materials and has a solid construction. It features an acrylic clear dry-erase writing surface with sharp lines for clean marking, so you can easily identify shots while keeping track of takes and scenes.

Amaran Ace 25c Pocket RGBWW LED Light

Amaran Ace 25c Pocket RGBWW LED Light

Price: around $90
The Amaran Ace 25c is a remarkably compact RGBWW LED light known for its unmatched versatility. With a credit card size and weighing only 350g, it easily fits in your hand or pocket until you're ready to use it. It boasts a high color accuracy rating of 95+ in both CRI and TLCI, ensuring natural and pristine colors in photos and videos.

Joby GorillaPod 3k

Joby GorillaPod 3k

Price: around $40
The Joby GorillaPod 3K is a versatile tripod that features flexible, wrappable legs that allow you to securely mount DSLR or mirrorless cameras weighing up to 3kg to virtually any surface. The precision 360° panning bed and 90° tilt with built-in bubble level gives you optimal control over camera positioning.

Datacolor SpyderCHECKR 24

Datacolor SpyderCHECKR 24

Price: around $50
A color chart is an extremely useful piece of equipment for any filmmaker. The SpyderCHECKR 24 features 24 color targets and a grey face target, all within the sRGB gamut for wide device compatibility. Ideal for visual comparisons, custom white balance adjustments, and ensuring accurate, consistent color across different cameras, lenses, and lighting. Optimize RAW processing in-batch for capturing every detail.

Field Notes

Field Notes

Price: Starting at $14.95 | $120 for a subscription
Our favorite line of pocket-sized notebooks is Field Notes. Their notebooks come in a variety of colors and themes. They are perfect for filmmakers to journal and/or take notes when on set. In particular, we'd recommend the Expedition 3-pack notebooks, which are waterproof and virtually indestructible; we love them!

Storyboard Notebooks

Storyboard Notebooks

Price: Starting at $9.99
The Storyboard Notebooks are a great gift for any filmmaker. Available in different aspect ratios to fit any project. It facilitates clear and impactful communication for live-action, animation, and television. Its sturdy hardcover ensures long-lasting quality, safeguarding its contents in a pristine archive. With 180 pages, it is perfect for storyboarding complex projects of any length.

SD Card Holder & Reader

SD Card Holder & Reader

Price: about $40
This high-speed card reader and carrying case is designed for content creators who need to transfer photos and videos quickly. With its integrated USB 3.1 chip, it delivers blistering 312MB/s speeds for lightning-fast offloads. Dual SD and microSD slots allow simultaneous transfers from multiple cards, saving you precious time.

Editing Shortcuts Keyboard Cover

Editing Shortcuts Keyboard Cover

Price: about $30
These keyboard covers are the perfect solution for accelerating your video editing workflow. They feature instantly accessible shortcuts for your editing application of choice, such as Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, Avid, and more. The useful shortcuts are color-coded for quick identification so you can edit videos faster. Plus it protects the keyboard underneath from dust and spills.


Cameras and Filmmaking Gear

Cameras

We'll assume that you're not in the market for an Arri Alexa LF at roughly the price of a high-end sports car. But plenty of other high-end options will delight and impress even the most experienced filmmakers.

Editor's Choice
Sony FX3

Sony FX3

Price: about $4000
The Sony FX3 remains the king for low budget and indie filmmakers that want a small powerhouse camera capable of delivering cinematic images worthy of the big screen.

Sony Alpha a7S III

Sony Alpha a7S III

Price: about $3,500
Nearly identical to the FX3 above the Sony A7S III is another amazing camera option. Perfect for low light filming this camera has proved its value over the last few years.

Best Budget Option
Canon EOS Rebel T7

Canon EOS Rebel T7

Price: about $500
The Canon EOS Rebel T7 is a solid performer and an excellent camera for the beginning filmmaker. It features a 24.1 megapixel APS-H sensor, full HD video recording, built-in Wi-Fi, and NFC technology.

Action Cameras

Best Action Cam
DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro

DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro

Price: about $260
The DJI Osmo line of cameras has been steadily improving year after year and the Action 5 Pro is the best yet. Featuring 4K video recording, Dual OLED Touchscreens, Voice Control, and All Weather waterproofing this camera is tough and versatile.

Best Budget Action Cam
AKASO Brave 7

AKASO Brave 7

Price: about $120
The AKASO Brave 7 is the best low price action camera available. eaturing 4K30fps, 2.7K30FPS video resolution and 20MP photos, waterproof up to 10 meters without a case, touch screen and dual display.

Drones

Drones are an increasingly popular tool in the filmmaking arsenal. Whether you're capturing aerial footage or filming a scene from extreme angles, there's no doubt that drones can offer unique perspectives and shots that aren't possible with other gear.

Editor's Choice
DJI Air 3S

DJI Air 3S

Price: Starting at about $1599
DJI is the industry leader for cinematic drones, and the DJI Air 3S is one of their flagship models. It features a 1" CMOS Camera capable of 4K & HD Video, 45-minute flight time, obstacle avoidance sensors, a 20km video transmission range, and more.

DJI Mini 4K

DJI Mini 4K

Price: starting at about $250-$300
The DJI Mini 4k is an ultra-lightweight and portable drone that is great to have in a spare bag and always on hand. It features 4k video, 31-minute flight time, and many beginner-friendly easy flight features.

Gimbals / Stabilizers

A camera stabilizer is an essential tool for all kinds of applications. Whether it's handheld shots or capturing stable images while mounted on a drone, you can't go wrong with a camera stabilizer.

Editor's Choice
DJI RS 4

DJI RS 4

Price: Starting at about $459
The DJI Ronin RS 4 features an advanced stabilization algorithm for ultra-smooth footage and enhanced low-angle shooting performance. Achieve Hollywood-level camera stabilization with the DJI Ronin RS 4 3-axis gimbal.

DJI RS 3 Mini

DJI RS 3 Mini

Price: starting at about $189
The DJI RS 3 Mini is a lightweight 3-axis gimbal stabilizer for mirrorless cameras that allows users to capture smooth, professional footage. It provides fantastic stabilization and supports payloads up to 2 kg.


Lenses

For lenses, this will largely depend on the camera of your filmmaker and the lens mount they use. That said, in general, we recommend checking out Sigma's ART range. Their wide prime lenses are perfect for capturing breathtaking shots in all kinds of conditions, and their standard zoom is also a great choice for flexibility.

Best Anamorphic Lenses
SIRUI 50mm F1.8 1.33X Anamorphic Lens

SIRUI 50mm F1.8 1.33X Anamorphic Lens

Price: starting at $260 - $470
The Sirui 50mm 1.33X Anamorphic Lens has a fast F1.8 minimum aperture and is available in a wide range of lens mounts. It features a lightweight and compact design with 11 elements in 8 groups. The lens produces oval bokeh and sci-fi-like horizontal lens flares. For full-frame cameras like the Sony FX3 there is a F2.9 with 1.6x version available **NOTE**: Be sure to select the lens mount that is appropriate for your camera. There are many options available.

SIRUI Night Walker 55mm

SIRUI Night Walker 55mm

Price: starting at about $279
With a large T1.2 aperture, the SIRUI Night Walker lenses are perfect for low-light filming with a pure, low-noise night scene. Impressive optical design enhances performance even at max aperture with sharpness, minimal focus breathing, and controlled aberrations. Last but not least the lenses are surprisingly lightweight at about 500g. **NOTE**: Be sure to select the lens mount that is appropriate for your camera. There are many options available.


Filmmaking Subscriptions

Assets / Libraries

Best for VFX
FX Elements VFX Library

FX Elements VFX Library

Price: Free to get started | Subscriptions options start at $99
FX Elements allows filmmakers to add professional-grade VFX to any project with ease. With their high-quality VFX stock footage, anyone can get started with visual effects simply by dragging and dropping footage from their extensive library. With a subscription, users have access to their entire collection of VFX packs and individual clips to download as needed.

Best for Sound FX
Soundly Sound FX Library

Soundly Sound FX Library

Price: Free to get started | Paid options starting at $14.99
Soundly is both a sound effects management software and a sound effects library. With the free version, users can manage and organize their local sound files as well as access a limited free library from Soundly. With the paid version, users gain access to the full Soundly Pro library and 10GB of cloud storage.

Software

Arc Studio Pro

Arc Studio Pro

Price: Free to get started | Paid options starting at $69
Our first choice is [Arc Studio Pro](https://www.filmmaker.tools/arc-studio-pro-vs-final-draft), which offers a range of powerful tools to help you write and format scripts. Its modern, intuitive layout makes it easy to use, and it also includes various collaboration features that can be useful for teams or writers looking for feedback on their work.

Topaz Video AI

Topaz Video AI

Price: Starting at $299
Topaz Labs is the creator of an incredible range of AI-assisted photo and video enhancement tools.

Adobe Creative Cloud

Adobe Creative Cloud

Price: starting at $54.99 per month
Adobe Creative Cloud offers apps, web services, and resources for various creative projects, including photography, video editing, graphic design, UX design, drawing and painting, social media, and more. Customize your plan with individual app subscriptions or opt for the Creative Cloud All Apps plan.

Training & Tutorials

If you're looking to give your filmmaker friend a gift that will help them improve their skills, then why not consider training or tutorials? There are a wide range of options available, from online video tutorials to paid programs like Skill Share and Lynda.com.

MasterClass

MasterClass

Price: Starting at about $120 per year
Masterclass is one of the best resources on the internet for creatives in general. For filmmakers, in particular, there are a number of masterclasses taught by award-winning directors such as Ron Howard, James Cameron, and David Lynch, just to name a few.

Books for Filmmakers and Creators

There is a huge variety of great books and guides available that can help filmmakers improve their craft, from beginner-level instruction manuals to more advanced texts on specific topics such as cinematography or lighting.

Screenwriting Books

Story by Robert McKee

Story by Robert McKee

Robert McKee's book Story is one of the all-time essentials for any aspiring writer. It explores the fundamentals of story structure and provides invaluable insight into creating engaging stories with memorable characters. Spanning over 400 pages and chock full of examples from modern classic films.

Screenplay by Syd Field

Screenplay by Syd Field

Screenplay by Syd Field is a groundbreaking book in the industry of scriptwriting. It provides a comprehensive look at what it takes to craft an effective screenplay, guiding aspiring screenwriters through the basics of building story and characters, plus the technical aspects of formatting, writing style, and other essentials.

It allows readers to transform their ideas into workable shots and scenes and feel confident with producing a professional script.

The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier

The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier

The Screenwriter's Bible by David Trottier is an invaluable resource for aspiring screenwriters. Creating a screenplay takes knowledge of formats, structure, and conventions - all of which are discussed in depth in this book. Whether you're just starting out or a seasoned writer, The Screenwriter's Bible is an essential companion and valuable reference for all things relating to formatting.

Making a Good Script Great by Linda Seger

Making a Good Script Great by Linda Seger

Making a Good Script Great by Linda Seger is a guide for screenwriters and filmmakers on how to take their script to the next level and make it stand out. The book covers various elements of scriptwriting, including structure, character development, theme, dialogue, and pacing.

Seger offers practical tips and exercises to help writers improve their scripts and make them more engaging and compelling for audiences. She emphasizes the importance of taking a critical and analytical approach to scriptwriting and encourages writers to think beyond the conventions of the genre to create something truly unique and memorable.

Save The Cat by Blake Snyder

Save The Cat by Blake Snyder

Save the Cat, written by Blake Snyder, is a popular guide to screenwriting and developing stories. Written in Snyder's signature down-to-earth style, this book demystifies the screenwriting process by breaking down the core tenants of successful movies. Save the Cat dives into topics such as beats and structure with examples to help readers understand concepts quickly. Readers will come away from this book inspired to keep their stories fresh and captivating for audiences.

Save the Cat Goes to the Movies by Blake Snyder

Save the Cat Goes to the Movies by Blake Snyder

Save the Cat Goes to the Movies by Blake Snyder is a follow-up in the wake of the success of Save the Cat. This in-depth look at the structures, tropes, and themes found in cinema by examining many of the famous films throughout film history. He provides several examples from each of his previously defined genres to give the reader real-life tangible models to reference and better illustrate the Save the Cat system.


Misc. Filmmaker Gifts

Headphones

Headphones can be a great gift for filmmakers as they can be useful both in production to monitor audio on set and in post-production as well.

Apple AirPods

Apple AirPods

Price: $129 - $549

Our top pick for wireless headphones would have to be Apple AirPods. Whether you go with the AirPods, the AirPods Pro, or the AirPods Max, they are all solid options that work seamlessly with Apple products.

Bose QuietComfort

Bose QuietComfort

Price: starting at about $249

If your screenwriter isn't an Apple user, you might prefer to go for an equally valid option such as the Bose QuietComfort.

What makes a great gift for a filmmaker?

Gifting something special to a filmmaker or creator in your life is an excellent way to show them how much you appreciate their talent and hard work.

As we mentioned in our gift guide for screenwriters, buying a coffee mug or t-shirt with the image of a clapper board or the words filmmaker or director printed on it is probably NOT the best idea.

Most artists are fairly sensitive, and buying a novelty gift such as this could be seen as trivializing their passion.

At the high-end and mid-level, there are a few standard categories to consider: a camera and lenses, a computer or laptop, camera stabilizers, drones, and lights.

At the lower price range (under $100), it's harder to find quality gear for these categories, so we have to be a little more creative in that price range.

Wrapping Up

Whether you're looking for a high-end gift or something on a tight budget, there are plenty of great options out there for filmmakers and creators. Whether you're looking for a high-end drone, a powerful lighting system, or some great filmmaking books and guides, there's something out there that will meet your needs and fit into your budget.

What do you think? Have we missed any of the best holiday gifts for filmmakers? If so, reach out to us on social media!

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