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NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Veronica Reyes-How

Award-winning writer, actor, and producer Veronica Reyes-How is making a bold mark on the indie television landscape with the world premiere of her new episodic series, Mother, May I Have a Kidney?, at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. As a proud NYWIFT member and first-generation Filipino-American, Reyes-How brings heart, humor, and authenticity to her storytelling. Her latest project, which she created, wrote, and executive produced, explores themes of family estrangement, empathy, and kidney health through a unique dramedy lens. With a rich background that spans from tech consulting to national tours, hit TV appearances, and more, Veronica continues to champion diverse voices and underrepresented narratives in media.

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Fredgy Noël

NYWIFT member Fredgy Noël is a multi-hyphenate filmmaker whose work weaves lyrical visuals with raw emotional honesty, and her latest short film, New York Day Women, is no exception. Making its world premiere at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, the film is a tender, visually stunning adaptation of a short story by Haitian American author Edwidge Danticat. As the director, writer, producer, and editor, Noël brings her unique perspective—shaped by her Haitian roots, background in dance, and years of experience across major media networks—to a story that explores the quiet revelations between mothers and daughters. NYWIFT spoke with Noël about the inspiration behind the film, what it means to premiere at Tribeca, and her ongoing mission to amplify marginalized voices through bold, resonant storytelling.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Anna Koukouli Born

Welcome to our new NYWIFT member, Anna Koukouli Born! Anna Koukouli Born is a bicoastal writer-director splitting her time between NY and LA. She explores women's stories, dysfunctional families, unbearable workplaces filled with Succession-like egos, social inequality, and climate-caused disasters set in the near future. Drawing from her Greek history and heritage, Anna loves allegorical cautionary tales about strong, tragic characters trying to overcome adversity. She’s also obsessed with women's rights and gender parity. Her humor is darker than yours. She bets on it. Anna studied Story Analysis and TV Development at UCLA Extension and holds a BA (Hons) Marketing and an MBA from the UK Universities of Lincoln and Liverpool, respectively. Anna talks about her journey into the film industry, her experiences working on various films, and how she overcomes challenges within these fields!

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Mattie Akers

NYWIFT member and seasoned archival producer Mattie Akers is making a powerful mark at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, where the documentary For Venida, For Kalief will have its world premiere as part of the Documentary Competition lineup. Directed by Sisa Bueno, the film explores the enduring impact of Kalief Browder and his mother Venida Browder, whose lives were tragically shaped by systemic injustice. Told through poetry, activism, and powerful archival material, the film is a deeply moving reflection on loss, resilience, and legacy. With over two decades in the documentary field, Akers brings her passion for social issues, historical research, and storytelling to the forefront in this timely and emotional project.

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Melanie Armer

NYWIFT member Melanie Armer is celebrating a major milestone in her multifaceted career with the official selection of Last Resort at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. As the Director and Co-Producer of the gripping new audio drama — described as The White Lotus meets Black Mirror — Armer brings her decades of experience in independent theater, multimedia production, and storytelling to a bold and timely project that explores cancel culture, identity, and the blurred lines between technology and transformation. With a creative legacy that includes collaborations on Broadway and groundbreaking work through her company Nerve Tank Media, Armer continues to redefine the boundaries of narrative art and sonic immersion. In our interview, she discusses Last Resort – written and created by her partner Chance Muehleck – and its exciting Tribeca debut.

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen

The 2025 Tribeca Festival is set to thrill audiences with the world premiere of Last Resort, a bold new thriller/sci-fi podcast series blending razor-sharp satire and psychological suspense. Among the dynamic cast are longtime collaborators and NYWIFT members Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen — an award-winning creative duo known for their boundary-pushing work across stage and screen. In this exclusive interview, the real-life couple opens up about their experience working together as actors on Last Resort, a project helmed by fellow NYWIFT member Melanie Armer and writer/creator Chance Muehleck. From their reflections on artistic community and inspiration, to the impact of premiering at Tribeca, Blank and Jensen give us a heartfelt, humorous, and deeply insightful glimpse into what makes Last Resort such a resonant and genre-defying story.

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Eileen Zyko Wolter

Please meet NYWIFT Member Eileen Zyko Wolter, a creator, writer, and actress whose journey has taken her from a Connecticut childhood shaped by a first-generation Muslim Albanian father and a mother descended from the Revolutionary War and Salem Witch Trials to the set of Queens of the Dead, premiering at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. With a background in art history and film from Vassar College and training from The Atlantic Theater Company, The Actors Studio, and The Beverly Hills Playhouse, Eileen brings a unique blend of intellect, passion, and grit to every role. In this interview, Eileen shares what it was like to portray a zombie in Tina Romero’s thrilling directorial debut, her lifelong dream of joining SAG-AFTRA, and her love for the NYWIFT community that helped reignite her acting ambitions.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Paula de la Fuente

Let’s give a warm welcome to our newest NYWIFT member, the multi-talented Paula de la Fuente! Hailing from Valladolid, Spain, Paula is a filmmaker, actress, writer, and director with a passion for storytelling. From gaining hands-on production experience on Spanish film sets and the Goya Awards ceremony to co-writing and producing her own horror short, Paula has already made significant strides in the industry. Now, she's pursuing her dreams in New York City, studying Acting for Film at the New York Film Academy as a Talent Award Scholarship recipient. Paula joins NYWIFT seeking connection, mentorship, and inspiration as she navigates the U.S. film scene. Let's dive into her journey and discover what drives this exciting new voice in filmmaking.

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Co-Directors and Producers Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin

The 2025 Tribeca Festival is kicking off with a bang as the world premiere of Billy Joel: And So It Goes takes center stage as part of the Opening Night Gala. This highly anticipated documentary, co-directed by the legendary multi-Emmy, Peabody and Grammy award-winning filmmaker Susan Lacy and Emmy and Peabody award-winning producer Jessica Levin, delves deep into the music, mind, and legacy of one of America’s greatest songwriters. In this exclusive NYWIFT interview, we speak with Susan, a proud NYWIFT member, and Jessica, her longtime collaborator, about the creative journey behind the film, the art of storytelling through music, and what it was like working alongside the Piano Man himself.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Kristina Libby

Welcome to NYWIFT, Kristina Libby! Kristina is a storyteller, writer, artist, and technology executive living in NYC. She is best known for founding The Floral Heart Project — a national COVID memorial initiative — for which she was named a Hero of 2022 and recognized as a leading public artist for social change. Kristina’s work spans mediums and genres: her writing has appeared in The New Yorker, McSweeney’s, Popular Mechanics, Elle, and Salon, among others. She co-created the award-winning television pilot Penny Starts a Cult and the indie comedy Books, which was recently filmed with Rick and Morty’s Spencer Grammer, Office Space’s Ajay Naidu, and director Micah Khan. She’s also a novelist represented by Sterling Lord Literary, a former one-woman show performer, and an artist whose work has been exhibited at Spring/Break, the Arizona Historical Society Museum, and the Milwaukee Art Museum. In our interview, Kristina discusses her unique journey across art, tech, and storytelling — and how she finds power in combining them all.

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Director, Producer, and Screenwriter Toby Perl Freilich

Award-winning filmmaker, writer, and NYWIFT member Toby Perl Freilich returns to the spotlight with her latest documentary, Maintenance Artist, making its world premiere in the Documentary Competition at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. Known for her deeply researched and socially resonant films such as Moynihan and Inventing Our Life: The Kibbutz Experiment, Freilich turns her lens to pioneering feminist artist Mierle Laderman Ukeles, whose groundbreaking concept of “maintenance art” challenged the boundaries between art, labor, and gender. In this compelling new work, Freilich not only brings Ukeles’ vision to life but also preserves a vital historical record of performance art. In our exclusive interview, she opens up about the inspiration behind the film, the importance of platforms like Tribeca, and her journey as a multi-hyphenate creator paving the way for women in documentary filmmaking.

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Producer and Casting Director Lois Drabkin

New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) is proud to spotlight member Lois Drabkin, a dynamic force in the world of independent cinema. As the Co-Producer and Casting Director of Ride or Die, premiering at the 2025 Tribeca Festival as part of the prestigious U.S. Narrative Competition, Drabkin continues to champion bold, character-driven storytelling. With a career spanning acclaimed features such as Nancy, Colewell, and Glass Chin, and casting credits on groundbreaking projects like HBO’s The Wire and Showtime’s Years of Living Dangerously, Lois shares insights into her creative process, the evolution of Ride or Die, and her enduring commitment to supporting women in film.

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Producer Marcella Steingart

Emmy and Peabody Award-winning producer Marcella Garcia Steingart is making waves at the 2025 Tribeca Festival with the world premiere of her latest project, Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything, directed by Jackie Jesko. Produced in collaboration with ABC News Studios and Imagine Documentaries, the film offers a compelling and intimate look at the pioneering career of broadcast journalism icon — and 1997 NYWIFT Muse Honoree — Barbara Walters , the first woman to break into network evening news. With rare archival footage and powerful insights from cultural figures like Oprah Winfrey, Katie Couric, Andy Cohen, Joy Behar, Bette Midler, Connie Chung, and Cynthia McFadden, the documentary not only charts Walters’ trailblazing path but also explores deeper themes of sexism, ambition, and the high cost of public success. A proud NYWIFT member, Steingart brings her signature emotional depth and narrative artistry to the project. Her journey as a celebrated storyteller has earned her accolades across the industry — and Tell Me Everything may be her most powerful work to date.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Chantel Simpson

Let's give a warm welcome to our newest NYWIFT member, the incredibly talented Chantel Simpson! Based in Brooklyn, Chantel is a writer, director, and producer with a true passion for amplifying underrepresented voices through compelling storytelling. Her diverse portfolio spans documentaries, branded content, and photo campaigns, showcasing her ability to connect with audiences on a deep level. From capturing the vibrant energy of NYC's breakdancing culture in Children of the Zulu Kings to exploring the brotherhood within a lowrider club in A Drastic Tale (screening next month at the Tribeca Festival), Chantel's work is both captivating and culturally resonant. She's even collaborated with major brands like Nike, Meta, and JPMorgan Chase, bringing their visions to life with her unique creative touch. As a new member of New York Women in Film & Television, Chantel is eager to connect with fellow creatives, find inspiration, and continue to grow as an artist. Join us as we delve into Chantel's creative journey and discover what motivates this dynamic storyteller.

Curtain Raiser: 2025 Tribeca Festival Ushers in a Powerful Celebration of Storytelling

It’s that time again! The Tribeca Festival returns to New York City from June 4–15, 2025, bringing together visionaries, changemakers, and creatives across film, television, immersive experiences, games, audio storytelling, and more. Stay tuned — we’ll be bringing exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes content, red carpet snapshots, and insight into the premieres and panels that everyone will be talking about. In the meantime, Tammy Reese offers us a sneak peak of some festival highlights.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Christy Veeder

Welcome to our new NYWIFT Member, Christy Veeder! Christy is a screenwriter, former climate scientist, and erstwhile bureaucrat whose first major work of fiction, a personal interpretation of The Dark Crystal, was written in response to not being allowed to see Jim Henson’s fantasy epic in the theater with her other third grade friends. But what Christy really loves is 30-minute comedy and the ways in which it can illuminate our hopes, defang our fears, and help us keep going in this thing called life. Christy’s screenplays culminate a career spanning years of editing and writing about the culinary arts, publishing academic journal articles, handing out coupons at the Port Authority while dressed as a box of cough syrup, impersonating celebrity cats on Twitter, and drafting federal legislation in the U.S. Senate – all of which have been rich preparation for the process of creating worlds on the page. Christy discusses her diverse career background, her experience as a writer, and how she first got into the field.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Guneet K. Singh

Welcome to NYWIFT, Guneet K. Singh! Former NYWIFT intern Guneet K. Singh is a producer and writer with a passion for diverse storytelling. She was most recently the producer for the poignant play, Irreparable, which premiered at the Act One One-Act Theater Festival. She has worked in television development for NBC and Peacock, working on programs such as That’s My Jam, Password, Joyelle Nicole Johnson: Love Joy and 5 More Sleeps ‘Til Christmas. Her first producing role was as the Digital Producer for the Emmy nominated The Kids Tonight Show. She began her career as an NBC Page, working on shows like Saturday Night Live and The TODAY Show. In our interview, Guneet discusses her exciting time in NBC’s legendary Page Program, the power of networking, and finding her calling as a writer and producer.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Monique Gabriela Curnen

Welcome to NYWIFT, Monique Gabriela Curnen! Monique Gabriela Curnen is an actor and producer known for a string of critical and commercial successes, including Half Nelson, The Dark Knight, Contagion and Birth/Rebirth. While working with Warrington Hudlin at the Black Filmmaker Foundation, she started producing short films. She continued producing independently, including the Joe Holt short Noël, which sold to ShortsHD. She served as executive producer on the award-winning feature documentary, A Run For More (PBS, Amazon) directed by Ray Whitehouse. She’s currently in development on the narrative feature Sheila & the Punk Rock, written and directed by K. Lorrel Manning. Monique discusses the roots of her career, her experience working on large-scale productions, and how she overcomes challenges within these realms. Get to know her in our latest interview!

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