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Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Chiemeka Offor

Chiemeka Offor is a NYC-based Nigerian-American interdisciplinary artist, image maker, and director currently focusing on editorial photography and poetic short films. Her artwork has been featured in Cultured, i-D, Vogue Italia, Women’s Wear Daily, Buzzfeed Photo, Frieze, and Office Magazine. Chiemeka has received National recognition as a Grand Prize Winner in the Smithsonian Teen Portrait Competition for her portrait “Showtime”, and a 2020 National Young Arts Foundation Award in Photography. In the spring of 2023, she joined the 2023 Voice X PhotoVogue NFT Residency and is currently pursuing a major in Film and Television at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, where she continues to construct visual and sensory worlds of inclusion through her intersectional and community-driven work. Continue to read more about Chiemeka and how she hopes to mesh the two worlds of fashion photography and visual activism in her career.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Becky Morrison

Let’s all welcome new NYWIFT member Becky Morrison! Becky is the Founder & CEO of The Light, an award-winning production company that produces films, series and high-end commercials. Becky kicked-off her career on the Hollywood blockbuster I Am Legend, dabbled in animation on Disney’s The Wild, then entered the world of rock n’ roll as visual content producer for U2’s world tour. In the span of her career, Becky has produced hundreds of projects for clients such as Netflix, Apple, NBC, A&E, Hulu and Disney. She has spent years studying the history of Hollywood and uses her research to inform a new framework for conscious production. She spoke to us about how she is using her creative work to inspire positive change.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Cathy Perifimos

Meet NYWIFT new member Cathy Perifimos! Cathy is an entertainment attorney, Of Counsel at Thompson LLC, consulting with the firm on entertainment and media transactions. Previously, she was Vice President at Paramount Global, where she managed the business and legal affairs of Smithsonian Channel and worked on documentaries and unscripted projects across the MTV Entertainment Group brands. Prior to joining Smithsonian Channel in 2014, Cathy was an Associate at the boutique entertainment law firm of Dembitzer & Dembitzer LLP. She was also an Associate Agent in the dramatic rights department of the Curtis Brown literary agency. She is a graduate of Barnard College and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Cathy is a founding board member of Barnard Women in Entertainment, and at Cardozo is a member of the Filmmakers Legal Clinic Board and the FAME Advisory Board. Cathy resides in New Jersey with her husband and their cat. Recently, we asked Cathy about her impressive legal career in the entertainment industry.

How to Decide Which Screenwriting Contests to Submit To

There are hundreds, if not thousands, of screenwriting competitions out there — so how do you decide which ones are worth your time and money? As the co-founder of Moonshot Initiative, a nonprofit that works toward gender equity in film and television, NYWIFT Member Katrina Medoff has been on the other side of the application process. Her team reads hundreds of submissions a year for the Moonshot Pilot Accelerator and their newest program, the Moonshot Feature Accelerator. They know that their applicants poured their time, talents, and energy into their scripts, and that every fellowship submission means putting more time and money into your career. So it’s important to carefully consider which labs and contests to prioritize. If you’re ready to submit your feature film screenplay or TV pilot script to screenwriting competitions, here’s how to determine which labs, fellowships, and contests would be a good fit.

The Vital Importance of Mental Health Awareness for Women in Media and Entertainment: Insights from World Mental Health Day Festival

In the fast-paced world of media and entertainment, women often find themselves balancing demanding careers while also managing their mental health. Prioritizing self-care is not only important but necessary. NYWIFT Members LaKisa Renee and Tammy Reese had the privilege of attending Project Healthy Minds’ World Mental Health Day Festival on October 10th in New York City, the largest global celebration of mental health awareness. The event brought together influential leaders from the arts, including Award-winning Musician, Actor and Advocate Demi Lovato; TODAY Co-Host Carson Daly; Founder and CEO of OBB Media, Michael D. Ratner; and Peoplehood Co-Founder; Actress Sanaa Lathan, to share insights on the importance of mental health, the power of storytelling, and the impact of self-advocacy.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Michelle de la Rosa

Let's all give a warm welcome to Michelle de la Rosa! Michelle is a freelance theatre and film director based in New York City. She is a native New Yorker with Puerto Rican and Jewish heritage. As a director, she has participated in several NYC theatre festivals. She studied directing under the mentorship of John Grabowski at the Acting Studio in New York. She is a member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society and now NYWIFT! As a playwright, her short play Spell It (2021) was produced by the Nuyorican Poets Cafe. Continue reading to learn more about Michelle and how she got to where she is today as an artist.

Immersive Fashion and Style in the Metaverse

From NYWIFT Member Jean Criss: "Immersive fashion and style in the metaverse combine digital design, virtual environments, and interactive experiences to create unique ways for users to engage with fashion. What I learned this past week from many of our speakers and brands participating at the Fusion Fashion Tech Summit was that there are commonalities across emerging technologies where sustainability, circularity, inclusion, and innovation intersect regardless of whether you're designing fashion, jewelry, gaming, or art."

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Val Dowd

We’re thrilled to welcome our new NYWIFT member, Val Dowd! Val is a film sales manager with a passion for highlighting underrepresented voices. Some of her career highlights thus far include doing outreach for Matthew Heineman’s documentary The First Wave and working with her team on Hulu’s The Jewel Thief. She’s very motivated by community and finding films that can open doors for people and offer fresh perspectives. Read our interview with Val to learn more about the role of a film sales manager, how she approaches selling and distributing projects, and her love for film.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Katharine Chin

Mic up. Headphones on. Press record for Chapter 1: NYWIFT’s Newest Member. We’re pleased to welcome Katharine Chin to the NYWIFT community! Katharine is an actor, writer, and audiobook narrator who has worked on numerous audiobooks for Harper Collins, Penguin Random House and more. As an actor and writer, her career spans television, film and theater. She’s a founding member of The Nobodies Collective, which offers a space to nurture new work for the stage and screen. Read our interview with Katharine to learn more about her creative journey, what it’s like recording audiobooks, and her advice for other artists.

HBO Original Limited Series “The Penguin” Now Streaming on Max

The HBO Original limited series The Penguin from Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, began with the series premiere on Thursday, September 19 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and is now available to stream on Max. New episodes debut on Sunday nights at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on HBO and Max. NYWIFT members Tammy Reese and LaKisa Renee attended the red carpet premiere in NYC and share their exclusive interviews below!

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Bella Pechaty

We are pleased to welcome new NYWIFT member, Isabella (Bella) Pechaty! Bella Pechaty is a young professional working in freelance film journalism programming. She has worked at a number of arts nonprofits, independent publications, and in film publicity. She is interested in pursuing a career in film PR, creative development, and film criticism. She holds a BA in Film Studies from Barnard College of Columbia University, and is currently based in New York City.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Leslie Cunningham

Everyone please take a moment to welcome our new NYWIFT Member, Leslie Cunningham! Leslie is a director, writer, and producer with experience spanning documentary, branded, podcast, narrative, and digital video. She is a Supervising Producer and Head of Branded Content at the NYC-based creative agency Diagonal Media. She approaches storytelling as a writer first, understanding the central “why” of a story to unveil the universal truths that create compelling and authentic narratives. She was recently featured as a panelist at the NYWIFT FinanceHER Institute at The New School in September 2024, discussing all things branded content.

Meet the New NYWIFT Board Member: Toni R. Isreal

This month, NYWIFT announced the results of our latest Board Elections. This included the election of new board member Toni Isreal! Toni has been a NYWIFT member for over five years and we are thrilled to have her join our leadership team. Isreal is no stranger to arts and entertainment. The former accounting specialist sought and secured key apprenticeship opportunities to thrive from her greatest interests in film, television, and theater, leading to decades of experience in group sales and brand management. Isreal is the Founder of REALEMN Productions, Broadway and Touring with a focus on partnerships, marketing, PR, and producing.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Eli Zavala

Welcome to NYWIFT, Eli Zavala! Eli is focused on bringing better representation, and fighting misrepresentations, of minorities on the screen. She founded La Filmadora (NY) and Numina (Mx), is part of the shorts team at Tribeca & AFI Fest, is the Festivals Commissioner & Producers Liaison of The Independent Film Industry Convergence of Mexico and Latin America, and is the Executive Programming Director at Latitudes Cinema, a NY microcinema.

NYWIFT @ TIFF: In Conversation with Costume Designer Rosemary Lepre Forman

Writer-director-actor Edward Burns’ latest feature film, Millers in Marriage, made its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). An ensemble drama with a stunning cast including Gretchen Mol, Patrick Wilson, Julianna Margulies, Campbell Scott, Benjamin Bratt, and Minnie Driver, Burns’ latest follows the thorny emotional lives of three siblings adrift in middle age, surveying the vagaries of long-term love while championing the possibilities for personal change. NYWIFT Member Rosemary Lepre Forman was costume designer for the film. She sat down with us to discuss her creative journey with the project and her experience at TIFF.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Angela Inez

Welcome to NYWIFT, Angela Inez! Angela is a screenwriter, podcaster and SAG/AFTRA actress with a deep love for words. Her upcoming audio drama “Where Loyalties…Lie” will debut in Fall of 2024. She was in the Writers Guild Fellowship for military veterans where she developed a supernatural drama television pilot. Read our interview with Angela below to learn more about her creative journey, her upcoming audio drama and her advice for pursuing careers in podcasting and television.

A Celebration of Film and Exchange of Knowledge: Previewing the NY Greek Film Expo with Maria Miles

Maria C. Miles is a well-known presence at NYWIFT gatherings, having served two consecutive terms on the NYWIFT Board of Directors and now as legal counsel for the organization. Mary – as friends and fellow members know her – frequently welcomes new faces to the organization with her warmth, generous spirit, and quick wit. And now she brings her leadership and expertise to another organization near and dear to her heart. Committed to promoting diversity in the film and television industry, Miles was named President of the Board of the Hellenic Film Society USA in January 2024. Mary offered us a unique glimpse into what the organization has in store this year, including its partnership with New York Women in Film & Television.

Meet the new NYWIFT Member: Stacey Messina

Let’s all give a warm welcome to our new NYWIFT Member, Stacey Messina! Stacey began her career in tourism and hotel marketing, eventually moving into the academic fundraising arena. She most recently finished a freelance gig in nonprofit theatre production and fundraising, and is now fully investing herself in her creative screenwriting projects. She recently completed a semester at NY Film Academy and will begin pursuit of her MFA in Film and Television Production at the New York campus in January. After 25 years of only dreaming of the movies, Stacey is finally engaged in the pursuit of writing and producing the stories that take shape in her head as scenes from a film. Check out the rest of the article to learn more about Stacey and her big leap towards her dreams!

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