NYWIFT Board Treasurer Anita Katzen was featured in Ms. In the Biz article “How to Build Your Empire: Managing Your Money with Anita Katzen.”
You never know what sort of accomplished woman you may come across at a NYWIFT event.
During last month’s Cocktails and Conversation at Soho’s Post Factory, Ms. In the Biz blogger Candy Washington chatted it up with Anita Katzen, NYWIFT’s Board Treasurer, who was recently named Best Accountant of 2013 by the New York Enterprise Report. “[Katzen] is literally a gold mine of knowledge of how to make the most of your money…as a creative professional.“
This kind of connection between women in the industry is exactly why we do this work. We got Katzen to answer a few more questions about why NYWIFT is so important to her.
Tell us a little about yourself and what you do in the industry.
I am a tax accounting partner at Schulman Lobel et al LLP. I have a niche in entertainment where I service talent, entertainment companies, and film companies. I also do business management for clients where I handle their day-to-day receipts and disbursements. I am a member of the NYSSCPA’s Entertainment Arts and Sports committee.
Why did you join NYWIFT? What’s your favorite aspect of being a member?
I have been a sponsor of NYWIFT for about 6 years. I became the treasurer this July and find NYWIFT’s programs, special events, and energy inspiring. We just had our Muse Awards and that was a thrilling day! This is a warm group that helps each other find what they need.
Do you have any advice for other women in the industry?
Join NYWIFT! Joining an organization that is so entrenched in your industry can be invaluable. If you are looking to raise money or write a documentary, there are excellent programs to attend. I think networking with people in your industry is a big help. You can always find someone to run your ideas by, or business issues with. NYWIFT is dedicated to seeing its members succeed.
Want another chance to mingle with our amazing members and staff? Check out our next NYWIFT Night Out on January 13, 2013, at Butterfield 8.
— JOYCE CHOI LI
Joyce Choi Li is NYWIFT’s Communications & Community Coordinator.
Related Posts
Cracking the Code on Film Fundraising: Insights from NYWIFT’s Winter Film Festival Panel
On a brisk February afternoon, I found the perfect escape from the cold—diving into an eye-opening discussion at the 2025 Winter Film Festival. One of the standout moments? Navigating Film Fundraising with NYWIFT, a must-attend panel for any filmmaker tackling the most daunting part of filmmaking: raising money. Leading the conversation were Easmanie Michel, NYWIFT’s Director of Artists Programs and Finance, and NYWIFT Member Joanna Rudolph, executive producer of Burning Annie and The Co-op: The Kids of Dorie Miller. Their wealth of knowledge made for a powerful session, packed with real-world success stories and actionable strategies. Marchelle Thurman summarized some key takeaways to help you fund your next film.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Melody Gilbert
Welcome to our new NYWIFT member, Melody Gilbert! Melody is an Emmy-nominated and Alfred I. duPont award-winning documentary filmmaker. Over the course of her career, Melody has directed and produced 20 documentaries that have been screened at several film festivals and distributed internationally. Melody is also an educator committed to teaching new and emerging filmmakers. She has been on the faculty at several universities (including the American University in Bulgaria), teaching documentary production, multimedia, and journalism. Currently, Melody is traveling the world and spreading her love for film by teaching pitch training workshops and conducting her “Documentary Boot Camp” while working on her new documentary about the scandalous topless monokini bathing suit in 1964. The most recent documentary she helped produce, Queendom, was shortlisted for an Oscar in the feature documentary category. In our interview, Melody discusses her move from chilly Minnesota to NYC, her unconventional documentary subjects, and key lessons she shares with film students.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Amanda Deering Jones
Welcome to NYWIFT, Amanda Deering Jones! Amanda Deering Jones is the director of the new short film Little Mother Lies. She is also the Producer of the Academy Award-nominated animated short film Borrowed Time. She has over 20 years of experience working with Dreamworks Animation and Blue Sky Studios and is currently at Pixar. Her career began in Cooperstown, NY, as House Manager at Glimmerglass Opera before transitioning to film. Amanda is a zero-waste advocate and a published writer for the Producer’s Guild Magazine. She is an active member of the Producers Guild of America, Women in Film, Women in Animation, a Governor of the Emmy’s Northwest Chapter Board, and now a NYWIFT member. Amanda discusses her theatrical roots, getting into animation (without drawing!), and how she creates work that elevates our thinking and highlights the complexities of being human!
READ MORENYWIFT Program Recap: “Daughters” at Hamptons Doc Fest
In December 2024, NYWIFT was proud to co-present a screening of the new documentary "Daughters" at Hamptons Doc Fest, followed by a Q&A with filmmakers Angela Patton and Natalie Rae moderated by NYWIFT CEO Cynthia Lopez. In this powerful documentary, four girls prepare to reunite with their fathers through a special dance at a DC jail in this moving documentary about the healing power of love. We offer a recap of the conversation plus a video of the Q&A to watch after you've seen the film, which is now available on Netflix.
READ MORE