Photo via sasheer.com.
Rooting For: Sasheer Zamata, who recently joined the cast of Saturday Night Live. Zamata will be the first black female cast member since Maya Rudolph, and will appear in the episode airing January 18.
Loving the Variety of Formats In: Sarah Polley’s Stories We Tell, which screens at the MoMA’s Roy and Niuta Titus Theater on January 8. Polley uses home movies, photographs, and interviews to delve into her mother’s life, examining notions of truth, family, memory, loss, and understanding.
Remembering That Women Are Still: experiencing a 4% problem in the film industry. The Week notes that of 149 films slated for release during 2014, only 6 come from female filmmakers, an even wider margin than in 2012.
Terry Lawler is NYWIFT’s Executive Director. Tune in every Tuesday for her picks of the week.
Related Posts
Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Emily Bennett
Welcome our new NYWIFT member, Emily Bennett! Writer/Director Emily Bennett is an Academy-recognized screenwriter and award-winning director, notably winning a Fangoria Chainsaw Award for her debut horror/thriller Alone With You. Her films have screened at festivals such as Sitges, Fantasia, Fantastic Fest, Brooklyn Horror and BIFAN. Bennett's debut feature Alone With You was produced with Andrew Corkin’s and Theo James’ Untapped Productions (Martha Marcy May Marlene) and premiered at Fantastic Fest in 2021. As an actress, audiences can see Bennett in Chris Stuckmann’s NEON acquired debut feature film Shelby Oaks, produced by horror legend Mike Flanagan. Bennett is repped by Antonio D’Intino at Spectrevision and former CAA agent/entertainment lawyer Marc Von Arx of Nelson Davis LLP. Emily sat down with us to discuss her directing philosophy and her love of genre.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Safiya Songhai
Welcome to NYWIFT, Safiya Songhai! Safiya's cinematic journey is a blend of inspiration, resilience, and the drive to bring authentic stories to the screen. Raised by a pioneering mother in the television industry, Safiya's work as a director is deeply influenced by her upbringing and her commitment to telling stories that highlight love, unity, and the power of Black families. As a television anchor, award-winning director, and university professor, she brings a wealth of experience and passion to both her creative endeavors and her mentorship of aspiring filmmakers. In this article, Safiya shares the themes that shape her storytelling, the challenges she’s overcome, and how she empowers the next generation of filmmakers to tell impactful stories.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Erin Anne MacDonald
Welcome to NYWIFT, Erin Anne MacDonald! Erin is a multi-talented force in the world of film and theater. From her early beginnings in musical theater to becoming an acclaimed writer, producer, and actress, Erin’s journey is one of growth, resilience, and passion. Her diverse body of work includes projects like Vicky's Big Break and the short film Bump, which have solidified her as a voice to be reckoned with in the industry. We spoke with Erin about her roots in Milwaukee, what led her to the world of film, and how she balances the many roles she takes on in the filmmaking process. Join us as we dive into the insights and experiences that fuel Erin's creativity.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Fernita Wynn
Welcome to NYWIFT, Fernita Wynn! Fernita is the Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer and Showrunner behind SHERRI, the nationally syndicated talk show hosted by Sherri Shepherd. Over the course of her career, Fernita has shaped some of the most successful shows on TV for nationally recognized talent and media brands including Oprah Winfrey/OWN, Steve Harvey, Queen Latifah, Nickelodeon and more! From her early days in news reporting to her rise as a leading TV executive in New York, Fernita has crafted a career that blends creativity, vision, and the ability to lead teams. She sat down with us to discuss her award-winning work, on-camera roots, and advice for aspiring leaders!
READ MORE