Whether you’re cast in a project that shoots abroad or you’re a producer on a quest for locations and tax credits, we’re all finding ourselves traversing the globe more than ever. Getting to know (and joining) our sister Women in Film & Television organizations around the country and the world can be a resource of unending value. From the quickest route to crewing-up with talented women to taking advantage of great events and programing, WIFTs around the world expand our networks and our horizons.
By Mellini Kantayya
This past summer, I was warmly welcomed by Women in Film and Television – Toronto (WIFT-T). Established in 1984, WIFT-T is the oldest Women in Film and Television chapter in Canada and also boasts of the largest Canadian membership and staff. They represent women in all areas of screen-based media at every stage of their careers.
Though we share the same mission, every organization is unique. If there were two words to capture the spirit of WIFT-T, they would be “cultivation” and “mentorship.” WIFT-T operates under a “cohort” system, with programming specifically tailored to those in their early careers (less than five years), mid careers (five to ten years), and at the executive level (over ten years). This facilitates, as Executive Director Heather Webb said, “women learning, sharing, and mentoring throughout their careers [while] offering each member unique opportunities to tap into a diverse and supportive network in the industry,” whether their goal is breaking into the business or securing that corner office.
Left to right: Christina Anderson (Program & Special Events Coordinator), Heather Webb (Executive Director), Kadon Douglas (Communications & Engagement Manager)
One exciting manifestation of this is WIFT-T’s recent launch of a six-month formal mentorship program. Members at the early-career or mid-career level apply to be coached by an executive level member who has chosen to participate. Both mentors and mentees attend workshops to ascertain goals and expectations. Mentees emerge with a plan with quantitative, tangible outcomes and support along the way.
WIFT-T August “Walk and Talk” at Trinity Bellwood Park in Toronto
Before leaving Toronto, I also had the pleasure of participating in another program that embodies their spirit of cultivation and mentorship by joining one of their “walks and talks.” Inspired by serial media entrepreneur Geraldine Laborne’s “Global Mentoring Walks,” members meet monthly at one of Toronto’s beautiful city parks to, well, walk and talk—giving members the opportunity to chat and network in a casual environment with leading women in the industry.
You can learn more about (and join!) Women in Film and Television Toronto at http://www.wift.com
Mellini_Kantayya
Related Posts
Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Courtney DeStefano
Welcome to NYWIFT, Courtney DeStefano! Courtney grew up in a small town, where she spent hours devouring old movies and pouring through every indie-film magazine she could get her hands on. She graduated with a BFA in Film & Television from NYU Tisch School of the Arts before embarking on her editing career where she worked with clients like CBS, Bravo, Showtime, BET, NatGeo, Discovery & TLC. She’s spent the last several years dividing her time between chasing after her three young sons and hiding in her home office to write. Her work has been recognized by the Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards, PANO Network, Hollyshorts and the PAGE Awards, among others. In our interview, Courtney discussed her small-town inspirations, how editing informs her writing and directing, and her latest short film.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Alex Kokenis
Welcome to NYWIFT, Alex Kokenis! Alex Kokenis (she/her) is a queer filmmaker and editor living in Brooklyn, NY. Her last short film, A Pickle and a Coke, is currently in its festival run, recently winning Best Script at Chicago Film Frenzy. Through her production company, It’s a Long Story Productions, Alex has co-written and co-directed two short films, Wednesday, and The Root, as well as directed and edited music videos. When she is not creating her own work, she is a passionate editor and loves to bring others’ stories to life. Alex is currently an Assistant Editor for narrative features and a proud member of IATSE Local 700. She cites Steven Soderbergh and the Duplass Brothers as her main inspirations for storytelling. She loves a good vest and to go bowling.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Sara Newton
Welcome to NYWIFT, Sara Newton! Sara is a director and cinematographer based in New York and Los Angeles. She is the creator of the MDR Sketch Comedy Show on PBS and has recently returned from an expedition in Antarctica, where she filmed a documentary. Her digital comedy sketches, produced under brands like Made by Tom and Sara, Nightpantz, and Conservation Comedy, have collectively garnered over 5 million views. With a strong foundation in television production, Sara has coordinated hit reality shows such as Love & Hip Hop (VH1), Bridezillas (WEtv), and Nellyville (BET). Her extensive experience in physical production led her to spend six years at Gunpowder & Sky, where she managed production across various platforms and developed sizzle reels for network pitches. Additionally, she served as the cinematographer for the experimental film Dust Flow: A Meditative Experience, also produced by Gunpowder & Sky. As of 2025, Sara is Head of Content for the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society and is set to direct a feature film this fall. Sara shares her journey as an unconventional storyteller who is not afraid to explore new platforms and storytelling formats.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Lauren Hale-Rieckhoff
Welcome to NYWIFT, Lauren Hale-Rieckhoff! Lauren is a Strategic Advisor and Producer of feature films and documentaries. She began her career as a Casting Associate on HBO’s Sex and the City, then spent over ten years at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where she represented talent across music, film, TV, and sports, facilitating over $200 million in deals for A-list clients like Ron Howard, Jamie Foxx, Hilary Swank, Eva Longoria, John Legend, Dwyane Wade, and Sarah Jessica Parker. In 2017, she co-founded WilyfoXX Collective, a boutique agency advising, among others, tech giants and legacy fashion brands, with a client portfolio exceeding $10 million. Now, as the founder of Andiamo Pictures, Lauren is producing The Florist, starring Carla Gugino as Vivien Leigh, and has upcoming projects including Savage House (Paramount, 2025) and a documentary on Dita Von Teese. Her film financing and production approach combines industry experience with a talent-first, future-focused philosophy. Lauren shares her journey in the film industry, beginning as a Casting Associate and progressing to producing her own films.
READ MORE
