State of the Industry: A Conversation with Adriana Shaw of Herflix
Adriana Shaw is the Founder and President of Herflix, an online movie theater curating and streaming films by, for & about women, with 32 years of experience as a successful executive in home video and film distribution. Now sheltering at home, she discusses how she is coping during the COVID-19 pandemic and how her Herflix is adjusting to the challenging times.
READ MORENYWIFT Member Crystal R. Emery’s THE DEADLIEST DISEASE IN AMERICA Screens May 7th
Intended to reduce systemic negligence creating barriers of access to health care, Producer/ Director Crystal R. Emery will livestream her documentary film, The Deadliest Disease in America on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 7PM ET on Streamyard, YouTube and Facebook Live – with a special film introduction by Broadcast Journalist Soledad O’Brien.
READ MOREState of the Industry: A Conversation with Film Critic Andrea Thompson
Andrea Thompson is a Chicago-based writer, editor, and film critic who is also the founder and director of the Film Girl Film Festival. She discusses how the COVID-19 quarantine is affecting her livelihood
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Lisa Reznik
Traditional film houses are transitioning to virtual cinema screenings since art houses have temporarily closed their doors to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. Learn what Film Society of Summit Founder Lisa Reznik found in her toolkit!
READ MOREThe Business of Adaptations: Top Takeaways
Movies like Brokeback Mountain, The Irishman, and Little Women have more in common than mere artistry, critical acclaim or commercial success. They were all adaptations of literary works. But before getting your pens out, there’s more to it than you think. Literary works are great resources for screenwriters in search of stories, but to negotiate the business end and avoid pitfalls or potential legal liabilities, you need advice from experts. The NYWIFT Business of Adaptations for Film and TV virtual program brought a panel of industry powerhouses to weigh in.
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Member Screening, State of the Industry, Emergency Resources
Member Screening: We hope you’ll join us for the first virtual edition of the NYWIFT Member Screening Series this coming weekend when we show Michele Remsen’s “anti-romantic comedy” Toss It! The film is a recipient of the NYWIFT Nancy Malone Marketing and Promotion grant. We look forward to sharing more member films with you virtually...
READ MOREState of the Industry: A Conversation with Film Festival Alliance
For many Americans, regional festivals are their gateway to independent film and filmmakers. How are local festivals continuing to connect artists to audiences during the pandemic? Lela Meadow-Conner, Executive Director, and Barbara Twist, Director of Membership of Film Festival Alliance update us on the rapidly changing industry.
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Destiny Lilly
Destiny Lilly is a casting director working across theater, film, and television. While casting is a creative job, it also requires strong admin - lists, databases, and an impeccable memory. Destiny offers a peek inside her casting toolkit.
READ MORESelf-isolation is Not So Alone
These past few weeks of self-isolation have been eye-opening, regarding the notion of being alone and isolated from peers, loved ones, family, and friends. In our struggle to find a new equilibrium and routine, we appear to have stumbled into a period of connectivity, which is different but perhaps even greater than before. NYWIFT member Cassandra Seidenfeld reflects on how social distancing in the time of COVID-19 has encouraged her to connect in new ways.
READ MORETop Takeaways: Preserving Your Mental Health During Challenging Times
As a director and producer, NYWIFT board member Kathryn O'Kane is a planner and she's used to solving problems. The biggest challenge she's finding during the COVID-19 crisis is that there’s not enough information to be able to plan. She attended the NYWIFT “Mental Health and Career Sustainability in the Doc World” panel because to learn how producers can come to terms with that and how to relax into the uncertainty of the moment when it goes against our nature. She offers her top takeaways.
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Jendra Jarnagin
DP Jendra Jarnagin shares her favorite camera and script notation apps, creative advice, and why networking is the key to surviving in the industry.
READ MOREDeath Row Stories Season 5 Features Work of Six NYWIFT Members
Season 5 of Death Row Stories premieres this Sunday, April 19 at 8 PM ET/CT on HLN. Told by current and former death row inmates, each episode of Death Row Stories seeks to unravel the truth behind a different capital murder case and poses tough questions about the U.S. capital punishment system. This season, the series features work by six NYWIFT members.
READ MOREShifting the Conversation: Mental Health and Career Sustainability in the Doc World
Living in survival mode and keeping it all together for their crew and subjects is what documentary filmmakers are good at, but it often comes at great costs to their own mental health and physical well-being. Member Janine McGoldrick offers a recap of NYWIFT's recent panel on mental health in the doc world, and how some leaders are starting to shift the conversation to address what was once a taboo subject.
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Jean Criss
NYWIFT member Jean Criss shares how she turned "bitter grapefruits into sweet ‘ole lemonade" - when tough times inspired her to reinvent her career and launch several new businesses.
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: NYWIFT Programming Goes Digital, Emergency Funds, Facebook Group
NYWIFT Programming Goes Digital: We have launched a new series, NYWIFT Talks – to bring updated news and vital information about the impact of COVID-19 on the media and entertainment industry. Industry professionals will be in conversation discussing what you need to know about theatrical releases, digital advances, virtual tools, festival opportunities, production updates and...
READ MOREState of the Industry: A Conversation with Ariel Wan of the Michigan Theater Foundation
Ariel Wan, Director of Programming, Marketing and Sales at the Michigan Theater Foundation offers insight into how local art house theaters have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and what they are doing in order to survive.
READ MOREWhat’s in Your Toolkit: Caitlin McCarthy
Writer Caitlin McCarthy's strategy when times get tough? "Routine is my savior."
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: COVID-19 Emergency Resources, #WomenCrushWednesdays Podcast, Lab Extension
COVID-19 Emergency Resources : We have compiled the NYWIFT Emergency Resource Directory which continues to update daily. Please continue to check back and if you have suggestions to add please send them to us. #WomenCrushWednesdays Podcast: The latest episode of our NYWIFT podcast features a discussion of the COVID-19 crisis and how NYWIFT will offer resources...
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