NYWIFT Members Doing Justice to True Crime
Death Row Stories explores the fallibility of the ultimate criminal penalty, capital punishment. Narrated 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. Six NYWIFT members who worked on the show, including Board Member Kathryn O'Kane, share the insight they gained into the criminal justice system through their work on the show.
READ MORE21 Leaders for the 21st Century 2019 Honors Cynthia Lopez
Last month in New York City, Women's eNews held their annual 21 Leaders for the 21st Century and it was a night of celebration for a diverse group of honorees, all fearless leaders who are committed to advancing gender equality throughout the world...including NYWIFT's own Executive Director, Cynthia Lopez. We share a portion of Lopez's insightful remarks on how women can truly change the world.
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Designing Women, Rachel Chavkin, Queer Women
Designing Women: Thank you to all our honorees, presenters, supporters, volunteers and attendees for a truly fabulous 20th anniversary Designing Women Awards last week. Be sure to check out our photo highlights and stay tuned for videos of the inspirational ceremony. Rachel Chavkin: Hadestown director Rachel Chavkin’s fiery Tony Awards acceptance speech (she won Best...
READ MOREFeelin’ Like Film Distribution Reality Bites? Bite [Me] back! Four ‘A’ Takeaways from the NYWIFT Bite Me Panel
The team behind the independent feature Bite Me recently joined NYWIFT for a panel case study on how they flipped the film distribution paradigm from something you “get” into something you “do.” As they journey on their 40-city Joyful Vampire Tour of America, we recap some key nuggets of wisdom.
READ MOREMember Spotlight: Magdalene Brandeis, Director of Stony Brook Killer Films
In the throes of finals and gearing up for next semester, we had an opportunity to talk shop with the Director of the Stony Brook Killer Films MFA in Film program (& NYWIFT member) Magdalene Brandeis about how the program is turning the film school model on its head.
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Mindy Kaling, Booksmart Buzz, Thumbs Down, Designing Women
Mindy Kaling: CBS Sunday Morning profiled Mindy Kaling, who spoke candidly about not seeing people like herself represented on screen, and how her new film Late Night is one of the first comedies all about workplace inclusivity. Booksmart Buzz: The disappointing box office returns from the Olivia Wilde-directed comedy Booksmart, which had been hotly anticipated...
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Designing Women Michele Clapton, Riccie Johnson, Shunika Terry, and Mrs. Maisel
We have an incredible roster of honorees and presenters for this year’s 20th Anniversary NYWIFT Designing Women Awards! I hope you will join us on Tuesday, June 11th at 7 PM at the prestigious DGA Theater to celebrate these incredible women and spend time with some costumes. Tickets are going fast – buy now at...
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Sarah Finn, Ava Duvernay, Olivia Wilde
Sarah Finn: Casting Director Sarah Finn may the true superhero of the Marvel Cinematic Universe – she cast more than a thousand actors in almost every single Marvel film since the first Iron Man– including all of the stars. It was a unique challenge that required thinking how the cast members might overlap in the...
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Working Moms, Member News, Documentary Labs
Working Moms: Celebrating Mother’s Day this weekend was a powerful reminder that being a working mother is especially tough in the film and television industry. Thankfully, there are groups like Moms-in-Film and our own NYWIFT Moms Network affinity group trying to level the playing field. Member News: NYWIFT member are always doing great things, but this week...
READ MOREFive Takeaways: Finding the Right Documentary Lab for Your Film
Participating in a documentary film lab can be a great way to refine your story, develop your creative vision and build partnerships. But which one should you pick? NYWIFT member Janine McGoldrick has the scoop.
READ MOREHow I Built a Distribution Plan at Film Festivals
NYWIFT member Lara Stolman reflects on her unique path to success with her documentary "Swim Team" - using film festivals to expand her audience and find unique opportunities, even after the film's television debut.
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Director Disconnect, Board Elections, Ladies’ Morning
Director Disconnect: While the call for diversity in Hollywood is getting more bandwidth than ever, the movement toward inclusion is still not reaching the director’s chair. Board Elections: NYWIFT members, don’t forget to vote in our Board Elections! Ballots have been emailed out to you and voting closes on May 1st. (If you missed...
READ MORESandra Schulberg Receives Berlinale Camera Award
Marking the 40th anniversary of the IFP (Independent Filmmaker Project), Sandra Schulberg, IFP founder and a long-time activist on behalf of filmmakers working outside the Hollywood studios, was awarded the Berlinale Camera for her 40 years of service to the field at the EFM (European Film Market). NYWIFT member Heidi Philipsen sat down with Schulberg to reflect on her legacy of film preservation, and how much work is left to be done.
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Female Grips, Killing Eve, Thrones Queen, Lesley Stahl
Female Grips: The New York Times pays tribute to the few women who work as grips – one of the most grueling and important tasks on set. Killing Eve: This Glamour headline puts it best: Killing Eve is made for women by women…and it shows. Thrones Queen: Game of Thrones owes much of its success...
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Spring Drive, Career Summit, Marvel-ous Teamwork
Spring Drive: Now through May 13th is our Spring Membership Drive! Become a NYWIFT member and save 50% off the initiation fee. If you’re not yet a member of our supportive, dynamic community…what are you waiting for? Apply now! Career Summit: NYWIFT is thrilled to participate on the Center for Communication’s Women + Media Career...
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Agnes Varda, Ravenal Grant, Amy Poehler
Agnes Varda: I was so saddened to hear about the passing of legendary filmmaker, documentarian and cinephile Agnes Varda. Indiewire offers up a list of where to watch eight of her best films. Ravenal Grant: Congratulations to directors Lydia Dean Pilcher and Suzanne Guacci, both recipients of this year’s NYWIFT Ravenal Feature Film Foundation Grant. We are...
READ MOREBelow the Line: A Cut Above – Jessie Maple
Jessie Maple is the first black woman to join the union of International Photographers of Motion Picture & Television (IATSE) in New York. Her book, How to Become a Union Camerawoman , is an instructional guide illustrating the obstacles that she endured to get into the union. It details the court case she initiated to fight discrimination after she became a member.
READ MORECynthia’s Picks: Yellow Rose, Political Inspiration, Nancy Schwartzman
Yellow Rose: Congratulations to filmmaker Diane Paragas and her 2018 NYWIFT Ravenal Foundation Feature Film Grant winning film Yellow Rose, which will open the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in May. Combining drama, music and timely issues, Yellow Rose tells the story of a headstrong Filipino girl from a small Texas town who fights to...
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