NYWIFT Blog

Terry’s Picks: Tribeca Films, Stuntwomen Survey, Protect Yourself

Tribeca Films: Headed to the festival this week? Consider seeing one of these ten films from talented NYWIFT members. Stuntwomen Survey: An informal poll of Hollywood’s stuntwomen conducted by veteran stuntwoman Julie Johnson has found that nearly two-thirds of the 43 respondents have been bullied or sexually harassed in the workplace. Additionally, nearly 40% of...

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She Said, She Said: Jane Applegate and Abigail Zealey Bess

Creative collaborations are magic. And, this magical one began at a NYWIFT workshop on crowd-funding presented two years ago by Jane Applegate, a writer and producer. Read how Jane teamed up with fellow NYWIFT member Abigail Zealey Bess to bring their short film to the big screen in our first edition of She Said, She Said - NYWIFT members in conversation.

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NYWIFT Member Films at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival

From Katie Holmes' directorial debut to a documentary of the NY Times' obituary page, NYWIFT members have been hard at work. Here's a guideline of who, what, when and where to watch at the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival.

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Terry’s Picks: Be Yourself, Women in Motion, Making Music

Be Yourself: Costume designer Jenny Beavan talks about her recent Oscar win for Mad Max: Fury Road – and the “drama” sparked by her decision not to glam it up for the awards ceremony. Women in Motion: Kering and the Cannes Film Festival have announced the second edition of the “Women in Motion” program, which highlights...

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Terry’s Picks: True Stories, Get Together, Second Class Superstars

True stories: The New York Times published a detailed, sobering compilation of first-hand accounts of women and minorities struggling for equality in the entertainment industry. Get Together: Jessica Chastain, Juliette Binoche, Freida Pinto, Queen Latifah, Catherine Hardwicke, Marielle Heller, Alysia Reiner and more have joined the advisory board of a new non-profit organization, We Do It...

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Jessica Jones: A Kick Ass Show Women Can Be Proud Of

How Marvel's latest Netflix series raises the bar for women characters and social issues.

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NOW ON VOD – Jan 2016

Indie projects available to watch now from #NYWIFT members. This month you can watch a comedic web series about NY women entrepreneurs selling weed, a documentary about losing virginity, a feature drama about 30-somethings trying to get laid, a short holiday film and more...

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Moving Forward: Fresh New Year

The Globes were a mess, few women #OscarNoms, new let down study blues, Moving Forward: all-female cast, superpower women and NYWIFT call for submissions!

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Terry’s Picks: Director Diversity, Equal Pay, Golden Globes

What’s wrong with this picture? The Hollywood Reporter’s director roundtable on Sundance TV only featured middle-aged men. Was that the best they could do? Equal pay: California’s new equal pay law, SB358, has been dubbed “the toughest law in the nation.” It supports women who demand to be paid the same as male colleagues in...

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For Indie Projects: An Actor’s Table Read Offers Best Results

On an indie film set there is little to no time to rehearse and most of the times the story is shot out of sequence, so it makes sense to have an actor table read before you start shooting.

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Terry’s Picks: The Zookeeper’s Wife, Rock in the Red Zone, Lifetime Job Offer

Jessica reports: Jessica Chastain, writing from the female-dominated set of The Zookeeper’s Wife, says, “When you have both genders represented, then you have a healthier point of view.” Laura rocks: Filmmaker Laura Bialis talks to IndieWire about her documentary feature Rock in the Red Zone, about the thriving music scene located less than one mile...

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Terry’s Picks: Women Speak Out, Jessica Jones, Carol

Speak out: The New York Times published a comprehensive look at women directors and executives, taking aim at the vicious cycle of sexism that pervades the industry. Super woman: This weekend’s big binge watch was Marvel’s new Netflix series, Jessica Jones. Many are calling it one of the best superhero shows ever, and it has...

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Terry’s Picks: The C Word, Gabourey Sidibe, Advice

Watch out for The C Word by Meghan O’Hara at DOC NYC Fest, a daring and intimate film that seeks to change the way we think about cancer. NYWIFT is proud to co-present five films by women filmmakers at this year’s festival. A Muse inspires: 2015 NYWIFT Muse honoree Gabourey Sidibe’s confidence has sparked a...

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Terry’s Picks: Moana, Lifetime Directors, Sundance Fellows

Moana with Sound: November 13-19, Film Forum will screen a newly restored version of Robert Flaherty’s groundbreaking 1926 documentary Moana. Flaherty’s daughter Monica added sound 50 years later to this look at Samoan life. Lifetime ladies: We’re 6 months in to Lifetime’s Broad Focus initiative to hire more women and already the network’s five most...

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Terry’s Picks: Jennifer Lawrence, Writing Room, Women Calling the Shots

Raising Hell: Jennifer Lawrence’s scathing take-down of the Hollywood gender pay gap is just what we need – high profile women who can command serious media attention need to bring this outrageous inequity to light. By the way, she wrote it for Lena Dunham’s new Lenny Letter e-newsletter. You should subscribe – only a few...

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP: WATCH #52FILMS & NIX FREE LABOR

Photo via WomenInFilm.org In a viewing slump? Pledge to watch #52FilmsByWomen. That should tide you over. Winona Ryder’s looks almost kept her from being cast in Heathers. The horror! A+E CEO Nancy Dubuc discusses the lack of new television creators. (VIDEO) CBS is bringing back our favorite female sleuths (that aren’t Jessica Fletcher). A short piece on why...

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Cine Qua Non Lab – Creative Paradise for Screenwriters

Imagine two full weeks where creativity is your only priority. Then, picture yourself in a majestic location, surrounded by writers from around the world, where you are supported by a generous staff and brilliant mentors to help you tell the best version of your story possible. And… you’re eating epically delicious food. The view from...

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NYWIFT Success Story: Makeup Artist Jennifer Snowdon Masters the Art of Networking

By Katie Chambers During my first six months as Community Engagement Coordinator for New York Women in Film & Television, I have been struck by how warm, welcoming and nurturing our members are with one another. No one exemplifies this more than NYWIFT member Jennifer Snowdon. At NYWIFT events, it seems as though she knows...

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