Film Festivals Archives - New York Women in Film & TelevisionNew York Women in Film & Television

NYWIFT @ TIFF: In Conversation with Costume Designer Rosemary Lepre Forman

Writer-director-actor Edward Burns’ latest feature film, Millers in Marriage, made its world premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). An ensemble drama with a stunning cast including Gretchen Mol, Patrick Wilson, Julianna Margulies, Campbell Scott, Benjamin Bratt, and Minnie Driver, Burns’ latest follows the thorny emotional lives of three siblings adrift in middle age, surveying the vagaries of long-term love while championing the possibilities for personal change. NYWIFT Member Rosemary Lepre Forman was costume designer for the film. She sat down with us to discuss her creative journey with the project and her experience at TIFF.

A Celebration of Film and Exchange of Knowledge: Previewing the NY Greek Film Expo with Maria Miles

Maria C. Miles is a well-known presence at NYWIFT gatherings, having served two consecutive terms on the NYWIFT Board of Directors and now as legal counsel for the organization. Mary – as friends and fellow members know her – frequently welcomes new faces to the organization with her warmth, generous spirit, and quick wit. And now she brings her leadership and expertise to another organization near and dear to her heart. Committed to promoting diversity in the film and television industry, Miles was named President of the Board of the Hellenic Film Society USA in January 2024. Mary offered us a unique glimpse into what the organization has in store this year, including its partnership with New York Women in Film & Television.

2024 Tribeca Festival Recap

Tammy Reese provides a recap of the red carpets, screenings, and events she covered at the 2024 Tribeca Festival, including some exclusive video interviews.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol 2024 Tribeca Festival World Premiere

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol had its World Premiere at the 2024 Tribeca Festival on Saturday June 8th in The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios in New York City. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol picks up where season one of the series left off, following fan-favorite characters Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride). They both confront old demons while she fights to find her friend and he struggles with his decision to stay in France, causing tension at the Nest. Fans of The Walking Dead Universe are eagerly awaiting to see best friends Carol and Daryl again. Tammy Reese had the honor of covering the red carpet and interviewing Reedus, McBride, and Scott M. Gimple, who are all Executive Producers. Watch her video interviews here!

NYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with Kristi Zea

NYWIFT member Kristi Zea, an acclaimed production designer, costume designer, producer and director has once again showcased her exceptional talent at the 2024 Tribeca Festival. Zea’s impressive career spans over three decades, with notable works including designing Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas and Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs. Her latest project, Daddio, directed by Christy Hall and starring Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson, shows her ability to create compelling visual narratives even in small places. With Daddio, Zea masterfully uses the confined space of a taxi to tell a powerful story, proving her enduring influence in the film industry.

NYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with Kait Plum

Kait Plum is a force to be reckoned with in the world of film editing, with a decade of experience and a knack for finding the emotional core of any project. Her journey to success is marked by notable achievements, from winning awards for her work in documentary filmmaking to making waves in the comedy genre with her latest project, Bad Shabbos.

NYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with Dawn Porter

Dawn Porter, a distinguished member of NYWIFT, continues to make waves in the film industry with her dynamic storytelling and impactful documentaries. Known for her acclaimed works such as Gideon’s Army, Trapped, The Way I See It, and John Lewis: Good Trouble, Porter has captivated audiences across HBO, Netflix, CNN, PBS, and more. Her latest documentary, The Lady Bird Diaries, won the Lone Star Prize at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival and is now streaming on Hulu. This year, Dawn takes the 2024 Tribeca Festival by storm as an Executive Producer of Rebel Nun, the director of Luther: Never Too Much, and the director of Power of the Dream. Tammy Reese checks in with her as the festival gets under way.

NYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with Tiffany Paulsen

The 2024 Tribeca Festival is set to premiere the eagerly anticipated romantic dramedy, Winter Spring Summer or Fall, directed by seasoned rom-com screenwriter Tiffany Paulsen. Winter Spring Summer or Fall follows the lives of Remy, played by Jenna Ortega, and Barnes, portrayed by Percy Hynes White. After a chance encounter, these two young individuals find themselves intertwined in an unexpected romance. As the seasons change from winter to summer, their relationship blossoms. However, with Remy’s plans to attend Harvard in the fall, the couple must confront the complexities of their future and what truly matters to them. Packed with classic romantic comedy elements, it’s a film that promises to resonate with audiences of all ages. Tammy Reese offers us an exclusive video interview with Tiffany Paulsen, who makes her directorial debut with the film.

NYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with Archival Producer Lauren Wimbush

We are thrilled to spotlight NYWIFT member Lauren Wimbush, an accomplished producer and archival researcher, as The Debutantes makes its highly anticipated debut at the 2024 Tribeca Festival. Lauren has built a career focused on telling compelling and thought-provoking non-fiction stories that highlight underrepresented characters, communities, and experiences. With a rich background contributing to notable documentaries for networks such as Hulu, PBS, and HBO, Lauren brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Archival Producer on The Debutantes. The film explores the tradition of debutante balls in Canton, Ohio, and the unique challenges faced by a new generation of Black debutantes. Join us as we learn about Lauren’s inspiring journey and her significant contributions to this poignant and timely documentary.

NYWIFT @ Sundance: In Conversation with Shivani Rawat

During the 40th edition of The Sundance Film Festival, NYWIFT blogger Tammy Reese interviews NYWIFT Member Shivani Rawat, founder of ShivHans Pictures and executive producer of the thought-provoking film Love Me. This captivating film explores a unique premise — long after humanity’s extinction, a buoy and a satellite meet online and unexpectedly fall in love.

NYWIFT @ Sundance: In Conversation with Laela Kilbourn

In a time when women’s reproductive rights are at the forefront of the political and cultural conversation, a group of teenage girls gather to assert their power, prepare for their futures, and determine the best way forward together. Following the smash hit success of their documentary Boys State at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss returned to Park City in 2024 with the companion piece Girls State. NYWIFT Member Laela Kilbourn was one of seven cinematographers on Girls State, assigned to follow one of the protagonist’s throughout her week-long journey. She spoke to us about her experience working on the documentary.

NYWIFT @ Sundance: In Conversation with Amanda Culkowski

During the 40th edition of The Sundance Film Festival, Tammy Reese interviews fellow NYWIFT member Amanda Culkowski, the Executive Producer of As We Speak, a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the intersection of art and justice. Focusing on Bronx rap artist Kemba, the film sheds light on the alarming trend of rap lyrics being weaponized within the United States criminal justice system and beyond.

Postcard from Park City 2024: Sundance Film Festival Recap

From Tammy Reese: I had the incredible opportunity to cover the 40th edition of the Sundance Film Festival, and it was an absolute blast. From capturing the excitement on the red carpets to immersing myself in the world of independent cinema, every moment was filled with energy and anticipation. Let me take you on a recap of some of the unforgettable film premieres I had the privilege to cover. The red carpets were a spectacle in themselves, as A-list celebrities and emerging talents and filmmakers graced them with their presence. It was a surreal experience witnessing their arrivals and hearing their insights about their latest projects.

The 7th Annual MACRO Lodge at Sundance Film Festival Announces Its 2024 Schedule of Events

The MACRO Lodge at Sundance Film Festival (www.StayMACRO.com), hosted by MACRO Founder & CEO Charles D. King (Mudbound, Judas and the Black Messiah) and his wife Stacey Walker King, Chief Brand Officer of the company, returns to the Sundance Film Festival for its seventh annual showcase of panels and parties at the iconic film festival to champion inclusion and people of color at its prime location at 136 Heber Avenue in Park City, UT with three days of programming.

NYWIFT at DOC NYC: In Conversation with Amy Nicholson

Finding your tribe is one of life’s greatest pleasures—and losing it is one of the greatest sorrows. In NYWIFT Member Amy Nicholson’s beautifully observed film Happy Campers, working-class Americans gather every summer at a seaside trailer park in Chincoteague, Virginia, to enjoy the simple pleasures of a scrappy, no-frills vacationland, and each other’s company. When a developer buys the land and reimagines the property, the inhabitants of this shabby Shangri-La wistfully eke out the joys of one last summer together as a melancholic twilight hangs in the air. Happy Campers just made its world premiere at DOC NYC, where it received a Special Mention for the Grand Jury Prize. Amy spoke to us about her unique process making this film, biggest challenges and triumphs, and the commodification of some of life’s simplest pleasures.

NYWIFT at DOC NYC: In Conversation with Elivia Shaw

NYWIFT Member Elivia Shaw is a producer and co-editor of the fascinating new documentary How to Have an American Baby, which just make its New York Premiere at DOC NYC 2023. The film is a a nuanced, behind-the-scenes look into the booming shadow economy catering to pregnant Chinese tourists who travel to America to give birth in order to obtain U.S. citizenship for their babies. Told through a series of observational vignettes, and with extraordinary access to the maternity hotel industry and their clients, the film outlines the invisible contours of the underground birth tourism industry and its unexpected actors in the U.S. and China, while probing deeply into the lives of several protagonists caught up in the phenomenon. What results is an intimate and compassionate portrait of women’s reproductive journeys, family, traditions, and capitalist desires. Shaw spoke to us about her collaboration with director Leslie Tai and the unique joys and challenges of the project.

NYWIFT at DOC NYC: In Conversation with Emily Sheskin

NYWIFT Member Emily Sheskin’s return to DOC NYC 2023 is particularly meaningful. In 2017, she attended the festival with her short film Girl Boxer, about a 10-year-old champion female boxer and her adoring father. Six years later, Sheskin returns with a feature-length film following the same family, now facing an entirely new set of challenges. In Jesszilla, New Jersey’s own Jesselyn Silva, a three-time national boxing champion, is on her way to superstardom, dominating the junior ranks at the age of 15. With her every step of the way is her father, Pedro, a single parent who helps her navigate coaches, training schedules, and the angst of teenage life. When a devastating diagnosis threatens the father-daughter tandem, the pair turn to each other to fight their greatest opponent yet: cancer. Director and Executive Producer Emily Sheskin spoke to us about her unique journey following this family.

NYWIFT at DOC NYC: In Conversation with Ilja Willems

NYWIFT member Ilja Willems heads to the 2023 DOC NYC Festival with not one but two exciting new short films. Friendly Fridges shows how the new heart of the community is popping up in every neighborhood—in the shape of refrigerators. And When the grass must go follows a landscaper from Nevada who is removing grass lawns under a first-of-a-kind state law that will save water during an ongoing drought. Willems spoke to us about how these two disparate films align with her creative sensibilities, the joy of screening in NYC, and more!

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