NYWIFT Blog

The NYE party scene from When Harry Met Sally, written by Nora Ephron.

Submit It! Winter & Spring Calls for Entries

We’ve rounded up the top film festivals, writing competitions, and grants with winter or spring deadlines. It’s time to polish that script, shoot that video, upload that film. We’ll be updating this list as more submission dates become available, so check back often. Film/Video/TV Festivals, Contests, Labs & ScreeningsNashville Film Festival (WAB 1/10)LA Film Festival (1/10,...

Acting Up: Every House Has a Back Door

Sunbeam Castle by Rachael Towne on Flickr. I hear actors constantly talking about not being called in by a casting director. I feel their frustration and know the amount of energy they’re putting toward meeting casting directors and getting on their radar. If there’s a project you want in on, reach out to the producer, the writer, the...

Flix Not to Miss: ‘The Punk Singer’

Start your New Year off in a fierce way by watching the inspiring documentary The Punk Singer about Bikini Kill and Le Tigre feminist lead singer Kathleen Hanna. Directed by Sini Anderson, this great music documentary shows the rise of Bikini Kill among a Pacific Northwest grunge/punk scene mostly populated by all-male bands and mosh pits....

tribecafilm: 10 Films That Passed the Bechdel Test in 2013 Tribeca’s list includes obvious picks such as Nicole Holofcener’s Enough Said and The Heat (written by Katie Dippold), as well as controversial choices like The Counselor. What do you think of this list? What movies would you add?

tribecafilm: 10 Films That Passed the Bechdel Test in 2013 Tribeca’s list includes obvious picks such as Nicole Holofcener’s Enough Said and The Heat (written by Katie Dippold), as well as controversial choices like The Counselor. What do you think of this list? What movies would you add?

tribecafilm: 10 Films That Passed the Bechdel Test in 2013 Tribeca’s list includes obvious picks such as Nicole Holofcener’s Enough Said and The Heat (written by Katie Dippold), as well as controversial choices like The Counselor. What do you think of this list? What movies would you add?

tribecafilm: 10 Films That Passed the Bechdel Test in 2013 Tribeca’s list includes obvious picks such as Nicole Holofcener’s Enough Said and The Heat (written by Katie Dippold), as well as controversial choices like The Counselor. What do you think of this list? What movies would you add?

Notes from a Screenreader: Writing IKEA Style

Photo via Go Into the Story. A script, ideally, is one of those 300 square foot IKEA show apartments with every nook and cranny made useful two or three times over. Static placeholder scenes stick out like a farmhouse table. Written to clarify the writer’s thoughts on a single element, it sneaks through rewrites without ever...

Muse Awards 2013: Bravo’s Frances Berwick Presented With Award by Andy Cohen

Robin Wright, Ellen Barkin, Connie Britton & m’boss Frances Berwick at Muse Awards. Wendy Williams & I are hosting! pic.twitter.com/nICR5Y0SIy — Andy Cohen (@Andy) December 12, 2013 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Frances Berwick, president of Bravo and Oxygen, was honored at Thursday’s NYWIFT Muse Awards, being introduced by Wendy Williams and Bravo’s own Andy Cohen. Under Berwick’s leadership, Bravo launched its Emmy-winning shows Top...

Webisodes Not to Miss: ‘Christine’ on YouTube’s WIGS

With web series’ titles like Blue, Susanna, and Paloma, YouTube’s WIGS Channel has carved out a space for interesting stories about women while giving female stars underexposed in TV and film a chance to shine. Blue, the most acclaimed title from the channel, stars Julia Stiles, while other series feature such talent as Maggie Grace, Grace Gummer,...

2013 Muse Awards: Who Brought the Wine?

Image via freixenetusa.com. While we were sipping our glasses of wine and champagne at Thursday’s Muse Awards, we had Freixenet USA Inc to thank for the lively libations. This was the 21st year the Spain-based and family-run company has made this contribution — making Freixenet the longest in-kind sponsor of the event. And it’s all because Miriam Stern, a NYWIFT...

Nancy Malone Honored by NYWIFT’s 2013 Muse Awards

Nancy Malone was honored at Thursday’s Muse Awards, receiving the Loreen Arbus Award for Those Who Take Action and Effect Change. The Emmy winner was unable to attend the event. Fourteen-year-old Skarlee Roberts, a mentee of Malone’s, accepted the honor on her behalf. Roberts’ poise at the podium and word-perfect delivery wowed the crowd of 1,500. The Muse honorees, which included Ellen...

Muse Awards 2013: Photo & Video Recap

On the red carpet with NYWIFT Muse Awards honorees (L-R) Robin Wright, Ellen Barkin, Frances Berwick, and Sonia Manzano, along with hosts (far left and right) Wendy Williams and Andy Cohen (photo credit @nywift). Not pictured is Nancy Malone, who won the Loreen Arbus Award.   https://vine.co/v/h2AEPjiDanB/embed/simple Nashville, American Horror Story, and Friday Night Lights star Connie Britton...

wendyshow: Had fun co-hosting the @NYWIFT Muse Awards today with @Andy. We’re honoring so many amazing women! @ellenbarkin @soniammanzano @realrobinwright, Connie Britton, Frances Berwick, & Nancy Malone. #Muse2013 #MuseAwards A huge thank you to our hosts with the most: Wendy Williams and Andy Cohen. More 2013 Muse Awards photos, video, and recaps coming soon!

wendyshow: Had fun co-hosting the @NYWIFT Muse Awards today with @Andy. We’re honoring so many amazing women! @ellenbarkin @soniammanzano @realrobinwright, Connie Britton, Frances Berwick, & Nancy Malone. #Muse2013 #MuseAwards A huge thank you to our hosts with the most: Wendy Williams and Andy Cohen. More 2013 Muse Awards photos, video, and recaps coming soon!

wendyshow: Had fun co-hosting the @NYWIFT Muse Awards today with @Andy. We’re honoring so many amazing women! @ellenbarkin @soniammanzano @realrobinwright, Connie Britton, Frances Berwick, & Nancy Malone. #Muse2013 #MuseAwards A huge thank you to our hosts with the most: Wendy Williams and Andy Cohen. More 2013 Muse Awards photos, video, and recaps coming soon!

wendyshow: Had fun co-hosting the @NYWIFT Muse Awards today with @Andy. We’re honoring so many amazing women! @ellenbarkin @soniammanzano @realrobinwright, Connie Britton, Frances Berwick, & Nancy Malone. #Muse2013 #MuseAwards A huge thank you to our hosts with the most: Wendy Williams and Andy Cohen. More 2013 Muse Awards photos, video, and recaps coming soon!