Emmy-nominated nonprofit streaming platform and media incubator Open Television (OTV) proudly announces the launch of OTV ATLAS, an artist-driven initiative designed to provide critical resources and support to intersectional storytellers. This transformative effort features two key components: OTVATLAS.INFO, a centralized hub offering curated development resources, and OTVATLAS.FUND, a granting program supporting creators in the post-production and exhibition stages of their projects.
OTVATLAS.FUND provides unrestricted grants to help creators push their projects across the finish line. With grants ranging from $2,000 to $15,000, the fund prioritizes post-production finishing and exhibition strategy and community-driven impact campaigns. Learn more.
OTVATLAS.INFO offers global filmmakers with the tools, opportunities, and educational resources they need to bring their stories to screen. From U.S. and International grant databases and in-depth insights on the development process, this hub is designed to support storytellers as they navigate their creative journeys and turn their visions into reality stage by stage. Whether you’re just starting out or an experienced filmmaker, get involved.
Valentine’s Day is a celebration of love in all its forms, including the love we have for ourselves. Don’t dread February 14 because you are enough! Be your own Valentine and discover how the most important relationship is the one you have with yourself. Using NYWIFT member Marilyn Horowitz‘s Beyond Happiness Method, you’ll learn powerful self-acknowledgment techniques to boost your mood, embrace self-love and cultivate lasting happiness—whether you’ve got a Valentine or are spending the day solo. Join this fun webinar on February 12! Register.
Entertainment career coach/talent agent consultant/NYWIFT member Jim Arnoff is teaching Pitch Your Scripted Television Series to the Industry Experts at the School of Visual Arts. The ten online classes will be Wednesday nights from 7:30 – 9:30 (EST), starting February 8. Gain amazing access to industry pros including network development executives, production companies, and showrunners. Learn the ins and outs of packaging, development, networking and pitching. Each class is recorded. You don’t need to go for a degree or have a pilot script – simply a passion for scripted television. Tuition is $350. Sign up and enter the course #CFC-1334-OL or James Arnoff. Each member who enrolls will also receive a complimentary 30-minute coaching session.
In the Getting All the Laurels & Strategic Distribution for Your Doc Short masterclass, POV Shorts‘ Executive Producer Opal H. Bennett and special guests will guide you through successful awards, festival, and distribution strategies for short documentaries in this special master class from The Gotham in partnership with American Documentary. Over three sessions, Bennett and guest speakers will explore the challenges and opportunities unique to doc shorts, digging into the nuts and bolts of how budget limitations, being new to the industry, and alternative forms of distribution can be pivoted into success. Participants will also gain more familiarity with how award bodies operate, the landscape of indie films and film festivals, and how different distributors curate and platform independent short documentaries. The course takes place virtually February 4, 6, and 11. Use code GOTHAMPARTNER for 10% off! Register.
NYWIFT members are invited to How to Launch Your Film or Television Career, an exclusive virtual panel hosted by the NYU Arts and Entertainment Alumni Network, co-sponsored by Junior Hollywood Radio & Television Society (JHRTS). On January 14 at 6:30 PM, hear from experienced Production Assistants who launched their careers on high-profile NYC sets! Moderated by NYU Alumni Volunteer and NYWIFT member Janet Oh, you will learn key skills and strategies needed for success, how to leverage PA roles to build connections and grow your career, and so much more! Bring your questions for the live Q&A, and join an insightful discussion on how to make your mark. If you have questions about this event, please email alumni.artsandentertainment@nyu.edu. Learn more and register.
Don’t let finances stand between you and your filmmaking and TV writing dreams. Stony Brook University‘s MFA Film scholarships exist to support the next generation of visual storytellers by making graduate school more accessible. Don’t miss out—Apply by January 15 to be considered for scholarships. Regular deadline is June 1. Learn more here or email mfamanhattan@stonybrook.edu for more info.
Reel Works‘ free Winter Filmmaking Workshops applications are now open. Reel Works’ FREE intensive filmmaking and workforce readiness workshops support and prepare New York youth with essential insights and skills needed to make their films or work in the media industry. Reel Works students receive hands-on training, learn from professional filmmakers, and use professional equipment to make festival-worthy films. Learn more about their courses including the Dual Language Screenwriting Lab, Sound Lab: Podcasting, Winter Supported Lab and Film School Friday Intensives at the online information session on January 15. Register here.
Stowe Story Labs has an open application call for three opportunities. Feature Campus and Writers Room are longform, online writing programs to write a new feature or TV script. The program is led by screenwriter and Stowe Program Consultant David Pope. Both programs are capped at twelve participants and applications will close January 27 or when all slots are filled. Apply here.
Writers’ Retreats are five-day, in-person programs focusing on individual script feedback and project advancement planning. Every Retreat offers three, one-hour, one-on-one script note sessions with three industry mentors, panel discussions/Q&As, writing exercises, peer group sessions, and social time. Stowe supports artists’ professional development through Fellowships and Scholarships. The early bird deadline is January 29. Learn more and apply here.
NYWIFT members are invited to How to Launch Your Film or Television Career, an exclusive virtual panel hosted by the NYU Arts and Entertainment Alumni Network, co-sponsored by Junior Hollywood Radio & Television Society (JHRTS). On January 14 at 6:30 PM, hear from experienced Production Assistants who launched their careers on high-profile NYC sets! Moderated by NYU Alumni Volunteer and NYWIFT member Janet Oh, you will learn key skills and strategies needed for success, how to leverage PA roles to build connections and grow your career, and so much more! Bring your questions for the live Q&A, and join an insightful discussion on how to make your mark. If you have questions about this event, please email alumni.artsandentertainment@nyu.edu. Learn more and register.
Don’t let finances stand between you and your filmmaking and TV writing dreams. Stony Brook University‘s MFA Film scholarships exist to support the next generation of visual storytellers by making graduate school more accessible. Don’t miss out—Apply by January 15 to be considered for scholarships. (Regular deadline is June 1). Learn more here or email mfamanhattan@stonybrook.edu for more info.
Stowe Story Labs has an open application call for three opportunities.
Feature Campus and Writers Room are longform, online writing programs to write a new feature or TV script. The program is led by screenwriter and Stowe Program Consultant David Pope. Both programs are capped at twelve participants and applications will close January 27 or when all slots are filled. Apply here.
Writers’ Retreats are five-day, in-person programs focusing on individual script feedback and project advancement planning. Every Retreat offers three, one-hour, one-on-one script note sessions with three industry mentors, panel discussions/Q&As, writing exercises, peer group sessions, and social time. Stowe supports artists’ professional development through Fellowships and Scholarships. The early bird deadline is January 29. Learn more and apply here.
On December 4 and 5, join veteran producer and Brooklyn College professor Jane Applegate for Business Essentials of Film, where you’ll learn how to think like a creative producer in today’s changing landscape, from selecting a project, setting up a production plan, and hiring the right people to raise funds, managing finances, and drafting clear agreements. NYWIFT members can take 10% off either or both classes with code GOTHAMPARTNER. Not yet a Gotham Member? Use code THEGOTHAMS2024 to get 20% off (Essential and Pro tiers only). Register here.
On December 9 and 11, one of The Gotham’s most popular instructors is back with Packaging & Financing for Low-Budget Features. Film StartUp’s Kevin Christoffersen will provide an in-depth look into the elements needed to secure financing, including schedules, budgets, deal memos, agreements, term sheets, finance plans, analysis reports, investor waterfalls and more. NYWIFT members can take 10% off either or both classes with code GOTHAMPARTNER. Click here to learn more! Not yet a Gotham Member? Use code THEGOTHAMS2024 to get 20% off (Essential and Pro tiers only). Register here.
In partnership with the Theatrical Teamsters Local 817 and supported by funding through the New York Entertainment Workforce Diversity Grant Program, Netflix, and AMC Networks, Reel Works and LaGuardia Community College are hosting an intensive training program to prepare New Yorkers with the essential skills needed to work successfully as a Casting Assistant in the entertainment industry. Attend the required In-person info session at LaGuardia Community College on November 25 at 6 PM or attend virtually on November 21 at 6 PM by registering here. Questions? Email recruitment@mediamkrs.org with the subject: “Casting Training.”
Stony Brook Manhattan is hosting a Zoom Open House for those considering an MFA in Film or their unique MFA in TV Writing program on December 2, 2024 at 6 PM. Before you apply, hear about the program from faculty and current students. The Stony Brook MFA in TV Writing program helps students build the TV Writing portfolio that can launch their career. Learn about the extensive curriculum ranging from spec to pilot to showrunning to limited series to webisodes to the business of TV. The MFA in Film program gives students experience with Directing, Screenwriting & Producing without breaking the bank. Email MFAManhattan@stonybrook.edu to RSVP.
NYWIFT member Rosanne Limoncelli invites fellow members to apply to a new, innovative degree program at NYU Tisch School of the Arts—the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) degree in Virtual Production. Students will learn at the innovative Martin Scorsese Center for Virtual Production, opening in Fall 2024. This 9 month (September-May), full-time program will provide students an immersive, hands-on education in the emerging field of storytelling through Virtual Production. Applications close December 15, 2024. Learn more.
NYWIFT members are invited to a conversation with Tony Award-winning producer Robin Gorman Newman moderated by Judith Balkin, Chairwoman of the NYU Alumni in Arts and Entertainment Network. During the virtual panel on November 21 at 6:30 PM, Robin will share her insider knowledge and experience, including her unexpected path to producing, what it takes to become a producer, how she chooses projects. She will also discuss how shows make it to Broadway, what theatre investors look for, the upcoming show season, theatre incubators, and more. She will also be happy to answer questions. Reserve your seat.
Join Women in Entertainment (WIE) and industry experts for the Business of Writing Workshop on October 24. Learn during an engaging evening of expert insights and actionable advice on how to navigate the business of writing in the entertainment industry. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, this event will offer valuable perspectives on turning your stories into audience-ready projects. Bestselling author Gayle Forman (If I Stay), entertainment lawyer Michelle Elsner (LPM) and other industry professionals will lead discussions on everything from marketing strategies to adapting books for the screen. Register to attend.
Black Public Media invites NYWIFT members to join an introduction to their new professional development program, Office Hours. Office Hours is a virtual communal working space for creatives to build professional skills, expand their network, and dedicate time to their projects. This month’s session, presented by Shutterstock, will feature Shutterstock’s VP of Innovation, Dade Orgeron, for an insightful look into Shutterstock’s approach to responsible AI, where he’ll explore how AI is transforming the creative industry and unlocking new opportunities for artists. Black Public Media’s Office Hours kicks off virtually on October 23 at 7 PM. Register here.
First Take is an educational consulting firm that is about the business of acting from WIFT Austin Board of Directors member, Jessica Sloan. Many coaches teach you how to act, First Take teaches you how to be a professional actor. Actors who have taken classes and are trying to navigate what’s next can get help with materials, learn what an agent does, why you may want one, and so much more. More experienced actors with agents can learn what’s needed for a standout taped audition and more. First Take can help you decide if it’s necessary to get another agent or manager, ensure all your materials are up-to-date, that they represent you well and so much more. Register and learn more.
School of Visual Arts will host Pitch Your Scripted Television Series to the Industry Experts, a weekly 10-part, online course with entertainment career coach, talent agent consultant and NYWIFT member Jim Arnoff. The course will take place Wednesday nights, 7:30 – 9:30 PM ET – starting September 25. Participants gain amazing access to scripted showrunners, networks, production companies. Learn the ins and outs of pitching, development, what writers’ rooms are really like and how to get into one. You don’t need to be a degree student at SVA and all classes are recorded. Register today
Lucia Ferrario is offering pro bono coaching sessions to complete her certification requirements for the International Coaching Federation (ICF). With a rich background in working with artists as a former professional photographer, Lucia enjoys supporting creative individuals in navigating their unique challenges. She is excited to extend this opportunity to NYWIFT members. If you are interested in life coaching sessions, she would be more than happy to offer her services. Learn more about her work or reach out via email at lucia@themunayjourney.com.
NYWIFT Member Marilyn Horowitz‘s new book is available for pre-order here. The Word of the Day Practice is a 15-minute journaling process that quickly shuts down the inner critic that plagues most writers. Using a combination of word and image, the practice eliminates the bad habits of guilt and self-criticism. Instead, writers can focus on unconditional creativity. Offering a unique creativity-and-time-management technique, Word of the Day is a practice that assists writers to create at will, write as much as they want, and acquire accurate self-acknowledgement in the process. The practice immediately connects writers with their innate storytelling ability as reflected in their dreams. The techniques synthesize the right and left sides of the brain so that writers can draw upon the entirety of their creative tools, fusing the verbal and visual mind, unleashing structural instincts and creativity, allowing them to dance together. Writers are asked to put a notebook by their bed so they can write first thing in the morning when they wake up and just before bedtime. Studies have shown that our most creative moments happen immediately upon waking and just before falling asleep. Writing adjacent to these moments, even briefly, gives writers access to their unlimited imagination, powerful tools of imagery, and the full scope of their memory.
The Film Event Accessibility Working Group (FEAW) is excited to announce the launch of their FREE accessibility resources including an event accessibility checklist, vendor database and more to help organizations create more accessible film festivals and events. FEAW is a collective of film event operations professionals who seek to increase accessibility within film event spaces. FEAW seeks to achieve an inclusive film community through peer support and resource sharing. Members include the Center for Asian American Media, Sundance Institute, SFFILM, Full Spectrum Features, ReelAbilitiesNY, New Orleans Film Society, Black Public Media, Vision Maker Media, and DOCNYC. Learn more.
The NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment have shared a newly established resource for Workers Impacted by the WGA and SAG-AFTRA Strikes who are applying for Unemployment Insurance. For workers who have already applied for Unemployment Insurance:
- If you have filed a claim more than two weeks ago and have yet to receive a determination or payments
- If you have started filing a claim but been unable to complete it
- If you are trying to file a claim but are having issues using the phone system/website
Email: UIClaimHelp2023@labor.ny.gov and learn more.
The International Documentary Association’s (IDA) Nonfiction Access Initiative Public Message Board is now open to subscribe! The goal is to host conversations, share resources, promote opportunities, and build networks among members of the international nonfiction disability community and allies. Learn more and fill out the onboarding form to join the message board.
Pitch to Screen is offering NYWIFT Members a 20% discount off some of their upcoming education classes. PTS offers innovative and comprehensive courses designed for individuals interested in pursuing careers in the film and TV industry, providing a unique and immersive experience for participants that cannot be found in traditional classroom settings. Learn more. Enter code NYWIFT for a 20% discount off individual tickets.
Haven Studios NY is available to book! The stage, located in the Crew Zone in Mt. Vernon, NY (right outside of the Bronx) is a Certified Women Owned Business as well as a NYS Qualified Production Facility (QPF).The facility is approx 70,000 sq ft including a 30,000+/- soundstage. Learn more about the facility and contact Nicole Zeller at nicole.zeller@zelco.com for inquiries and questions.
The Women in Film Project is offering NYWIFT Members the chance to have their profiles featured on their platform. The Women in Film Project is an online platform that is dedicated to sharing and highlighting the inspiring stories from female creators around the world, showing creators everywhere that their story and voice matter. To share your story, simply fill out this 15 minute questionnaire and they will publish it on the website page with no strings attached. Learn more and submit a questionnaire to be featured. Email info@thewomeninfilmproject.com for questions and info.
WIFT-AT (women and gender diverse individuals in film and television in Atlantic Canada) has formed an online community of practice to increase sustainability and diminish carbon footprint in the film, tv and media industry. The group was launched with a panel discussion led by the Directors Guild of Canada’s national Climate Action Chair, Clara George. Many of the collaborations, practices shared, or tools built will not be geographically specific, so all WIFT members who are interested in greater sustainability in the industry are welcome. The community is a private Facebook group housing resources, tools, and colleagues! Email joanne@wift-at.com to join the group.
Sign up for the MediaMKRS mailing list to hear about their next programs and opportunities. MediaMKRS is the workforce development program within Reel Works. Partnered with the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, the City University of New York, media companies, and unions, they train talented New Yorkers for careers in media and entertainment. As IATSE’s primary partner for trainings in NYC, they offer union training for the wardrobe, hair, set-dressing, grip, and shop craft departments to diverse New Yorkers. Additionally they partner with companies — Warner Bros. Discovery, Jigsaw Productions, Paramount — to give in demand credentials for careers in production and post production. Learn more and sign up for their outreach list.
Group Effort Initiative (GEI) is looking for NYC-based candidates to apply today! GEI strives to create a pipeline for members of underrepresented communities to get real experience towards lasting careers within the entertainment industry. GEI offers paid internships, entry-level job opportunities, on-set production assistant opportunities, mentorships and education that focuses on professional development, soft skills and entertainment-specific training. Candidates should be at early career, and belong to an underrepresented group (i.e. people of color, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities, etc.) Applications are currently accepted on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply.
Sign up for the Revlo newsletter and submit your pitch today. Revlo is on a mission to revolutionize representation of marginalized communities in main-stream media. Revlo will eventually launch as an online marketplace that connects pitches to producers and other industry professionals through community engagement. Sign up for their weekly newsletter and join a community of filmmakers and film lovers to see and share work by and about marginalized communities, and to be among the first to know when their marketplace platform launches. Learn more and sign up.
Sign up for Shiny New Directors Network. Shiny connects agencies, brands & production with new directors, across commercial production worldwide. New directors looking to put themselves forward for sponsorship, and connection with a VIP production company or agency studio may sign up to be included on their networking list, which is shared with commercial production companies and agency studios in the Network. Learn more and sign up.
Summer of Rage: Reproductive Justice on Film, a panel co-presented by NYWIFT and Film Fatales, is now available to watch on Vimeo. The discussion features Cynthia Lowen (Battleground), Emma Pildes (The Janes), Tracy Droz Tragos (Abortion: Stories Women Tell) and Angela Tucker (Belly of the Beast). With so many fundamental human rights currently under attack in this country, the group gathers to listen, to learn and to take action. Watch the conversation with documentary filmmakers who have been on the front lines of Reproductive Justice in the United States. Hear what they’ve seen, what they’ve learned, how they feel about the current situation and what they, and we, as artists, can do now. And why we must continue to tell these stories. Watch now.
Hello World Communications is seeking cinematographers. They are looking for cinematographers (preferably female) with fashion experience, editors, and augmented reality designers. Please send resumes and reels to Ron Yoshida at excitable01@gmail.com.
NYWIFT member Beth Ann Dailey is hosting the fall group, BreakThrough: Creativity Coaching for Writers and Filmmakers. Beth began working with writers while in the TV Lit Department at the William Morris Agency in Los Angeles and recently became a certified coach. Beth’s approach is based on her training with Eric Maisel. She helps writers and filmmakers start and finish projects, submit their work, and set goals, including how to consistently prioritize and make time for their creative efforts. Learn more.
E/S Collab is running a Film Business Essentials Series – 10 crash courses and workshops for emerging producers looking for practical information that can be used and implemented right now. E/S Collab’s courses are not designed to replace the expertise of legal and business affairs representatives, but to help creative producers understand the important questions to ask, the conversations needed to be had with collaborators and stakeholders early on, and the instructions to give their team, in order to ensure their short-term, long-term and project’s goals are met. Learn more. Enter code NFP10 for a 10% discount.
Sundance Co//ab has launched their new learning pathway, Independent Fiction Producing. The program is a curated collection of resources and tools created for producers to build their skills and inspire them to move their project forward. This learning pathway offers a wealth of resources to explore the essential elements of fiction producing so producers can effectively lead and collaborate with their team, to bring creative projects into existence. Learn more.
NYWIFT member Lukia Costello is looking to put together a NYWIFT affinity group for members in Western and Central New York. NYWIFT affinity groups are for members who would like to benefit from meeting informally with other members in related professions or interests. If you are a NYWIFT member, resident of these regions, and are interested in joining please contact Lukia at lukiacostello@gmail.com.
NYWIFT member Jenny Kleiman is hosting a screenwriting workshop Working the Wound: Creating Complex Womxn, BIPOC, & LGBTQ Protagonists. Using this unique approach to the craft of screenwriting, Jenny Kleiman uses characters’ misbehaviors and trauma (yes, in comedy too!) to develop complex story arcs. Specializing in plot problem-solving, these workshops will help you identify and hone your voice. Further, in an effort to combat and destroy familiar tropes previously reserved for women and minorities in cinema, these workshops are specific to developing and honing the inner narratives, experiences, and tribulations of minority leads. Learn more. Contact hello@jennykleiman.com and use NYWIFT in the subject of your email to receive 10% off 8 weeks of classes.
Interested in hosting a virtual screening event using POV films? The POV Community Network is a free digital film library for educators, nonprofits, librarians, media centers, and other engaged community members to host free community screening events of POV films and access film discussion guides, lesson plans, reading lists and more. Partners can host online screenings to watch films together through Zoom and/or other virtual platforms, request Q&A discussions with POV filmmakers, and organize group conversations after watching POV films. Create a free account and register.
Roadmap Writers, a screenwriting education and training platform for Career Writers looking for a guided path to success, has a full lineup of fall workshops. Upcoming workshops include: Rewrite Class, What Comes Next: Plotting Your Season and Crafting Your Bible, Advanced Marketing Prep, and more! The programs are hosted by working industry executives and are designed to empower writers with actionable tools and insights to elevate their craft and cultivate relationships with industry professionals. Learn more about upcoming workshops and enter code NYWIFT for a 15% discount.
The Know (formerly known as The Knowledge Project)is running Remote Writing & Media Workshops for middle and high school students. Workshops being offered include: Drawing for Portfolio & Comics, Playing with Sequential Art: Comics, Facts, Interviews & Stories: Making a Podcast, and Winged Words: A Story Through Poetry. Learn more about each workshop. Contact iwrite@theknowledgeproject.org or call 917-364-8813 to sign up.
Toss It, a film by NYWIFT member Michele Remsen, has been awarded the ReFrame Stamp. Toss It is a recipient of the NYWIFT Nancy Malone Marketing and Promotion Grant. In partnership with IMDbPro, the ReFrame Stamp aims to celebrate studios, networks, & creatives that have demonstrated measurable progress towards gender parity when developing, producing, financing, and marketing their product. Learn more about the ReFrame Stamp and see if your film is eligible.
Lumberyard Studios will be open and available for rental as soon as the Governor’s office opens the Capital Region, likely weeks before NYC or the lower Hudson Valley. Opened in September 2018, Lumberyard is a purpose built QPF located 2 hours north of Manhattan, and minutes from the Hudson, NY Amtrak station. Learn more about the facility. To schedule a call or to learn more about capability, availability, and rates – contact Ruth Moe at rmoe@lumberyard.org or (914) 582-7026.
Manhattan Edit Workshop is offering NYWIFT members a 10% discount on their online post-production courses. Interested in learning or expanding your knowledge with ONLINE Learning in Avid. Pro Tools, Premiere Pro, Photoshop, After Effects, Audition, Resolve, or Final Cut Pro? NYWIFT Members get 10% off courses including our signature class – Six Week Intensive Art of Editing Workshop. Members can use this code for MC 101, MC 110, MC 201, MC 210; Pro Tools 101, 110; Premiere Pro 101, 201, 250; Photoshop I, II; After Effects I, II, III; Audition 101; Final Cut Pro 101; COL 101, 201; RES 101, 201, and our Six Week Intensive Workshop. Learn more. Enter code NYWIFT10 when registering.
As we are all experiencing this unprecedented global crisis, the Sundance Co//ab will bring more resources, tools and support to the community. For right now, they are opening all of their Member Q&As and Master Classes for free to the community. Free, upcoming live online events include:.
NYWIFT is looking to launch a mentoring initiative for members in the makeup field – if you are a makeup artist interested in mentoring or a makeup artist interested in being a mentor, please email us at membership@nywift.org. Send your resume and let us know if you’re interested in being either the mentor or the mentee. We’d love to match you up.
Don’t forget to add your crew/professional title to your NYWIFT profile! Our membership directory continues to be a fantastic resource for members that are seeking to crew up and hire for projects.
Downtown Community Television Center is looking for film workshop instructors. DCTV’s hands-on filmmaking workshops in producing, production, and post-production are dedicated to cultivating New York’s ever-expanding community of media makers, and they are currently seeking skilled and passionate working professionals with teaching experience to lead them. Learn more and apply.
NYWIFT is now featured on Sundance Institute’s new Inclusion Resource Map, which is designed for artists to easily discover opportunities for funding, education, mentorship, and networking. The map is a searchable storehouse of opportunities and programs available to U.S. based artists from underrepresented communities. Check it out and share with it your network.
