NYWIFT Blog

Virtual Event: “John Lewis: Good Trouble” Screening

Using interviews and rare archival footage, John Lewis: Good Trouble chronicles Lewis’ 60-plus years of social activism and legislative action on civil rights, voting rights, gun control, health-care reform and immigration. Using present-day interviews with Lewis, now 80 years old, filmmaker Dawn Porter explores his childhood experiences, his inspiring family and his fateful meeting with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. in 1957. In addition to her interviews with Lewis and his family, Porter’s primarily cinéma verité film also includes interviews with political leaders, Congressional colleagues, and other people who figure prominently in his life.

Q&A to follow with director Dawn Porter moderated by NYWIFT Board Member Leslie Fields-Cruz.

NYWIFT Talks Black Lives Matter and Just Mercy with Scott Budnick, April Grayson & Donna Hylton

In this week’s NYWIFT Talks, join Just Mercy Executive Producer and CEO of One Community Scott Budnick, Campaign Surrogate and Statewide Coordinator for The Young Women's Freedom Center April Grayson, and Campaign Ambassador Donna Hylton as we discuss the positive after effects of Just Mercy, Black Lives Matter and civil unrest.

Virtual Event: “Denise Ho: Becoming the Song” Screening + Q&A

Denise Ho: Becoming the Song profiles the openly gay Hong Kong singer and human rights activist Denise Ho. Drawing on unprecedented, years-long access, the film explores her remarkable journey from commercial Cantopop superstar to outspoken political activist, an artist who has put her life and career on the line to support the determined struggle of Hong Kong citizens to maintain their identity and freedom.

Q&A to follow with director Sue Williams moderated by NYWIFT Board Member S. Casper Wong.

NYWIFT Talks Black Lives Matter with Visionary New York Media Arts Organizations

New York Media Arts organizations have had a rich history of supporting, inspiring, and training diverse creative community members for decades. In this week’s NYWIFT Talks, learn more how Black Public Media, Third World Newsreel, Manhattan Neighborhood Network, and Brown Girls Doc Mafia have accomplished their missions.

These organizations provide key solutions and grassroots connections to Latinx, Black, Asian, and LGBTQIA+ content producers. What are the specific challenges they face during the COVID pandemic, financial crisis, and the Black Lives Matter Movement? These leaders can shine a light on a path forward. In discussion with Iyabo Boyd, Leslie Fields-Cruz, JT Takagi, Shurize X. Richards and Victoria Bert, and moderated by Cynthia Lopez.

NYWIFT Talks with VP of Publicity and Promotion of IFC Films Laura Sok

In this week’s NYWIFT Talks, join VP of Publicity and Promotion of IFC Films Laura Sok to discuss publicity in the age of the "new normal" of Virtual Theatrical Releases for IFC Films.

The conversation will be moderated by NYWIFT Board Member Rachel Watanabe-Batton.

This edition of NYWIFT Talks is free for all to attend.

NYWIFT Talks with NewFest’s Executive Director David Hatkoff

NewFest gives voice and visibility to all facets of the LGBTQ experience by presenting year-round screenings and events that include New York’s annual LGBTQ Film Festival every October, which began in 1988.

In this week’s NYWIFT Talks, join Executive Director of NewFest David Hatkoff for a Zoom conversation discussing the changes NewFest has made to continue to adapt during this COVID-19 pandemic. Plus, learn how they'll virtually celebrate the month of Pride! 

This edition of NYWIFT Talks is free for all to attend and will be moderated by NYWIFT Board Member Alex Cirillo.

NYWIFT Talks with The Cherry Picks Co-Founder Miranda Bailey

In this NYWIFT Talks, join The Cherry Picks Co-Founder Miranda Bailey for a Zoom conversation. We’ll focus on how The Cherry Picks has revolutionized female film critics.

This conversation will be moderated by NYWIFT Board Member Rachel Watanabe-Batton and is free for all to attend.

POSTPONED NYWIFT Talks with IFP Executive Director Jeffrey Sharp

In this NYWIFT Talk, join Executive Director of IFP Jeffrey Sharp for a Zoom conversation. We’ll focus on on IFP and the future of digital learning within IFP.

This conversation will be moderated by NYWIFT Executive Director Cynthia Lopez and is free for all NYWIFT members to attend.

NYWIFT Talks The Writers Lab with Elizabeth Kaiden and Nitza Wilon

Join The Writers Lab Co-Founders Elizabeth Kaiden and Nitza Wilon for a Zoom conversation. We’ll focus on The Writers Lab and their mission to amplify the voices of women screenwriters over 40. 

This conversation will be moderated by NYWIFT Board President Jamie Zelermyer. 

NYWIFT Talks with New York Film Festival with Eugene Hernandez

In this NYWIFT Talk, join New York Film Festival's Director Eugene Hernandez for a Zoom conversation. We’ll focus on the future of film festivals in New York City including the future of New York Film Festival.

This conversation will be moderated by NYWIFT Senior Development and Editorial Consultant Maud Kersnowski-Sachs.

NYWIFT Talks with Costume Designer Dana Covarrubias

Join Costume Designer and 2018 NYWIFT Designing Women Honoree Dana Covarrubias for a Zoom conversation. We’ll focus on on her career, new projects, and what COVID-19 has meant for her as a costume designer.

This conversation will be moderated by NYWIFT Board President Jamie Zelermyer.

(Open to NYWIFT members only. Not a member yet? Go to www.nywift.org/join or email membership@nywift.org to take advantage of our Community Building Membership Campaign discount.)

Virtual Discussion: NYWIFT Talks with Tribeca Film Festival Senior Programmer Lucy Mukerjee

In this NYWIFT Talk, join Tribeca Film Festival's Senior Programmer Lucy Mukerjee. Lucy will discuss Tribeca’s move to digital programming during COVID-19, and how she is continuing her LGBTQ+ advocacy work through her role at the organization

This discussion will be moderated by NYWIFT Board President Jamie Zelermyer.

Virtual Discussion: NYWIFT Talks with Filmmaker Rachel Feldman

Join filmmaker Rachel Feldman for a virtual Zoom conversation. Rachel will discuss the COVID-19 effects on filmmakers and what the future holds for her current projects. Feldman is an accomplished director and writer in film and television. She is currently in active development to direct Lilly, a feature film based on the remarkable life of Fair Pay icon Lilly Ledbetter.

The conversation will be moderated by NYWIFT Executive Director Cynthia Lopez.

Webinar: NYWIFT Talks ImageNation with Moikgantsi Kgama

Join NYWIFT and Moikgantsi Kgama of ImageNation as she speaks from the perspective of the cultural organizations that bring indie films into local communities. She'll discuss the potential broader impact on the industry and the general theater-going experience, as we all wonder: what will the exhibition space look like after the pandemic has ended?

This NYWIFT Talks discussion will be moderated by NYWIFT Board VP of Programming Leslie Fields-Cruz.

Webinar: NYWIFT Talks Casting with Destiny Lilly

Join Casting Director and NYWIFT Board of Directors Vice President Destiny Lilly for a virtual Zoom conversation. Destiny will update us on how the casting world in NYC keeps moving even while film, television, and theatre productions are on hold due to the current health crisis. We'll talk shooting delays, the impact on Broadway, online auditions, self-tape 101 for actors, why producers should always hire a casting director, and more. Casting affects more than just actors - all film and TV professionals are encouraged to bring their questions to to this insightful conversation. And anyone can benefit from self-tape 101; nowadays, working from home, we are all appearing on camera!  This NYWIFT Talks discussion will be moderated by NYWIFT Community Engagement Director Katie Chambers. 

Webinar: NYWIFT Talks Production with Kathryn O’Kane

Join Disney+ showrunner and NYWIFT Board member Kathryn O'Kane for a virtual Zoom conversation. Kathryn will discuss the COVID-19 affects on pre-planned productions and what the future holds for her current projects. This NYWIFT Talks conversation will be moderated by NYWIFT Executive Director Cynthia Lopez.

Webinar: NYWIFT Talks Distance Learning with Dr. Kimberly Greene

Welcome to NYWIFT Talks, a new weekly series to bring updated news and vital information about the impact of COVID-19 on the media and entertainment industry. Industry professionals will be in conversation discussing what you need to know about theatrical releases, digital advances, virtual tools, festival opportunities, production updates and more.  NYWIFT Talks are free...

Webinar: NYWIFT Talks: Virtual Collaborations with Liz Dreyer

Welcome to NYWIFT Talks, a new weekly series to bring updated news and vital information about the impact of COVID-19 on the media and entertainment industry. Industry professionals will be in conversation discussing what you need to know about theatrical releases, digital advances, virtual tools, festival opportunities, production updates and more.  NYWIFT Talks are free for all NYWIFT members to attend.  In this week’s inaugural NYWIFT Talk, join virtual collaboration expert Liz Dreyer for a Zoom conversation. We'll focus on tips and best practices for creating productive virtual meetings, including information on preferred platforms and the leading question of the day: "Should you wear pants on video chats?" Liz has facilitated creative digital groups for over 20 years. This discussion will be led by NYWIFT Senior Development Consultant Maud Kersnowski-Sachs.