NYWIFT Blog

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.

Virtual Event: “Single” Screening + Q&A with Director Ashley Eakin

Single is a relatable, anti-romantic comedy that delivers an entertaining and insightful examination of human connection that also challenges preconceived notions of life with a disability. A girl born with one arm gets set-up on a blind with a guy who has one hand...and she is pissed.

The short film is the recipient of the NYWIFT Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant. 

After the screening, join us for a Q&A with director Ashley Eakin, moderated by NYWIFT Board Member Rachel Watanabe-Batton.

Virtual Panel: The Art and Science of Fashion in Film Panel

Fashion Group International and NYWIFT are joining forces to bring you "The Art and Science of Fashion in Film." The panel will discuss the art of filmmaking and science of marketing fashion through films today, and how film is an essential branding tool for fashion and lifestyle brands. Feature films, web series, short films, branded content, live fashion events and music videos are all powerful ways to interact and create a dialogue with your audience. Taken from the point of view of both the creative and strategic marketing approaches, we’ll discuss the ingredients of a great film or campaign and how different brands are using the medium.

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Andy Hilfiger (Creative Director for Artistix Fashion), Ina Pira (Curator for Vimeo), and Matthew Rowean (MATTE Projects). Moderated by David Swajeski.

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 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 Event: Call Your Mother Screening + Q&A

Behind every famous comedian, there’s an infamous mom! In the hilarious new documentary Call Your Mother, the film explores the relationships between comedians and their mothers, and how they have indelibly shaped their craft. Please join us for a special sneak peek and panel discussion before the film debuts on Comedy Central on Mother’s Day...

Webinar: Brave New World: Reimagining Film Festivals in a Time of Crisis

When SXSW cancelled, it sent shockwaves through the indie film world. But the creative forces that have kept independent film vibrant over the decades are rising to meet the current crisis. Until we can once again gather in large crowds, the show is going on. Film festivals are moving online or reviving older forms such as using drive-ins for locations to gather at safe physical distances.

This panel brings together a group of creatives to discuss how people and organizations are responding nimbly and re-imagining ways to connect and support filmmakers and audiences. We will explore the possibilities for evolving out of this crisis to create more fluid and far-reaching concepts of film promotion, audience engagement, and distribution.

Join us for a conversation with Laurie Cheatle, Maori Karmael Holmes, Brian Newman, Alison Willmore, and Jeffrey Winter, moderated by Michelle Materre.

Webinar: Documentary Storytelling with Sound Design

Sound design plays an essential and often unrecognized part of nonfiction filmmaking. It can set a mood, illuminate a point of view, or help set you in a place and time. We speak with sound professionals to see and hear what goes into their decision making and creative process. Join us for a conversation with Jacob Ribicoff, Steve "Major" Giammaria, and Becky Goldberg (Moderator).

Webinar: The Business of Adaptations for Film and TV – 2020

Agents, Hollywood producers and publishers are always searching for the next great story, but not all writers start from scratch. Oftentimes, ideas come from the things we see, read, write and hear. The challenge for many is how to transition these materials from their original form of a book, article, and story into a full-fledged viable screenplay and adaptation material for another medium. Savvy industry professionals love to leverage their time and efforts by capitalizing on a story that can be adapted into many forms. Learn from this experienced panel about ways to locate common sources for your story or script and the power and pitfalls of working with adaptations for your project.