Our Next Program
NYWIFT Masterclass: Documentary + Docu-Series with Yvonne Russo
10 Nov 2025 @ 06:30pm
Join us for NYWIFT Masterclass Series titled The Documentary + Docu-Series Masterclass: From Seed to Stream: The Art and Architecture of non-fiction storytelling. A dynamic three-night virtual program led by award-winning filmmaker Yvonne Russo, guiding participants from the heart of an idea to a streamer-ready pitch.
Over three immersive sessions, filmmakers learn to uncover the soul of their story, craft its emotional and structural architecture, and translate that vision into professional development materials that resonate with industry executives.
LATEST blogs
Meet The NYWIFT Member: Mirelle Tinker
Mirelle is a content strategist and narrative designer with a background spanning television, education, and gaming. With over a decade of experience in media production and development across indie agencies and major networks, she prioritizes innovative storytelling in all her creative work. After beginning her career as an NBCUniversal Page, Mirelle served as Content Coordinator at Common Sense Networks' streaming service, Sensical, where she led teams in curating over 80 programs and several creator partnerships. Mirelle told us about her dynamic approach to content strategy, her journey across multiple media platforms, and her exciting upcoming visual novel game project.
Meet The NYWIFT Member: Melody Tally
Melody is a multi-hyphenate artist, award-winning actress, screenwriter, filmmaker and engineer. She obtained her Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University and her Masters in Business Administration at Trinity Washington University. She studied acting and directing with Vera Katz and Haile Gerima at Howard University and can be seen on Tubi, Netflix, and Amazon Prime in acclaimed films including Residue and Silent Brave. Melody told us about balancing her multidisciplinary skills, how her engineering background influences her approach to artistic and creative projects, including a math book and limited series.
Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Jamie Kiernan O’Brien
Welcome to NYWIFT, Jamie Kiernan O’Brien! Jamie is a filmmaker based in New York City and a current M.F.A. candidate at New York University’s Graduate Film program. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., she began her career as an actor before shifting her focus behind the camera. Jamie’s films have screened at Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival, Wicked Queer Boston, and TRANSlations Film Festival in Seattle. She loves highly stylized work that plays with and subverts genre, having made films inspired by horror, screwball comedy, erotic thriller, and melodrama. Her debut short film, an adaptation of The Yellow Wallpaper (in which she also stars), won several awards in the festival circuit and premiered at TRANSlations Film Festival in Seattle in 2022. Her most recent short, Egg, debuted at Wicked Queer in Boston, and went on to screen at Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival and World Pride DC. She received her B.A. in English Literature from New York University. Jamie is an openly trans woman. In our interview, Jamie discusses her transition from acting to directing, recent projects, and the filmmakers who have inspired her work!
Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Chloe Derian
Welcome to NYWIFT, Chloe Derian! Chloe Derian is a filmmaker, photographer, and creative strategist who combines artistry and strategy to craft stories that inspire and connect audiences. With a strong background in marketing and multimedia production, she has led campaigns and creative projects that elevate brands and highlight authentic voices. Her expertise spans event production, photography, and film, focusing on visual storytelling that balances emotional resonance with strategic impact. Chloe values collaboration and innovation, keeping pace with trends in film, photography, and digital media. She is dedicated to projects that amplify diverse perspectives and spark meaningful conversations.
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