
New York Women in Film & Television’s events for April 2014:
Power Player Breakfast: Jana Bennett, President, A+E Networks’ FYI & LMN
Thursday, April 3, 8:30 am
Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz, 488 Madison Avenue, 10th Floor
A+E Networks executive Jana Bennett, who manages two of the company’s fastest growing networks, will speak about her broadcasting career spanning global markets at A+E, BBC, TLC and Discovery.
Writing Seminar: Engaging the Feminine Heroic
Monday, April 7, 6:30 pm
Writers Guild of America, East 250 Hudson Street
Author Dara Marks will dig into the creative process, exploring female characters and the interior terrain of strong storytelling. While many writers are familiar with the Hero’s Journey, its counterpart, the Feminine Heroic, is often lost or distorted when employed in literature. The former aims to discover, defend and declare; in contrast, the feminine aims for communion and connection. Attendees will discuss these themes as related to narrative devices and developing effective stories.
Documentaries for Television: Extending Your Reach
Wednesday, April 9, 7 pm
Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute, 20 Cooper Square, 7th Floor
With the growing demand for documentary content in broadcast television, questions emerge regarding the acquisition process, connecting with television executives and producing successful, appropriate content. Join the folks behind Mysterious Human Heart, Detropia and Mondays at Racine for a panel on how network partnerships can expand a documentary’s reach.
The Ultimate Confidence-Building Workshop
Thursday, April 10, 12:30 pm
NYWIFT Office, 6 East 39th Street, Suite 1200
Does a lack of confidence hold you back in your entertainment career? Do you feel intimidated at networking events? Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this workshop by Jim Arnoff, a certified career coach and television packaging agent, will give you the insider’s technique to embrace your strengths and pitch with confidence.
Go Green! Greener Alternatives for Your Production, Your Home and Your Life
Tuesday, April 22, 6:30 pm
NYWIFT celebrates Earth Day with a Go Green! panel featuring women at the forefront of today’s environmental issues. They will discuss what we can do for a greener planet. From NYC neighborhood initiatives to greening film and TV productions to the future of the rain forest, Go Green! will be a lively and informative conversation.
NYWIFT Member Screening Series: CAN
Tuesday, April 29, 7 pm
Anthology Film Archives, 32 Second Avenue at 2nd Street
How does one heal from mental illness? Pearl Park’s documentary CAN follows Can Truong, a war refugee who was among the millions of boat people who fled Vietnam in 1979, as he searches for healing, dignity and recovery from bipolar disorder. A Q&A will follow the screening.
Related Posts
Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Marianna Olinger
Welcome to NYWIFT, Marianna Olinger! Marianna is an artist, producer, strategist, and visionary who evaluates media projects for their potential impact on society and social change. Marianna worked as lead impact producer for two Oscar-shortlisted documentaries, including The Territory (Sundance, Peabody, Emmy winner). As co-director at Earth Alliance, Marianna proclaims: ‘I am nature, and nature is in me.’ In our interview, she reflects on the pilot initiative, Indigenous Impact Alliance, through Doc Society's Climate Story Unit, and her work as co-producer of the short documentary Sankofa. Read on to learn about the work Marianna’s most excited to bring to life next.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Helen Huang
Welcome to NYWIFT, Helen Huang! Helen Huang (Haitong Huang) is a New York–based creative director, filmmaker, and curator working across film, moving image, and immersive media. She has served as Creative Director for the SOHO International Film Festival and is a core member of Vermilions Theater. Her work explores how cinematic storytelling evolves across new formats, bridging traditional film language with emerging technologies. A fellow at the Harvard Innovation Lab, she has received multiple international awards, with her work featured in Forbes, ELLE, and Harvard Gazette.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Kaia Goudreau
Welcome to NYWIFT, Kaia Goudreau! Kaia Goudreau is a filmmaker and photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She studied filmmaking and writing at Sarah Lawrence College, cultivating a focus on stories that explore life’s in-between moments—aging, change, and quiet rituals. Kaia is developing a short film slated for production later this year and collaborating with director Linda Yellen on features in development and casting. She has also contributed to creative projects in France and Ireland, expanding her visual lens. Whether narrative or documentary, her work lingers on subtle moments that reveal depth and character. In our interview, Kaia discusses her inspiration and background in filmmaking, as well as her exciting upcoming projects.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Elliana Bertrand
Welcome to NYWIFT, Elliana Bertrand! Elliana is a New York–based producer, assistant director, and script supervisor working across film and television. A graduate of the inaugural cohort at NYU Tisch’s Martin Scorsese Virtual Production Center, she produced her thesis film The Feather, a Viking short shot exclusively on an LED volume. Over the past year, she has worked in the film unit at Saturday Night Live and contributed to a range of feature films and commercial projects, including a recent Netflix production. A dedicated moviegoer and advocate for the theatrical experience, Elliana has a particular love for Giallo cinema. Alongside her work in the industry, she is completing her Pilates teacher certification, bringing a refined understanding of movement, rhythm, and choreography into her approach to flow and precision on set. In our interview, she discussed her journey into assistant directing, the lessons she’s learned working in production, and the projects she hopes to explore in the future.
READ MORE