Leslie Jones: After making a splash with her infectiously joyous – not to mention hilarious – tweets about the Olympics, SNL’s Leslie Jones was invited by NBC to go to Rio to cover the rest of the competition. It’s lovely to watch – especially after Jones had to take a break from Twitter after receiving so many hateful messages surrounding the Ghostbusters premiere.
Writers Lab: Congrats to the 12 phenomenal women screenwriters over 40 selected for The Writers Lab this year!
Blockbuster Directors: No shocker here – women filmmakers do want to direct blockbuster movies. IndieWire examines why they don’t.
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Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Carol Welter
Welcome to NYWIFT, Carol Welter! Carol grew up in the United Kingdom, steeped in classical theatre, before crossing the Atlantic in 1977 and making the United States her home. Trained on the English stage from girlhood, she spent years acting and directing before discovering that writing was her true creative playground. Through Masters-level workshops and decades of artistic exploration, she turned her talents toward stage plays, screenplays, and poetry—crafting stories that blend imagination, humor, and heart. A woman who has worn more hats than a Shakespeare festival costume rack, Carol has directed, designed, and shaped productions from the ground up. Now a spirited senior storyteller, she writes across continents and galaxies, drawn to tales of transformation, unlikely heroes, and tender love stories. In our interview, Carol reflects on her journey from the stage to the page, the themes that inspire her work, and the new projects she’s most excited to share.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Maria Giese
Welcome to NYWIFT, Maria Giese! Maria Giese is an American film director, screenwriter, and longtime advocate for equity for women directors in Hollywood. She wrote and directed the feature films When Saturday Comes (starring Sean Bean) and Hunger (based on the classic Knut Hamsun novel). A member of the Directors Guild of America for over 25 years, Giese is widely recognized for her role in initiating the 2014 ACLU and 2015 EEOC investigations into systemic discrimination against women directors. Her work is featured in the documentaries This Changes Everything (2018 Netflix), Half the Picture (2018 Amazon), and the Sundance hit Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power (2022 Kino-Lorber). Maria spoke to us about her career trajectory, her turn to advocacy, and what she sees for the industry moving forward.
READ MORENYWIFT Member Spotlight: Shahnaz Mahmud
When award-winning journalist Shahnaz Mahmud set out to write and direct her first narrative film, she landed on a deeply personal story inspired by her parents’ own arranged marriage. And when it came time to a select an editor to collaborate with, she turned to the NYWIFT membership directory, where she found veteran editor Susan B. Ades – the perfect match for her project. Members Shahnaz and Susan sat down with us to discuss their adventures (and misadventures!) making the short film The Blossom, how their partnership brought new elements of the story to light, and the unique path to bringing such an intimate tale to the screen.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Kate Dolan
Welcome to NYWIFT, Kate Dolan! Kate Dolan is a New York City-based actress with a passion for storytelling. Her commitment to authenticity and restless pursuit of refining her craft is a reflection of her energetic dedication. Kate is interested in playing characters that both challenge her and resonate deeply with audiences. Having been booked for her first feature film, she is already emulating the actors that have inspired her since childhood. Her experience interning at NYWIFT and Prospect Musicals have given her an advantage as a young actress, providing her with a behind-the-curtain perspective on many aspects of the entertainment industry. In our interview, Kate discusses her experiences, inspirations, and goals.
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