Diana Means: When she’s not working her day job in production and creative services at Warner Bros., Diana Means has been running the L.A. Women’s International Film Festival for the past 13 years.
Stacy Smith: Social scientist Stacy Smith gives a Ted Talk on how the media underrepresents and portrays women – and the potentially destructive effects those portrayals have on viewers.
Women Editors: Raindance takes a look at 15 influential female film editors, a vital part of women’s film history.
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Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Lauren Hale-Rieckhoff
Welcome to NYWIFT, Lauren Hale-Rieckhoff! Lauren is a Strategic Advisor and Producer of feature films and documentaries. She began her career as a Casting Associate on HBO’s Sex and the City, then spent over ten years at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where she represented talent across music, film, TV, and sports, facilitating over $200 million in deals for A-list clients like Ron Howard, Jamie Foxx, Hilary Swank, Eva Longoria, John Legend, Dwyane Wade, and Sarah Jessica Parker. In 2017, she co-founded WilyfoXX Collective, a boutique agency advising, among others, tech giants and legacy fashion brands, with a client portfolio exceeding $10 million. Now, as the founder of Andiamo Pictures, Lauren is producing The Florist, starring Carla Gugino as Vivien Leigh, and has upcoming projects including Savage House (Paramount, 2025) and a documentary on Dita Von Teese. Her film financing and production approach combines industry experience with a talent-first, future-focused philosophy. Lauren shares her journey in the film industry, beginning as a Casting Associate and progressing to producing her own films.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Catherine Craig
Welcome to NYWIFT, Catherine Craig! Catherine Craig was George Lucas's Industrial Light and Magic's first animation FX camerawoman, later becoming a digital artist at ILM. A highly regarded film archivist, Craig designed the Coppola film archive and implemented Zoetrope's domestic and international film distribution. As an early female entrepreneur, Craig founded her own award-winning, union and guild-affiliated film company, specializing in high-end industrial and commercial productions. Her vast experience spans all aspects of filmmaking: she's worked as a director, producer, camera operator, concept artist, storyboard artist, special FX artist, sound recordist, and more. Her screenplay OddFX was accepted into the NYWIFT-affiliated The Writers Lab. The film follows a mother living in a women's shelter, battling a physically abusive husband and a broken support system, who enlists the help of a special FX film crew. Catherine discusses her groundbreaking work with ILM, her drive to tell her own stories, and her film currently in development, OddFX!
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Faith Trinker
Welcome to NYWIFT, Faith Trinker! Faith Trinker is a virtual production filmmaker and immersive storyteller. She recently graduated from NYU Tisch’s inaugural Virtual Production Master’s program, and has a background in 3D computer art and animation from Syracuse University. In her work, she blends digital worldbuilding with on-set filmmaking, and is passionate about evolving workflows, fast-paced environments, and collaborative creativity. Her credits include projects for ESPN and the 2025 MSC Cruises Super Bowl spot featuring Drew Barrymore and Orlando Bloom. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, drawing, cars, and her dog, Freddie. She’s eager to work with her new NYWIFT creative community. Faith discusses her path to virtual production, favorite projects, and goals for the future!
READ MORENYWIFT Member Spotlight: Kathryn O’Kane
Today, we’re shining a spotlight on former NYWIFT Board Member Kathryn O’Kane! Kathryn is the co-director and co-writer of the short comedic film Subtext, which has been accepted into the 2025 LA Shorts International Film Festival, screening July 26 at 7:45 p.m. LA Shorts is the longest-running short film festival in Los Angeles. The festival screens over 400 films and attracts 10,000 attendees each year, including Hollywood industry professionals and emerging undiscovered independent filmmakers. Subtext follows Eric, who is running late to his first date with Sara, and he just can’t stop texting. A feeling so many of us, unfortunately, are bound to relate to. Kathryn sat down with co-director, co-writer, and editor Christopher Raby to talk to us about their creative process.
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