Goodbye, winter caps—hello, summer hats! It’s that glorious time of year where many of us can switch from content creators to content consumers. NYWIFT members Mellini Kantayya and Kathryn O’Kane have put together #SummerHours, a series of fun summer books, movies, and TV shows by or about women.
By Mellini Kantayya
I’ve been on Liane Moriarty kick lately—tearing through one well-crafted novel after another—all sparked by the watching the riveting HBO limited series adaptation of Big Little Lies.
Of the novel, Entertainment Weekly said, “The secrets burrowed in this seemingly placid small town…are so suburban noir they would make David Lynch clap with glee…” I wholeheartedly agree. The series perfectly captures the novel’s core and character while boldly standing on its own due to its fine editing, directing, and stunning performances.
Shailene Woodley, Reese Witherspoon and Nicole Kidman in Big Little Lies (HBO, 2017)
Almost as interesting, is the story of how the series came into being due to Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon’s keen eye, business acumen, and desire to bring women-driven narratives to the screen—as chronicled in this Los Angeles Times piece.
(Cover photo by Bridgette Matthews)
Mellini_Kantayya
Related Posts
Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Rachel Fleit
Welcome to NYWIFT, Rachel Fleit! Rachel is a writer, director, and producer known for her intimate, character-driven storytelling across documentary and narrative film and television. With a background in fashion and business, Rachel brings both creative sensitivity and an entrepreneurial mindset to her work, balancing artistic vision with thoughtful leadership. Rachel directed the acclaimed documentary Introducing, Selma Blair and has helmed projects including Bama Rush and Sugar Babies, each reflecting her commitment to emotional honesty and layered storytelling. Her latest award-winning documentary, The Slightest Touch—which follows the extraordinary friendship between Emma Fogarty, who lives with epidermolysis bullosa, and actor Colin Farrell—has been acquired by HBO Documentary Films and is slated to premiere later this year on HBO Max. In our interview, she reflected on building trust with her subjects, navigating personal and cultural storytelling, and the creative directions she’s most excited to explore next.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Carmen Matias
Welcome to NYWIFT, Carmen Matias! A graduate of Hunter College in the 1970s, producer Carmen earned a degree in Broadcast with a minor in Theatre. Television was both an escape and a source of fantasy throughout her early life, ultimately guiding her toward a career in the medium, which she came to see as the best possible profession for her creative ambitions. In our interview, Carmen discussed her experience producing and shared her advice for young creatives.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Erin LoCascio
Welcome to NYWIFT, Erin LoCascio! Erin is a storyteller and producer with a passion for big moments, sharp edits, and seamless collaboration. As a story-driven producer and editor, her Clio-winning reel reflects her talent for transforming raw footage into cinematic experiences. She has built worlds at SYFY, earned millions of views at MTV, and shaped narratives from the Super Bowl to Comic-Con. We interviewed Erin in late summer, where she shared her behind-the-scenes experiences at some of pop culture’s biggest events, and described the immense pressure and excitement involved in bringing unforgettable stories to life.
READ MORENYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Co-Directors and Producers Susan Lacy and Jessica Levin
The 2025 Tribeca Festival is kicking off with a bang as the world premiere of Billy Joel: And So It Goes takes center stage as part of the Opening Night Gala. This highly anticipated documentary, co-directed by the legendary multi-Emmy, Peabody and Grammy award-winning filmmaker Susan Lacy and Emmy and Peabody award-winning producer Jessica Levin, delves deep into the music, mind, and legacy of one of America’s greatest songwriters. In this exclusive NYWIFT interview, we speak with Susan, a proud NYWIFT member, and Jessica, her longtime collaborator, about the creative journey behind the film, the art of storytelling through music, and what it was like working alongside the Piano Man himself.
READ MORE
1 Comment
busyk
Nicole Kidman has never been better. She’s infinitely watchable every moment she’s on the screen.