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.
The framework for Carrie Fisher’s last memoir, The Princess Diarist, is the discovery of old journals that she kept during the filming of Star Wars in 1976. For the Star Wars fan, the memoir delivers: from auditioning for the role, to reading the script for the first time, to the biggest reveal – the brief affair she had with co-star Harrison Ford.
Any memoir of Fisher is now made bittersweet by her untimely passing. I recommend the audiobook version read by Fisher where you can hear her reveal her witty and whimsical warts-and-all approach to life for the last time.
(Cover photo by Bridgette Matthews)
busyk
Related Posts
Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Ally Gallant
Welcome to NYWIFT, Ally Gallant! Ally is a California native currently working as a page in the NBCUniversal Page Program. She graduated from San Diego State in 2024 with a degree in political science and international affairs and went on to work as a legislative intern for Senator Kaine in Washington, D.C. Excited by the world of news and storytelling, Ally joined the page program, gaining experience in digital audience development and now producing short-form videos for NBC News, including TikTok and the subscription site. She hopes to continue in broadcast journalism, inspired by growing up watching the news around the dinner table with her family.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Kash Blagrove
Welcome to NYWIFT, Kash Blagrove! Kash is a New York City–based producer with a background in advertising and a strong commitment to authenticity, diversity, and inclusion in media. Over the past decade, she has produced campaigns for major brands including eBay, European Wax Center, Peloton, and the WNBA, working across projects ranging from small-scale productions to multi-million-dollar campaigns. As a champion of body positivity, Kash brings a thoughtful perspective to her work, advocating for greater representation both in front of and behind the camera. Her work on the WNBA’s Line ’Em Up campaign earned multiple honors at the 2025 Clio Sports Awards, reflecting the real impact the project had beyond the screen. In our interview, Kash discussed her journey into producing, her commitment to inclusive storytelling, and the projects she’s excited to bring to life next.
READ MORENYWIFT Board Member Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago on Kaya, Cultural Identity, and Its Tribeca Festival Premier
With more than three decades of experience spanning film, television, theater, and festival leadership across the United States and Asia, Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago has built a remarkable career championing diverse voices and meaningful storytelling. As President of Sitting Cat Productions, Executive Director and Head of Programming for the SOHO International Film Festival, and Board Member for NYWIFT, she has dedicated her career to creating opportunities for filmmakers and bringing impactful stories to audiences worldwide. This year, Reymundo-Santiago serves as Consulting Producer on Kaya (ᜃᜌ), a powerful film featured during the 25th anniversary of the Tribeca Festival. The story follows Nia, a half-Filipina young woman who secretly trains with queer outcast Malic in hopes of joining an elite Filipino Martial Arts team and proving she is “Filipino enough.” Through themes of identity, belonging, cultural connection, and self-acceptance, Kaya explores experiences that resonate far beyond its cultural roots.
READ MOREBecky Morrison is Championing a Better Future for Film While Bringing “Stand Clear ‘ the Closing Doors” to Tribeca
As the entertainment industry continues to evolve, producers like Becky Morrison are helping lead the charge toward a more thoughtful, people-centered future in filmmaking. A producer, entrepreneur, and advocate for safer production environments, Becky brings both heart and vision to every project she touches — including Stand Clear ‘ the Closing Doors, the powerful short film making its World Premiere at the 25th anniversary of the Tribeca Festival. Set against the backdrop of New York City’s subway system, Stand Clear ‘ the Closing Doors transforms a seemingly ordinary interaction into a gripping reflection on space, respect, tension, and human behavior. The film captures the emotional complexity hidden within everyday moments, offering audiences a story that feels distinctly New York while speaking to universal experiences of dignity and connection.
READ MORE
1 Comment
Mellini_Kantayya
I adore her and can’t wait to dig into this one!