Inexcusable Behavior: Hollywood was rocked by a New York Times exposé of on decades of sexual harassment allegations leveled at producer Harvey Weinstein. This story is pervasive at all levels of the industry, and we’ve heard similar stories from many of our members. While Weinstein may be the most hypocritical and highest profile, this type of behavior is not “breaking news.” The industry is rife with sexism in all areas, not only from head honchos but from, say, the camera op who picks on the young woman in craft services, or the male actor who gets inappropriate during a love scene. We are glad The Weinstein Company took quick, decisive action by firing Harvey and that this has apparently become unacceptable behavior for top brass, but how is it being enforced down the line or in companies where women don’t feel they are able to speak out? This horrifying, pervasive behavior reminds us of the importance of solidarity, how women have to share knowledge to protect each other, how some predators unfortunately disguise themselves as “allies,” and how we need to keep the conversation going. NYWIFT offers a safe space to talk about these issues and will offer support to those who need it. Kudos to all who spoke out.
Frances McDormand: 2002 NYWIFT Muse honoree the legendary Frances McDormand granted a rare interview to the New York Times Magazine.
Timeless Issue: The October issue of Italian Vogue doesn’t feature anyone under age 60.
nywift
Related Posts
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.
READ MORE
3 Comments
Putin
Good way of telling, and pleasant article to obtain information concerning my presentation subject, which i am going to convey in institution of higher education
Putin
Molly Baxter
Some of the Questions I have Answered in this FREE E-Report is as under:
The major advantage of the solar panel rebates is that these enable you
to make a long-term, cost-effective investment in this system, thus allowing
you to also save money on power bills. Environmental scientists have noticed
a trend since they began keeping records in the early 20th century
that global temperatures have slowly been rising
The Rugs Cafe
Anglena Rossie
Thanks for every other informative web site. Where else may just I am getting that kind of information written in such an ideal way? I’ve an undertaking that I’m simply now running on, and I’ve been at the lookout for such info
anglenarossie1@gmail.com