Julie Dash and Nina Menkes First Recipients Selected To Receive Funds To Bring Two Unique Feature Film Projects To Global and Underserved, Untapped Audiences
By Margarita Sophia Cortes
At the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, Eos World Fund announced its newly formed Global initiative to finance visionary female filmmakers around the world in an effort to galvanize innovative stories told by women.
Gwen Wynne, director / producer / writer, CEO and Artistic Director of Eos World Fund, is spearheading this multi-million dollar initiative launching with two filmmakers and their projects during its inaugural launch event.
The first two recipients are acclaimed directors and their projects are Cypher by Julie Dash and Minotaur Rex by Nina Menkes.
The launch event, hosted by The Blackhouse Foundation, includes Nina Menkes’ anticipated talk “Sex and Power: The Visual Language of Cinema.” Set alongside iconic film clips, the presentation discusses the ways the current crisis of sexual harassment and abuse along with the lack of women in leadership positions in industries around the world directly connects to the prevalent visual language of cinema.
Immediately following is “Women in Charge: Through a New Lens” with Julie Dash and Nina Menkes and moderated by producer, president of Contradiction and Struggle, and NYWIFT board member Rachel Watanabe-Batton. The discussion will include how to make the female point of view dominant in the visual language of cinema as well as how to activate more women taking leadership positions in the creation and business of cinema and storytelling throughout the world.
“Both of these powerhouse filmmakers embody the Eos point of view and are Eos
Gwen Wynne, CEO & Artistic Director of Eos World Fund
Women,” says Gwen Wynne, CEO and Artistic Director of Eos World Fund. “Both Nina and Julie are genuinely respected for taking cinema in new directions and it’s only fitting they be the first directors to receive Eos World Fund support. Audiences are hungry to see more films from them as they are both pioneers in feminist cinema and inspirations to filmmakers around the world.”
The launch event also brings an example of that leadership presented by Bridget Pickering (Moon Valley Studios) and Adetoro Makinde (Hyphenate Partners) who have joined forces in launching a women-led South African film studio, dedicated to empowering the new generation of African talent and the Diaspora. “As co-sponsors of this important conversation, we strongly believe in the vision of women owning their voice and leveling the playing field. The MVS and Hyphenate partnership is a step towards ensuring that vision with women drives the agenda of change.”
Talk about women taking charge! It’s a whole new ball game at Sundance.
The Eos World Fund Inauguration Launch will be hosted by Blackhouse Foundation and be held Friday, January 19th from 11:00am – 1:00pm in Park City, Utah.
Sponsored by:
Moon Valley Studios; Hyphenate Partners; California Institute of the Arts and New York Women In Film & Television
Margarita Sophia Cortes
Related Posts
Julianne Moore Shines in Jesse Eisenberg’s Dark Comedy The Debut at TIFF 2026
The Toronto International Film Festival is always filled with memorable moments, from the excitement of the red carpet to the conversations that continue long after the credits roll. This year, one of those moments came on Sunday, September 13, when Jesse Eisenberg’s The Debut made its International Premiere at the VISA Screening Room at the Princess of Wales Theatre. NYWIFT members LaKisa Renee and Tammy Reese were invited to attend the premiere, and had the opportunity to watch Eisenberg and Academy Award winner (and 2005 NYWIFT Muse Honoree) Julianne Moore walk the red carpet before entering the theatre to introduce audiences to this smart, darkly funny story about finding purpose in an unexpected place.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Rhona Silverbush
Welcome to NYWIFT, Rhona Silverbush! Rhona’s windy career path led to her co-writing the award-winning pilot for Dark Ladies, a series she and Sami Plotkin are poised to take into the marketplace. Rhona studied psychology and theater, acted regionally, became a lawyer representing asylum seekers, and worked with the Roosevelt Institute before returning to her first loves – theater and writing. She co-produced/co-directed Conversations with Shakespeare with Daniela Varon at Symphony Space. She’s written Speak the Speech! Shakespeare’s Monologues Illuminated with Sami Plotkin; ‘wichcraft: craft a sandwich into a meal–and a meal into a sandwich’ for chefs Tom Colicchio and Sisha Ortuzar; and the Terrific Toddlers picture books with Carol Zeavin. She’s also a story consultant for documentarian George Nierenberg. In our interview, Rhona shares insight on pivoting careers, the lessons she’s learned along the way, and all things Shakespeare.
READ MOREWomen Behind the Lens: A Defining Presence at the 2026 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival
Oak Bluff’s in Martha’s Vineyard in the summer is historically culturally rich and enlightening, so when combined with the African American Film Festival it is truly something to experience. While enjoying Inkwell Beach this summer and celebrating the Polar Bears' 80th anniversary, in anticipation of the film festival, NYWIFT Member Penni Malloy-Harper thought about who is shaping the stories and who is behind the camera these days. The 2026 Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival certainly answered the question of who is shaping the stories behind the camera and who is building the platform that allows the stories to be seen. Penni shares the inside scoop.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Marianna Olinger
Welcome to NYWIFT, Marianna Olinger! Marianna is an artist, producer, strategist, and visionary who evaluates media projects for their potential impact on society and social change. Marianna worked as lead impact producer for two Oscar-shortlisted documentaries, including The Territory (Sundance, Peabody, Emmy winner). As co-director at Earth Alliance, Marianna proclaims: ‘I am nature, and nature is in me.’ In our interview, she reflects on the pilot initiative, Indigenous Impact Alliance, through Doc Society's Climate Story Unit, and her work as co-producer of the short documentary Sankofa. Read on to learn about the work Marianna’s most excited to bring to life next.
READ MORE
