By Mellini Kantayya
NYWIFT’s Women’s Film Preservation Fund (WFPF) received The Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York’s 2019 Outstanding Support of Archives award on October 21st. The ceremony was held at the Brooklyn Historical Society as part of 2019 New York Archives Week. WFPF steering committee member and former NYWIFT Executive Director Terry Lawler introduced the award, which was accepted by NYWIFT Board President Jamie Zelermyer.
From left: WFPF grantee Maxi Cohen, NYWIFT Board President Jamie Zelermyer, WFPF Steering Committee Member and former NYWIFT Executive Director Terry Lawler, and WFPF Steering Committee Member Susan Lazarus at the 2019 Archivists Round Table of Metropolitan New York Awards. (photo by: Mellini Kantayya)
The Archivists Round Table’s Outstanding Support of Archives Award recognizes an individual or organization for notable contributions to archival records or archives programs through political, financial or moral support. NYWIFT’s Women’s Film Preservation Fund, founded in conjunction with the Museum of Modern Art, has been working closely with archives, filmmakers, and preservation specialists since 1995 to preserve nearly 150 American-made films by and about women. These important films—many made by independent pioneers and under-represented voices—span silent era to contemporary works of all genres that would have been lost from cinema history without preservation.
“When the Women’s Film Preservation Fund was founded, few if any women’s films were part of the canon taught in film schools,” Zelermyer said upon accepting the award. “Since then we have preserved nearly 150 American films in which women have played key roles. These include works by early feminists, social activists, and artists that represent unique and irreplaceable contributions to American cinematic history.”
Learn more about the Women’s Film Preservation Fund: https://www.nywift.org/womens-film-preservation-fund/
And the WFPF is looking for both donor and volunteer support! If you would like to get in touch email wfpf@nywift.org.
Mellini_Kantayya
Related Posts
Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Rudaba Zehra Nasir
Welcome to NYWIFT, Rudaba Zehra Nasir! Rudaba is a Pakistani-American, conservatory-trained actress, writer, and singer as well as a humanitarian and life coach based in Manhattan. She is currently producing her solo show Halal-ish which is about her journey from Pakistan to America to find love. On screen, she has starred in award-winning films The Foreign Patriot and The Train I’m On, and was a series regular in Kabhi Na Kabhi (Someday) on Hum TV. Her New York theater credits include sold-out, Off-Off Broadway shows such as Novecento (Paradise Factory Theater), Arsinoe IV (Chain Theatre), Talk of the Town (The Players), and Measure For Measure (Resident Acting Company). Rudaba spoke to us about how she uses art to cultivate connection, finding her voice as an actor, and her humanitarian initiatives.
READ MORENYWIFT Member Spotlight: Karen Goeller
Karen Goeller is a gifted storyteller whose work spans literature, film, television, and live performance. Since launching her film career in 2012, she has contributed to more than 100 productions both in front of and behind the camera. As a long-standing member of NYWIFT, Karen has built a reputation as a talented actor, script supervisor, writer, and producer. And as a writer, she’s earned awards for three screenplays — Escape Artists, Best First Dates...NOT, and Missy’s Voice. Also the author of 20 published books spanning gymnastics, fitness, and children’s literature, Karen continues to inspire across multiple platforms. With a unique background in law, health sciences, and athletics, her work reflects creativity, strength, and authenticity — qualities that define her as a dynamic and enduring force in storytelling. Karen’s latest project, Missy’s Voice, highlights themes of resilience and triumph through the story of a bullied young singer who eventually finds her voice. She spoke to us about exciting new developments for Missy’s Voice and what we can look forward to next.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Rita Marcocci
Welcome to NYWIFT, Rita Marcocci! Rita Marcocci is founder of Verus Studios, LLC a female-owned, award-winning production studio based in Westport, CT. She is a former executive at FOX Television with an accomplished background in revenue growth and strategic partnerships. Her most recent project, the Oscar and BAFTA shortlisted film The One Note Man, is currently available on Amazon Prime. Next up is a short film collaboration with award winning director, Daniel Deville and the Oscar-winning team at Slick Films. Rita brings a strategic perspective to projects, offering a full understanding of successful operational knowledge as well as diverse, hands-on experience in the entertainment industry. In our interview, Rita discusses her current projects and the process of running Versus Studios!
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Cassie Rubio
Welcome to NYWIFT, Cassie Rubio! Cassie Rubio is a Brooklyn-based screenwriter, educator, and community organizer. Whether it’s running free art labs for QTBIPOC youth or teaching guerrilla filmmaking workshops aimed at documenting climate change, Cassie believes in the transformative power each of our creative voices have. A recent graduate of Stony Brook’s MFA in Television Writing program and a 2024 Television Academy Drama Writing Fellowship Finalist, they use their voice to author stories about the harm and healing found in collective spaces. In our interview, Cassie discusses the intersections between activism and filmmaking, their writing inspiration, and an upcoming project!
READ MORE
Comments are closed