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: Anna Koukouli Born
Welcome to our new NYWIFT member, Anna Koukouli Born! Anna Koukouli Born is a bicoastal writer-director splitting her time between NY and LA. She explores women's stories, dysfunctional families, unbearable workplaces filled with Succession-like egos, social inequality, and climate-caused disasters set in the near future. Drawing from her Greek history and heritage, Anna loves allegorical cautionary tales about strong, tragic characters trying to overcome adversity. She’s also obsessed with women's rights and gender parity. Her humor is darker than yours. She bets on it. Anna studied Story Analysis and TV Development at UCLA Extension and holds a BA (Hons) Marketing and an MBA from the UK Universities of Lincoln and Liverpool, respectively. Anna talks about her journey into the film industry, her experiences working on various films, and how she overcomes challenges within these fields!
READ MORENYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Mattie Akers
NYWIFT member and seasoned archival producer Mattie Akers is making a powerful mark at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, where the documentary For Venida, For Kalief will have its world premiere as part of the Documentary Competition lineup. Directed by Sisa Bueno, the film explores the enduring impact of Kalief Browder and his mother Venida Browder, whose lives were tragically shaped by systemic injustice. Told through poetry, activism, and powerful archival material, the film is a deeply moving reflection on loss, resilience, and legacy. With over two decades in the documentary field, Akers brings her passion for social issues, historical research, and storytelling to the forefront in this timely and emotional project.
READ MORENYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Producer and Casting Director Lois Drabkin
New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) is proud to spotlight member Lois Drabkin, a dynamic force in the world of independent cinema. As the Co-Producer and Casting Director of Ride or Die, premiering at the 2025 Tribeca Festival as part of the prestigious U.S. Narrative Competition, Drabkin continues to champion bold, character-driven storytelling. With a career spanning acclaimed features such as Nancy, Colewell, and Glass Chin, and casting credits on groundbreaking projects like HBO’s The Wire and Showtime’s Years of Living Dangerously, Lois shares insights into her creative process, the evolution of Ride or Die, and her enduring commitment to supporting women in film.
READ MORECurtain Raiser: 2025 Tribeca Festival Ushers in a Powerful Celebration of Storytelling
It’s that time again! The Tribeca Festival returns to New York City from June 4–15, 2025, bringing together visionaries, changemakers, and creatives across film, television, immersive experiences, games, audio storytelling, and more. Stay tuned — we’ll be bringing exclusive interviews, behind-the-scenes content, red carpet snapshots, and insight into the premieres and panels that everyone will be talking about. In the meantime, Tammy Reese offers us a sneak peak of some festival highlights.
READ MORE
Comments are closed