By Lily Hutcheson
Welcome to NYWIFT, Iris De Vita!
Iris De Vita is the founder of Golden Iris, LLC, where she combines her talents as a photographer and publicist to help clients shine. She also works as a talent booker for The Donna Drake Show.
Specializing in portrait and event photography, as well as PR for artists, performers, and small businesses, Iris brings a creative yet strategic approach to every project.
Iris’s work has supported films, festivals, and artistic events, drawing audiences and capturing lasting memories. Based on Long Island and in New York City, she is passionate about telling stories, whether through the perfect photograph or a compelling publicity campaign.
In our interview, Iris discusses her photography, her promotional work with artists and events, and her love of connecting audiences with art!
NYWIFT Member Iris De Vita
Welcome to NYWIFT! Please introduce yourself briefly to our readers.
My name is Iris De Vita, and I am a photographer and publicist. Through my company, Golden Iris, LLC, I specialize in portrait and event photography, as well as public relations for artists, performers, and small businesses.
My work allows me to blend creativity and strategy—capturing moments through my lens while amplifying stories through thoughtful publicity campaigns.
Iris De Vita with camera
What brings you to NYWIFT?
Becoming a member of NYWIFT has been a goal of mine since I graduated college. I’ve always admired the incredible women who are part of this organization and the way they inspire, support, and empower one another. I’m looking forward to connecting with fellow members, collaborating on meaningful projects, and contributing my skills to future creative endeavors.
Iris De Vita with television host, social media influencer, and actor Shannon LaNier
Can you share a bit about your role running your company, Golden Iris?
At Golden Iris, I wear two hats: publicist and photographer. I create publicity and promotional campaigns for talent, events, and entertainment projects, and I also photograph artists, performances, and special occasions. Whether through strategic PR or compelling photography—or a combination of both—my mission is always the same: to make my clients shine.
Iris De Vita with Alan Cumming at a book signing
In your photography, what draws you to capture important moments in people’s lives, such as birthdays and engagements?
There’s something magical about preserving life’s milestones. I’m drawn to the joy, emotion, and connection people feel during these moments, and I love knowing my photographs will serve as treasured keepsakes for years to come. Whether it’s a lively celebration, a portrait, or an intimate engagement session, I strive to capture not just an image, but the feeling behind it.
Iris De Vita at her current photo show “A Summer in Greece” at the Northport Public Library
How does your work as a publicist contribute to the success of films and other artistic projects?
Publicity is about more than just getting the word out—it’s about building excitement and drawing audiences in. For films, my PR work helps boost ticket sales and fill seats. For festivals and artist events, strategic media coverage increases visibility and awareness, which often translates into larger, more engaged audiences. The ultimate reward is seeing an event come alive with energy, knowing the promotion played a part in its success.
What has been one of your favorite experiences working in film?
One of my favorite moments is standing in a theater lobby after a screening, listening to audience members share how much they enjoyed the film. Seeing a full—or even nearly full—house, knowing that people are there because of the promotion, is incredibly gratifying. Each project has its own unique energy, but the common thread is the joy of seeing people connect with the art they came to experience.
Connect with Iris De Vita on her website goldenirispr.com, or on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.
(Images courtesy of Iris De Vita)
Lily Hutcheson
Lily Hutcheson is an intern at NYWIFT and a student at Princeton University, where she is studying English and creative writing. She grew up in Vermont, and enjoys spending time outdoors with her dogs. She loves film, television, and theater, and especially enjoys writing and directing. She hopes to continue exploring these interests post-graduation, and is excited to be a part of the NYWIFT community!
Related Posts
NYWIFT Member Spotlight: Kelcey Edwards
NYWIFT Member Kelcey Edwards found her way into documentary filmmaking through Iron Gate Studios, a nonprofit gallery and artist workspace she cofounded in her early twenties in Austin, Texas. At the time, she was making small narrative films alongside many other Austin-based filmmakers involved in the “mumblecore” scene; her first film, Letter, screened at SXSW in 2006. Since cameras and equipment were always present in the gallery, she began interviewing many of the artists who visited the space. Over time, the habit of recording conversations and documenting artists’ lives became a steady part of her practice. That interest eventually led her to pursue an MFA in Documentary Film at Stanford and later to move to New York, where she continued developing their work. About a decade later, she directed The Art of Making It, a feature documentary about the art world, which won the Audience Award at SXSW in 2022. It’s currently available on most streaming platforms. Kelcey’s films have received support from the MacArthur Foundation, Sundance, and Tribeca Film Institute, among others, have been broadcast internationally, and have screened at top-tier festivals including SXSW, Berlinale, and Hamptons International. In our interview, Kelcey discussed her teaching philosophy, approach to filmmaking, and upcoming projects.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Therese Cayaba-Jones
Welcome, Therese Cayaba-Jones, to NYWIFT. Therese is a filmmaker with over 15 years of experience with films, documentaries, and series across the Philippines, Singapore, and the U.S. She just finished the feature screenplay for UnMarry, which was recently announced as one of the entries for the Metro Manila Film Festival 2025. Currently, Therese is producing the film Tales My Father Told, and raising money through NYWIFT fiscal sponsorship. Read on to see Therese’s story of moving to New York, her role in the 48 Hour Film Project, and her take on the state of independent filmmaking in the Big Apple.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Tenzin Sedon
Welcome to NYWIFT, Tenzin Sedon! Tenzin Sedon is a Tibetan filmmaker from Tibet, and an MFA candidate in the Graduate Film Program at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. Her work spans narrative, documentary, and experimental forms. She has received numerous awards, including the Hot Docs Best Canadian Short Documentary and the Golden Mountain Award, and has been nominated for the Hot Docs CrossCurrents Doc Fund (CCDF) and Docs Port Incheon. She is a recipient of the 2025 Ang Lee Scholarship. Her films have screened internationally and been exhibited at major institutions.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Jamie Kiernan O’Brien
Welcome to NYWIFT, Jamie Kiernan O’Brien! Jamie is a filmmaker based in New York City and a current M.F.A. candidate at New York University’s Graduate Film program. Born and raised in Washington, D.C., she began her career as an actor before shifting her focus behind the camera. Jamie’s films have screened at Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival, Wicked Queer Boston, and TRANSlations Film Festival in Seattle. She loves highly stylized work that plays with and subverts genre, having made films inspired by horror, screwball comedy, erotic thriller, and melodrama. Her debut short film, an adaptation of The Yellow Wallpaper (in which she also stars), won several awards in the festival circuit and premiered at TRANSlations Film Festival in Seattle in 2022. Her most recent short, Egg, debuted at Wicked Queer in Boston, and went on to screen at Inside Out 2SLGBTQ+ Film Festival and World Pride DC. She received her B.A. in English Literature from New York University. Jamie is an openly trans woman. In our interview, Jamie discusses her transition from acting to directing, recent projects, and the filmmakers who have inspired her work!
READ MORE
Comments are closed