NYWIFT Blog

By Mariana Valencia

Welcome to NYWIFT, Jennia Iordanou!

Jennia Iordanou is a New York-based entertainment attorney with a passion for storytelling and the business of film/TV. Over the past several years, she’s represented actors, writers, and other creative professionals, helping them navigate talent agreements, development deals and intellectual property matters. 

While she’s loved advocating for creatives, her experiences have inspired her to pursue a more hands-on role in the filmmaking process. She is currently transitioning into producing, where she hopes to help develop meaningful stories and bring them to the screen.

As a new member of NYWIFT, she’s excited to connect with fellow members and continue learning from this incredible community.

In our interview, Jennia discusses her fascination with the film world, her love for collaborating, and her transition into becoming a producer.  

New NYWIFT Member Jennia Iordanou

Could you give our readers a brief introduction to yourself?

I’m an entertainment attorney based in New York, and over the past five years I’ve had the privilege of representing actors, writers, directors and other creative professionals across film, television and digital media. My work has focused on helping clients navigate the business side of the industry—primarily negotiating talent and development agreements in film and television.

While I’ve loved being an advocate for creatives, I’m now making the exciting transition from legal into producing, where I’m eager to become more directly involved in developing stories and bringing projects to life from the ground up.

What brought you to NYWIFT?

I joined NYWIFT because I wanted to become part of a community that champions women across every facet of the entertainment industry. Although my career began in entertainment law, I’ve always been drawn to the creative side of filmmaking.

I’m looking forward to being a part of NYWIFT to build relationships with producers, directors, writers and executives, learn from their experiences and gain a deeper understanding of the collaborative process behind great storytelling. As I transition into producing, those connections and conversations will be incredibly helpful.

What aspects of your life and background motivate you to become an entertainment attorney?

I’ve always been fascinated by the film and television world. Entertainment law allowed me to combine my skills in analytical thinking with a genuine appreciation for storytelling, while helping creatives protect their work and build sustainable careers.

What characteristics of being an attorney in a creative field are the most interesting?

One of the most interesting aspects is having a front-row seat to the filmmaking process. As an entertainment attorney, you become involved long before audiences ever see the finished product. You witness projects evolve from an initial idea into a fully realized production while working alongside incredibly talented creative teams. Every deal requires balancing legal, financial and creative priorities, and I loved helping find solutions that allowed projects to move forward while protecting my clients’ interests.

What is the most fulfilling aspect of working alongside actors, writers and directors?

The most rewarding part has been building relationships with talented people who are passionate about telling meaningful stories. It’s incredibly fulfilling to help clients navigate important moments in their careers and play a role in bringing projects to fruition. Watching a film or series finally premiere after months—or sometimes years—of work is always exciting!

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far in your career?

The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that great projects are built on trust, collaboration and relationships. Legal knowledge is important, but so much of this industry depends on relationships, communication, and understanding what motivates the people around the table. I’ve also learned that it’s okay to evolve professionally. The experiences I’ve had as an attorney have prepared me well for this next chapter, and I’m excited to apply that perspective in a more creative role.

What project(s) are you currently working on that our readers should be on the lookout for?

Right now, my focus is on making the transition into producing and becoming more involved in the creative development side of film and television. I’m exploring opportunities to work more closely with producers and filmmakers throughout the development and production process while continuing to build relationships within the industry. 

It’s an exciting time, and I’m looking forward to contributing to projects from a new perspective. I hope to have some exciting announcements to share in the near future.

Connect with Jennia Iordanou at her email: jiordanou6@gmail.com.

(All images courtesy of Jennia Iordanou)