Katie Chambers, Author at New York Women in Film & TelevisionNew York Women in Film & Television

NYWIFT at Sundance: In Conversation with Louis E. Perego Moreno

For NYWIFT Member Louis E. Perego Moreno and the team behind TheyDream, the road to the 2026 Sundance Film Festival was 18 years long. The feature documentary is a deeply personal tale from Writer, Director, Producer, DP, Animator, Editor and fellow NYWIFT Member William D. Cabellero. After 20 years of chronicling his Puerto Rican family, Cabellero and his mother face devastating losses. Through tears and laughter, they craft animations that bring their loved ones back to life, discovering that every act of creation is also an act of letting go. Consulting Producer Moreno has been with the project since it started as a short film nearly two decades ago. And there is extra sweetness to the team’s Sundance success: TheyDream, which debuted in the Next category, won the NEXT Special Jury Award for Creative Expression. He spoke to us about TheyDream’s journey to Park City and its timely cultural message.

NYWIFT at Sundance: In Conversation with Carolyn Hepburn

NYWIFT Member producer Carolyn Hepburn attended the 2026 Sundance Film Festival with her latest project with EPSN Films, The Brittney Griner Story. This documentary, directed by Alexandria Stapleton, explores the circumstances that led to Brittney Griner playing basketball outside the U.S. despite being one of the best players in the sport, including her harrowing detainment, unwavering determination to secure her freedom, and her advocacy for the release of other wrongful detainees. Carolyn Hepburn is an Emmy, Peabody, Gotham, and Critics’ Choice Award-winning producer who joined ESPN Films in 2022. She spoke to us about her return to Sundance, the power of her latest doc, and the ethical responsibilities of producing socially impactful work.

NYWIFT @ Sundance: In Conversation with Ruth Ann Harnisch

NYWIFT Member and organizational supporter Ruth Ann Harnisch heads to the 2026 Sundance Film Festival as an executive producer of two wildly different but equally impactful documentary films: Seized and Cookie Queens. Seized, directed by Sharon Liese and premiering in the U.S. Documentary Competition, follows along as the small town of Marion, Kansas, is thrust into the international spotlight after a police raid on the Marion County Record and the death of its 98-year-old co-owner. A fierce debate ignites about the abuse of power, journalistic ethics, local journalism, and the United States Constitution. Cookie Queens, directed by Alysa Nahmias, premieres in the Family Matinee lineup. It’s Girl Scout Cookie season, and four tenacious girls strive to be a top-selling “Cookie Queen,” navigating an $800 million business in which childhood and ambition collide. On screen and off, Ruth Ann has been a bold first-money funder of people and projects that challenge entrenched power and move culture toward greater equity. She spoke to us about her two exciting new projects.

NYWIFT at Sundance 2026: In Conversation with Laela Kilbourn

Longtime NYWIFT Member Laela Kilbourn returns to Sundance with her latest project, Run Amok, for which she was a camera operator, premiering in the U.S. Dramatic Competition. In Run Amok, a teenage girl stages an elaborate musical about the one day her high school wishes it could forget. This striking debut feature from writer-director NB Mager boldly wades into the thorny aftermath of a school shooting with thoughtfulness and a refreshing recentering of the young people most directly affected. Director of Photography Kilbourn has accomplished narrative and documentary works that present intimate portraits of character and compelling stories of transformation; her over 30 years in filmmaking inform her use of verité and studio techniques to build cinematic experiences of discovery and connection. An Emmy winner for Outstanding Cinematography for her work on Girls State, she also won a Best Feature Cinematography festival award for Swim Team, and has filmed eight Sundance Film Festival documentary feature premieres, such as the DuPont-Columbia Journalism Award winner This Is Home: A Refugee Story; Peabody Award–winning How to Dance in Ohio; and Emmy-nominated Word Wars. She also shot Sync or Swim, winner of the Billie Award for Journalism from the Women’s Sports Foundation, and filmed History’s eleven-part docuseries Sandhogs. She spoke to us about her latest film and her long history with Sundance.

NYWIFT at Sundance 2026: In Conversation with Jamie Kiernan O’Brien

NYWIFT Member Jamie Kiernan O'Brien is celebrating a remarkable achievement: still a student at NYU, her narrative short film Gender Studies is premiering at 2026 Sundance Film Festival…with screenings at SXSW to follow! In Gender Studies, a trans college student learns the girl she idolizes is sleeping with their teaching assistant and takes drastic steps to emulate her. Jamie was also Production Sound Mixer for Crisis Actor, directed by fellow NYU student Lily Platt. The narrative short follows an impulsive actress – recently fired from her day job – as she crashes a support group and spirals into a chaotic night that forces her to face her addiction to drama. Jamie spoke to us about this exciting milestone in her career.

The 2025 Collaboration Awards Honores Women Helping Women

The 2025 Collaboration Awards: Women Working with Women on Saturday, December 5, 2025 honored outstanding artists creating new interdisciplinary work in theater, film and dance. The gala, produced by the Women in the Arts & Media Coalition (WAM Coalition), honored outstanding partnerships between professional women from different specializations across the arts and media industries. The event, held in the Fred and Adele Astaire Ballroom at the Houghton Hall Arts Community in Manhattan, was presented at a time when opportunities for both women and the arts are under threat.

NYWIFT 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.

Maria Miles Previews the 2025 New York Greek Film Expo

As former NYWIFT Board Member Maria C. Miles finishes up her first year as President of the Hellenic Film Society, we sat down with her on the eve of the New York Greek Film Expo to discuss her time with the organization and what we have to look forward to at this year’s fest. Mary is the founder of an entertainment law practice with offices in New York. Maria’s practice focuses on all areas of entertainment law, including film (narrative and documentary), music, literary publishing, and digital media. She has represented award-winning producers, directors, writers, actors, television hosts, multi-platinum recording artists, and corporations in the fashion and sports industries related to their entertainment matters. Maria is the Executive Director of the Hellenic Films Society, USA, and served as Secretary of the board of New York Women in Film & Television. She continues to serve NYWIFT as their legal counsel. She is also an Adjunct Professor at the Feirstein Graduate School of Cinema and the School for Visual Arts, as well as an Adjunct Instructor at NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

NYWIFT Member Spotlight: Kathryn O’Kane

Today, we’re shining a spotlight on former NYWIFT Board Member Kathryn O’Kane! Kathryn is the co-director and co-writer of the short comedic film Subtext, which has been accepted into the 2025 LA Shorts International Film Festival, screening July 26 at 7:45 p.m. LA Shorts is the longest-running short film festival in Los Angeles. The festival screens over 400 films and attracts 10,000 attendees each year, including Hollywood industry professionals and emerging undiscovered independent filmmakers. Subtext follows Eric, who is running late to his first date with Sara, and he just can’t stop texting. A feeling so many of us, unfortunately, are bound to relate to. Kathryn sat down with co-director, co-writer, and editor Christopher Raby to talk to us about their creative process.

NYWIFT Member Spotlight: Jane Weinstock’s ‘Three Birthdays’ Captures the Spirit of the 1970s

NYWIFT Member Jane Weinstock is a director and writer based in NYC. In 2023, NYWIFT proudly presented her with the NYWIFT Award for Excellence in Narrative Filmmaking at the Woodstock Film Festival for her most recent film, Three Birthdays. It also won the best feature director award at the LA Femme International Film Festival. The film – set in 1970 – follows a middle-class couple and their 17-year-old daughter creating a web of secrets and lies as they try to choose between their safe, domestic life and the lures of sexual and personal freedom. Weinstock spoke to us about the inspiration behind the film and how it resonates with modern audiences today.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Guneet K. Singh

Welcome to NYWIFT, Guneet K. Singh! Former NYWIFT intern Guneet K. Singh is a producer and writer with a passion for diverse storytelling. She was most recently the producer for the poignant play, Irreparable, which premiered at the Act One One-Act Theater Festival. She has worked in television development for NBC and Peacock, working on programs such as That’s My Jam, Password, Joyelle Nicole Johnson: Love Joy and 5 More Sleeps ‘Til Christmas. Her first producing role was as the Digital Producer for the Emmy nominated The Kids Tonight Show. She began her career as an NBC Page, working on shows like Saturday Night Live and The TODAY Show. In our interview, Guneet discusses her exciting time in NBC’s legendary Page Program, the power of networking, and finding her calling as a writer and producer.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Herrana Addisu

Welcome to NYWIFT, Herrana Addisu! Herrana Addisu is a multi-disciplinary artist and social impact strategist. Her family's journey to the United States and her personal experience growing up in Ethiopia and immigrating to the U.S. have shaped her career in human rights. She works to uplift marginalized communities through advocacy initiatives, research, and programming. She incorporates her expertise in various human rights issues into her artistry through Chucha Studios LLC, a creative production agency that aims to reduce social disparities within marginalized communities by connecting the art of visual storytelling with systemic change. NYWIFT was proud to present Herrana with the NYWIFT Award for Excellence in Short Film Directing at the 2024 UrbanWorld Film Festival for her short film The River this past Fall. She spoke to us about her short film, upcoming projects, and what types of creative work resonate with her most.

NYWIFT Member Spotlight: Chris Grant

Today we’re shining a spotlight on member Chris Grant, who recently had a wonderful NYWIFT success story to share with us! Chris is an African American producer/writer/director based in New York City. An NYU Grad Film alum, his short films have won numerous festival awards, most recently the 2024 Big Apple Film Festival, and the 2024 Meliora International Film Festival. He's a 2018 Sundance Screenwriting Fellow for his script The Sugar Hill Express, based on a true story about a mother who takes her children from New York City Child Protective Services, highlighting the traumas faced by parents dealing with child/parent separation. He captures the enduring strength of Black families, inviting the world to witness their resilience and celebrate their stories. His most recent film Never Can Say Goodbye is, he says, inspired by a lot of people’s true stories. An African American mother, convicted and on the verge of prison, asks for one last chance to see her kids. But when her children refuse to say goodbye, she’s forced to make other plans. Chris talked to us about the film’s success and how he’s using its community engagement campaign to generate positive change.

NYWIFT @ DOC NYC: In Conversation with Kim A. Snyder

The powerful short film Death By Numbers recently made its NYC premiere at DOC NYC 2024 in the “Caretakers” Short Film Program. In the piece, a survivor testifies at the trial of the Parkland high school shooter, confronting her trauma while examining the nature of hate, and of restorative justice. NYWIFT Member Cynthia Kane is Co-Producer on the film. “Death By Numbers marks the third project I’ve had the privilege to co-produce alongside Kim A. Snyder. It has been an incredible honor to collaborate with Kim, Sam, Janique, and Maria, witnessing this timely and powerful film take shape and find its way to audiences across the country and the world,” Kane told us. “Watching Sam’s remarkable growth—as both an artist and a person—since we first met her during the making of Us Kids has been truly inspiring. Even after countless viewings, this film continues to leave me deeply reflective. It challenges me to consider what restorative justice truly entails, and how individuals find the courage to reclaim their power in the aftermath of trauma and tragedy.” Snyder spoke to us on the day of the film’s premiere.

NYWIFT @ DOC NYC 2024: In Conversation with Francesca Kustra

In 2024, the cost and inequities in housing in the U.S. is at top of mind for so many. The documentary Slumlord Millionaire, directed by Steph Ching and Ellen Martinez, exposes housing injustice in NYC, following the David-and-Goliath battles between ordinary renters and powerful developers. Through stories from neighborhoods across the boroughs, the film reveals the harsh realities of unsafe housing, unethical landlords, and an overwhelmed housing court system. It also uncovers a troubling pattern of desirably located properties being seized for luxury developments in low-income neighborhoods, often with the system’s complicity. The film just made its world premiere at DOC NYC 2024. Brooklyn-based NYWIFT Member Francesca Kustra edited the film. Francesca began her career over a decade ago as an Assistant Editor on documentaries that have premiered at festivals such as Tribeca, Sundance, and Cannes. As someone who enjoys the challenge of combing through documentary footage to serve important stories, she was excited to do the same in the narrative world as the Editor for Steven Soderbergh’s series, Command Z. She was also an Additional Editor on the 2022 Academy Shortlisted doc short directed by Titus Kaphar, Shut Up and Paint and an Editor on Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets, and most recently Slumlord Millionaire. She spoke to us about her latest project.

NYWIFT @ DOC NYC 2024: In Conversation with Dori Berinstein

In 1982, Kenneth Cole burst onto the American fashion scene. Unable to afford a traditional showroom during the New York Shoe Expo, the enterprising founder registered his footwear business as a film production, enabling him to sell thousands of pairs of shoes out of a trailer in midtown Manhattan. Cole’s unwavering determination fueled his company’s growth and his fierce commitment to social activism. NYWIFT member Dori Berinstein is the director and producer of A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole, which is making its New York Premiere at the 2024 DOC NYC Festival. Dori is a six-time, Tony-and-Olivier-winning Broadway producer and an Emmy-award-winning director/producer/writer. Documentary work includes: A Man with Sole: The Impact of Kenneth Cole, Showbusiness: The Road To Broadway, CAROL CHANNING: Larger Than Life and Marvin Hamlisch: What He Did For Love (Emmy Award). Dori’s Broadway shows include: Stereophonic (Tony), Dana H, The Prom (Drama Desk), Legally Blonde (Olivier), Thoroughly Modern Millie (Tony), One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (Tony) and Fool Moon (Tony). Dori executive produced Isaac Mizrahi’s award-winning Unzipped and supervised the film Dirty Dancing. As a Walt Disney Imagineer, Dori supervised Jim Henson’s Muppet*Vision 3D. Dori sat down with us to discuss her latest work.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Becky Morrison

Let’s all welcome new NYWIFT member Becky Morrison! Becky is the Founder & CEO of The Light, an award-winning production company that produces films, series and high-end commercials. Becky kicked-off her career on the Hollywood blockbuster I Am Legend, dabbled in animation on Disney’s The Wild, then entered the world of rock n’ roll as visual content producer for U2’s world tour. In the span of her career, Becky has produced hundreds of projects for clients such as Netflix, Apple, NBC, A&E, Hulu and Disney. She has spent years studying the history of Hollywood and uses her research to inform a new framework for conscious production. She spoke to us about how she is using her creative work to inspire positive change.

Meet the New NYWIFT Board Member: Toni R. Isreal

This month, NYWIFT announced the results of our latest Board Elections. This included the election of new board member Toni Isreal! Toni has been a NYWIFT member for over five years and we are thrilled to have her join our leadership team. Isreal is no stranger to arts and entertainment. The former accounting specialist sought and secured key apprenticeship opportunities to thrive from her greatest interests in film, television, and theater, leading to decades of experience in group sales and brand management. Isreal is the Founder of REALEMN Productions, Broadway and Touring with a focus on partnerships, marketing, PR, and producing.

Posts by: Katie Chambers