Posts by: nywift

Behind the Screams: Navigating the Horror Community with LaKisa Renee and Tammy Reese

The horror community is a vibrant and passionate group of individuals who share a love for the genre. Within this unique community, NYWIFT members LaKisa Renee and Tammy Reese have established themselves as inspirational figures through their killer interviews with horror legends and icons. Together, the horror media professionals and enthusiasts celebrate their shared passion for all things terrifying.

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Opinion: Hank Azaria apologized for playing Apu on ‘The Simpsons.’ I accept.

"As an Indian American actress, for me the shadow of Apu loomed larger in my life than I realized." NYWIFT Member Mellini Kantayya offers her take on the controversial "Simpsons" character - and subsequent fallout - in an insightful op-ed published in The Washington Post.

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“Work” Re-Tells the Mythical Story of Lilith with a Modern Feminist Twist

Two NYWIFT members have joined forces with a team of immigrant women filmmakers to tell the story of ​WORK​, a short film written and directed by Aoife Williamson. ​WORK​, a comedy-drama, follows Lilith, a musician scrambling to create a song in one day to submit for a job that could sky-rocket her music career. It just so happens that this day is a very busy day at her money job... and it just so happens that her “money job” is as a sex worker, named Eve.

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“Mysteries of Lisbon” by Legendary Filmmaker Raul Ruiz Makes Virtual US Premiere

Ten years after the film release of MYSTERIES OF LISBON, by legendary Chilean-born filmmaker, Raúl Ruiz, Music Box Films is excited to present the original six-hour episodic mini-series version with additional footage never before seen in the U.S. Adapted from the novel by the 19th-century Portuguese author Camilo Castelo Branco, the extended version of MYSTERIES OF LISBON began its two-week virtual engagement at Film at Lincoln Center and available until June 4th. Tickets are available at Film at Lincoln Center.

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NYWIFT Member’s MicroMania Film Fest Channel Reaches 80,000 Views in First Two Months

In response to Covid-19, NYWIFT member and film festival creator/founder Lukia Costello decided to take advantage of social-distancing by taking her film festival online. MicroMania Film Festival was created to be more than a one-off event and actively participates in amplifying quality independent short films

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NYWIFT Member Crystal R. Emery’s THE DEADLIEST DISEASE IN AMERICA Screens May 7th

Intended to reduce systemic negligence creating barriers of access to health care, Producer/ Director Crystal R. Emery will livestream her documentary film, The Deadliest Disease in America on Thursday, May 7, 2020 at 7PM ET on Streamyard, YouTube and Facebook Live – with a special film introduction by Broadcast Journalist Soledad O’Brien.

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Partner Post: Universal Production Services Costume Department- The newest option in costume rentals in the city

Our friends at Universal Production Services Costume Department in NYC offer a look at their services.

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Throwback Thursday: NYWIFT on No Rest for the Weekend

This Spring, NYWIFT Community Engagement Director Katie Chambers sat down with host Jason Godbey on his indie film podcast No Rest for the Weekend to discuss the rise of women in media, the continued challenges they face, NYWIFT's mission and how the organization creates a supportive network for women to get ahead in their careers. 

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Member Spotlight: Magdalene Brandeis, Director of Stony Brook Killer Films

In the throes of finals and gearing up for next semester, we had an opportunity to talk shop with the Director of the Stony Brook Killer Films MFA in Film program (& NYWIFT member) Magdalene Brandeis  about how the program is turning the film school model on its head. 

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Terry’s Picks: Hamptons Fest, ReFrame TV, Added Protection

Hamptons Fest: NYWIFT is delighted to partner once again with the Hamptons Film Festival for our Women Filmmakers Brunch and Women Calling the Shots Showcase on Sunday. We hope to see you there! ReFrame TV: ReFrame, which has recognized 34 recent films with its gender-parity stamp, is now seeking submissions for television projects to honor...

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Terry’s Picks: Seven Women, Late Legend, M.I.A.Screening

Seven Women: This Wednesday and Thursday September 26th and 27th, Quad Cinema is having a special screening of Seven Women, Seven Sins, the groundbreaking project by seven legendary female indie film directors whichreceived support from the NYWIFT’s Women Film Preservation Fund. Directors Maxi Cohen and Bette Gordon will do a Q&A after the Wednesday screening. Late...

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Terry’s Picks: Casting News, Women’s History, Boxed In

Casting News: Tony Award Nominee Eva Noblezada (Miss Saigon, Les Miserables) led the cast of Diane Paragas’ musical drama film Yellow Rose along with Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga (Once On This Island, Miss Saigon). The film, which wrapped production in Texas last month, received the NYWIFT Ravenal Foundation Feature Film Grant. Women’s History: This...

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Terry’s Picks: Love Gilda, Bold Move, Emmy Nominations

Love, Gilda: Lisa D’Apolito’s acclaimed feature documentary Love, Gilda, about legendary comedian Gilda Radner, hits theaters nationwide on September 21st. The film was fiscally sponsored by NYWIFT. Bold Move: Beginning in 2019, works that do not demonstrate inclusivity in their production practices will no longer be eligible for the Outstanding British Film or Outstanding Debut...

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Terry’s Picks: Reel Equity, Film Registry, Good News

Reel Equity: Tell the entertainment industry that you support members of historically female crafts in their demand for Pay Equity by signing your name to this Open Letter to the Entertainment Industry.  Film Registry: The Library of Congress accepts 2019 recommendations from the general public for its National Film Registry via their online form through September...

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Terry’s Picks: Disability Inclusion, Crazy Good, New Website

Disability Inclusion: Be sure to read this fantastic guest column in Variety by NYWIFT member Crystal R. Emery about the need for inclusion of those with disabilities both in front of and behind the camera. Crazy Good: Crazy Rich Asians, the first contemporary-set studio film with an all-Asian lead cast since The Joy Luck Club...

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Terry’s Picks: Harassment Statistics, Equal Pay, WE Legal

Harassment Statistics: Two new surveys reinforce what we all know: the Center for Talent Innovation’s study, “What #MeToo Means for Corporate America,” shows that the media and entertainment industry has the highest rate of sexual harassment among white-collar industries; and a survey from the Writers Guild of America, West, finds that 64% of female writers...

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Terry’s Picks: Thumbs Down, Marvel-ous Director, Photo Exhibit

Thumbs Down: The latest study from Dr. Martha Lauzen from the Center for the Study of Women in Film & Television at San Diego State University shows that male reviewers dramatically outumber female reviewers, which can in turn affect how female-driven content’s visibility.  Marvel-ous Director: Cate Shortland will be the first woman to direct a...

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Terry’s Picks: Sandra Oh, Hannah Gadsby, Yvonne Russo

Sandra Oh: Congratulations to Sandra Oh, who became the first woman of Asian descent nominated for a lead actress in a drama series Emmy last week with her nomination for her stellar work in BBC America’s Killing Eve. Hannah Gadsby: If you haven’t watch Hannah Gadsby’s Nanette on Netflix yet, do it. It’s deserving of...

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