NYWIFT Blog

Cynthia’s Picks: NYWIFT Programming Goes Digital, Emergency Funds, Facebook Group

NYWIFT Programming Goes Digital: We have launched a new series, NYWIFT Talks – to bring updated news and vital information about the impact of COVID-19 on the media and entertainment industry. Industry professionals will be in conversation discussing what you need to know about theatrical releases, digital advances, virtual tools, festival opportunities, production updates and...

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State of the Industry: A Conversation with Ariel Wan of the Michigan Theater Foundation

Ariel Wan, Director of Programming, Marketing and Sales at the Michigan Theater Foundation offers insight into how local art house theaters have been affected by the COVID-19 crisis, and what they are doing in order to survive.

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What’s in Your Toolkit: Caitlin McCarthy

Writer Caitlin McCarthy's strategy when times get tough? "Routine is my savior."

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Cynthia’s Picks: COVID-19 Emergency Resources, #WomenCrushWednesdays Podcast, Lab Extension

COVID-19 Emergency Resources : We have compiled the NYWIFT Emergency Resource Directory which continues to update daily. Please continue to check back and if you have suggestions to add please send them to us.  #WomenCrushWednesdays Podcast: The latest episode of our NYWIFT podcast features a discussion of the COVID-19 crisis and how NYWIFT will offer resources...

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State of the Industry: A Conversation with Film Production Freelancer Isabella Olaguera

Throughout the coming weeks, NYWIFT will sit down with members of the film and television community for a look at how the global COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the industry, particularly those who work in the indie and art house world. Our first conversation is with NYWIFT Member Isabella Olaguera, a 1st AD who is organizing an initiative to help feed freelancers who are struggling. She shares her insight into how life has come to a halt with so many productions on hold.

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Cynthia’s Picks: NYWIFT Update, Emergency Resources, Community Health Guidelines

NYWIFT Update: In case you missed it – here is how NYWIFT is operating during our current health crisis. Emergency Resources: We are compiling a list for our website of emergency resources, but in the meantime, here are some key NYC area initiatives to check out: Coronavirus Financial Impact Loan SAG-AFTRA Disaster Fund The Actors...

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What’s in Your Toolkit: Sarah Barker

NYWIFT Member Sarah Barker is an accomplished and passionate producer with a decade of experience turning ambitious ideas into award-winning television and live events. Oh, and she also happens to be an astrophysicist! Yes, that's right: she is an astrophysicist, science communicator, and science-advocate, committed to enthusing people about learning. Sarah does this by creating engaging factual television, and enthralling live events. Sarah shared with us what she keeps in her toolkit, here on Earth...

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Cynthia’s Picks: NYWIFT Podcast, Queens World, #NYWIFTHerstory Posts

NYWIFT Podcast: The NYWIFT #WomenCrushWednesdays podcast is back for 2020! Listen, rate and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Anchor. In the latest episode, Janine McGoldrick gives a rundown of the latest in NYWIFT news and programming and Leah Curney welcomes filmmaker Naomi McDougall Jones back to the podcast to discuss her new book The...

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Cynthia’s Picks: Muse on TV, Ashley Eakin, Maysoon Zayid

Muse on TV: NYWIFT is thrilled to announce that the Muse Awards will make its broadcast premiere on CUNY TV in celebration of Women’s History Month! The one-hour program will feature highlights from each speech at the 40th anniversary event, as well as exclusive red carpet interviews. The premiere is this Monday 3/9 at 10...

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NYWIFT’s Ekwa Msangi Tells Her Sundance Success Story

For Ekwa Msangi, the journey to Sundance was relatively fast. While her TV and movie-making career was moving along, it was arguably easier to get a footing for some of her East African-inspired TV projects in Kenya and South Africa than in the U.S. But thanks to the generous support of difficult-to-get awards from the Tribeca Film Festival, IFP and others, her career as a filmmaker catapulted into action when Farewell Amor, Ekwa’s feature film directorial debut, screened in the 2020 Sundance Film Festival U.S. dramatic feature competition. Ekwa talked to us about her experience at the fest.

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Cynthia’s Picks: Latinx Representation, Kasi Lemmons, The Kingmaker

Latinx Representation: Good news – the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media has partnered with Universal Filmed Entertainment Group to pilot its “Spellcheck for Bias” digital tool, this time in order to help increase Latinx representation onscreen.  Kasi Lemmons: 2019 NYWIFT Nancy Malone Directing Award honoree Kasi Lemmons writes in Variety about why she...

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What’s in Your Toolkit: Leah Curney

Multi-hyphenate artist Leah Curney - an actor, writer, and director - shares what keeps her organized and inspired, from notebooks to podcasts and more. Plus, she expounds on the one piece of advice that frustrated her...until the truth of it finally clicked.

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Pennhurst: A Story that Needed to be Told

NYWIFT member Jodie Alexandra Taylor's documentary Pennhurst, which screens at the Member Screening Series on February 25th, was inspired by her visit to what remains of one of the largest and oldest institutions for the intellectually and developmentally disabled. One chapter of the story ended when the institution closed, but the fight for equitable treatment and representation for the disabled continues to this day. Making the movie inspired a fervent commitment on Taylor’s part to continue that dialogue and, in so doing, change the future narrative. Taylor sat down with us to discuss the film and its potential impact.

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Cynthia’s Picks: Production Women, Ravenal Submissions, The Inclusive

Production Women: It’s time for more women behind the lens. From lighting to sound to stunts, costumes, sets, and beyond, learn about the many career opportunities for women in production with this new resource from Time’s Up. NYWIFT is a proud partner. (When you watch the PSA keep your eyes peeled for former NYWIFT Board...

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Cynthia’s Picks: Sundance Success, Online Shorts, Ledbetter Film

Sundance Success: Thanks to all who attended our two inaugural events at the Sundance Film Festival this year! Be sure to check out the photos of our favorite moments. And congratulations to our NYWIFT community members who took home Sundance Awards – Radha Blank, who won the award for Directing for her debut film The 40-Year-Old-Version...

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What’s in Your Toolkit: Dana Covarrubias

2018 NYWIFT Designing Women honoree Dana Covarrubias shares the tools - both literal and figurative - she keeps in her costume design toolkit.

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What’s in Your Toolkit: Adetoro Makinde

The trip to the Sundance Film Festival can be daunting - but NYWIFT Member and Women Independent Producers (WIP) President Adetoro Makinde has ventured to Park City eight times, so it is safe to say she is a  Sundance pro! We caught up with her on the eve of the festival to try to glean some wisdom...and see what's in her toolkit both at Sundance and on set. 

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Cynthia’s Picks: NYWIFT @ Sundance, Oscar Noms, Female Leads

NYWIFT @ Sundance: NYWIFT is thrilled to present two events at Sundance 2020! First, in partnership with AMC Networks, Women in Film LA (WIF) and ReFrame, NYWIFT co-presents the panel “Women on the Front Lines: Changing the Game” with an exciting roster of industry panelists. Then we celebrate the women of Sundance – including all...

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