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Member Spotlight: HIIT Bootcamp and Support ‘Roadhead’ Film Project

Director, Christa Haley and Executive Producer, Marie O’Connell are young NYWIFT members who are working on a large-scale short film entitled “Roadhead.” The short narrative film is set in the near future after an economic collapse has devastated America. When fuel is scarce, two teenagers named ‘Brooke’ and ‘Weasel’ steal a car and set out...

Cynthia’s Picks: Muses-on-the-Move, 21 Leaders, Draft Diversity

Muses-on-the-Move: Great news from two past NYWIFT Muse Honorees: Lucy Liu will be the second-ever Asian-American woman to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (the first was Anna May Wong in 1960), and Judith Light will receive the Isabelle Stevenson Award at the Tony’s in June in tribute to her advocacy to...

How I Built a Distribution Plan at Film Festivals

NYWIFT member Lara Stolman reflects on her unique path to success with her documentary "Swim Team" - using film festivals to expand her audience and find unique opportunities, even after the film's television debut.

Cynthia’s Picks: Director Disconnect, Board Elections, Ladies’ Morning

Director Disconnect: While the call for diversity in Hollywood is getting more bandwidth than ever, the movement toward inclusion is still not reaching the director’s chair. Board Elections: NYWIFT members, don’t forget to vote in our Board Elections! Ballots have been emailed out to you and voting closes on May 1st. (If you missed...

Sandra Schulberg Receives Berlinale Camera Award

Marking the 40th anniversary of the IFP (Independent Filmmaker Project), Sandra Schulberg, IFP founder and a long-time activist on behalf of filmmakers working outside the Hollywood studios, was awarded the Berlinale Camera for her 40 years of service to the field at the EFM (European Film Market). NYWIFT member Heidi Philipsen sat down with Schulberg to reflect on her legacy of film preservation, and how much work is left to be done.

Cynthia’s Picks: Female Grips, Killing Eve, Thrones Queen, Lesley Stahl

Female Grips: The New York Times pays tribute to the few women who work as grips – one of the most grueling and important tasks on set. Killing Eve: This Glamour headline puts it best: Killing Eve is made for women by women…and it shows. Thrones Queen: Game of Thrones owes much of its success...

Cynthia’s Picks: Spring Drive, Career Summit, Marvel-ous Teamwork

Spring Drive: Now through May 13th is our Spring Membership Drive! Become a NYWIFT member and save 50% off the initiation fee. If you’re not yet a member of our supportive, dynamic community…what are you waiting for? Apply now! Career Summit: NYWIFT is thrilled to participate on the Center for Communication’s Women + Media Career...

Cynthia’s Picks: Agnes Varda, Ravenal Grant, Amy Poehler

Agnes Varda: I was so saddened to hear about the passing of legendary filmmaker, documentarian and cinephile Agnes Varda. Indiewire offers up a list of where to watch eight of her best films. Ravenal Grant: Congratulations to directors Lydia Dean Pilcher and Suzanne Guacci, both recipients of this year’s NYWIFT Ravenal Feature Film Foundation Grant. We are...

Below the Line: A Cut Above – Jessie Maple

Jessie Maple is the first black woman to join the union of International Photographers of Motion Picture & Television (IATSE) in New York. Her book, How to Become a Union Camerawoman , is an instructional guide illustrating the obstacles that she endured to get into the union. It details the court case she initiated to fight discrimination after she became a member.

Cynthia’s Picks: Yellow Rose, Political Inspiration, Nancy Schwartzman

Yellow Rose: Congratulations to filmmaker Diane Paragas and her 2018 NYWIFT Ravenal Foundation Feature Film Grant winning film Yellow Rose, which will open the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival in May. Combining drama, music and timely issues, Yellow Rose tells the story of a headstrong Filipino girl from a small Texas town who fights to...

Below the Line: A Cut Above – Director of Photography Rachel Morrison

Cinematographer Rachel Morrison's arresting and haunting imagery has graced the screen in indies like Fruitvale Station, Dope and Mudbound. Most recently, she lensed the big budget feature Black Panther.

Below the Line: A Cut Above – Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter

Ruth E. Carter is an American costume designer (and NYWFT Designing Women honoree!) with an unparalleled ability to develop an authentic story through costume and character. And this year she became the first African American woman to win an Academy Award for costume design for her work in Black Panther.

Cynthia’s Picks: Barbara Hammer, Self-Advocacy Skills, Rotten Reviewers, Provincetown Summit

Barbara Hammer: Our industry lost a legend this week, pioneering queer experimental filmmaker Barbara Hammer. A recent Vanity Fair interview highlighted the inclusive spirit that was a hallmark of her work: “There is room for everyone.” Self-Advocacy Skills: Five powerhouse women offer advice on how to advocate for yourself – how to speak up about...

Below the Line: A Cut Above – Production Designer Hannah Beachler

Production Designer Hannah Beachler created the iconic looks of "Creed," "Moonlight," and Beyonce's "Lemonade" before taking on the fictional world of Wakanda in "Black Panther," which won her a 2019 Academy Award. She is the first-ever African American - male or female - to take home that honor.

Below the Line: A Cut Above – Film Editor Joi McMillon

Joi McMillon made Oscar history in 2018 when she became the first African American woman nominated for Best Achievement in Film Editing for Moonlight. But the road to the Oscars wasn’t straight or smooth.

Cynthia’s Picks: NY Women, Gender Parity, Captain Marvel

NY Women: Congratulations to the NYWIFT members selected to receive some of the first round of grants in the Mayor’s Office of Entertainment and Media’s “Made in NY” Women’s Film, TV & Theatre Fund. Gender Parity: Kudos to the Tribeca Film Festival, whose 2019 lineup for competition films achieved gender parity for the first time....

Below the Line: A Cut Above – Audio Engineer Ai-Ling Lee

This Women's History Month we celebrate women working below the line! Originally from Singapore, Ai-Ling Lee is the first Asian woman to be nominated for an Academy Award for sound editing. In 2016 she was nominated for sound editing and sound mixing for the modern musical La La Land.

WIFT Around the World: Report from Berlinale (Part 1) – Adriana Shaw on Gender Parity

Is true gender parity in film on the horizon? Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI) hopes so. NYWIFT member filmmaker/journalist/actress Heidi Philipsen attended the 2019 Berlinale International Film Festival, where the 10% for 50/50 gender parity initiative was introduced. Philipsen spoke with longtime member Adriana Shaw, who also attended the fest, about what this could mean for the future of our industry.

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