NYWIFT Blog

Meet the new NYWIFT Member: Pallavi Bakshi

Welcome to NYWIFT Pallavi Bakshi! Following an incredible career in investment banking and equity research, Pallavi Bakshi is now part of Disney Streaming’s Strategic Finance team. Any given day might include reporting to executives, preparing data sets or market research. She has worked on projects for iconic brands in the Disney portfolio, including Marvel and Pixar. Pallavi shares more about her dynamic days here!

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Kathryn O’Kane on the Emmys, Jeff Goldblum, and the Challenges of Pandemic Productions

When NYWIFT Board Member Kathryn O’Kane headed off to direct season two of The World According to Jeff Goldblum for Disney+ it was, in her words, “the worst of times” – the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, before vaccines were available and film production felt particularly dangerous and fraught. But the difficult work paid off, and has led to the best of times! Season two of the docuseries, which follows the beloved quirky actor as he pulls on the thread of a familiar topic to unravel a world of fascinating secrets, has been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Hosted Nonfiction Series or Special. 

We checked in with Kathryn to offer our congratulations, learn more about the filming process, and discuss what’s next for her.

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#Muse40for40: Abigail Disney (2014)

Abigail E. Disney is an American documentary filmmaker, philanthropist, and social activist. She produced the documentary Pray the Devil Back to Hell, and is the executive producer, writer, and director of The Armor of Light, which won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Social Issue Documentary.

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Cynthia’s Picks: Women’s Soccer, Mulan Trailer, Invitation Parity

Women’s Soccer: The U.S. Women’s Soccer Team did more than just win the World Cup this weekend – they started a worldwide conversation about equal pay. They play better and bring in more income than the men’s team, but are paid less. And they’re suing. Mulan Trailer: The trailer for Disney’s live-action remake of Mulan...

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Terry’s Picks: NYC Pilots, Good News, Overlooked Women

NYC Pilots: Business is booming in New York, with 11 hour-long pilots shooting here this year. This ties with the previous record year, 2012. Good News: Although Ava Duvernay’s A Wrinkle in Time wasn’t able to beat Black Panther at the box office, the films still made history, as both the #1 and #2 spots...

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Terry’s Picks: Wrinkle Trailer, Doctor Who, Equality Matters

Wrinkle Trailer: I’m excited to see Ava Duvernay’s A Wrinkle in Time, the Disney adaptation of the 1963 children’s classic by Madeleine L’Engle. The film makes DuVernay the first black woman to helm a $100 million studio feature. Watch the new trailer! Doctor Who: The British cult favorite series Doctor Who announced this weekend that...

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP: AMY’S SUMMER MOVIES & THE VIEW KEEPS CHANGING

Photo: Matt Baron/BeImages Amy Poehler’s summer movie series will probably trump everyone else’s. Think you have long days? Gayle King has you beat. DirectingActors founder Adrienne Weiss advises on…directing actors. Insightful career advice from 3 women linked to Hollywood’s hottest projects. Impact Partners wants to give emerging documentary producers money! Christine McCarthy makes history at Disney...

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Terry’s Picks: Equal Pay for Women’s Soccer, Michael Eisner, Blythe Danner Delivers

Unacceptable: The U.S. women’s soccer team received $2 million dollars after winning the World Cup for a third time. The men’s team earned $8 million for losing in the first round. Sign this petition and tell FIFA to pay women fairly. Laughable: Former Disney CEO Michael Eisner says that a woman who is beautiful and...

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Weekly Roundup: Lily Tomlin, ‘Transparent’ & MoMA Screenings

Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP. Lily Tomlin discusses new projects, gender bias and partying in her trailer with Jane Fonda. It’s official: Amy Pascal is no longer co-chairman of Sony Pictures. Disney reveals its first Latina princess: Elena of Avalor. This Q&A with Transparent consultant Jennifer Finney Boylan is as important and informative as the show....

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Weekly Roundup: ‘OITNB’ Showrunner on Hollywood, Women Directors ‘Flip the Script,’ Remembering Bacall & Williams

//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/453186152?et=o9NkiCh-TK1tizzWkP_gvg&sig=SRE6KUelvaAjhLqoevg-gQilY_muFxOiLBPH9h9poGk= “We all want our f— you money,” ‘OITNB’ showrunner Jenji Kohan. Six powerhouse women directors who are “flipping the script” in Hollywood big time! Writers, are you developing a marketable screenwriting brand? Christina Hendricks brings 1960s sensibility into the present day (Video). Disney announces its 2014-2016 Directing Program participants. Judy Greer loves to audition and never feels like she’s...

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New Opportunities From NYTVF, Disney, Tribeca, IFP

We’re highlighting some of the latest, most innovative competitions and programs for film, TV, digital, and writing: For the second year in a row, the Tribeca Film Festival has launched the #6SECFILMS Competition. Choose from one of the categories — #GENRE, #DRAMA, #COMEDY, #ANIMATION — and enter as many Vines as you want by March 27, 2014. Just...

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Terry’s Picks: December 3, 2013

Susan Sontag, Quai des Grands Augustins, Paris, 2002, chromogenic print. Photograph by Annie Leibovitz (via The Australian). Reflecting on: Susan Sontag’s thoughts on stereotypes and their negative impact on culture, highlighted this week by Maria Popova on Brain Pickings. Surprised but satisfied by: the inclusion of five women in Variety’s annual 10 Directors to Watch list....

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Terry’s Picks: November 26, 2013

How far do we still have to go? Check out NYFA’s infographic (link below) STILL PORING OVER: This incredibly comprehensive infographic about gender inequality in film sent to us by the New York Film Academy. From pay rates and movie portrayals to awards and ages, this is a definitive tool for understanding the state of women in...

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‘Brave’ Gets Disney-Princessfied

Photo via The Guardian.  Oscar-winning ‘Brave’ Director/Writer Brenda Chapman is slamming Disney for sexualizing the animated film’s hero, Merida, for an upcoming toy line. With a cinched waist, low-cut gown, and sans bow and arrows, the once-realistic role model now looks like every other “perfect” princess in the Disney lineup.  “I think it’s atrocious what...

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