film festival Archives - New York Women in Film & TelevisionNew York Women in Film & Television

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Victoria Hill

Victoria Hill is no stranger to creating cinematic magic, and her latest project, The Best You Can, premiering at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, is yet another example of her storytelling prowess. As lead producer of and actor in the narrative spotlight film — starring real-life couple Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick — Hill brings a deeply human story to life, exploring connection, loneliness, and unexpected friendship in midlife. NYWIFT Board Member Gretchen McGowan is one of the film’s executive producers. “When Victoria Hill and Andrew Mann brought Michael Weithorn’s script to us, I thought: we’re all ready for Kyra Sedgwick and Kevin Bacon to appear on the screen together again. This is something the world could use right about now,” McGowan said in a NYWIFT announcement of member projects at Tribeca. With a stellar career that spans producing, acting, and writing across internationally acclaimed films like First Reformed, The Chaperone, and The Secrets We Keep, Hill’s dedication to complex, character-driven stories continues to shine. In this exclusive NYWIFT interview, Hill shares insights into filming on location in NYC, collaborating with industry heavyweights, and her mission to amplify women’s voices through Fibonacci Films.

NYWIFT at the 2025 Tribeca Festival: Music Legends, Maternal Power, and Unapologetic Truths

The 2025 Tribeca Festival may be in the rearview, but the stories told, the icons celebrated, and the bold truths shared are still echoing through the industry and NYWIFT was proud to be part of the magic. This year, NYWIFT’s own LaKisa Renee and Tammy Reese hit the red carpet to cover several of the festival’s standout spotlight documentary premieres, each of which celebrated trailblazers who transformed their personal journeys into global movements. From ’80s pop icons to maternal rights warriors and queer faith leaders, our coverage captured the heart, soul, and grit of storytelling at its finest.

Tribeca Festival 2025 Recap: One Spoon of Chocolate World Premiere

Next stop on our Tribeca Festival recap journey: the World Premiere red carpet of One Spoon of Chocolate — a powerful new film that’s already got the industry talking. Written and directed by the legendary RZA of the Wu-Tang Clan, One Spoon of Chocolate follows Unique (played by Shameik Moore), a wrongly imprisoned Army veteran seeking peace and a fresh start in Ohio. But when systemic racism, corruption, and cruelty resurface in the form of a violent sheriff and his band of bigots, Unique is forced to pick up his sword — literally — and fight back.

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Mattie Akers

NYWIFT member and seasoned archival producer Mattie Akers is making a powerful mark at the 2025 Tribeca Festival, where the documentary For Venida, For Kalief will have its world premiere as part of the Documentary Competition lineup. Directed by Sisa Bueno, the film explores the enduring impact of Kalief Browder and his mother Venida Browder, whose lives were tragically shaped by systemic injustice. Told through poetry, activism, and powerful archival material, the film is a deeply moving reflection on loss, resilience, and legacy. With over two decades in the documentary field, Akers brings her passion for social issues, historical research, and storytelling to the forefront in this timely and emotional project.

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen

The 2025 Tribeca Festival is set to thrill audiences with the world premiere of Last Resort, a bold new thriller/sci-fi podcast series blending razor-sharp satire and psychological suspense. Among the dynamic cast are longtime collaborators and NYWIFT members Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen — an award-winning creative duo known for their boundary-pushing work across stage and screen. In this exclusive interview, the real-life couple opens up about their experience working together as actors on Last Resort, a project helmed by fellow NYWIFT member Melanie Armer and writer/creator Chance Muehleck. From their reflections on artistic community and inspiration, to the impact of premiering at Tribeca, Blank and Jensen give us a heartfelt, humorous, and deeply insightful glimpse into what makes Last Resort such a resonant and genre-defying story.

NYWIFT at Tribeca 2025: In Conversation with Eileen Zyko Wolter

Please meet NYWIFT Member Eileen Zyko Wolter, a creator, writer, and actress whose journey has taken her from a Connecticut childhood shaped by a first-generation Muslim Albanian father and a mother descended from the Revolutionary War and Salem Witch Trials to the set of Queens of the Dead, premiering at the 2025 Tribeca Festival. With a background in art history and film from Vassar College and training from The Atlantic Theater Company, The Actors Studio, and The Beverly Hills Playhouse, Eileen brings a unique blend of intellect, passion, and grit to every role. In this interview, Eileen shares what it was like to portray a zombie in Tina Romero’s thrilling directorial debut, her lifelong dream of joining SAG-AFTRA, and her love for the NYWIFT community that helped reignite her acting ambitions.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Erin Anne MacDonald

Welcome to NYWIFT, Erin Anne MacDonald! Erin is a multi-talented force in the world of film and theater. From her early beginnings in musical theater to becoming an acclaimed writer, producer, and actress, Erin’s journey is one of growth, resilience, and passion. Her diverse body of work includes projects like Vicky's Big Break and the short film Bump, which have solidified her as a voice to be reckoned with in the industry. We spoke with Erin about her roots in Milwaukee, what led her to the world of film, and how she balances the many roles she takes on in the filmmaking process. Join us as we dive into the insights and experiences that fuel Erin's creativity.

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.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Nicole Palermo

Welcome to NYWIFT, Nicole Palermo! Based in New York, Nicole Palermo is a producer and production manager experienced in both narrative and documentary filmmaking. After studying acting in college, she and friends launched a four-episode web series and founded their production company, Talking Back Pictures. She fell in love with producing and transitioned to full-time production in 2019, moving to documentaries with Apple TV+’s The Super Models in 2021. Known for her work in the five-time Emmy Award-winning Jim Henson: Idea Man, her documentary work emphasizes flexibility in storytelling, while her narrative projects, including Seoul Swith and Pen, Again, showcase her abilities working on meticulously executed films. This fall, she is producing the short film The Daughter by Mary Ann Anane.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Pia Mechler

Welcome to NYWIFT, Pia Mechler! Pia Mechler, born and raised in Germany with German, Chilean, and Polish heritage, is a versatile actress, writer, and director. Studying film in Denmark and beginning her acting career in Berlin, she took her skills to the UK and then New York City in 2010, where she also took up directing. Pia wrote, directed, and starred in the web series Almost Settled and made her feature directorial debut with Everything is Wonderful, which premiered at the Thessaloniki Film Festival and was a finalist at the Chelsea Film Festival. Her latest project, Black Hole, which she wrote to address the challenges of female aging and ageism from a humorous perspective, is currently on its festival tour. Read on to discover her inspiring international background, her dedication to her projects, and her process when it comes to making films.

A Celebration of Film and Exchange of Knowledge: Previewing the NY Greek Film Expo with Maria Miles

Maria C. Miles is a well-known presence at NYWIFT gatherings, having served two consecutive terms on the NYWIFT Board of Directors and now as legal counsel for the organization. Mary – as friends and fellow members know her – frequently welcomes new faces to the organization with her warmth, generous spirit, and quick wit. And now she brings her leadership and expertise to another organization near and dear to her heart. Committed to promoting diversity in the film and television industry, Miles was named President of the Board of the Hellenic Film Society USA in January 2024. Mary offered us a unique glimpse into what the organization has in store this year, including its partnership with New York Women in Film & Television.

Meet The New NYWIFT Member: Yixin Cen

Let's welcome new NYWIFT Member Yixin Cen, an NYC-based Associate Producer and Producer specializing in narrative, documentary, and international co-productions. Fluent in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin, she has excelled in projects like leading the award-winning film A Father’s Son, which premiered at the Asian American International Film Festival. Her journey from China to New York City has shaped a career dedicated to authentic storytelling and cultural representation. Yixin is a passionate advocate for diversity in film, actively involved with NYWIFT to connect with and support fellow women filmmakers. Currently, she is producing documentaries exploring the legacies of Ping Chong and Basement Workshop, underscoring her commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Ingrid Jean-Baptiste

Let’s give a huge NYWIFT welcome to Ingrid Jean-Baptiste! Founder of the Chelsea Film Festival, Ingrid was born in Paris and spent her early years there and in London. Upon graduating from La Sorbonne University, Ingrid pursued journalism and worked for various French magazines and within the production sphere of cultural television shows broadcasted on national French TV at France Television. After living in LA for some time, she moved to New York in 2010 where she studied acting and graduated from the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. In 2013, she began the Chelsea Film Festival, which since its beginnings has provided a platform for filmmakers worldwide and represented 30+ countries through showcasing 220 Official Selections. Currently she is a board member at Easter Seals, Young Minds for Gender Equality, and Chelsea Film Institute, and has received several accolades which include the WOW Award for International Women’s Empowerment and the Trophy of “French Citizens Abroad.” To learn more about Ingrid’s career highlights and how her vision influenced the genesis and evolution of the Chelsea Film Festival, check out our conversation.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Claire Read

Claire Read is a New York-based documentary filmmaker and producer known for her work on HBO series like Telemarketers and The Vow, as well as independent documentaries covering diverse subjects. Her journey into documentary filmmaking began with a high school project on a controversial NYC community center, now culminating in Penn F—ing Station, a documentary exploring the city's debate over its redevelopment. She crafts stories that blend emotional depth with intellectual engagement, focusing on authentic narratives and human connections. Continue reading to discover Claire's experience in filmmaking and learn more about her upcoming projects.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Sheila Robinson

Let’s put our pens to paper and craft the perfect welcome for our new NYWIFT member, Sheila Robinson! Sheila is a playwright, screenwriter and social worker who has been pursuing writing for the last 16 years. Her career as a social worker has inspired her work. Her writing has brought her to many different film festivals and she continues to hone her craft. Read our full interview with Sheila to learn more about how she balances her writing with her career as a social worker and her advice for screenwriters.

NYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with Kristi Zea

NYWIFT member Kristi Zea, an acclaimed production designer, costume designer, producer and director has once again showcased her exceptional talent at the 2024 Tribeca Festival. Zea’s impressive career spans over three decades, with notable works including designing Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas and Jonathan Demme’s The Silence of the Lambs. Her latest project, Daddio, directed by Christy Hall and starring Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson, shows her ability to create compelling visual narratives even in small places. With Daddio, Zea masterfully uses the confined space of a taxi to tell a powerful story, proving her enduring influence in the film industry.

NYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with Kait Plum

Kait Plum is a force to be reckoned with in the world of film editing, with a decade of experience and a knack for finding the emotional core of any project. Her journey to success is marked by notable achievements, from winning awards for her work in documentary filmmaking to making waves in the comedy genre with her latest project, Bad Shabbos.

NYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with Tiffany Paulsen

The 2024 Tribeca Festival is set to premiere the eagerly anticipated romantic dramedy, Winter Spring Summer or Fall, directed by seasoned rom-com screenwriter Tiffany Paulsen. Winter Spring Summer or Fall follows the lives of Remy, played by Jenna Ortega, and Barnes, portrayed by Percy Hynes White. After a chance encounter, these two young individuals find themselves intertwined in an unexpected romance. As the seasons change from winter to summer, their relationship blossoms. However, with Remy’s plans to attend Harvard in the fall, the couple must confront the complexities of their future and what truly matters to them. Packed with classic romantic comedy elements, it’s a film that promises to resonate with audiences of all ages. Tammy Reese offers us an exclusive video interview with Tiffany Paulsen, who makes her directorial debut with the film.

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