immigrant stories Archives - New York Women in Film & TelevisionNew York Women in Film & Television

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Ekaterina Korshunova

Let’s welcome new NYWIFT member Ekaterina Korshunova! Ekaterina (or Kate for short) attended Moscow’s RUDN University where she graduated with a degree in journalism. Kate currently works as a freelance social media coordinator and producer. She has filmed and produced promotional videos for many local businesses as well as major brands. She spoke to us about her move to the US, her teaching philosophy, and her dreams for the future.

Recognizing Our Shared Humanity: Idil Ibrahim on Her Film “Sega”

Women filmmakers throughout history have often been at the forefront of advancing social change, and NYWIFT member Idil Ibrahim is no exception. Ibrahim sat down with us to discuss the making of her award-winning short film "Sega" and how she hopes it might change viewers’ perception of modern immigrant stories.

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.

Cynthia’s Picks: Diane Paragas, Michele Clapton, MOME Fund

Diane Paragas: In NYWIFT’s latest collaboration with Honeysuckle Magazine, we interviewed filmmaker Diane Paragas about her film Yellow Rose and how it contributes to our nation’s ongoing heated conversation around immigration. Michele Clapton: I always love seeing the latest and greatest from our Designing Women honorees! You can spot 2019 honoree Michele Clapton’s costume designs...

AfriAmerican Immigrant Screening: Local Stories, Global Themes

In Astoria’s historic Kaufman Studios, filmmakers from the African diaspora shared local stories that reverberated deep into universal themes and questions as part of New York Women in Film & Television’s Women Filmmakers: Immigrant Stories screening on May 31, 2018. Featured in the fourth season of this NYWIFT series highlighting narrative and documentary films about the New York immigrant experience, these short films tackled issues ranging from the #MeToo movement, to President Trump’s travel ban, to the immigrant experience, to what it means to be American, among many more.

Gaia Visnar on channeling her own search for home into her character in The Basis of Intimacy

NYWIFT member Katrina Medoff spoke with fellow member Gaia Visnar, an actor and producer for the short film The Basis of Intimacy, which was made by a female-driven and largely international crew. They spoke about the power of a silent film and what conversations Visnar hopes to spark with the film.

Terry’s Picks: Vida Writers, Production Workshop, Cannes-do Women

Vida Writers: Vulture takes a look inside TV’s first all-Latinx writers room, for the new Starz series Vida. Production Workshop: We are offering our annual one-day media production workshop for immigrant and first-generation women, taught by our friends at Third World Newsreel, this Saturday, May 12th. Learn more and apply to participate. Cannes-do Women: Meet...

Terry’s Picks: Role Reversal, Designing Women, Immigrant Series

Role Reversal: IndieWire looks into the ways that gender swapping characters in television can re-shape perspectives and gain parity for women on screen. Designing Women: Get your tickets for NYWIFT’s Designing Women on Monday, May 21st, honoring the best and brightest of hair, makeup and costume designers. Honorees for this year are: costume designer Dana...

Terry’s Picks: Screening Series, The Oscars, HP Foundation

Screening Series: NYWIFT is seeking submissions for our fourth annual Women Filmmakers: Immigrant Stories series, which showcases films about women directors and/or producers that about the New York immigrant experience. The deadline to submit your project is February 16. The Oscars: 48 women were nominated for Oscars this year, tying with the 2016 awards for...

New York City Council Member Elizabeth Crowley: Defying Gender Roles, Embracing Community

We shine the spotlight on New York City Council Member of Elizabeth Crowley, who has supported NYWIFT Women Filmmakers: Immigrant Stories series since its inception in 2015.

A Filmmaker is Born: How the Power of One Immigrant’s Story Inspired a Musician to Go Visual

Filmmakers create great stories every day. But once in a while, a truly great story will create a filmmaker. Such was the case with Patricia Shih and her debut film, Undocumented. The inspiring documentary, which was screened on March 16th at the Queens World Film Festival as part of NYWIFT’s Women Filmmakers: Immigrant Stories series, showcases the realization of the American Dream through the unique story of undocumented-immigrant-turned-successful-cardiac surgeon, Dr. Harold Fernandez.

Terry’s Picks: Watch It, True Story, Immigrant Series

Watch It: Celebrate Women’s History Month by watching these 40 movies by women directors – all available for streaming. True Story: Are female-fronted biopics finally on the rise? Immigrant Series: NYWIFT is thrilled to partner with the Queens World Film Festival to present the next installment in this year’s Women Filmmakers: Immigrant Stories screening series...

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