Cynthia’s Picks: Emmy Noms, Tom Donahue, Member News
Emmy Noms: Congrats to all the NYWIFT members nominated for Primetime Emmy Awards this year! Can’t wait to watch and cheer you all on. Tom Donahue: Check out this great interview with NYWIFT member Tom Donahue on his recent documentary This Changes Everything (exec produced by Board President Simone Pero) and the importance of male...
READ MOREWomen Calling The Shots – A swinging pendulum over an active volcano
NYWIFT Board VP Margarita Sophia Cortes wrote about the recent Hollywood sexual harassment firestorm in our HuffPost column - addressing the importance of speaking out, supporting one another, and no longer letting the boys club get its way.
READ MORETerry’s Picks: Shorts Festival, Alias Grace, Culture Shift
Shorts Festival: NYWIFT’s first-ever online film festival is underway! Watch 74 short projects by NYWIFT members now through November 17 on our Fall Shorts Festival on Indevue – you can even log in and live chat with the filmmakers and fans during select “live screenings.” See the schedule for details. Alias Grace: I’m looking forward...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: Vicious Cycle, #BYkids PSA, Questionable Casting
Vicious Cycle: The LA Times published a great piece on how “Hollywood’s man problem may be a matter of simple math,” taking an in-depth statistical look at Hollywood’s gender imbalance and how it paves the way for discrimination and harassment. #BYkids PSA: BYkids, a global movement that uses storytelling through film to inform, engage and...
READ MOREWomen’s Stories in Film and the Need for an Authentic Ending
Why is it that when men make poignant films about a male’s coming-of-age, they are allowed to explore the pain, heartache, betrayal, danger, and the need for getting even or choosing a lesser evil to right a wrong—while women-centric films are expected to carry out a fairy tale romance? NYWIFT member Heidi Philipsen tackled this question as she made her first feature film.
READ MORENYWIFT’s Statement on Sexual Harassment and Abuse in the Entertainment Industry
NYWIFT's thoughts on Harvey Weinstein, systemic sexism, community support and legal guidance.
READ MORETerry’s Picks: Inexcusable Behavior, Frances McDormand, Timeless Issue
Inexcusable Behavior: Hollywood was rocked by a New York Times exposé of on decades of sexual harassment allegations leveled at producer Harvey Weinstein. This story is pervasive at all levels of the industry, and we’ve heard similar stories from many of our members. While Weinstein may be the most hypocritical and highest profile, this type...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: Ambitious Woman, Big Inspiration, Sarah Polley
Ambitious Woman: Reese Witherspoon wants to change the idea that a woman with ambition is only out for herself. Big Inspiration: Check out Time’s “46 Women Leaders who are Changing the World.” Sarah Polley: Actor, writer, and director Sarah Polley talks frankly about sexism on set (which she experienced as early as age nine) and...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: Casting Couch, Create NYC, Sherry Lansing
Casting Couch: The Guardian sheds light on the all-too-common phenomenon of the “casting couch culture,” featuring important insight from NYWIFT member Meissa Hampton. This has to stop, and kudos to Meissa and all the other women who speak out about it. Create NYC: New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cultural Affairs Commissioner Tom...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: Zookeeper’s Wife, Female Friendship, Theresa Rebeck
Zookeeper’s Wife: USA Today highlights the team behind The Zookeeper’s Wife, which might be the most women-populated crew in Hollywood history. Female Friendship: Grace and Frankie stars Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin talk about aging in Hollywood, women’s sexuality and the importance of female friendship. Theresa Rebeck: In an excerpt from her essay for the...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: Emmy Rossum, Union Workers, Girls Revolt
Emmy Rossum: Good for Emmy Rossum, who would not sign on for the next season of Shameless (and subsequently delayed the show’s renewal!) until she was guaranteed a higher salary. Union Workers: The New York Times ran a great feature on some of the crew women in TV & film production who fought to join...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: Meryl Streep, Mila Kunis, Inequality Below-the-Line
Meryl Streep: Congrats to Meryl Streep, longtime friend of NYWIFT and funder of The Writers Lab, who will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2017 Golden Globes. Mila Kunis: When a male producer told Mila Kunis she “will never work in this town again” after she refused to pose semi-nude, she took action....
READ MORETerry’s Picks: Mad Libs, Loving Lily, Sophomore Slump
Mad Libs: Magazine profiles of Hollywood women unfortunately often lack depth. Use The Cut’s exclusive Mad Libs men’s-magazine profile generator, and you too can write a profile of a female celebrity. It’s fun…and frightening. Loving Lily: Congrats to NYWIFT Muse honoree Lily Tomlin, who will receive the SAG Lifetime Achievement Award at the SAG-AFTRA Awards...
READ MORETerry’s Picks: Women Speak Out, Jessica Jones, Carol
Speak out: The New York Times published a comprehensive look at women directors and executives, taking aim at the vicious cycle of sexism that pervades the industry. Super woman: This weekend’s big binge watch was Marvel’s new Netflix series, Jessica Jones. Many are calling it one of the best superhero shows ever, and it has...
READ MOREWEEKLY ROUNDUP: IT’S HAMMER’S TIME, SOME TRUTHS & THAT SCARE.
Photo | Mary Rozzi Bonnie Hammer turned 65 and so should every other women in Hollywood! Samantha Bee’s new late night show Full Frontal will certainly be ballsy. Here’s the real reason women don’t direct action movies. (VIDEO) “Ass plus chair” and other tips from screenwriter Aline Brosh McKenna. NBC correspondent Nancy Snyderman (finally) explains her actions...
READ MOREWEEKLY ROUNDUP: THE BROOKLYN MUSEUM, HOLLYWOOD SEXISM & WALL STREET
Erin Baiano for The New York Times History is made as Anne Pasternak becomes The Brooklyn Museum’s 1st female director. She’s baaack! Nikki Finke’s new website promises great fiction and proceeds to writers. “It’s an intense sickness.” Melissa McCarthy, Salma Hayek, Aishwarya Rai & Parker Posey discuss Hollywood’s sexism. Dear Writers, screencraft.org has screenwriting contests. Deadlines...
READ MOREWEEKLY ROUNDUP: BLYTHE DANNER, CANNES DO’s & A.C.L.U. DONT’S
Blythe Danner returns to the small screen as Ruth Madoff. (VIDEO) The Nightly Show head writer Robin Thede reveals writing styles that get HER attention. Here’s the Cannes Film Festival lineup we’ve been hearing about. Bessie Director Dee Rees on Latifah’s frontal nudity and finally seeing herself on screen. Actress Rebel Wilson did her own Pitch Perfect 2 stunts...
READ MOREWEEKLY ROUNDUP:MOTHER’S DAY MOVIES, LIFETIME OPPORTUNITIES & IT’S NOT “SWOOZY”
From sappy, to scary there’s a new or classic Mother’s Day Movie for everyone! Eye-opening statistics about women during Broadway’s 2014-2015 season. Lifetime announces Broad Focus–an initiative to put more women behind the camera. FOX cancels The Mindy Project but Mindy’s taking it all in stride. Besides, Hulu knows better. A delightful Q&A with Swoosie Kurtz reveals… we’ve...
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