NYWIFT Blog

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Vanessa Meyer

Welcome to NYWIFT, Vanessa Meyer! Meyer is a filmmaker, programmer, and educator based in Brooklyn, NY. In addition to having earned a Ph.D. in Communications with a specialization in personal storytelling, she has worked at the Brooklyn Horror Film Festival, Kiss Off Entertainment, Reel Love Film Festival and most recently, Women in Film and Television Vancouver (WIFTV). As an artist, she is interested in exploring the complexities of feelings, a theme that has repeatedly appeared in her work. Meyer spoke to us about championing unique voices as a programmer, moving to NYC, and finding light in the darkness.

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WIFT Around the World: Postcard from MIPCOM Cannes

NYWIFT member Panayiota Pagoulatos returned to Cannes a second time this year to attend MIPCOM, where she was pleased to find celebrations of women and diversity in entertainment, and to preview several exciting new TV series.

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WIFT Around the World: Getting to Know WIFT Austin

When I saw that Alicia Eastes, the founder of Women in Film & TV Austin, recently joined New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) as a Dual Member, I had to know more! What followed was a wide-ranging email conversation with Alicia and WIFT Austin Board Members President Laura Annalora and Vice President Chiara McCarty about the Texas film industry, the pandemic, and what it’s like to build your own Women in Film & Television organization from the ground up.

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WIFT Around the World: La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival

The La Jolla International Fashion Film Festival is a community event bringing together collaborative global creative industry leaders to La Jolla, one of the most beautiful places in California. This location is surrounded by pristine coastline, seaside resorts, wildlife, and birds, adding to the ultimate experience. La Jolla welcomed guests to the 13th annual event this July with open arms, and the awards event sold out once again and received rave reviews by all! Jean Criss shares are the details.

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WIFT Around the World: Snapshots of WIFTI at Cannes 2022

NYWIFT member Judith Davis shares her experiences from her second ever trip to the Cannes Film Festival - which included a stop by the WIFTI party with The Hollywood Reporter presented at the Campari Lounge!

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WIFT Around the World: Postcard from Cannes 2022

NYWIFT Member Panayiota Pagoulatos shares memories from her trip to Cannes 2022 - her first time back on a plane since 2019! She met with WIFTI leaders from all over the world and shared this sage advice: "If you find yourself at an international market or film festival—whether it’s the first or the fiftieth time—look for your people. Whether a business partnership comes out of it or not, staying connected, sharing your experiences, and hopefully learning a thing or two, that’s the pulse that will help keep you going in this tough-as-nails industry."

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WIFV: 40 Years of Support, Networking and Leadership for Women Media Makers

As our Washington, DC sister chapter Women in Film & Video celebrates its 40th anniversary, dual WIFV/NYWIFT member Kristin Reiber Harris looks back on the group's humble beginnings and how it has grown into a vibrant professional organization with over 1000 members all over the country.

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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.

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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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Terry’s Picks: Caregiver Crisis, NewFest Screening, Photo Display

Caregiver Crisis: Our sister chapter WIFT Australia just released an interesting study, called “Honey, I Hid the Kids!” which details the significant challenges parents and other caregivers in the film and television industry in Australia. 74% of respondents reported the impact of caring work on their role in the industry as negative; anecdotes include people...

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WIFT Around the World: Meet Women in Film and Television—Toronto!

Whether you’re cast in a project that shoots abroad or you’re a producer on a quest for locations and tax credits, we’re all finding ourselves traversing the globe more than ever. Getting to know (and joining) our sister Women in Film & Television organizations around the country and the world can be a resource of unending value. We're pleased to premiere our new "WIFT Around the World" column, which will introduce NYWIFT members to Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI) chapters across the globe. First up, Mellini Kantayya reports on her visit to the Toronto office.

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Terry’s Picks: WIFTI Conference, Thanks BWFF, The List

WIFTI Conference: I’m writing to you from the WIFTI (Women in Film & Television International) Conference in London, where women in film chapters from around the world are gathering to network, share ideas and collaborate on our goals! Thanks BWFF: The Brooklyn Women’s Film Festival has graciously offered to donate proceeds from their ticket sales...

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Recap: NYWIFT at 2014 Sundance Film Festival

NYWIFT member Heidi Philipsen in The Better Angels, starring Diane Kruger, Brit Marling, and Wes Bentley (Photo courtesy of Hickory Pictures, LLC) What a whirlwind! Though temps in New York matched the biting Park City cold, nothing could beat the heat at the festival. This year, New York Women in Film and Television (NYWIFT) caught up...

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