NYWIFT Blog

NYWIFT Recap: Create the Buzz, Audience Will Follow

Cheree Dillion, Kristin McCracken, Gary Hustwit, Roz Murphy, Marisa Vitale, Angela Tucker, Elisabeth Holme, and Jorge Rivera.  The power of social media in independent film is undeniable. Which is why filmmakers want to know how can social media can increase their film’s visibility and audience reach. Held on November 21, Create the Buzz, Audience Will...

Hey, Hollywood! Movies That Pass the Bechdel Test Make More Money

Infographic and quote from Vocativ. We analyzed the top 50 biggest box office movies of 2013 to see if they passed the Bechdel Test, which evaluates whether a movie has two or more women in it who have a conversation about something other than a man. It’s named after cartoonist Alison Bechdel, who wrote about it in her...

2013 Year-End Film & TV News Roundup

Hit web series Broad City from Abbi Jacobson and Ilana Glazer.  This week’s entry is a roundup of stories I felt were the most informative, inspiring, or entertaining of 2013. New York State extended the film tax credit program. These marketing, grantwriting, and consulting articles offer new insight. Comedian Tig Notaro hit her personal and professional stride. So inspiring. Woman-centered...

Notes from a Screenreader: Start by Finishing

Photo via Go Into the Story. In the same way that a recipe is not a batch of warm cookies on a baking sheet, an unfinished draft is merely an intention — and like raw dough, a story won’t show its shape until it comes out of the oven. Most contest submissions suffer from a half-baking....

Submit It! Winter & Spring Calls for Entries

We’ve rounded up the top film festivals, writing competitions, and grants with winter or spring deadlines. It’s time to polish that script, shoot that video, upload that film. We’ll be updating this list as more submission dates become available, so check back often. Film/Video/TV Festivals, Contests, Labs & ScreeningsNashville Film Festival (WAB 1/10)LA Film Festival (1/10,...

Acting Up: Every House Has a Back Door

Sunbeam Castle by Rachael Towne on Flickr. I hear actors constantly talking about not being called in by a casting director. I feel their frustration and know the amount of energy they’re putting toward meeting casting directors and getting on their radar. If there’s a project you want in on, reach out to the producer, the writer, the...

Flix Not to Miss: ‘The Punk Singer’

Start your New Year off in a fierce way by watching the inspiring documentary The Punk Singer about Bikini Kill and Le Tigre feminist lead singer Kathleen Hanna. Directed by Sini Anderson, this great music documentary shows the rise of Bikini Kill among a Pacific Northwest grunge/punk scene mostly populated by all-male bands and mosh pits....

Terry’s Picks: December 24, 2013

Degeneres showing off her moves (image via Indiewire). Greatly anticipating: Ellen Degeneres as Oscars host, after glimpsing her first teaser trailer for awards in February, which was released last week and features the television host and comedian dancing and lip-synching. Bringing another: female comedian to the mix with Melissa McCarthy, who beats out male-driven blockbuster...

tribecafilm: 10 Films That Passed the Bechdel Test in 2013 Tribeca’s list includes obvious picks such as Nicole Holofcener’s Enough Said and The Heat (written by Katie Dippold), as well as controversial choices like The Counselor. What do you think of this list? What movies would you add?

tribecafilm: 10 Films That Passed the Bechdel Test in 2013 Tribeca’s list includes obvious picks such as Nicole Holofcener’s Enough Said and The Heat (written by Katie Dippold), as well as controversial choices like The Counselor. What do you think of this list? What movies would you add?

tribecafilm: 10 Films That Passed the Bechdel Test in 2013 Tribeca’s list includes obvious picks such as Nicole Holofcener’s Enough Said and The Heat (written by Katie Dippold), as well as controversial choices like The Counselor. What do you think of this list? What movies would you add?

tribecafilm: 10 Films That Passed the Bechdel Test in 2013 Tribeca’s list includes obvious picks such as Nicole Holofcener’s Enough Said and The Heat (written by Katie Dippold), as well as controversial choices like The Counselor. What do you think of this list? What movies would you add?

Member Spotlight: Anita Katzen

NYWIFT Board Treasurer Anita Katzen was featured in Ms. In the Biz article “How to Build Your Empire: Managing Your Money with Anita Katzen.” You never know what sort of accomplished woman you may come across at a NYWIFT event. During last month’s Cocktails and Conversation at Soho’s Post Factory, Ms. In the Biz blogger Candy...

Weekly Film & TV News Roundup

Jill Soloway’s Afternoon Delight. NYWIFT gets mentioned and member Anita Katzen gives solid $$ advice. First SNL, now Harvard. Santa may really be a black woman (this year). Katie has nine lives. She’ll be back! Wolf of Wall Street gets an MPAA pass but not her movie? Quotas for female directors? Jasmila Zabanic thinks yes....

Terry’s Picks: December 17, 2013

NYWIFT members and supporters Christine Sadofsky, Sherry McCaffrey, and Carol Patterson after this year’s Muse Awards at the New York Hilton. Special thanks to: our amazing 2013 Muse Awards sponsors! For a full list of corporate partners and sponsors, visit our website. Rounding up round-ups: of a landmark year of women in both film and television....

Muse Awards 2013: Bravo’s Frances Berwick Presented With Award by Andy Cohen

Robin Wright, Ellen Barkin, Connie Britton & m’boss Frances Berwick at Muse Awards. Wendy Williams & I are hosting! pic.twitter.com/nICR5Y0SIy — Andy Cohen (@Andy) December 12, 2013 //platform.twitter.com/widgets.js Frances Berwick, president of Bravo and Oxygen, was honored at Thursday’s NYWIFT Muse Awards, being introduced by Wendy Williams and Bravo’s own Andy Cohen. Under Berwick’s leadership, Bravo launched its Emmy-winning shows Top...

NYWIFT Recap: TV Pitch Fest

Thirty-six participants. Nine networks. Three hours. On December 4, NYWIFT brought together talented writers, producers, and directors with network and development executives for its first TV pitch fest. These hopefuls presented their dream projects: scripted series, children shows, game shows, documentary films, and yes, the ever-evolving reality TV. They gained rare access to industry insiders to pitch their...

Webisodes Not to Miss: ‘Christine’ on YouTube’s WIGS

With web series’ titles like Blue, Susanna, and Paloma, YouTube’s WIGS Channel has carved out a space for interesting stories about women while giving female stars underexposed in TV and film a chance to shine. Blue, the most acclaimed title from the channel, stars Julia Stiles, while other series feature such talent as Maggie Grace, Grace Gummer,...