Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Cecilia R. Mejia
Welcome to NYWIFT, Cecilia R. Mejia! Cecilia R. Mejia was born and raised in Brooklyn, a first-generation Filipino-American. She has worked in development for several non-profit organizations, including NGOs affiliated with the United Nations. She’s worked with several grassroots organizations focusing on underrepresented communities, which lead to her working on a short documentary about the struggles of detained undocumented families, jumpstarting her film career. Cecilia has produced a number of short films focusing on critical social impact issues like mental health and gender inequality. She’s won several awards as the lead producer for the upcoming Yellow Rose and as Social Impact Producer for the award-winning doc Call Her Ganda. She currently serves as the creative lead on several other projects working on the creative, funding and social impact components of films. Now, she is Vice President of External Affairs, American Documentary | POV. Cecilia is combining her love of film with the goal of focusing on social impact stories that inspire change, most specifically with under-resourced youth through her non-profit organization Art of Me as creative director, helping students turn their stories into high-quality short films. Get to know her in our latest interview!
READ MOREMeet 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.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Fernita Wynn
Welcome to NYWIFT, Fernita Wynn! Fernita is the Emmy Award-winning Executive Producer and Showrunner behind SHERRI, the nationally syndicated talk show hosted by Sherri Shepherd. Over the course of her career, Fernita has shaped some of the most successful shows on TV for nationally recognized talent and media brands including Oprah Winfrey/OWN, Steve Harvey, Queen Latifah, Nickelodeon and more! From her early days in news reporting to her rise as a leading TV executive in New York, Fernita has crafted a career that blends creativity, vision, and the ability to lead teams. She sat down with us to discuss her award-winning work, on-camera roots, and advice for aspiring leaders!
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Jill Ruby
Welcome to NYWIFT, Jill Ruby! We’re thrilled to introduce Jill Ruby, a seasoned podcast producer and editor whose work spans national organizations and top-tier networks like PBS, A&E, and Nickelodeon. With a background in television production and a strong track record in podcasting, Jill’s expertise and dedication to impactful storytelling have earned her multiple Webby-Anthem Awards and recognition in the industry. Beyond her professional achievements, Jill is a mother, a wife, and a creative spirit who’s equally at home in the editing suite as she is crafting new ideas for her next podcast project. In this interview, Jill shares her journey from television documentaries to podcasting, her approach to editing, and the stories that inspire her to keep pushing boundaries in the world of audio storytelling. Whether you're a fellow producer, a fan of podcasts, or simply curious about what it takes to create high-quality content, Jill's insights and pro tips are sure to resonate. Read on to learn more about her work, her inspiration, and her passion for connecting with audiences through the power of sound.
READ MOREMeet 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.
READ MORENYWIFT Member Spotlight: Myrta Vida
Myrta Vida is an award-winning writer and independent filmmaker specializing in features, shorts, documentaries, and stage productions. She serves as a producer at 3DMC, the production company behind the John Cassavetes Award-winning feature Premature (2019) and the Sundance Award-winning hybrid documentary The Infiltrators (2019). Since 2010, Myrta has worked as a story consultant and script doctor for independent filmmakers worldwide. A proud Army veteran from Puerto Rico, she earned her MFA in Creative Writing from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and completed a conservatory program in screenwriting at the New York Film Academy, both with summa cum laude honors. Additionally, she holds a certificate in sketch comedy writing from the Upright Citizens Brigade and was a 2022 Fellow with Third World Newsreel. Get to know her in our latest interview!
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Rachel Cheung
Welcome to NYWIFT, Rachel Cheung! Rachel is a dynamic writer and producer born and raised in New York City and Long Island with Chinese and Irish roots. With a BFA in Film and Television from NYU, she has honed her craft through diverse experiences, including roles as an assistant to the President of the Motion Picture Academy of Arts and Sciences and at WME in the Brand Partnerships department. Rachel's background enriches her unique perspective in the industry, driving her storytelling prowess. Get to know her in our latest interview!
READ MOREMeet 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.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Tara Morrison
Welcome to NYWIFT Tara Morrison! Tara "Penk" Morrison is a visionary from Brooklyn now based in Jamaica, Queens, NY. She's a determined self-starter with a unique creative style, inspiring others with her confidence and passion for storytelling. Tara found her niche in film and TV behind the scenes, launching Sweet Penk Films in 2020 to produce her own projects and support fellow creatives. From writing screenplays on her stoop to directing her debut project, Faith Tribulation, Tara's journey reflects her resourcefulness and community spirit. With multiple screenplays and a docuseries treatment in the works, she advocates for finishing what you start and believing in yourself.
READ MORENYWIFT @ 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.
READ MOREMeet the new NYWIFT Member: Jennifer Buzzelli
Welcome to NYWIFT, Jennifer Buzzelli! Jennifer Buzzelli is a New York-based producer, international distributor and co-producer. With involvement in the film industry since the 90s, she is the founder of production house Jimmy B Media. Read more to discover her experience in leading film distribution and about her most recent project, producing the upcoming documentary, Long Live the Tyrant.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: China L. Colston
Welcome to NYWIFT, China L. Colston! China is a SAG-AFTRA actress and award-winning filmmaker. As an actress, she has embodied emotional women, from the guilt-ridden mother in Strings Attached to the dealer in Sweet Thang. China’s unwavering dedication as the star, writer, director, and producer of Dark Seed led the film to acclaim from the Validate Yourself Film Festival, African American Arts Alliance of Chicago, and the Dramatist’s Guild Success In The Arts Award aka SITA. She is the recipient of a 2021 NYFA grant for her script To Cook or Not to Cook, which follows a chef in Harlem repairing his relationship with his family through food. She is the recipient of a 2021 NYFA grant for her script To Cook or Not to Cook, which follows a chef in Harlem repairing his relationship with his family through food. China brings us through her incredible journey as a creator here!
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Toby Perl Freilich
Welcome to NYWIFT, Toby Perl Freilich! Toby is an Emmy-nominated documentary filmmaker and writer, focusing on cultural reporting. Her work explores all sorts of perspectives, from senators to artists, spanning across the world. She co-produced and co-directed Moynihan, a film about the late New York senator, policy expert, and public intellectual. She also directed, produced, and wrote Inventing Our Life: The Kibbutz Experiment, about one of the world's longest running and most successful experiments in radical, secular communal living. Right now, she is producing and directing I Make Maintenance Art: The Work of Mierle Laderman Ukeles about the pioneering ecofeminist and the first Artist in Residence at the New York City Department of Sanitation. Read about Toby’s inspiring past and future projects here!
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Lauren Cooper
Welcome to NYWIFT, Lauren Cooper! Lauren brings over a decade of expertise in content creation, event production, financial management, as well as production and post-production oversight. She has worked on scripted and non-scripted series, documentaries, animation, and live broadcasts for major networks such as ABC, NBC, MTV, CBS, Disney+, Amazon Prime, OLN, SYFY, and Discovery UK. She owns her own production company, Elle Bee & Co. Lauren shares her advice, approach to telling challenging stories, and more with us here!
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Amy Tiong
Welcome to NYWIFT, Amy Tiong! Amy is a director, writer, and production coordinator whose stories bring underrepresented voices to the forefront. She directs both narrative films and documentaries, which received recognition from Bustle, NBCNews, PictureStart, Coverfly, and the NAACP. The vulnerability in her work empowers others and shines a light on topics such as disordered eating, grief, and sibling love. Amy tells us about working on a microbudget project during pandemic times, collaborating with friends and her new horror immigration feature film, When You’re Ready to Go. Read all about it here!
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Toni Short
Please join us in welcoming Toni Short to NYWIFT! Toni Short is an Aussie on a mission to tell the textured stories of women from around the world and heal the world through the arts. Following a personal breakthrough, Toni paved her own path towards artistic creation and invites others to walk beside her. This led her to found The Camp, an immersive space for children to learn about creative self-expression. Her project Sister Spirit Stories is a platform to highlight the stories of inspiring women. We Go High Productions produces both Sister Spirit Stories and Toni’s short film Meeting Mr. Oscar, which she wrote, produced, directed, and acted in. Toni told us about her personal healing journey, her most meaningful projects so far, and what’s coming up on the horizon.
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Alisa Lomax
Let’s give a warm welcome to Alisa Lomax! Based in Detroit, Alisa is an award-winning producer and director who is interested in providing a platform for characters who are in the midst of navigating hardships. Some of her most celebrated projects include Maya and Her Lover, Layla’s Girl, and the documentary When I Need to Smile, which centers on philanthropist and jazz label founder Gretchen Carhartt Valade. Alisa was one of just 13 Detroit writers to be selected as part of the Sundance Screenwriters Lab. Find out more about Alisa as we discuss her amazing 20+ year career trajectory, which includes her transition from working in corporate jobs to more artistic endeavors, and her current role in a digital arts program that aims to introduce the art of filmmaking to kids!
READ MOREMeet the New NYWIFT Member: Deniz Cam
After a career as a journalist for Forbes magazine, Deniz is taking her skills as a storyteller the world of film and TV. She is on the research team for The Problem with Jon Stewart on Apple TV+, a talk show about current events including climate change, the economy, and foreign policy. She is also writing and acting in a live reading of her pilot, 60 Days, about a Turkish immigrant who must get married in 60 days to keep her visa status after quitting her job. Deniz tells us about her love of New York, being an immigrant from Istanbul, and her Carrie Bradshaw moment seeing her cover story on a billboard on Fifth Avenue.
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