writer Archives - New York Women in Film & TelevisionNew York Women in Film & Television

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Esther Casas Roura

Welcome to NYWIFT, Esther Casas Roura! Esther is an award-winning filmmaker known for blending metaphorical storytelling with animation. Originally from Barcelona, Spain, she began her career as a molecular biologist before moving to New York and transitioning into filmmaking, focusing on animation while working across both commercial and narrative projects. She later founded Claymaniak Studios (now ECR Films) to create emotionally resonant films across stop-motion, traditional animation, and motion graphics. Her animated shorts—Check Date: An Underdog Love Story, Creamen, and FLOCKY—have screened internationally at over 150 film festivals. FLOCKY was recently shortlisted for the Goya Awards in Spain, has received 18 international awards, and has gained international recognition for its social impact. Esther is currently developing her fourth short, The Melody Within, and her first animated feature, TAO.

From Set to Screen: Katherine Filaseta and Ellie Sachs Celebrate Lucy Shulman at Tribeca

The 25th anniversary of the Tribeca Festival is shining a spotlight on bold storytelling, unforgettable voices, and films that capture the spirit of New York City — and Lucy Shulman is doing exactly that. Premiering as part of the festival’s prestigious U.S. Narrative Competition, the sharply funny and deeply heartfelt feature follows a young woman navigating heartbreak, family dynamics, bad dates, and the complicated journey of finding herself again. Written, directed by, and starring filmmaker Ellie Sachs, the film blends humor with emotional honesty in a way that feels both intimate and universally relatable.

Behind the scenes, NYWIFT member Katherine Filaseta played a vital role as Second Assistant Director, helping keep the ambitious production moving while supporting the creative vision that brought the story to life. In this exclusive conversation, Ellie Sachs and Katherine Filaseta open up about collaboration, creative trust, independent filmmaking, the realities of balancing multiple roles on set, and what it means to premiere a deeply personal New York story at one of the city’s most celebrated film festivals.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Carol Welter

Welcome to NYWIFT, Carol Welter! Carol grew up in the United Kingdom, steeped in classical theatre, before crossing the Atlantic in 1977 and making the United States her home. Trained on the English stage from girlhood, she spent years acting and directing before discovering that writing was her true creative playground. Through Masters-level workshops and decades of artistic exploration, she turned her talents toward stage plays, screenplays, and poetry—crafting stories that blend imagination, humor, and heart. A woman who has worn more hats than a Shakespeare festival costume rack, Carol has directed, designed, and shaped productions from the ground up. Now a spirited senior storyteller, she writes across continents and galaxies, drawn to tales of transformation, unlikely heroes, and tender love stories. In our interview, Carol reflects on her journey from the stage to the page, the themes that inspire her work, and the new projects she’s most excited to share.

NYWIFT Member Spotlight: Shahnaz Mahmud

When award-winning journalist Shahnaz Mahmud set out to write and direct her first narrative film, she landed on a deeply personal story inspired by her parents’ own arranged marriage. And when it came time to a select an editor to collaborate with, she turned to the NYWIFT membership directory, where she found veteran editor Susan B. Ades – the perfect match for her project. Members Shahnaz and Susan sat down with us to discuss their adventures (and misadventures!) making the short film The Blossom, how their partnership brought new elements of the story to light, and the unique path to bringing such an intimate tale to the screen.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Alyssa R. Bennett

Welcome to NYWIFT, Alyssa R. Bennett! Alyssa R. Bennet is an accomplished, multifaceted creative who exemplifies a socially conscious career and ambition. Alyssa has worked on a multitude of projects, from music to writing to filmmaking – both in front of and behind the camera. Always drawing from her intrinsic passion, her various mediums often intertwine and inform her expansive creative visions. Her keen ability to boil narratives down to the raw and essential is a reflection of this artistic crossover. As co-founder of Stonestreet Studios, Alyssa brings her vast experience to the service of the filmmaking community, connecting people with opportunities and amplifying diverse stories. Alyssa continuously strives to uplift the filmmaking community and contribute to the invaluable tradition of storytelling. In our interview, Alyssa discusses her career and the motivations that have paved the way for her accomplished journey.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Ginelle Bamfo

Welcome to NYWIFT, Ginelle Bamfo! Ginelle is a talented young filmmaker and recent graduate from NYU Tisch’s Film and TV school. With a background in acting and theater, Ginelle has expanded her creative pursuits into many realms of the filmmaking industry. Having won NYU’s Best Undergraduate Film award for her project Talk Yo’ Shit, her talents and ambitions have quickly proven worthwhile. Ginelle is a staunch advocate of amplifying diverse voices. Her role as President of The Collective at NYU – a club which connects and highlights the work of Black students – is only one example of her commitment to this goal. Ginelle is a flexible and dynamic creative, drawing inspiration from ever-evolving sources. Always excited to learn and collaborate, she is an exciting addition to the entertainment industry. In our interview, Ginelle discusses what her journey to filmmaking has looked like and her current artistic ambitions.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Hyten Davidson

Welcome to NYWIFT, Hyten Davidson! Hyten Davidson is a SAG-AFTRA actor and award-winning screenwriter, currently serving as one-third of Maternity Leave Films after years of touring the festival circuit with various films. Her short film The West Virginian Starfish, which she wrote and co-directed, won the Long Island Film Expo award for Best Short Film, in addition to a host of other nominations and screenwriting wins. Hyten has additionally been a Featured Female Filmmaker nominee at the Shortcut 100 International Film Festival, PANO grant recipient, and Mary W. Shelley Scholarship winner from the Horror Writers Association. In our interview, Hyten discussed her approach to writing horror, representing motherhood and female-driven stories in film, and her upcoming film Something of a Monster.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Louisa Brown

Welcome to NYWIFT, Louisa Brown! Blogger Marchelle Thurman had the pleasure of interviewing Louisa Brown. She is a storyteller, connector, and unapologetic champion of underrepresented voices in film and media. At Urbanworld Film Festival, she builds bridges between artists, audiences, and cultural institutions, creating moments that matter. She’s a founding member of M.A.D.E., where she produces the award-winning MADE Talks series, celebrating Black creativity and bold ideas. Her own films, including Family Time and Mila and Mimi Too, have won Lionsgate recognition and festival accolades. In addition, she has collaborated on various projects, headed initiatives for commercial brands, and serves on the management team for musical artist Laila! Louisa brings heart, humor, and a global perspective to everything she does.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Nancy Pasquariello

Welcome to NYWIFT, Nancy Pasquariello! Nancy is a multifaceted creative with a passion for storytelling. Her background as a professional chef, writer, and filmmaker is a display of her insatiable desire to explore and create. Inspired by the potential that film has to change perspectives and impact lives, Nancy strives to channel her creative energy into the kinds of projects that carry this influence. Nancy’s artistic mediums are often put in conversation with one another during her creative process. Her unique perspective shines through in every project she pursues as a result of her distinct artistic background. In our interview, Nancy discusses her passions and the origins of her creative inspiration.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Samantha Herrera

Welcome to NYWIFT, Samantha Herrera! Samantha Herrera is a queer Filipina artist born and raised in Queens, NY. Her roots began in theatre with training at LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, The Neighborhood Playhouse, and LAMDA. Saint Vegas is the first narrative film she has directed, written, and produced. It will internationally premiere in the Philippines hosted by Cine Balikbayan. This November, she played one of the lead roles in Diwata, directed by Shea Formanes. Aside from filmmaking, Samantha works at her alma mater - The Neighborhood Playhouse - and runs a Filipino food pop-up business with her partner. In our interview, Samantha discussed the mentors who shaped her artistry, her inspirations, and her upcoming work.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Therese Cayaba-Jones

Welcome, Therese Cayaba-Jones, to NYWIFT. Therese is a filmmaker with over 15 years of experience with films, documentaries, and series across the Philippines, Singapore, and the U.S. She just finished the feature screenplay for UnMarry, which was recently announced as one of the entries for the Metro Manila Film Festival 2025. Currently, Therese is producing the film Tales My Father Told, and raising money through NYWIFT fiscal sponsorship. Read on to see Therese’s story of moving to New York, her role in the 48 Hour Film Project, and her take on the state of independent filmmaking in the Big Apple.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Kyle Hrabe

Welcome to NYWIFT, Kyle Hrabe! Kyle Hrabe is a Brooklyn-based creative currently writing for Scamfluencers from Wondery Podcasts. She has a background in scripted television writing, sketch comedy, and stand-up. Before moving to New York, Kyle lived in Los Angeles where she was the executive assistant for writer-director couple Angela Robinson and Alexandra Martinez Kondracke. Kyle was also a fellow for Outfest Film Festival’s emerging filmmaker program OutSet. She received her BFA in Writing for Screen and Television from USC where she showran the campus cooking show, DELISH, despite only eating a bag of chips for dinner every night.

NYWIFT Member Spotlight: Kristen Golden

Kristen Golden is a writer and producer whose creative work runs the gamut of genres. She wrote the screenplay AWE, for which she won the 2023 Athena Film Festival’s Chinonye Chukwu Emerging Writer Award, and was selected as a 2025 Screenplay Semi-finalist by the Cordillera International Film Festival. Kristen is a producer of the narrative short film Irving Berlin’s View of the East River, shot in Spring 2025. She is the co-author with her wife, Barbara Findlen, of the book Remarkable Women of the Twentieth Century: 100 Portraits of Achievement. Kristen is the speechwriter for the Women's Media Center. In our interview, Kristen discussed her award-winning screenplay AWE, the connection between advocacy and storytelling, and her advice for future female leaders.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Rudaba Zehra Nasir

Welcome to NYWIFT, Rudaba Zehra Nasir! Rudaba is a Pakistani-American, conservatory-trained actress, writer, and singer as well as a humanitarian and life coach based in Manhattan. She is currently producing her solo show Halal-ish which is about her journey from Pakistan to America to find love. On screen, she has starred in award-winning films The Foreign Patriot and The Train I’m On, and was a series regular in Kabhi Na Kabhi (Someday) on Hum TV. Her New York theater credits include sold-out, Off-Off Broadway shows such as Novecento (Paradise Factory Theater), Arsinoe IV (Chain Theatre), Talk of the Town (The Players), and Measure For Measure (Resident Acting Company). Rudaba spoke to us about how she uses art to cultivate connection, finding her voice as an actor, and her humanitarian initiatives.

NYWIFT Member Spotlight: Karen Goeller

Karen Goeller is a gifted storyteller whose work spans literature, film, television, and live performance. Since launching her film career in 2012, she has contributed to more than 100 productions both in front of and behind the camera. As a long-standing member of NYWIFT, Karen has built a reputation as a talented actor, script supervisor, writer, and producer. And as a writer, she’s earned awards for three screenplays — Escape Artists, Best First Dates...NOT, and Missy’s Voice. Also the author of 20 published books spanning gymnastics, fitness, and children’s literature, Karen continues to inspire across multiple platforms. With a unique background in law, health sciences, and athletics, her work reflects creativity, strength, and authenticity — qualities that define her as a dynamic and enduring force in storytelling. Karen’s latest project, Missy’s Voice, highlights themes of resilience and triumph through the story of a bullied young singer who eventually finds her voice. She spoke to us about exciting new developments for Missy’s Voice and what we can look forward to next.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Sophie Ostrove

Welcome to NYWIFT, Sophie Ostrove! Sophie is a thoughtful and funny storyteller who graduated with honors from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she earned her BFA in Film and Television with a focus on comedy. As a queer, disabled, and Jewish writer, Sophie is passionate about creating stories that center joy and offer authentic representation. Based in New York City, she splits her time between writing, freelancing, background acting, teaching filmmaking, ushering — and watching as much TV as possible (a job requirement she’s more than happy to meet). In our conversation, Sophie reflected on her creative journey, the role of comedy in her work, and why representation truly matters.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Erin LoCascio

Welcome to NYWIFT, Erin LoCascio! Erin is a storyteller and producer with a passion for big moments, sharp edits, and seamless collaboration. As a story-driven producer and editor, her Clio-winning reel reflects her talent for transforming raw footage into cinematic experiences. She has built worlds at SYFY, earned millions of views at MTV, and shaped narratives from the Super Bowl to Comic-Con. We interviewed Erin in late summer, where she shared her behind-the-scenes experiences at some of pop culture’s biggest events, and described the immense pressure and excitement involved in bringing unforgettable stories to life.

Meet the New NYWIFT Member: Toni Manohar

Welcome to NYWIFT, Toni Manohar! Toni is a passionate creative and writer, working on fiction and non-fiction works, screenplays, and original piano compositions. By day, she is a technical writer and project manager in the pharmaceutical industry, but her creative endeavors occupy her nights and weekends. Writing and creating good stories has been a dream of Toni’s since she was a child, and one that she continues to pursue. She’s excited to be a part of this community and to connect with the like-minded filmmakers of NYWIFT!

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