NYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with Tiffany Paulsen
The 2024 Tribeca Festival is set to premiere the eagerly anticipated romantic dramedy, Winter Spring Summer or Fall, directed by seasoned rom-com screenwriter Tiffany Paulsen. Winter Spring Summer or Fall follows the lives of Remy, played by Jenna Ortega, and Barnes, portrayed by Percy Hynes White. After a chance encounter, these two young individuals find themselves intertwined in an unexpected romance. As the seasons change from winter to summer, their relationship blossoms. However, with Remy’s plans to attend Harvard in the fall, the couple must confront the complexities of their future and what truly matters to them. Packed with classic romantic comedy elements, it’s a film that promises to resonate with audiences of all ages. Tammy Reese offers us an exclusive video interview with Tiffany Paulsen, who makes her directorial debut with the film.
READ MORENYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with Archival Producer Lauren Wimbush
We are thrilled to spotlight NYWIFT member Lauren Wimbush, an accomplished producer and archival researcher, as The Debutantes makes its highly anticipated debut at the 2024 Tribeca Festival. Lauren has built a career focused on telling compelling and thought-provoking non-fiction stories that highlight underrepresented characters, communities, and experiences. With a rich background contributing to notable documentaries for networks such as Hulu, PBS, and HBO, Lauren brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Archival Producer on The Debutantes. The film explores the tradition of debutante balls in Canton, Ohio, and the unique challenges faced by a new generation of Black debutantes. Join us as we learn about Lauren’s inspiring journey and her significant contributions to this poignant and timely documentary.
READ MORENYWIFT @ Sundance: In Conversation with Shivani Rawat
During the 40th edition of The Sundance Film Festival, NYWIFT blogger Tammy Reese interviews NYWIFT Member Shivani Rawat, founder of ShivHans Pictures and executive producer of the thought-provoking film Love Me. This captivating film explores a unique premise — long after humanity’s extinction, a buoy and a satellite meet online and unexpectedly fall in love.
READ MORENYWIFT @ Sundance: In Conversation with Laela Kilbourn
In a time when women’s reproductive rights are at the forefront of the political and cultural conversation, a group of teenage girls gather to assert their power, prepare for their futures, and determine the best way forward together. Following the smash hit success of their documentary Boys State at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, directors Amanda McBaine and Jesse Moss returned to Park City in 2024 with the companion piece Girls State. NYWIFT Member Laela Kilbourn was one of seven cinematographers on Girls State, assigned to follow one of the protagonist’s throughout her week-long journey. She spoke to us about her experience working on the documentary.
READ MORENYWIFT @ Sundance: In Conversation with Amanda Culkowski
During the 40th edition of The Sundance Film Festival, Tammy Reese interviews fellow NYWIFT member Amanda Culkowski, the Executive Producer of As We Speak, a thought-provoking documentary that delves into the intersection of art and justice. Focusing on Bronx rap artist Kemba, the film sheds light on the alarming trend of rap lyrics being weaponized within the United States criminal justice system and beyond.
READ MOREPostcard from Park City 2024: Sundance Film Festival Recap
From Tammy Reese: I had the incredible opportunity to cover the 40th edition of the Sundance Film Festival, and it was an absolute blast. From capturing the excitement on the red carpets to immersing myself in the world of independent cinema, every moment was filled with energy and anticipation. Let me take you on a recap of some of the unforgettable film premieres I had the privilege to cover. The red carpets were a spectacle in themselves, as A-list celebrities and emerging talents and filmmakers graced them with their presence. It was a surreal experience witnessing their arrivals and hearing their insights about their latest projects.
READ MOREThe 7th Annual MACRO Lodge at Sundance Film Festival Announces Its 2024 Schedule of Events
The MACRO Lodge at Sundance Film Festival (www.StayMACRO.com), hosted by MACRO Founder & CEO Charles D. King (Mudbound, Judas and the Black Messiah) and his wife Stacey Walker King, Chief Brand Officer of the company, returns to the Sundance Film Festival for its seventh annual showcase of panels and parties at the iconic film festival to champion inclusion and people of color at its prime location at 136 Heber Avenue in Park City, UT with three days of programming.
READ MORENYWIFT at DOC NYC: In Conversation with Amy Nicholson
Finding your tribe is one of life’s greatest pleasures—and losing it is one of the greatest sorrows. In NYWIFT Member Amy Nicholson’s beautifully observed film Happy Campers, working-class Americans gather every summer at a seaside trailer park in Chincoteague, Virginia, to enjoy the simple pleasures of a scrappy, no-frills vacationland, and each other’s company. When a developer buys the land and reimagines the property, the inhabitants of this shabby Shangri-La wistfully eke out the joys of one last summer together as a melancholic twilight hangs in the air. Happy Campers just made its world premiere at DOC NYC, where it received a Special Mention for the Grand Jury Prize. Amy spoke to us about her unique process making this film, biggest challenges and triumphs, and the commodification of some of life’s simplest pleasures.
READ MORENYWIFT at DOC NYC: In Conversation with Elivia Shaw
NYWIFT Member Elivia Shaw is a producer and co-editor of the fascinating new documentary How to Have an American Baby, which just make its New York Premiere at DOC NYC 2023. The film is a a nuanced, behind-the-scenes look into the booming shadow economy catering to pregnant Chinese tourists who travel to America to give birth in order to obtain U.S. citizenship for their babies. Told through a series of observational vignettes, and with extraordinary access to the maternity hotel industry and their clients, the film outlines the invisible contours of the underground birth tourism industry and its unexpected actors in the U.S. and China, while probing deeply into the lives of several protagonists caught up in the phenomenon. What results is an intimate and compassionate portrait of women’s reproductive journeys, family, traditions, and capitalist desires. Shaw spoke to us about her collaboration with director Leslie Tai and the unique joys and challenges of the project.
READ MORENYWIFT at DOC NYC: In Conversation with Emily Sheskin
NYWIFT Member Emily Sheskin’s return to DOC NYC 2023 is particularly meaningful. In 2017, she attended the festival with her short film Girl Boxer, about a 10-year-old champion female boxer and her adoring father. Six years later, Sheskin returns with a feature-length film following the same family, now facing an entirely new set of challenges. In Jesszilla, New Jersey’s own Jesselyn Silva, a three-time national boxing champion, is on her way to superstardom, dominating the junior ranks at the age of 15. With her every step of the way is her father, Pedro, a single parent who helps her navigate coaches, training schedules, and the angst of teenage life. When a devastating diagnosis threatens the father-daughter tandem, the pair turn to each other to fight their greatest opponent yet: cancer. Director and Executive Producer Emily Sheskin spoke to us about her unique journey following this family.
READ MORENYWIFT at DOC NYC: In Conversation with Ilja Willems
NYWIFT member Ilja Willems heads to the 2023 DOC NYC Festival with not one but two exciting new short films. Friendly Fridges shows how the new heart of the community is popping up in every neighborhood—in the shape of refrigerators. And When the grass must go follows a landscaper from Nevada who is removing grass lawns under a first-of-a-kind state law that will save water during an ongoing drought. Willems spoke to us about how these two disparate films align with her creative sensibilities, the joy of screening in NYC, and more!
READ MORENYWIFT at DOC NYC: In Conversation with Joyce Pierpoline
Congratulations to NYWIFT Board Member Joyce Pierpoline, Executive Producer of Mediha, which just took home the U.S. Competition Grand Jury Prize at DOC NYC! In this immensely collaborative film, a Yazidi teen once held captive by ISIS takes us into her world of grief, pain, and hope. We spoke to Pierpoline (prior to the exciting win) about her involvement in this important film.
READ MORENYWIFT at DOC NYC: In Conversation with Luchina Fisher
NYWIFT member Luchina Fisher’s powerful new film The Dads features fathers tackling tough, complex issues of parenthood, masculinity, and more – learning to love and support their children the best they can. On a fishing trip with Matthew Shepard's father, five disparate dads discuss their love, hopes and fears for their trans kids in this short documentary. The film is screening now at DOC NYC, where is was named to the festival’s influential awards short list. We spoke to director and producer Luchina Fisher about her personal connection to the dads, her exciting Netflix opportunity, and the film’s superstar supporter.
READ MORE2023 Tribeca Festival Recap
After a whirlwind trip to the 2023 Tribeca Festival, Tammy Reese offers highlights from her favorite interviews - including Dan Rather, Billy Porter, Phylicia Rashad, Morris Chestnut, Angela Bassett, Patricia Field, and much more!
READ MOREThe Walking Dead: Dead City Tribeca/NYC Take Over
"One of the best red carpets I’ve ever covered as a journalist hands down to date is the iconic moment of covering The Walking Dead: Dead City world premiere during the 2023 Tribeca Festival," says NYWIFT member Tammy Reese! Our resident The Walking Dead superfan shares her favorite moments - and fun video cast interviews - from the zombie-filled festival premiere.
READ MORENYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with the Team Behind Breaking the News
The new documentary Breaking the News, which just premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Festival, follows the determined efforts of women and nonbinary journalists launching a news “startup,” The 19th*, to foreground voices omitted from mainstream news. Filmmakers Heather Courtney, Princess A. Hairston, and Chelsea Hernandez provide a deep look into bias and inclusion in the ever-shifting media landscape. We spoke to the three co-directors and producer Diane Quon about their communal approach to making this film, and the challenges and triumphs of building a news organization (and making a film about it) during a global pandemic, political strife, and social unrest.
READ MORENYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with Cinematographer Karen Rodriguez
NYWIFT member Karen Rodriguez is naturally drawn to projects that align with her values, which made her latest cinematography outing, Deciding Vote, a perfect fit! The film just premiered at the 2023 Tribeca Festival in the Documentary Shorts category, and follows a landmark moment in New York state politics 50 years ago, when assemblyman George Michaels cast a single vote on New York’s abortion bill that changed the course of American history but destroyed his political career in the process. Rodriguez spoke to us about her work on Deciding Vote and what types of projects inspire her creativity.
READ MORENYWIFT @ Tribeca: In Conversation with Location Manager Dana Morgan
NYWIFT Member Dana Morgan is a New York-based stunt woman, actress and director. She has been in the film industry for over 15 years which during this time has afforded her the opportunity to work in front and behind the camera. Her diverse experience has brought unique ideas, concepts and solutions to the table while working with crew, directors, and support teams to bring their vision to life. She has expanded her creative reach to the role of location manager through her production company Going Up? Productions, LLC with business partner Cara S. Liander. Their latest project is Fresh Kills, the feature directorial debut of actor Jennifer Esposito, premiering now at the 2023 Tribeca Festival.
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