NYWIFT Blog

Meet the NYWIFT Podcast Team: Leah Curney

The NYWIFT Women Crush Wednesdays Podcast Team works so hard to bring the most informative, empowering, entertaining, and fun interviews to our listeners. Today we are thrilled to highlight our podcast team co-host and contributor Leah Curney. Leah is a writer, director, producer, and performer. She’s directed several award-winning short films and is an accomplished video producer/director in the corporate space, creating content for a global finance company.

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NYWIFT MEMBER JOURNAL: FAVORITE MOMENTS FROM THE 2015 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL

(In Transit) It’s always a challenge to see all the films you want to see at a film festival, but it’s also difficult figuring out which films you should watch- many are making their world premieres and have yet to be reviewed. I attended Press & Industry (P&I) screenings with my TFF Industry badge. I...

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP: FUNNY BUSINESS, AGEISM & ACTION

Image via The Hollywood Reporter Even when discussing sexism, racism & death threats these women are still “effin” funny! Watching the 2015 Tony Nominees “In Performance” will put you in a great mood. (VIDEO) Freelancers Union founder Sara Horowitz has “commandments” to thrive in today’s new economy. This ageism chart supports what Maggie Gyllenhaal and thousands...

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP: BLYTHE DANNER, CANNES DO’s & A.C.L.U. DONT’S

Blythe Danner returns to the small screen as Ruth Madoff. (VIDEO) The Nightly Show head writer Robin Thede reveals writing styles that get HER attention. Here’s the Cannes Film Festival lineup we’ve been hearing about. Bessie Director Dee Rees on Latifah’s frontal nudity and finally seeing herself on screen. Actress Rebel Wilson did her own Pitch Perfect 2 stunts...

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP:MOTHER’S DAY MOVIES, LIFETIME OPPORTUNITIES & IT’S NOT “SWOOZY”

From sappy, to scary there’s a new or classic Mother’s Day Movie for everyone! Eye-opening statistics about women during Broadway’s 2014-2015 season. Lifetime announces Broad Focus–an initiative to put more women behind the camera. FOX cancels The Mindy Project but Mindy’s taking it all in stride. Besides, Hulu knows better. A delightful Q&A with Swoosie Kurtz reveals… we’ve...

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP: MORE WINNERS, MORE REJECTION

Congratulations to Webby & Daytime Emmy winners and 2015 Tony nominees! Author & cartoonist Alison Bechdel discusses Fun Home, admits she not interested in “that test” anymore. Screenwriter Aline McKenna (The Devil Wears Prada) reveals the best career advice she’s received. #Priceless What’s behind the DGA’s rejection of a program to expand opportunities for female TV directors?...

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP: FESTIVALS, LISTS & GOSSIP DISH

Here’s everything you need to know about the Tribeca Film Festival. The Cannes 2015 lineup was also announced–five female directors made the cut. This Bel Pesce TED talk may pinpoint why your dreams haven’t yet come true. (VIDEO) Both Amy Schumer & Jane The Virgin won Peabody Awards. TIME magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of 2015″ announced....

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP: AISHA TYLER, KIERNAN SHIPKA & MONICA LEWINSKY

Superspy, podcast host and home brewer… Aisha Tyler literally does it all.  To Hell and Back star Vanessa Bell Calloway warns young actors “getting a job is easy, getting the next one is hard.” Playing Sally Draper was her dream role but what’s next for Kiernan Shipka after Mad Men? Valuable tips for changing your habits and owning your online...

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP: EQUITY, EQUALITY & EMBARRASSING INTERVIEWS

L.A. Actors see Equity’s 99-Seat Plan as one big problem. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt costumer Tina Nigro on the importance of yellow sweaters & denim overalls. Anonymous actress “Miss L” calls out Hollywood’s glaring sexism. Actress and The Power Playbook author LaLa Anthony advises on how “inner power” changes lives. Cate Blanchett gives an embarrassingly funny Cinderella press interview....

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP: SISSY SPACEK, NETWORKING MYTHS & NO-BUDGET MARKETING TIPS

A “fearless” Sissy Spacek headlines the highly anticipated series Bloodline. Congratulations to Kirsten Schaffer, new Executive Director of Women In Film, Los Angeles! Glass ceilings exist in more movies than in reality and networking can backfire for women. How The Nightly Show writer Robin Thede turned her bleak childhood into career success. Latina media mogul Nely Galan has essential advice...

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP: TELEVISION, TRIBECA & TECH

Television now showcases the most talented actresses over 40. Women will lead Vice Media’s launch of Broadly, a female-focused channel. Tribeca’s international lineup includes several female directors.  The WGA still has a white, male bias. Actor, Megan Sikora on the pleasures and pitfalls of being on Broadway. An “entirely subjective” list of innovative tech equipment for...

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP: OSCAR RECAP, PHYLICIA RASHAD RETURNS TO TELEVISION & NEW RESUME RULES

[getty src=”464287122″ width=”594″ height=”404″] Another award season has ended. Here’s Oscar winners, snubs and what’s next for for everyone. Jamie Lee Curtis interviews Sigourney Weaver on friendship, family and fame. Sony’s hired the most but, where are the female directors at major studios?! Phylicia Rashad will star in For Justice, her first time in the main...

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP: MOVIE HISTORY, IMPOSTOR SYNDROME & OSCAR BALLOTS

[getty src=”463344498″ width=”447″ height=”594″] Fifty Shades of Grey director Sam Taylor-Johnson makes history, will not direct any sequels. In her book Knowing Your Value journalist Mika Brzezinski encourages women to advocate for their worth. Jessica Williams doesn’t want to helm The Daily Show and she’s not an “imposter” thankyouverymuch. Kathy Griffin discusses her career, fears and...

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WEEKLY ROUNDUP:ROSIE LEAVES, S.EPATHA MERKERSON & LAVERNE COX JOIN NEW SHOWS.

[getty src=”462681638″ width=”406″ height=”594″] The View will lose a different Rosie than originally speculated. Brainstorming, outlining, first drafts and other tips for a successful screenwriting career! What’s next for Dakota Johnson after Fifty Shades of Grey? (VIDEO) Comedian Margaret Cho turned her pain into a successful comedy career. S. Epatha Merkerson joins Chicago Med and Laverne Cox...

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Weekly Roundup: Lily Tomlin, ‘Transparent’ & MoMA Screenings

Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP. Lily Tomlin discusses new projects, gender bias and partying in her trailer with Jane Fonda. It’s official: Amy Pascal is no longer co-chairman of Sony Pictures. Disney reveals its first Latina princess: Elena of Avalor. This Q&A with Transparent consultant Jennifer Finney Boylan is as important and informative as the show....

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Weekly Roundup: SAG Awards, Hollywood’s Problems & Procrastination

[getty src=”462314188″ width=”594″ height=”481″] The SAG Awards was a great time for winners, nominees, and viewers. Ghostbusters new all-women cast includes new SNL “it girl” Leslie Jones.   An actual writer debunks the myth of writing workshops. What’s wrong with Hollywood?! Both Robert Redford and Nina Jacobson have strong opinions. Tina Fey’s new comedy will most probably be...

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Weekly Roundup: The Awards, the Scripts, the Possibilities…

//embed.gettyimages.com/embed/461567942?et=HYbpAcvhQQ97gzNg0s1DHw&sig=eHwZlkhMcXKcGx5bKxYYA-gujHYdYPUDhvh1APThdp8=&caption=true A full range of Oscar nominees, shockers and snubs. In other awards news…women ruled The Golden Globes! Jane the Virgin star Gina Rodriguez is America’s new sweetheart. Still haven’t seen the movie? Read the award-nominated scripts instead. From Arrested Development to Archer, actress Jessica Walter keeps us laughing. Perhaps your film doesn’t need a screenplay? – KELLY GLOVER

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NYWIFT Members at Sundance Film Festival

From the documentary The Hunting Ground. Members of New York Women in Film and Television have films at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, which runs from January 22 to February 1 in Park City, Utah. Here’s a sneak peek: ADVANTAGEOUS Section: U.S. Dramatic Competition Director: Jennifer Phang Screenwriters: Jacqueline Kim, Jennifer Phang Production Designers: Dara Wishingrad (NYWIFT Member), Aiyana...

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