NYWIFT Blog

2022 – present: Leslie Fields-Cruz, Board President

2019 – 2022: Jamie Zelermyer, Board President

NYWIFT presented its first-ever programs at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah in 2020. NYWIFT co-presented the panel “Women on the Front Lines: Changing the Game” with AMC Networks, WIF LA and ReFrame at the SundanceTV HQ on Main Street. Panelists included Haifaa al-Mansour, Jackie Cruz, Hanelle Culpepper, Monica Levinson and Ekwa Msangi in...

2017-2019: Simone Pero, Board President

In June 2019, NYWIFT presents its first-ever NYWIFT Summit on Inclusion, Equality and Safety at the Ford Foundation Center for Social Justice. The summit features speakers from government, non-profits, advocacy groups, the press, production companies and more, in a series of targeted discussions focused on the state of the industry and actionable change. The 20th...

1973

The first chapter of Women in Film is founded in Los Angeles by The Hollywood Reporter‘s Tichi Wilkerson. The group would serve as a power network to counterbalance the LA old boy’s network.

July 13, 1977

New York producer/director Lenore DeKoven and Hollywood Reporter bureau chief Morna Murphy Martell call a meeting of 25 female colleagues in Dekoven’s Manhattan apartment to discuss the possibility of forming New York Women in Film — and suddenly the lights went out all across NYC. Could it have been the creation of NYWIF that was the power...

Fall 1978

First NYWIF roster published, listing the organization’s 52 members.

July 21, 1978

Certificate of incorporation to New York Women in Film, Inc, issued by New York State. The purpose of the organization is defined as: To create equal opportunities for women who work in the television and film industries; To promote an organization whereby members can exchange professional knowledge and resources with one another; To encourage and...

1977-80: Marilyn Casselman, Board President

Struggles with creation of a name for the organization (one humorous suggestion: Women in Film Entertainment — WIFE) Membership recruitment, organizational bylaws and structure established, including board terms (2 years), membership requirements (3 years professional experience), and the determination to remain autonomous from the LA chapter. No stationery, no office, no funds and no communal...

1980-81: Gail Frank, Board President

Creation of workshops where speakers could talk on a professional yet candid level Goal to encourage more production work in New York — for the industry and the women within it Membership recruitment of top-level executives and craftspeople Creation of NYWIF logo by member Elinor Bunin First Christmas Luncheon, honoring Pauline Kael at Barbetta’s restaurant,...

1981-82: Jeanne Betancourt, Board President

Addition of interviews with members to NYWIF newsletter, on issues related to that month’s open meeting Showcase of members’ work Second Christmas luncheon, with Robert Benton and Arlene Donovan as honored guest speakers, at the Tavern on the Green

1982-83: Victoria Hamburg, Board President

First national WIF meeting Christmas luncheon with honored guest speakers Dustin Hoffman (who recently starred in Tootsie) and NYWIF member and producer Renee Schisgal

1983-85: Celeste Gainey, Board President

NYWIF programs moved to the more centrally located Viacom conference center First catered open meetings Expanded workshops, screenings and seminars Initiated conversations on film series, with Martin Scorsese as our first speaker 1983 Christmas luncheon honors Meryl Streep Legal counsel Marsha S. Brooks redrafts NYWIF bylaws Establish first NYWIF office that is not in a...

1985-86: Mary Feldbauer Jansen, Board President

Second paid employee: a Christmas luncheon coordinator Christmas luncheon moves to the Plaza Hotel and honors Lily Tomlin and Jane Wagner 600 guests double the 1984 turnout and sell out the Plaza Spring fundraiser launched. Diane Sokolow recruits the 25 most influential people in the NY film community to sit on the planning committee. Governor...

1986-87: Nancy Leff, Board President

520 members, a 2,000% increase over our first year For the first time, board meetings are held throughout the summer First membership poll taken — results reported indicate No. 1 reason for joining NYWIF is to meet peers on a one-to-one basis Membership requirements increased to 5 years’ professional experience Creation of the intern/mentor program Creation...

1987-88: Pat Fili, Board President

Gail Harper hired as first executive director Office manager Rosemary Ricchio’s hours increased to a full-time position Brown Bag Lunch series inaugurated by Pat Fill Nancy Leff hired as freelance professional publicist Producer Barbara Corday is honored guest speaker at 1987 Christmas Luncheon First celebrity softball game in Central Park serves as the 1988 spring...

1988-89: Pat Herold, Board President

Phyllis Schwartz hired as executive director Sigourney Weaver is honored guest speaker at the 1988 Christmas Luncheon, our last at the Plaza Hotel. She is introduced, and lauded, by her longtime friend and collaborator Christopher Durang Spring event: celebrity softball in the park

1989-90: Mirra Bank Brockman, Board President

Membership outreach to craftspeople and minorities Master class series, created by Mirra Bank Brockman, inaugurated with a master class in directing with Barry Levinson Inauguration of seminar series in conjunction with MoMA, created by Beth Dembitzer: a 6-week series on screenwriting in the fall, and a 3-week series on the documentary the following winter Director’s...

1990-91 Marjorie Kalins, Board President

Our third and fourth seminar series at MoMA: the narrative themes and visual styles of film noir and the arts of screen comedy Access Breakfast Series created by Lisa Hackett and Greta Pessin Honored guest speaker Susan Sarandon received an overwhelming standing ovation for passionate and politically charged speech at the 1990 annual Christmas Luncheon...