May 5, 2026
Dear NYWIFT Community:
There are good days and bad days in life. The last six weeks have felt like riding a bronco, yet still very hard to hold on.
Congratulations to Black Public Media (BPM) on their PitchBLACK event, the United States’ premier pitch competition for independent documentary filmmakers and creative technologists whose content reflects the Black experience, led by Leslie Fields-Cruz (NYWIFT’s Former Board Chair) and the incredible team, including Tonya Thomas, Denise Green, and Kat Walsh. I attended the filmmaker reception held at Red Rooster in Harlem, and it was a wonderful opportunity to connect with friends and meet new people. The food by Chef Marcus Samuelsson was amazing.
Luchina Fisher (second from right) at PitchBLACK
Huge congratulations to our current Board Member Luchina Fisher, who won the PitchBLACK Award, which includes a cash prize of $150K, for the film Hiding in Plain Sight. Luchina is on a winning streak as she was just inducted into the North Carolina Media & Journalism Hall of Fame. To learn more about her, please visit https://blackpublicmedia.org/hiding-in-plain-sight/. Thank you, Easmanie Michel, our Director of Artist Programs, for representing NYWIFT at the event!
BPM’s Kat Walsh and NYWIFT’s Easmanie Michel at PitchBLACK
The same night, we were present at the ReelAbilities Film Festival at The Marlene Meyerson JCC Manhattan, where the NYWIFT festival jury (including Board Members Amenya Makuku, Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago, and staff member Catherine Woo) selected the film No One Cares About Crazy People, directed by Gail Freedman, to receive our NYWIFT Award for Excellence in Documentary Direction.
You can read the jury’s statement:
What makes this film truly stand out is the way it shifts the conversation on mental health beyond the headlines, inviting us into real, lived experiences with honesty, compassion, and care. It offers a powerful, holistic portrait of its subjects, honoring their dignity and humanity.
By weaving together archival and present-day footage, with deeply moving interviews from individuals living with mental illness, their families, and those shaping policy—it illuminates a critical and timely issue.
We are especially moved by the intention and heart behind this film. NYWIFT is proud to present the Excellence in Documentary Direction Award to “No One Cares About Crazy People.”
NYWIFT’s Al Dawkins presents at ReelAbilities
The filmmaker will receive a NYWIFT certificate, one-year membership, and a cash award for $1,500 for her creative needs. Thank you, Al Dawkins, our NYWIFT Membership Assistant, for representing us on the closing night of the festival and being part of the presentation of our award.
On Monday, April 27, 2026, Board Members Kim Jackson (Chair), Joyce Pierpoline (Secretary), Alex Alexanian (Former Board Chair), Katie Chambers (Senior Director of Community and Public Relations), and I attended the Chaplin Award Gala at Lincoln Center, honoring George Clooney. It was an incredibly inspiring event, and several Hollywood A-listers, including Sam Rockwell, Stephen Colbert, John Turturro, Julianna Margulies, singer Georgia Heers, and Grant Heslov gave poignant descriptions of what George meant to them and their career. It was truly a heartfelt community tribute in support of this powerful, humble, and multi-talented director, actor, and writer. His acceptance speech provoked tears from many in the audience, as he discussed the challenge and the need to meet this moment in our country’s history.
George Clooney at the Chaplin Awards
On that same day, NYWIFT, in partnership with Moonshot Initiative, hosted a NYWIFT Night Out at The Chelsea Bell, where over 200 creatives working above and below the line attended to meet new collaborators and learn about our organizations’ initiatives to uplift women behind the scenes.
Thank you, Membership Assistant Al Dawkins and Programming Coordinator Catherine Woo, for representing NYWIFT, plus special thanks to our interns for their work on this event.
In more difficult news, I attended six memorial services in six weeks. This was a very tough month for many families associated with NYWIFT.
On April 20, Aggie Gund’s memorial service was held at St. John the Divine. It was a tribute to her contributions to art, culture and education. She was a maverick in so many ways, singular in her philanthropic approach and dedication to art in public schools. The service included a variety of artistic expressions, personal testimonies from family members, as well as her grandchildren. Catherine Gund (our 2024 NYWIFT UrbanWorld Film Festival Award winner) told a heartwarming story about Aggie, asking her for motherly advice, when Aggie described motherhood as someone throwing you into a kayak from above with your child – and with only one paddle. Catherine then showed a picture of her as a baby with Aggie in a kayak without life vests. The image and speech will remain etched in my mind forever. If you did not attend, you can watch the recording of the service: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA5xbIveJe4&feature=youtu.be
On April 22, 2026, former Board Members Annetta Marion, Rachel Watanabe-Batton, and I attended Anita Katzen’s memorial service (NYWIFT’s former Treasurer), where her beloved husband, children, and friends told incredible, hilarious stories about her life, career, and family. Below please find the link to the service held at the synagogue – the family speeches begin at 17:55: https://vimeo.com/1179933391/4b0e1b5d23?share=copy
On Sunday, April 26, 2026, Barbara (Bobbie) Abrash’s memorial service titled “A Loving Goodbye” was held. The NYWIFT community showed up to support, including Beni Matias, Susan Zeig, Tracie Holder, and I. When I walked into the beautiful Chelsea loft space, it reminded me of her: bright, airy, and open-minded. There were about 75 people in the room: academics, filmmakers, and community organizers sharing many passionate and funny stories about her life and career. Many of her colleagues who worked with her at NYU, including Faye Ginsberg, attended.
The other three services I attended were private, so I will not include them here. Each was unique and honored their loved ones with grace and love.
Our deepest condolences to all the families that are heartbroken by their recent loss. May you find comfort in the lives each of these women touched and in the legacy they left for all of us to continue to carry forward.
Peace and blessings,
Cynthia Lopez
CEO, NYWIFT
