At New York Women in Film & Television, we believe that when women come together, something extraordinary happens.
Across the festival circuit—from Woodstock, Hamptons, and NewFest to DOC NYC, SOHO, Chelsea, and beyond —NYWIFT members are creating powerful, inspiring stories that deserve to be seen and celebrated.
That’s why NYWIFT proudly champions our members every step of the way. Through press releases and social media spotlights celebrating our members, festival co-presentations, and special awards, we help women’s achievements in film and television take center stage.
The exclusive marketing benefits we offer as part of NYWIFT membership make us a standout among organizations in our industry.
We shine a light on the artists and storytellers who move our industry forward.
This week, we’re inspired by filmmaker and Chelsea Film Festival co-founder Ingrid Jean-Baptiste, who reminds us of the magic that happens when women uplift one another. Her words capture the heart of NYWIFT’s mission: to celebrate creativity, connection, and energy that drives us to tell bold, authentic stories.
When you become a NYWIFT member, you’re joining a vibrant community that supports your craft and amplifies your voice on the world’s stage.
Enjoy a Special Discount on Membership!
We encourage you to join NYWIFT by December 31. During our Year-End Membership Drive, we will offer:
- Half off the initiation fee for new members, $135 reduced to $67.50.
- No reactivation fee for returning members – all you will owe are the dues.
Meet Our Members:
Ingrid Jean-Baptiste is an actor, producer, journalist, Emmy® Member, and the creative force behind the Chelsea Film Festival.
Born and raised in Paris, Ingrid began acting at just two years old. She later studied History at La Sorbonne before launching a journalism career that took her from the streets of Paris to the studios of Los Angeles.
In 2012, a life-altering car accident left Ingrid with seven broken ribs and a fractured spine. During her recovery, she envisioned a platform that would spotlight urgent global issues through the power of film. That vision became the Chelsea Film Festival —now recognized as one of North America’s Top 10 Film Festivals, ranking #6 by USA Today.
Some of her Film & TV credits include: The Blacklist, Blue Bloods, Goyave, and Instinct Animal (selected at the 2019 Festival de Cannes). She co-produced her first short film The Secret and was cast as the lead in Fresh Direct and Google Pixel commercials.
For the past four years, she’s taken center stage as the official emcee of the largest Bastille Day celebration outside of France—hosted by the French Consulate in New York. Held annually at SummerStage in Central Park since 2019, this vibrant event draws over 10,000 attendees each year.
Ingrid is also the TV host for CUNY TV Presents Chelsea Film Festival on CUNY TV, where she invites alumni filmmakers to speak about their work. She can do it all!
And she sits on the board of the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.
Read our blog interview with Ingrid here, and check out the lineup at NYWIFT member films that were featured at the 2025 Chelsea Film Festival!
Learn more about Ingrid’s work at ingridjeanbaptiste.com at and follow her on Instagram at @ingrid_jeanbaptiste.
(All images courtesy of Ingrid Jean-Baptiste)
