NYWIFT Blog

NYWIFT Talks: AAPIHM 2023 – Stories that Represent Us & Continuing Forward

Join us as we celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a candid conversation about navigating the Writer's Strike in the midst of our momentum, about our representation in the US and the diaspora, and talk about telling stories that represent us. Let us explore how our cultures are represented here and abroad. While simultaneously discussing how our unique cinematic and nuanced cultural strategies impact our creative writing, directing and performances.

Speakers include Shruti Ganguly, Miranda Kwok, Martha Millan, and more panelists to be announced. Moderated by NYWIFT Board Member Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago.

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NYWIFT Talks: Earth Month

Join us for NYWIFT Talks: Earth Month which will recognize filmmakers who are using their media platform to advocate for environmental justice. Directors and producers whose work has explored climate change from various perspectives - from man-made disasters to natural disasters to wildlife endangerment - will discuss how filmmaking can shine a light on how these issues impact our society, particularly marginalized communities. Speakers include Natalie Cash, Judith Helfand, Audrey Rosenberg, and Charlie Tetiyevsky.

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NYWIFT Talks: Legacy of Media Arts Organizations Amplifying BIPOC Creators

On Feb 10th, NYWIFT commemorates Black History Month by revisiting the legacy of Media Arts Organizations and how they’ve contributed to the rich accomplishments and contributions of BIPOC creators. Media Arts organizations have had a rich legacy of supporting, inspiring, and training BIPOC creators for decades. In this week’s installment of NYWIFT Talks, Part 3, we'll learn more about how these organizations have accomplished their missions during the pandemic and economic crisis. Speakers included: Okema T. Moore (The Black TV & Film Collective), Iyabo Boyd (Brown Girls Doc Mafia), Sonya Childress (Color Congress), and JT Takagi (Third World Newsreel). Moderated by NYWIFT Board President and Executive Director of Black Public Media, Leslie Fields-Cruz.

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NYWIFT Talks: Stuntwomen in Film & Television

On this week’s NYWIFT Talks, we continue our conversation with more stuntwomen in film & television to discuss their work and how the pandemic has changed their career, and what new protocols have been set to keep everyone safe. Speakers for this conversation include stuntwomen Brenda Garcia, Ashley Pynn and Jenel Stevens. Moderated by NYWIFT CEO, Cynthia Lopez.

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NYWIFT Talks: NYWIFT Goes to Sundance 2023

On this week’s NYWIFT Talks, we’re headed to the 2023 Sundance Film Festival…virtually! We'll be in conversation with some of our NYWIFT members with films at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, including Annetta Marion, Dana Offenbach, Marcella Steingart. Moderated by NYWIFT CEO, Cynthia Lopez.

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NYWIFT Talks Holiday Special: A Look Behind Lifetime Movies

Join us for NYWIFT Talks discussing the love of Lifetime Original movies! Yes, that’s right. Everyone’s secret guilty pleasure and truly the world’s obsession. We sit down with creative executives to discuss the making behind these movies and what makes them some of the best films streaming. In discussion with Tanya Lopez (EVP, Scripted Content), Sapna Vyas (VP, Scripted Content), and Amy Winter (EVP, Head of Programming). Moderated by NYWIFT CEO Cynthia Lopez.

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NYWIFT Talks: The Future of Reproductive Rights

On this week's NYWIFT Talks, we have an honest and up-to-date conversation about Roe vs Wade and the future of a woman’s right to choose. Now is the time to re-organize, assess our current political landscape and discuss the best strategies to protect women’s reproductive rights. We'll speak with creative content makers, activists and policy experts to discuss how best to support the movement.

In discussion with Tia Lessin and Emma Pildes (The Janes), Steffie van Rhee (Battleground), Allison Rhone (Planned Parenthood Federation of America and Planned Parenthood Action Fund), and Dina Montemarano (NARAL Pro-Choice America). Moderated by Natasha Del Toro

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NYWIFT Talks: Changing Our Narrative: Indigenous Voices Rising

In this week’s NYWIFT Talks, we are honoring Indigenous Heritage Month with creators in the industry paving the way to visibility and equality. What has Hollywood done to respectfully represent Indigenous people, and how are these groups of writers, directors, and showrunners creating the change? How did they overcome their obstacles within the industry? and what work still needs to be accomplished.

In conversation with Jhane Myers, Yvonne Russo, Brooke Swaney, and more TBA. Moderated by Simon Moya-Smith.

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NYWIFT Talks: Puerto Rico & Climate Change

Join us for our next NYWIFT Talks, where we sit down with esteemed filmmakers, activists, and journalists in conversation about the climate change crisis in Puerto Rico. Our guests will discuss how the current circumstances have impacted society and the creative industry. Speakers include Cecilia Aldarondo,Frances Marie MedinaKristian Mercado, Laura M. Miranda, Esq., Kyara Morales-Rodriguez, and Giovanni Roberto. Moderated by Marangeli Mejia-Rabell (Director of the Philadelphia Latino Film Festival).

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NYWIFT Talks: Latino Representation in Film & Television

On this week’s NYWIFT Talks, we speak about the lack of Latino representation in the industry. What is lacking, what is misrepresentation, and what work still needs to be done in order for the voices of the Latin community to be appropriately amplified. Speakers will include Elaine Del Valle and Bianca Marroquín. Moderated by NYWIFT Board Member, Emelyn Stuart.

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NYWIFT Talks with Executive Director John Carson Woo of Asian CineVision, Inc

On this week’s NYWIFT Talks, we speak with Executive Director at Asian CineVision, Inc, John Carson Woo to discuss the upcoming 2022 Asian American International Film Festival. This conservation will be moderated by NYWIFT Board Member, Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago.

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NYWIFT Talks at 2022 Tribeca Film Festival: Highlighting Tribeca Shorts Program (Part 2)

On this week’s NYWIFT Talks, we're headed to the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival, highlighting filmmakers including our very own NYWIFT Members at this year's festival. We are covering some short films in the festival including Hoop Dreams, and more. In conversation with Director Kasey Elise Walker, Fredgy Noël and more to be announced. Moderated by NYWIFT Program Manager Barbara G Vasconez.

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NYWIFT Talks: Podcasting

Join us in this week's NYWIFT Talks as we get a perspective from women filmmakers who have found a new home in podcasting. We'll discuss podcasting with NYWIFT Board President, Jamie Zelermyer (I Was Never There, premiering at Tribeca 2022), Enid Zentelis (How My Grandmother Lost WW2), and Jessica Bendinger (Mob Queens). Moderated by Alexis Soloski (NY Times).

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NYWIFT Talks: ‘Sneakerella’

In this week's NYWIFT Talks, we discuss with the team behind Disney+'s latest film, Sneakerella. Join us for a conversation with Executive Producers Rachel Watanabe-Batton, and Jane Startz. This will be led by NYWIFT Board Member and Executive Director of Black Public Media Leslie Fields-Cruz. Learn more about the new film below. 

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NYWIFT Talks at 2022 Tribeca Film Festival: Highlighting Tribeca Shorts Program (Part 1)

On this week’s NYWIFT Talks, we're headed to the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival, highlighting filmmakers including our very own NYWIFT Members at this year's festival.  This week, we are covering some short films in this year's film festival including Valentine, and more. In conversation with Directors Chris McNabb and Beck Kitsis, A.K. Sandhu, and more to be announced. Moderated by NYWIFT Program Manager, Barbara G Vasconez.

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NYWIFT Talks: Women Journalists on the Frontline

Join us on Thursday, May 12th for NYWIFT Talks: Women Journalists on the Frontline. We'll be in conversation with journalists who have recently been on the front line in the war in Ukraine discussing their experiences on the ground and the unique challenges of being a woman war correspondent. In conversation with Maggie Rulli (ABC) and Salma Abdelaziz (CNN). Moderated by NYWIFT Board Member Christina Kiely.

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NYWIFT Talks Yes2Next with April Hattori

Join us on NYWIFT Talks with former NYWIFT Board Member, April Hattori and her mother, Aiko Sokolowski to discuss their online fitness business, yes2next and how they expanded their following through a media strategy harnessing the power of press and social media.

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NYWIFT Talks: Moms Working in Film

On this week’s NYWIFT Talks, we are honored to sit down with leading women in film that are changing the narrative of working moms in film. We'll speak with Creative Producer and Founder of mama.film, Lela Meadow-Conner and founder of MOM Film Fest, Tonya Mollineau. This conversation will be lead by Senior Development and Editorial Consultant, Maud Kersnowsi-Sachs.

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