NYWIFT Blog

NYWIFT 2023 Hamptons Brunch & 19th Annual Short Film Showcase

New York Women in Film & Television is delighted to partner again with the Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) (October 5 – 12, 2023) for our Annual Sunday Brunch and co-present the Filmmakers Calling the Shots short film showcase – all in celebration of the outstanding achievements by women and nonbinary filmmakers at the festival.

NYWIFT @ Woodstock: The Picket Line: A Road to Pay Equity and Sustainability

Join NYWIFT for a special conversation on the state of the industry at the 2023 Woodstock Film Festival! 

The creative industry has been radically transformed in the last several years due to the pandemic, economic turmoil, advances in digital technology and production efficiencies. Yet, creators of content, writers, actors and many others that are instrumental to media development are still struggling to ensure economic sustainability.

To date, over 11,000 writers and 150,000 members of SAG AFTRA have taken up protest to be heard and galvanize change. Come hear from the experts and those on the front lines, union members from Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and Screen Actors Guild/ Aftra, discuss what has been done to update contracts that no longer serve current working conditions and a critical look at what the public can do to support their efforts.  

Panelists will include Jo Miller, writer and showruner; Dana Weissman, Director of Programs at Writers Guild of America, East; and Neil Gaiman, Author, writer and showrunner. Moderated by Thelma Adams, writer, a two-time Chair of the New York Film Critics Circle.

NYWIFT Co-Presents Do The Write Thing: Breaking Into Television Writing

Join Film Fatales for a discussion about Breaking Into Television Writing with Jessica Sharzer (Nine Perfect Strangers), Peres Owino (African Queens: Njinga), and Rebecca Murga (Swagger).
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A career as a screenwriter is always a roller coaster, especially now. How can aspiring writers build a viable career path to create their work, sell their scripts, and make a living? Hear from successful television writers and showrunners who broke into the industry through a diverse set of paths from adaptations to documentaries. They will shine a light on their unique professional journeys and answer all your burning questions. How do you break into TV writing? What happens in a writers room? Where do you meet showrunners? How do you find representation? And much more.

NYWIFT Co-Hosts ‘Breaking the News’ at Tribeca Festival

Join Tribeca Film Festival & NYWIFT on June 9th and 11th as we proudly co-host screenings and a panel conversation of Breaking the News. Breaking the News follows the determined efforts of women and LGBTQ+ journalists launching a news “startup” to foreground voices omitted from mainstream news. Filmmakers Hernandez, Courtney, and Hairston provide a deep look into bias and inclusion in the ever-shifting media landscape.

NYWIFT Co-presents with Royal Film Commission of Jordan, and Women in Film and Television – GCC: A Conversation About Women Storytellers from the Arab World

Join New York Women in Film & Television at Cannes Film Festival! In partnership with The Royal Film Commission of Jordan and Women in Film and Television - GCC for a "Conversation About Women Storytellers from the Arab World". Speakers include: Cynthia Lopez (NYWIFT CEO), Rula Nasser (The Imaginarium Films), Mira Nimri (RFC - Jordan), Nancy Paton (President of Women in Film GCC), Alessandra Speciale (Venice International Film Festival), and filmmakers Luma Al-Hamarneh, Sonia Ben Slama, and Sofia Djama. Moderated by Melanie Goodfellow (Senior International Film Correspondent at Deadline).

The Business of Adaptations for Film and TV – Spring 2023

Savvy industry professionals love to leverage their time and efforts by capitalizing on a story that can be adapted into many forms.

Learn from this experienced panel of agents, attorneys, managers, producers, and writers about ways to locate common sources for your story or script and the power and pitfalls of working with adaptations for your project.

NYWIFT Co-Presents: Breaking Barriers, Sharing Stories: The New Indian Women Filmmakers

New York Women in Film & Television, New York Indian Film Festival, and Manhattan Neighborhood Network present a panel discussion that highlights the emergence of Indian women documentary filmmakers in recent years. Join us for a lite reception followed by panel at MNN 38th. Speakers include Geeta Gandbhir, Kavery Kaul, and Bedatri D. Choudhury. Moderated by NYWIFT Board Member, Shruti Ganguly.

2023 S.W.A.N. (Support Women Artists Now) Day Screening and Reception

Celebrate NYC’s 15th annual International SWAN (Support Women Artists Now) Day on Saturday, March 25th at SVA Theatre. Join FF2 Media, NYWIFT, SAG-AFTRA, Women in the Arts & Media Coalition (WAMC), and the SVA Theatre for a short films screening/Q&A followed by a reception in recognition of S.W.A.N. (Support Women Artists Now) Day, an annual event on the last Saturday of March that celebrates women artists.

NYWIFT Co-Presents Poetic Witness: Developing Documentary Films

Join NYWIFT and Film Fatales for a discussion about Documentary Development with Dawn Porter (The Lady Bird Diaries), Iliana Sosa (What We Leave Behind), and Lagueria Davis (Black Barbie).

Documentary Films are vital to our understanding of the world. Their insight and perspective can open eyes and change hearts. Come hear from successful creators of impactful award-winning films as they discuss how they went from idea to conception. What does it take to make a compelling and truthful slice-of-life documentary and how do you get it seen? Walk with them through their journey and learn what it takes to break the mold. With support from event partners BGDM, Chicana Directors Initiative, Firelight Media, The Gotham, NYWIFT, Women Make Movies.

NYWIFT Co-Presents Demystifying Distribution: Getting Your Film Into the World

Join Film Fatales for a discussion about Demystifying Distribution with Avril Z. Speaks (Distribution Advocates), Dina Amer (You Resemble Me), and Sophia Fields (Gravitas Ventures). Moderated by Alece Oxendine (Columbia University).

Our panel of industry experts will demystify film distribution and give you an inside look at how producers, sales agents and distributors work to get your films out into the world. We’ll hear about various paths towards distribution, creative ways to sell your work, and what the changing landscape of the industry means for independent filmmakers. With support from event partners Black Film Space, NYWIFT, Women Make Movies, and WrapWomen.

The Business of Adaptations for Film and TV – Fall 2022

Savvy industry professionals love to leverage their time and efforts by capitalizing on a story that can be adapted into many forms.

Learn from this experienced panel of agents, attorneys, managers, producers, and writers about ways to locate common sources for your story or script and the power and pitfalls of working with adaptations for your project.

NYWIFT Co-Presents “Brave New Worlds: Women in Sci-Fi” at Lake Placid Film Festival

Modern science fiction is about a whole lot more than little green men. From Star Trek to Arrival, science fiction world-building allows artists to explore political and cultural issues, and build idealized, equitable societies. Join us as we talk with a diverse group of indie content creators paving the way in genre filmmaking.

New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) and Upstate Women in Film & Television (UPWIFT) are proud to co-present this panel at the Lake Placid Film Festival. 

NYWIFT Co-Presents “Women in Film Night” at Montauk Film Festival

Join NYWIFT in Montauk for a night dedicated to Women in Film! We'll open the evening with networking, followed by a panel moderated by NYWIFT Executive Director Cynthia Lopez, and a screening of films by women filmmakers. 

THE DOWNLOAD: CREATING SAFE SETS

On Thurs. May 26th at 4:30 PM PT | 7:30 PM ET, join us for another edition of The Download - a special VIRTUAL guest conversation series featuring impactful filmmakers who provide insider knowledge to help Black creatives make their work. This edition will be held in partnership with NYWIFT (New York Women In Film & TV) and features a discussion centered on mental & physical health, wellness, and advocacy on sets. Get ready to take your production to the next level and create a SAFER SET!

The Business of Adaptations for Film and TV – Spring 2022

Savvy industry professionals love to leverage their time and efforts by capitalizing on a story that can be adapted into many forms.

Learn from this experienced panel of agents, attorneys, managers, producers, and writers about ways to locate common sources for your story or script and the power and pitfalls of working with adaptations for your project.

NDI & NYWIFT Present: Representation Matters for Climate Justice

Join the National Democratic Institute (NDI) and NYWIFT for this incredible panel that will focus on addressing the power imbalances and gender gap in politics and the media caused by excluding and biased representation. These often male-dominated mechanisms - e.g. media production hiring practices and party candidate selection committees - mean that women are shut out of the storytelling and policymaking processes, therefore they are not in control of their own narrative and empowerment.

A globally representative panel of political leaders, media experts and producers will be asked to discuss why representation matters, and provide examples of initiatives across the media and politics which promote a more diverse and intersectional environment. Speakers include Lydia Dean Pilcher (Film Producer & Co-Founder PGA Green), Rachel Lears (Jubilee Films), Emily Wanja (Impact Producer), and Mwanahamisi Singano (Women's Environment and Development Organization).

The Business of Adaptations for Film and TV – Fall 2021

Savvy industry professionals love to leverage their time and efforts by capitalizing on a story that can be adapted into many forms.

Learn from this experienced panel of agents, attorneys, managers, producers, and writers about ways to locate common sources for your story or script and the power and pitfalls of working with adaptations for your project.

NYWIFT Industry Screening + Q&A: ‘Holler’

Hoping to pay for college, a determined young woman lands a dangerous job working in a scrap metal yard during a brutal winter. With her goal in sight, she soon finds herself torn between a promising future and the family she would leave behind.

Join NYWIFT for a screening of Holler followed by a Q&A with Writer / Director, Nicole Riegel. Moderated by NYWIFT Board Member, Joyce Pierpoline.