NYWIFT Blog

NYWIFT Talks SXSW 2021

We are joined by SXSW leaders Janet Pierson (Director of Film) and Claudette Godfrey (Senior Programmer) to discuss what SXSW 2021 looks like, how the pandemic affected them, and what they are doing to reclaim that momentum for filmmakers.

Moderated by Easmanie Michel, NYWIFT’s Special Projects Associate.

NDI & NYWIFT Present: Representation Matters

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.

NYWIFT Talks: ‘Making a Way out of No Way’: The Importance of Amplifying BIPOC and Black Women Voices with Visionary New York Media Arts Organizations

NYWIFT celebrates Black History Month by honoring the accomplishments and contributions of Black and BIPOC filmmakers.

In this week’s NYWIFT Talks, we return with part 2 of our conversation with NY Media Arts Organization that represent diversity artists. Learn how Black Public Media, Third World Newsreel, Manhattan Neighborhood Network, and Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series have continued to push their mission to amplify Black and BIPOC voices who have been battling against marginalization outside the mainstream. 

In discussion with Carolyn Butts, Leslie Fields-Cruz, JT Takagi, and Victoria Bert, and moderator to be announced.

NYWIFT Talks with The Creative Coalition’s Robin Bronk

On this week's NYWIFT Talks, join CEO of The Creative Coalition, Robin Bronk, moderated by NYWIFT Advisory Board President Simone Pero.

The Creative Coalition is a non-profit social and public advocacy organization of the arts and entertainment community dedicated to educating, mobilizing, and activating its members on issues of public importance.

NYWIFT Industry Screening + Q&A: ‘Test Pattern’

Join us on February 23rd for a screening of Test Pattern followed by a conversation.

Test Pattern follows an interracial couple whose relationship is put to the test after a Black woman is sexually assaulted and her white boyfriend drives her from hospital to hospital in search of a rape kit. Q&A date will be announced soon.

NYWIFT Industry Screening + Q&A: ‘A Thousand Cuts’

Join us on Tuesday, February 16th for a screening of A Thousand Cuts followed by a conversation with the creative team Ramona Diaz (Director & Producer), Raney Aronson-Rath (Executive Producer), Leah Marino (Editor/Producer), and Julie Goldman (Producer). Moderated by Brenda Robinson, President, International Documentary Association.

In this powerful documentary, journalist Maria Ressa risks her life and freedom as an outspoken critic of Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte's war on drugs.

NYWIFT Talks Covid Waivers

On this week's NYWIFT Talks, the first installment in a two-part series, we are joined by attorney Anna Broccolo to discuss COVID waivers as part of a series of conversations of the future of film regulations.

This conversation will be moderated by NYWIFT Board Member Maria C. Miles

NYWIFT Industry Screening + Q&A: ‘Flower Punk’ with Director Alison Klayman

Join director Alison Klayman to discuss her new film Flower Punk. We'll talk about releasing a film in the time of COVID-19 and virtual screenings. Plus, updates on her new work.

Flower Punk is a hypnotizing short documentary that brings you inside the work and process of Japanese artist Azuma Makoto. After watching, you won't be able to think about flowers the same way again.

This conversation will be moderated by NYWIFT Board Member Joyce Pierpoline.

NYWIFT Talks: NYWIFT Goes to Sundance

Join us for this NYWIFT Talk with NYWIFT Members at Sundance 2021! Spotlighted are Michele Stephenson and Margarethe Baillou, discussing their experience participating at this year's online Sundance Film Festival, working to complete a film during covid, and how they envision making an impact with their work/creativity during the pandemic.

Moderated by NYWIFT Board Member Gretchen McGowan.

The NYWIFT WFPF presents Trailblazers of Early Cinema 

Join The Women’s Film Preservation Fund as they present a screening and Q&A of Trailblazers of Early Cinema: A silent film program of pioneer filmmakers. Moderated by WFPF Founder Barbara Moss with guest panelists Kim Tomadjoglou and Buckey Grimm. Films available Jan 28th-Feb 1st, with Q&A on Feb 1st at 4pm ET.

The filmmakers in this silent program represent some of the first women to make films in the early days of cinema (1910s-1920s). They wore multiple hats on their productions - from writer, director and producer to sometimes actor. Many of these filmmakers’ works have been forgotten. It is Women’s Film Preservation Fund’s mission to preserve these engaging, cinematic treasures and share them with a new audience.

NYWIFT Industry Screening + Q&A: ‘Identifying Features’

Join us on Monday, January 25th for a screening/conversation of the film Identifying Features.

Middle-aged Magdalena (Mercedes Hernandez) has lost contact with her son after he took off with a friend from their town of Guanajuato to cross the border into the U.S., hopeful to find work. Desperate to find out what happened to him—and to know whether or not he’s even alive—she embarks on an ever-expanding and increasingly dangerous journey to discover the truth. At the same time, a young man named Miguel (David Illescas) has returned to Mexico after being deported from the U.S., and eventually his path converges with Magdalena’s.

From this simple but urgent premise, director Fernanda Valadez has crafted a lyrical, suspenseful slow burn, equally constructed of moments of beauty and horror, and which leads to a startling, shattering conclusion. Winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Audience and Screenplay Awards at the Sundance Film Festival.

HBO & NYWIFT Present: Industry Screening + Conversation: ‘I Hate Suzie’

Join us on Wednesday, January 13th for a pre-recorded conversation with the creative team of HBO Max original series, I Hate Suzie. Panelists to be announced.

Suzie Pickles, a star on the wane, has her whole life upended when her phone is hacked and a photo of her in an extremely compromising position is released for the whole world to see. This excruciatingly honest show follows the various stages of Suzie’s trauma episode by episode, through Shock, Denial, Fear, Shame, Bargaining, Guilt, Anger, and Acceptance as Suzie and her best friend and manager Naomi try to hold her life, career, and marriage together in the face of being exposed for who she truly is. But who the hell even is that?

NYWIFT Talks with Director Isabel Sandoval

For this week's 2021 NYWIFT Talks, join director Isabel Sandoval to discuss her first film Lingua Franca and the impact she made at the 2019 Venice International Film Festival. Lingua Franca the first film directed by and starring a trans woman of color ever to screen in competition.

NYWIFT Talks are free for all to attend.

NYWIFT Industry Screening: A Conversation with Gloria Steinem and “A Life Too Short” director Safyah Zafar Usmani (A Film about Honor Killing in Pakistan)

Join us on Friday, December 18th for a conversation with A Life Too Short Director Safyah Zafar Usmani! Moderated by writer, political activist, and feminist organizer, Gloria Steinem.

This free event is for NYWIFT members only.

The film examines the startling tragedy behind the killing of Pakistani activist and social media star, Qandeel Baloch.  A vocal, provocative proponent of women’s rights and freedom of expression, Qandeel challenged the highest ranks of power in her country with her open exclamation of women’s equality and sexuality. Her bravery and outspokenness ended in chilling violence that reverberates around the world. 

NYWIFT Talks with Founder/CEO of ShivHans Pictures, Shivani Rawat

In this week’s NYWIFT Talks, join Founder/CEO of ShivHans Pictures, Shivani Rawat, to discuss her upcoming Lionsgate film Wander Darkly, in which she produced. We'll also discuss ShivHans Pictures and their goals. 

This conversation will be moderated by NYWIFT Board Member, Kuye Youngblood.

NYWIFT Talks with Founder and CEO of CREW, Sharon Nelson

In this week’s NYWIFT Talks, join the Founder and CEO of CREW TV, Sharon Nelson This discussion will cover CREW TV's mission and what it means for women in film. We'll also discuss women's history and how documentary filmmakers can amplify those unheard voices. 

This conversation will be moderated by NYWIFT Program Manager, Barbara Vásconez.

NYWIFT Industry Screening & Q&A: ‘The Forty-Year-Old Version’ with Director Radha Blank

Join us on Monday, December 14th for a screening and conversation with The Forty-Year-Old Version Director, Writer, and Star Radha Blank. Moderated by NYWIFT Board Member Leslie Fields-Cruz.

Nearing 40 and still struggling as a playwright, frustrated New Yorker Radha turns to a different kind of stage, awakening a rapper alter-ego named RadhaMUSprime. As her revitalized artistic voice blossoms, Radha must learn to juggle her two personas—and two unique New York art scenes. In her debut feature, writer-director Radha Blank plays the deeply personal lead role, a magnetic presence with a unique perspective, creating a film that is a fresh addition to the New York City slice-of-life canon.

NYWIFT Industry Screening & Q&A: ‘I’m Your Woman’ with Julia Hart and Jordan Horowitz

Join us December 3rd for a screening and conversation with I'm Your Woman’s Director/Writer Julia Hart and Writer Jordan Horowitz, moderated by NYWIFT Board Member Amenya Makuku.

A decidedly female take on crime dramas of the 1970s, I’m Your Woman, starring 2020 NYWIFT Muse Honoree Rachel Brosnahan, is a tale of love, betrayal, motherhood—and what it takes to claim your life as your own.