Nywift Press Kit

March 31, 2016
Dear Journalist,
Trying to change the industrys landscape is not easy and requires the strength of intelligent
women to make things happen. While gender inequality in Hollywood has been an ongoing issue
for many years, New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) has been supporting women
calling the shots in film, television and digital media for over 38 years by creating opportunities for
all women both above and below the line.
In its ongoing efforts to leverage the playing field for women in the industry, NYWIFT provides
grants and scholarships with the support of exceptional women such as: Academy-award winning
actress and longtime NYWIFT supporter Meryl Streep; the late Nancy Malone, an actor, TV
director, Emmy-winning producer and co-founder of Women in Film; Loreen Arbus, the first
woman to head programming for a national network; award-winning producer Cornelia Ravenal;
and Elizabeth Crowley, Councilwoman for the 30th District of the New York City Council, just to
name a few.
Heres a selection of what weve recently announced:
The Writers Lab 2016, funded by Meryl Streep, for women writers over the age of 40, is
currently accepting script submissions.
Women Directors Series: Sharing Immigrant Experiences through Film has returned for its
second year to showcase women-made films on the immigrant experience.
Funds for Women Filmmakers: Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant, In-Kind PostProduction Grants, The Nancy Malone Marketing & Promotion Grant and the Ravenal
Foundation Feature Film Grant provide ongoing funds each year.
2016 scholarships, including a new scholarship for a high school to pursue a below-theline career, supported by the cast and crew of The Good Wife, including Julianna
Margulies, Alan Cumming and Mary Beth Peil.
Designing Women Gala 2016 is an annual signature event coming this June to celebrate
the works of women designers of hair, makeup and costume.
As we continue to discuss women in the industry, we hope you will consider NYWIFT as a source
to help contribute to your story and conversation.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you may have at 212.679.0870.
Warmest regards,
Terry Lawler
Executive Director
New York Women in Film & Television
6 East 39th Street, 12th Floor, New York, NY 10016-0112 phone: 212-679-0870 info@nywfit.org
The preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York, NYWIFT supports women calling
the shots in film, television and digital media. NYWIFT energizes the careers of women in entertainment by
illuminating their achievements, providing training and professional development, and advocating for equality.
Membership includes nearly 2,000 women and men who work both in front of and behind the camera. NYWIFT
is part of a network of 40 women in film chapters worldwide, representing more than 10,000 members.
Programs
Throughout the year, NYWIFT produces a wide range of innovative programs: panel discussions, seminars,
and workshops featuring experts who address industry issues and chart trends; film screenings where
filmmakers share insights on the creative process; and networking events that connect members to each other
and new projects.
Membership
Membership is open to individuals with at least four years experience above entry level in film, television or
digital media. Benefits include free and reduced admission to NYWIFT programs and special events,
admittance to members-only programs, invitations to over 50 screenings of pre-release theatrical features each
year, discounts on industry publications and production-related services, a professional listing in the online
membership roster, and access to an online member center that includes a job bank and resource guide. The
Next Wave Group is open to those committed to careers in film, television or digital media who do not yet have
four years of experience beyond entry level.
Muse Awards
NYWIFTs annual gala luncheon celebrates the vision and achievements of the remarkable women who
create, lead and transform film, TV and digital media. Honorees have included Lucy Liu, Claire Danes, Meryl
Streep, Whoopi Goldberg, Nora Ephron, Anne Sweeney and Jane Rosenthal, among many others. The gala is
attended by an enthusiastic audience of 1,100 industry professionals, including leading executives from every
major studio, network, and film production facility in New York.
Designing Women
This event honors the costume designers, makeup artists and hairstylists in film and television. Honorees have
included designers and artists from TV shows such as Mad Men, The Good Wife, and Orange is the New
Black, and films such as Midnight Cowboy, Titanic, The Devil Wears Prada, Moonrise Kingdom, and Chicago.
Special Funds
NYWIFT has three funds that help it to achieve its mission: the Womens Film Preservation Fund (WFPF)
provides grants to restore and preserve films in which women have played key creative roles; the NYWIFT
Scholarship Fund provides financial assistance to female film students at City College of New York, Columbia
University, New York University, the School of Visual Arts, and the Academy for Careers in Television and Film
(TvF); and the Fund for Women Filmmakers provides completion funding and in-kind contributions to
independent filmmakers.
Intern/Mentor Program
This program matches women who have a film or communications degree, or comparable entry-level
experience, with NYWIFT mentors. It provides interns with the chance to connect with industry professionals
and gain valuable experience.
THE NYWIFT STAFF

Terry Lawler, Executive Director
Terry Lawler has been the Executive Director of New York Women in Film & Television
since 1997. She is a Vice President of the Board of Directors of the New York Production Alliance
and serves on the Board of Directors of the Katahdin Foundation. Prior to joining NYWIFT, Lawler
was Director of Development and Production at Women Make Movies and National Director of Film
and Videomakers Services at the American Film Institute. She has been a media consultant for
foundations and nonprofit groups, including the MacArthur Foundation, the Astraea Foundation, the
National Museum of Women in the Arts and the Goethe Institute, among others. She was a
production executive on several network television specials and was Executive Producer of Visions
of Light: The Art of Cinematography (1992), which won Best Documentary awards from the
American Society of Film Critics and the New York Film Critics Circle in 1992, and Hollywood
Mavericks, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in 1990.
Duana C. Butler, Programming Coordinator
Duana C. Butler coordinates NYWIFT's programs and special events. Butler is also an independent
producer/director. She serves as Series Director for the National Black Programming Consortium's
public television series Afropop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange. She co-produced the
documentary Miss Navajo which premiered at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival and was broadcast
on PBS Independent Lens. She has also served as a Curator/Producer at WNET/Thirteen.
Katie Chambers, Community Engagement Coordinator
Katie Chambers manages both Communications and Membership. She was most recently a talent
agent in the Youth & Young Adult Theatrical division at Abrams Artists Agency in New York City,
representing young and up-and-coming actors in theatre, film, and television. She was previously a
junior agent and assistant to the head of the Youth & Talent Development division at Don Buchwald
& Associates, where she also ran the company's internship program. She has served on the Next
Generation Committee of the NY Television Festival, produced a critically acclaimed play at the NY
Fringe Festival, and interned for Manhattan Theatre Club and Hollywood producer Scott Rudin. Her
writing has appeared in The Huffington Post and several printed essay collections, and her graphic
design work has been used in advertising in publications including Variety 411 and The Hollywood
Reporter. Katie graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude from Drew University with a
double major in English and Theatre Arts.
Victoria Vasquez, Executive Assistant
Victoria Lauren Vasquez is the Executive Assistant at New York Women in Film & Television. Prior
to becoming its newest staff member, she interned with NYWIFT. She is a 2014 graduate of St.
Johns University where she received her bachelors degree in Mass Communications. Her career
within the media industry began as a teen correspondent for the Staten Island Advance, writing
public interest pieces which were regularly published. While a student at St. Johns she interned at a
The Lavelle School, assisting the director with research and drafting press releases. She later
interned with DJ Mo Bounce at New York City radio station Z100, posting content on his blog,
performing air checks and assisting with calls and contests. Most recently she served as a
production assistant for up and coming rapper and director Darshon Crudup aka Dwayve for his
soon to be released music video.
THE NYWIFT BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-2016

Alexis Alexanian, President
Alexis Alexanian is President of Production at Locomotive, an independently financed film and
television company founded by Lucy Barzun Donnelly and Alexandra Kerry. She started her career
in production on big-budget studio films, including A League of Their Own, Mississippi Burning,
Bonfire of the Vanities and Striptease. Alexanian is the co-founder, along with her brother David, of
Elixir Films, an independent production company dedicated to character-driven, passion projects for
film and television. At Elixir, she produced the international TV series Long Way Round, featuring
Ewan McGregor, which aired on Bravo, as well as Ethan Hawkes The Hottest State, released in
2007. Prior to Elixir, she co-founded, along with Gary Winick, InDigEnt (Independent Digital
Entertainment), New York's groundbreaking digital initiative funded by the Independent Film Channel
(IFC) and dedicated to producing low-budget, talent-driven features. While at InDigEnt, Alexanian
produced Sundance favorites Pieces of April, Tadpole, Tape, Chelsea Walls and Personal Velocity,
which garnered her an Independent Spirit Award.
Margarita Sophia Cortes, VP/Communications
Margarita Sophia Cortes is an entertainment publicist whose career began in 2000 at PPV
coordinating PR efforts for award-winning programs and critically acclaimed specials. In 2005, she
joined JGPR agency to oversee dozens of indie film and DVD campaigns ranging from Robert
Greenwalds Walmart: The High Cost of Low Price and Morgan Spurlocks Super Size Me to Robert
Klein: The HBO Specials and Sex and Lucia to Dirty Dancing: The Limited Edition. In 2009 she
established MSophia PR and led campaigns for Stieg Larssons The Girl With The Dragon
Tattoo, The Girl Who Played With Fire and The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest; the awardwinning documentary, Restrepo; the critically acclaimed Starlet, The Deep Blue Sea and Any Day
Now and Oscar nominated Monsieur Lazhar.
Anne Hubbell, VP/Development
Anne Hubbell is Eastman Kodaks East Coast Regional Account Manager for Studio and
Independent Feature Film, working with over 100 projects annually. She oversees studio contracts,
negotiates with productions, advises filmmakers, and does outreach at film festivals and industry
events. As a freelance producer and consultant, she has worked on film and television productions,
and not-for-profit media and arts events. She is currently developing and producing several narrative
feature films, including two Sundance Lab projects, and is writing an animated feature. Hubbell is on
the board of the New York Production Alliance and is a member of IFP and PGA.
Destiny Lilly, VP/Membership
Destiny Lilly is the owner of Destiny Casting, a boutique casting company specializing in short film
and video projects. Over seven years in casting, she has cast more than 150 commercials and
branded video projects. She is the Casting Consultant for the Live Action Short Film Program at SVA
where she mentors graduate and undergraduate students. She recently cast the short film A Poet
Long Ago, written by journalist Pete Hamill and directed by Bob Giraldi, which premiered at The
Hamptons International Film Festival. While serving on the NYWIFT programming committee,
Destiny has produced programs on topics including casting independent films and film festival
programmers. She is a graduate of Emory University and The Central School of Speech and Drama.
Simone Pero, VP/Special Events

Pero is a corporate communications executive, independent producer, and founder of For Impact
Productions, an advisory practice specializing in outreach and marketing for media and
entertainment companies and producing issue-driven independent films. Her recent work includes
impact producing for Meghan O'Hara's documentary The C Word, development of the Stony Brook
Killer Films MFA in Film Program, and producer on Jennifer Fox's upcoming feature film The Tale
starring Laura Dern and Common. Previously, she was Vice President for Corporate
Communications at MTV and Director of Communication and Marketing at Rainbow
Media/Cablevision. Pero also co-produced the award-winning documentary Body & Soul: Diana &
Kathy (directed by NYWIFT advisory board member Alice Elliott).
Octavia Taylor, VP/Programming
Octavia Taylor passed the New York State Bar with a singular focus: to be an advocate for artists.
She began her legal career working at a music boutique law firm where she reviewed and negotiated
music agreements for emerging producers and employment agreements for music executives. After
a stint at VH1, Octavia enjoyed being involved in the creative process of a television show so much
that she began to pursue a career as a television production attorney. She eventually worked for
both the Disney ABC Television Group and BET as a production attorney and as a marketing
attorney for HBO. Octavia is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a service organization,
and Freds Team, which is a fundraising program for marathoners who raise money for cancer
research. Octavia received her BA in Communications from the University of Virginia and her JD
from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
Anita Katzen, Treasurer
Katzen has worked as a tax accountant for her entire career, with a focus on entertainment clients.
Entertainment clients include actors, film, television and music producers, directors and writers.
Katzen focuses on corporate and personal tax and cash flow. Katzen has served on the New York
State Society of CPAs Entertainment, Sports and Art Committee for the past 15 years and was
treasurer of the National Association of Women Business owners for 5 years.
Maria Miles, Secretary
Maria C. Miles is the founding partner of an entertainment law firm with offices in New York. Marias
practice focuses on all areas of entertainment law including, film, music, publishing, fashion and new
media. Most recently, Maria served as general counsel for a multimedia start-up overseeing a
diverse range of matters including technology licensing and intellectual property (trademarks,
copyrights and patents), both in the US and abroad. Prior to her role as in-house counsel, Maria was
counsel to award-winning actors, writers, producers, television hosts, multi-platinum recording
artists, and corporations in the fashion and sports industries related to their entertainment matters.
Terry Greenberg, Communications
Veteran studio marketing executive Terry Greenberg has enjoyed an extensive career in both film
and television. Following several years in the cable industry, she transitioned into motion pictures,
overseeing campaigns for Paramount Pictures and The Walt Disney Company that included Top
Gun, Fatal Attraction, Ghost, Pretty in Pink, Toy Story, Aladdin and Evita, among many others. In
addition, Terry has contributed her Hollywood savvy to the New York Film Festival and has segued
into documentary filmmaking. Her recent projects include Carol Channing: Larger Than Life, and an
array of A-list panels for the DOC NYC Film Festival.
Robyn Watson, Development

Robyn Watson was until recently the Director of Corporate Communications and Engagement at
Time Warner Cable, where she was responsible for creating strategic communications initiatives that
drive key business results and supports the creation of high-performing and culturally dynamic
employees. In addition to being an active member of Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT)
and National Association for Multi-Ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC), she sits on the board of
directors for Entertainers for Education Alliance (E4EA), an entertainment industry nonprofit that
uses athletes, musicians and high-profile individuals to promote higher learning and personal
achievement among urban youth. She is a graduate of Emory University, is pursuing a Masters in
Science in Leadership from Benedictine University, and holds a master certification in Strategic
Organizational Leadership and Human Resources from Villanova University.
April Hattori, Special Events
April Hattori is Director of Communications at Expeditionary Learning. She has more than 10 years
of communications experience at established and entrepreneurial organizations, including Disney,
McGraw-Hill, Standard & Poors, Allstate, and Press Play Productions. April also mentors first
generation college students in the New York Needs You non-profit. In addition, she has served on
the boards of Town Hall and the Workshop Theater.
Annetta Marion, Membership
Award-winning director and Primetime Emmy-nominated producer Annetta Marions experience in
television and film includes documentary and reality television, as well as narrative film,
commercials, music videos, and internet content. Annetta is currently directing on the acclaimed TV
series Oprahs Master Class, profiling entertainment icons including Tim McGraw, Vanessa Williams,
Cicely Tyson, Berry Gordy, and Lenny Kravitz. She was also the showrunner on season three of the
series, which was nominated for a Primetime Emmy, a first for the network. Annettas producing
experience includes ESPNs 30-for-30 feature documentary You Dont Know Bo, which earned the
highest-ever rating in the networks history. Shes a graduate of AFIs Directing Workshop for
Women, and a member of both the Directors Guild of America and the Producers Guild of America.
Maura Kelly, Programming
Maura Kelly is an Emmy-winning producer and media consultant for TV, digital and special events.
She is the founder of Purple Mountain Media, an independent company specializing in development,
project management and community engagement campaigns. She has worked with the Jim Henson
Company, PBS Kids, Facebook, Southern Star, and Bill Moyers. Formerly, Kelly was an executive
producer at WNET/PBS for over 15 years where she produced award-winning programs, developed
revenue streams and created strategic alliances Prior, she was a Director of Marketing at Townley
Associates, producers of the WSJ Report. Currently, Kelly writes on entrepreneurs and emerging
technology trends for the Huffington Post.
Rosalind Murphy, Programming
Rosalind Murphy is an independent marketing consultant with diverse experience in film marketing,
social media strategy and event management. Prior to working as an independent consultant,
Rosalind worked as Executive Engagement Manager at Microsoft and Marketing Director at Film
Life, Inc. While at Microsoft she launched the successful quarterly Women Executive Forum and
received the Microsoft Diversity Inclusion Award for developing innovative relationship programs for
women executives. Rosalinds is an active board member of La Casa de Pedro and member of
Women's Association of the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
Heidi Brod, Development

Heidi Brod has been an active part of the New York Film community as an IFP Panelist and a
member of New York Women In Film and Television. She has over 20 years of experience in the
industry. She joined Miramax Films in 1991 as a script reader and quickly was promoted to
Development Executive running the story department. She was instrumental in developing awardwinning films such as Shakespeare in Love, Gangs of New York and Like Water for Chocolate. She
also helped to develop Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and The Producers (Musical Theater). She currently
works as a writer and freelance story consultant. She contributes to Huffington Post as well as
created an online newsletter focusing on health and beauty. She is currently finishing her first Teen
Fiction novel. She lives in New York with her husband Jon and their two children, Caylin and Logan.
Flo Mitchell-Brown, Communications
Flo brings over 20 years of entertainment industry leadership, management, and operations
experience to her role as Vice President of Payroll Operations New York at Entertainment Partners.
She also has extensive experience working with non-profit entities through various Board positions
and philanthropic work. She is honored to have served others within her personal and professional
communities, and she is extremely proud of her work collaborating and planning events and
initiatives in the non-profit sector. Flo currently sits on the Executive Board for NYPA and is Co-Chair
of the NY Lounge at Sundance, along with numerous leadership roles in the community at large.
Jamie Zelermyer, Special Events
Jamie Zelermyer is a New York based Independent Producer. Most recently she produced Ratter
starring Ashley Benson and Matt McGorry, which premiered at Slamdance in 2015. She was the VP,
Physical Production at Focus Features /Rogue Pictures for six years ending in November 2012. At
Focus she oversaw such movies as Admission, One Day, Jane Eyre, Sin Nombre and Miss
Pettigrew Lives For A Day. Prior to Focus Jamie was a Line Producer and Production Manager
working on films such as Igby Goes Down, Boys Don't Cry and You Can Count on Me. Over the
years, she has had the privilege to work with a number of notable directors including Steve
McQueen, Lone Scherfig, Kenneth Lonergan, Cary Fukanaga and Kimberly Pierce. Jamie is a
graduate of Bard College.
Claire Shanley, Membership
Claire Shanley works at the intersection of technical, creative, and strategic concerns for production
& post. In her current role as the Managing Director of Sixteen19, a full-service post-production
company, Claire oversees locations in NYC, LA, London, and New Orleans. A board member of the
Post New York Alliance, Claire is active in advocacy for public policy that benefits the industry as a
whole. She earned a BA from Columbia College of Columbia University and an MFA in Film & Video
from the City University of New York, then worked as an editor and technical specialist. Claire serves
as the Co-Chair of the board of the New York City LGBT Community Center.
Marsha S. Brooks, Esq., Legal Counsel
Brooks is a partner in the New York City law firm of Brooks & Distler. She has specialized in the
areas of entertainment and intellectual property law for over 25 years. Brooks represents producers,
writers, directors, rights owners, and for-profit and not-for-profit institutions in the fields of legitimate
theatre, motion picture, television, and new media all over the world. She is general counsel for the
National Alliance for Musical Theatre and New York Women in Film & Television.
Media Advisory:

New York Women in Film & Television Presents

The Art of Creative Collaboration with Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler

A One Night Only Exclusive Event Moderated by Alexis Alexanian
Monday, April 4th at SVA Theatre
Tickets Available Now

What: New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) presents an exclusive conversation with
Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler, the dynamic duo behind Maven Pictures, moderated by
NYWIFT President, Alexis Alexanian. Former Mandalay Vision president Celine Rattray (The
Kids Are Alright) and producer-director Trudie Styler (Snatch) formed the New York based
production company in 2011 and has since collaborated on independent features including:
Girl Most Likely, Filth and Black Nativity.

The Art of Creative Collaboration with Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler will feature a 90
minute conversation as they discuss the success of their creative partnership, which includes
new productions such as: Freak Show directed by Styler and featuring Bette Midler,
Laverne Cox and Abigail Breslin; Wildling starring Bel Powley and Liv Tyler; American
Honey starring Sasha Lane and Shia LaBeouf. There will be a cocktail reception immediately
following.

Who:
Celine Rattray has over thirty independent films under her belt as a producer, including
twelve Sundance Film Festival selections, five Toronto Film Festival selections and one Berlin
International Film Festival selection. She won a Golden Globe and received an Oscar
nomination for Lisa Cholodenko's 2010 Oscar-nominated hit film The Kids Are All Right
starring Annette Bening, Julianne Moore and Mark Ruffalo. Prior to producing film, Rattray
was the Director of Marketing and Business Development for HBO. Rattray graduated with a
degree in Mathematics and Philosophy from Oxford University. She currently serves on the
Board of BAFTA New York.

Trudie Styler is an award-winning and prolific film producer, director, environmentalist,
human rights activist and UNICEF Ambassador. Her film credits include the documentaries
Boys from Brazil, Moving the Mountain, The Sweatbox (which she co-directed), A Kind
th
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6 East 39 Street, 12 Floor, New York, NY 10016-0112 phone: 212-679-0870 info@nywfit.org

of Childhood and Yes We Can! The Lost Art of Oratory. Styler was integral in discovering
Guy Ritchie and executive produced his first two films Lock, Stock And Two Smoking
Barrels and Snatch. Since then she has showed her skill for recognizing new talent by
producing Duncan Jones's feature film debut, Moon. Widely acclaimed critically as well as a
commercial success, Moon earned a BAFTA Award for Duncan Jones and a BAFTA
nomination for Styler. Alongside her partner at Maven Pictures, Celine Rattray, she has
produced among other titles the award-winning Filth starring James McAvoy, and Still
Alice, for which Julianne Moore won an Oscar. Styler is now in post-production with her own
directorial debut, Freak Show, which stars Bette Midler, Alex Lawther and Abigail Breslin.

Alexis Alexanian (Moderator), President of Production at Locomotive, is an independent
producer with over 20 years experience in the motion picture industry. Her credits include
Richard Linklater's Tape, Ethan Hawke's Chelsea Walls, Rebecca Miller's Independent
Spirit Award-winner Personal Velocity, Gary Winick's Tadpole, Peter Hedges's Pieces of
April, and Ethan Hawke's The Hottest State. Alexanian also produced the international
television series Long Way Round (Bravo, Sky), starring Ewan McGregor and Charley
Boorman. She is currently in post-production on the new feature film Look Away, starring
Aidan Turner, Chloe Sevigny and Matthew Broderick. Alexanian is President of NYWIFT's
Board of Directors.

New York Women in Film & Television supports women calling the shots in film, television
and digital media. NYWIFT energizes the careers of women in entertainment by illuminating
their achievements, providing training and professional development, and advocating for
equality

Where: School of Visual Arts Theatre, 333 W. 23rd St

When: Monday, April 4, 2016 from 6:30pm - 8:30pm

How: $15 tickets for NYWIFT, BAFTA and PGA members

$25 tickets for non members

Free for SVA students and staff (valid I.D.)
Register online at: http://www.nywift.org/article.aspx?id=5952

Contact: For press inquiries, contact kchambers@nywift.org

For Immediate Release:
New York Women in Film & Television Announces:
WOMEN DIRECTORS: SHARING IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCES THROUGH FILM

Season Two of Screening Series of Films by Women Filmmakers
Highlighting Immigrant Stories in New York City Begins March 1
SELECTED FILMS ANNOUNCED FOR MARCH 1 PROGRAM: The Children
NEW YORK, NY (February 22, 2016) Produced by New York Women in Film & Television
(NYWIFT), Women Directors: Sharing Immigrant Experiences through Film, is a screening
series created to highlight and promote immigrant stories within New York City by women
filmmakers. This five-month long series, designed to showcase a themed exhibition of short and
feature-length films, opens Tuesday, March 1 from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at the Maspeth Town Hall in
Maspeth, Queens.
NYWIFT has selected two short films for its March 1 program with a focus on immigrant children.
The selected films are: Small Truths directed by Sarah Yuster and Michael McWeeney, and Refugee
Kids: One Small School Takes on the World directed by Renee Silverman and Peter Miller.
The screenings will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers and subjects, followed by a reception
to allow further engagement of the artists with the audience. Receptions will feature food correlated
with cultures of each screening, sourced from neighborhood businesses.
Funded by the citys Department of Cultural Affairs and Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley as part of
the Cultural Immigrant Initiative of the New York City Council, the Immigrant Experiences series will
continue to produce one screening per month through June 2016.
A free day-long documentary production workshop for immigrant and first generation women will
take place on Saturday, May 7th at the Maspeth Town Hall.
Immigrant Experiences: The Children March 1 Program

Small Truths (Directed by Sarah Yuster and Michael McWeeney)
Small Truths portrays an integral facet of immigration via the unique perspectives of young children.
Arcing from upbeat and funny to moments startling and sobering, we take an intimate look at lives of
NYC schoolchildren in an area thats predominantly Mexican and Central American. Second graders
in a Staten Island public school are filmed as they present written and illustrated pieces based on
their experiences.
Refugee Kids: One Small School Takes on the World (Directed by Renee Silverman and Peter
Miller)
The film follows the immigrant experience of children who attend at the International Rescue
Committees New York summer school for children seeking refuge from the worlds most volatile
conflicts. In 40 emotional and immersive minutes, viewers come to know and love these newly
arrived students who put a human face on a global crisis.
For more information or to register for the March 1st screening, please visit:
www.nywift.org/ImmigrantMarch1
About New York Women in Film & Television:

New York Women in Film & Television supports women calling the shots in film, television and digital
media. NYWIFT energizes the careers of women in entertainment by illuminating their
achievements, providing training and professional development, and advocating for equality.
The preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York, NYWIFT brings together
nearly 2,000 women and men working both above and below the line. NYWIFT is part of a network
of 40 women in film chapters worldwide, representing more than 10,000 members. NYWIFT
produces over 50 innovative programs and special events annually, including the Muse Awards for
Vision and Achievement, which honors women in front of and behind the camera, and Designing
Women, which recognizes costume designers, makeup artists and hair stylists in the industry.
NYWIFT is a nonprofit, 501c3 public charity, and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent
provided by law. It is governed by an 18 member board of directors. The board is elected by the
membership.
More information can be found online at: www.NYWIFT.org
Press Inquiries:
Victoria Vasquez
info@nywift.org
212.679.0870

New York Women In Film & Television and IRIS Announce:
THE WRITERS LAB 2016 FUNDED BY OSCAR WINNER MERYL STREEP

RETURNS WITH A LEAGUE OF ACCLAIMED WOMEN FILMMAKERS FOR
THE ONLY PROGRAM OF ITS KIND IN THE WORLD
Call For Submissions Now Open Through April 14, 2016
New York City (February 11, 2016) Established for women screenwriters over the age of 40 by
New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) and IRIS, The Writers Lab returns in 2016
once again with funding provided by Oscar winner and NYWIFT Muse honoree Meryl Streep. The
Writers Lab 2016 has selected seasoned filmmakers set up to provide exclusive mentorship and
increase opportunities while cultivating more content made by women.
The mentors attached to The Writers Lab 2016 will include: Academy Award nominee Meg
LeFauve (Inside Out); Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Secret Life of Bees, Love & Basketball);
Caroline Kaplan (Time Out of Mind, Personal Velocity); Mary Jane Skalski (Win Win, The
Station Agent), Darnell Martin (Cadillac Records, I Like It Like That), Kirsten Smith (Legally
Blonde, upcoming Expendabelles), Alexis Alexanian (Maggies Plan) and Gurinder Chadha
(Viceroys House, Bend It Like Beckham).
The Writers Lab 2016 will take place from Thursday, September 22 - Sunday, September 25, 2016
and will include twelve selected female screenwriters over 40 for a four-day intensive script
development retreat with acclaimed mentors.
After the overwhelming support we received from last years inaugural launch, it is clear The
Writers Lab is a vital step in shaping a new landscape for women, said Terry Lawler, Executive
Director of New York Women in Film & Television.
Last years selected screenwriters are finishing rewrites under the guidance and mentorship
provided by the lab, while a few scripts are currently in development, said Nitza Wilon, co-founder
of IRIS. Wilon continues, "The Lab has manifested what most of us already know: Women draw
limitless strength and creative power from one another. Now thats a natural sustainable energy
source."
The selected female screenwriters will be announced on August 1. Submissions must be featurelength, fictional narrative scripts of any genre written by women over the age of 40, who are
American citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.

The Writers Lab was created in 2015 as the only program of its kind in the world to provide script
development for women writers over the age of 40, while granting a springboard to the next stage
of production and expanding the boundaries of narrative film.

For more information and to submit, please visit www.thewriterslab.nyc
About IRIS
IRIS is a collective of women filmmakers founded by Kyle Ann Stokes, Elizabeth Kaiden and Nitza
Wilon to champion the female voice through fictional narrative film.
For more information, please visit: www.thewriterslab.nyc/about/iris/
New York Women in Film & Television supports women calling the shots in film, television and
digital media. NYWIFT energizes the careers of women in entertainment by illuminating their
achievements, providing training and professional development, and advocating for equality.
The preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York, NYWIFT brings
together nearly 2,000 women and men working both above and below the line. NYWIFT is part of a
network of 40 women in film chapters worldwide, representing more than 10,000 members.
NYWIFT produces over 50 innovative programs and special events annually, including the Muse
Awards for Vision and Achievement, which honors women in front of and behind the camera, and
Designing Women, which recognizes costume designers, makeup artists and hair stylists in the
industry.
NYWIFT is a nonprofit, 501c3 public charity, and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent
provided by law. It is governed by an 18 member board of directors. The board is elected by the
membership.
Press Inquiries:
Katie Chambers
kchambers@nywift.org
212.679.0870
MSophia PR
Margarita@msophiapr.com
917.474.7292
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

NEW YORK WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION TO HONOR AND CELEBRATE
GABOUREY SIDIBE, BLYTHE DANNER, PATRICIA CLARKSON,
SARAH BARNETT AND VICTORIA ALONSO
AT THE 35TH ANNUAL MUSE AWARDS ON DECEMBER 10TH
WITH EMCEE NANCY GILES

Lizz Winstead to be Presented with the Loreen Arbus Changemaker Award
Recognizing Outstanding Women Who Champion Change in the Entertainment
Industry
NEW YORK, NY NOVEMBER 10, 2015 New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT),
which has supported women calling the shots throughout the entertainment industry for nearly 40
years, is pleased to present their 35th annual Muse Awards gala luncheon on Thursday, December
10th at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel. The spirited Muse Awards recognize and celebrate the
remarkable achievements of women in the film, television and digital media industries. Actress and
CBS Commentator Nancy Giles will emcee the afternoons events.
The Muse honorees for this year include five of the most talented women in the business:
Gabourey Sidibe, an Academy and Golden Globe Award-nominated actress recognized for her
roles on-screen in Precious, Showtimes The Big C, FXs American Horror Story. The
Independent Spirit Award and NCAAP Image Award-winner was recently in the films Gravy,
Life Partners and White Bird in a Blizzard, on Hulus Difficult People and in FOXs Empire.
Blythe Danner, a Tony and Emmy Award-winning actress for her work in The Miser, Butterflies
Are Free and Huff, also renowned for film roles, including Meet the Parents, Brighton Beach
Memoirs, Woody Allens Husbands and Wives and Sylvia. She is currently filming the TV
movie Madoff.
Patricia Clarkson, an Emmy Award-winning actress for her role in HBOs Six Feet Under, also an
Oscar, Academy, Tony, Golden Globe and Independent Spirit Award nominee for her work in
Pieces of April, The Elephant Man and High Art. She was most recently in the thrillers The
Maze Runner, October Gale, The East and in the family-oriented drama Last Weekend.
Sarah Barnett, president and general manager of BBC America. In just under one year, she has
helped the network experience unprecedented growth, receive an Emmy Award nomination
and breakthrough ratings. She is also known for her leadership at the BBC in London and at
SundanceTV, where she launched the networks scripted programming, including Carlos, a
Golden Globe Award winner.
Victoria Alonso, executive vice president of physical production for Marvel Studios. She is credited
for executive producing many action-packed films, including The Avengers, Guardians of the
Galaxy and Captain America: The Winter Soldier among others, and for co-producing Iron
Man, Iron Man 2, Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger. She began her career in
the visual effects industry, working with top directors including Tim Burton, Ridley Scott and
Andrew Adamson to name a few.
Lizz Winstead will receive the 10th annual Loreen Arbus Changemaker Award. The acclaimed

comedienne, radio and television personality, author and blogger for The Huffington Post is also the
co-creator of The Daily Show and Air America Radio network. She also started Lady Parts Justice,
an organization dedicated to creating more awareness of anti-choice legislation, to help fight for
womens reproductive rights. Lizz frequently appears on various shows on CNN and MSNBC.
The Loreen Arbus Changemaker Award was created with the generous support of New York
Women in Film & Television member Loreen Arbus. Each year, it is given to an individual,
organization or corporation in the entertainment industry that has helped to create and bring about
significant change to benefit and aid women.
We look forward to the Muse Awards each December and this year is certainly no exception, said
New York Women in Film & Television Executive Director Terry Lawler. The inspirational event
gives us another opportunity to get together to not only support and mentor each other as we do on
a regular basis, but to really take a moment to credit success, outstanding talent, entrepreneurship
and vision among our remarkable colleagues and friends. There are always some surprises during
the afternoon, as you can imagine with such a great group of charismatic, fun and smart people
celebrating in one place.
The Muse Awards gala luncheon is one of the most coveted tickets during the height of the holiday
season, and is attended by leading executives from major studios, broadcast and cable networks
and film, television and digital media production facilities. Past recipients include Meryl Streep,
Claire Danes, Anne Sweeney, Martha Stewart, Robin Wright, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Julianne Moore,
Tina Fey, America Ferrera, Julianna Margulies, Cicely Tyson, Wanda Sykes and Lucy Liu.
Tickets are $165 for most New York Women in Film & Television members and $350 for nonmembers. Corporate tables for $3500 or sponsorships starting at $5000 are also available. To
purchase, please visit nywift.org/MUSE.
###
About New York Women in Film & Television
The preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York City, NYWIFT supports
women calling the shots in film, television and digital media. NYWIFT energizes the careers of
women in entertainment by illuminating their achievements, providing training and professional
development activities, and advocating for equity. Membership includes more than 2,000 women
and men working in all areas of the industry. NYWIFT is part of a network of 40 women in film
organizations worldwide, representing more than 10,000 members. For further information about
New York Women in Film & Television, please visit nywift.org and follow them on social media for
additional event updates, news and photos.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nywift
Instagram: https://instagram.com/nywift/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NYWIFT
Tumblr: http://nywift.tumblr.com/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/nywift/
Press Contact
Katie Chambers
Community Engagement Coordinator
Kchambers@nywift.org
(212) 679 0870, ext. 23

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
NEW YORK WOMEN IN FILM & TELEVISION ANNOUNCES
THE RAVENAL FOUNDATION FEATURE FILM GRANT AWARDEE
AT THEIR 13th ANNUAL WOMENS BRUNCH AT THE HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM
FESTIVAL ON OCTOBER 11, 2015
Grant awarded to Rachel Feldman for LEDBETTER
NEW YORK, NY OCTOBER 11, 2015 New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) is pleased to
announce the presentation of a $7,500 grant funded by the Alan M. & Mildred S. Ravenal Foundation. The
NYWIFT Ravenal Foundation Grant supports the production of a dramatic feature film from a female secondtime feature film director over 40 years of age. Grant funds may be used for pre-production, production, or
post-production.
This years grant has been awarded to Rachel Feldman for LEDBETTER. Feldman will direct the screenplay
that she co-wrote with Adam Price. The film is a suspenseful drama and true story of Lily Ledbetter, the woman
for whom President Obama named The Fair Pay Act. The script is an Athena List Screenplay award winner.
Im passionate about my film about the remarkable hero, Lilly Ledbetter, because she is the personification of
how one person can instigate justice, Feldman said. Whether a tire factory supervisor in Alabama or a film
director in Hollywood, gender discrimination is the same everywhere. My hope is that Lillys legacy of fairness
and determination will reverberate for girls and women around the world.
Rachel Feldman is a director and screenwriter who has directed many hours of network television, including
the feature-length Lifetime movie-for-television SHES NO ANGEL. She is currently in development on
SHUTTERBUG, a mother/daughter comedy for Electric Entertainment and she recently won the 2015 Writers
Guild of America Drama Queen Award for Best Spec Pilot written by a woman WGA member for her script
THE UNDERNEATH. Feldman also teaches directing and screenwriting at the MFA level at University of
Southern California School of Cinematic Arts and Loyola Marymount University. She chaired the Directors
Guild of America Womens Committee in 2012-2013.
LEDBETTER was chosen from a wide range of applications submitted by women filmmakers from around the
country.
This is the second year the grant is being presented. Last year it was awarded to Janet Grillo for JACK OF
THE RED HEARTS, which went on to premiere at the inaugural Bentonville Film Festival in May and will open
in New York in December.
Filmmaker Cornelia Ravenal, who initiated the grant, states, Barriers in the entertainment industry, especially
for women directors, are finally being exposed. But for women over 40, theres an additional barrier: ageism.
We hope this grant begins to address that inequity and encourages all women directors to forge ahead.

###
New York Women in Film & Television supports women calling the shots in film, television and digital media.
NYWIFT energizes the careers of women in entertainment by illuminating their achievements, providing
training and professional development, and advocating for equality.
The preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York, NYWIFT brings together nearly
2,000 women and men working both above and below the line. NYWIFT is part of a network of 40 women in
film chapters worldwide, representing more than 10,000 members. NYWIFT produces over 50 innovative
programs and special events annually, including the Muse Awards for Vision and Achievement, which honors
women in front of and behind the camera, and Designing Women, which recognizes costume designers,
makeup artists and hair stylists in the industry.
NYWIFT is a nonprofit, 501c3 public charity, and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.
It is governed by an 18-member board of directors. The board is elected by the membership.
Press Inquiries:
Katie Chambers
212.679. 0870
NEW YORK WOMEN IN FILM & TELVISION ANNOUNCES

THE SABRINA WRIGHT-GILLIAR AWARD
New York City (August 17, 2015) - New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) is
pleased to announce the creation of The Sabrina Wright-Gilliar Award. The scholarship
honors the memory of the legendary prop master Wright-Gilliar and will be given to a
female high school senior graduating from the Academy for Careers in Television and Film
(TvF) in Queens, NY. TvF is a career and technical education (CTE) high school where
students simultaneously participate in a college preparatory academic program while
learning skills that are applicable to the joining the workforce. It will be a tribute to the
qualities of determination and creativity that Wright-Gilliar brought to her work and her
everyday interactions.
NYWIFT will present $2500 annually to a student who intends to pursue a career in a
below-the-line craft in the film, television or digital media industry. This award may be
applied to post-secondary education expenses, craft training fees, union initiation costs or
any other expenditures relating to the recipients becoming a full-time member of the New
York City film, television and digital media industry. The first Sabrina Wright-Gilliar Award
will be presented in the Spring of 2016.
We are proud to honor the memory of this industry artist in way that we know would be
meaningful to her by supporting the next generation of women in the film, television and
digital media crafts, said NYWIFT Executive Director Terry Lawler.
Donations by check should be made out to NYWIFT with Sabrina Fund noted. Please mail
to NYWIFT, 6 East 39th Street, Suite 1200, New York, NY 10016-0112. Donations can
also be made online at www.nywift.org/sabrina.
About Sabrina Wright-Gilliar:
Sabrina Wright-Gilliar was born on May 27, 1957. A native New Yorker, she grew up in the
West Village, where she attended public school and took advantage of all the city had to
offer. Sabrina and her mother traveled to Europe, Africa and South America. Her longest
stays were summers spent in Spain, where she became fluent in Spanish.
After a stint in the corporate world, Sabrina followed in her fathers footsteps and started a
thirty-year career in the film business. A fourth-generation member of the International
Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE Local 52), she excelled at everything she
tried her hand at and worked tirelessly in a variety of crafts. Sabrina started as a set
dresser in the prop department on huge commercials. She continued to work her way up
the ladder to become one of the first female department heads in the unions history. She
was the set decorator on When Harry Met Sally and on the New York unit of Sea Of Love.
Sabrina then settled in on her true calling, working for the rest of her career as one of the
most sought after and legendary prop masters in the industry.
Sabrinas love of working in film and television guided her choices, as she often took a job
because she liked the script or the director or something personally moved her about the
project. Her uncle, another mentor, hired her on the film Jumping Jack Flash, where she
met her husband, Jim Gilliar. Sabrinas daughter, Laura, is currently working in a prop
department as a fifth generation IATSE Local 52 member. Laura was fortunate to work
alongside and learn from her mother before her passing.
Sabrinas film credits include Precious, Music Of The Heart and Illuminata. Her television
credits include over seventy episodes of The Good Wife and over eighty episodes of Sex
In The City. Sabrinas well-recognized laughter and bright smile will never be forgotten and
her work ethic has left a legacy for many future generations.
and digital media. NYWIFT energizes the careers of women in entertainment by
illuminating their achievements, providing training and professional development, and
advocating for equality.
The preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York, NYWIFT
brings together nearly 2,000 women and men working both above and below the line.
NYWIFT is part of a network of 40 women in film chapters worldwide, representing more
than 10,000 members and produces over 50 innovative programs and special events
annually. More information can be found online at http://www.nywift.org
About TvF:
The Academy for Careers in Television and Film (TvF), which opened its doors to its first
freshman cohort in September 2008, serves grades 9 through 12 and uniquely provides its
students with meaningful entry points into a range of film and video below-the-line craft
positions almost entirely neglected by existing high school and college programs, as well
as a high quality college prep education. With a graduation rate of 99%, students benefit
from a unique four year curriculum of film/video studies as well as unprecedented
opportunities to work alongside industry professionals and gain valuable experience to
support their career and academic aspirations. Industry internships (Work Based Learning)
allow students to develop the technical skills and work ethic necessary to pursue careers
in production and other industries.
NYWIFT PRESS CONTACT:
Katie Chambers
Community Engagement Coordinator
(212) 679-0870, ext. 23
NYWIFT FUND FOR WOMEN FILMMAKERS

New York Women in Film & Television provides funding to women filmmakers through four
annual grants. Applications are generally accepted in the late Spring and grants are awarded
throughout the year. Applications are available online at www.nywift.org.

The available grants are The Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant, In-Kind Post-Production
Grants, The Nancy Malone Marketing & Promotion Grant and The Ravenal Foundation Feature
Film Grant.

The Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant

NYWFIT established The Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant through the generosity of
Loreen Arbus. The film completion grant for $7,500 is awarded to a woman filmmaker for a film
on physical or developmental disability issues. Directors and producers are eligible to apply.
Films may be of any length or genre. The Grant is awarded to help complete a work-in-progress.
Films must have completed principle photography to be eligible. Finished films are not eligible.
Filmmakers must be U.S.-based.

The 2014 Loreen Arbus Disability Awareness Grant was awarded to Jennifer Redfearn for her
feature film Tocando La Luz (Tough the Light), which premiered at both The Full Frame
Documentary Film Festival in Durham, NC, and The Ashland Film Festival in Ashland, OR, in
April.

The 2012 recipient, Do You Dream in Color?, a full-length documentary feature directed by
Abigail Fuller and Sarah Ivy, will screen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on July 18 in
celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act

In-Kind Post-Production Grants

NYWIFT offers grants of in-kind post-production services to documentary and narrative films
directed and produced by New York areabased women filmmakers. Grants for an online
session and/or a sound mix are awarded. Films may be up to one and a half hours long. The
Grants are awarded to help complete a work-in-progress. Films must have completed principle
photography and be at a rough cut or fine cut stage to be eligible. NYWIFTs In-Kind PostProduction Grants are made possible by Onomatopoeia/Bridge Multimedia, Park Avenue Post,
and Nice Shoes.

The 2014 In-Kind Post-Production grants were awarded to Gabriela Bortolamedi for her short
documentary film Ni Aqui, Ni Alla (Neither Here, Nor There) and Betty Bastidas for her featurelength documentary DreamTown. Ni Aqui, Ni Alla screened at The American Museum of Natural
Historys 2014 Margaret Mead Festival and the 2015 San Diego Latino Film Festival.
DreamTown has received the National Association of Latino Independent Producers
(NALIP)/HBO Documentary Award and the National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures
(NALAC) grant, and a short version of the film (about Afro-Ecuadorian soccer players) was
published on PBSs Frontline/World.

The Nancy Malone Marketing & Promotion Grant

The New York Women in Film & Television Nancy Malone Marketing and Promotion (MAP)
Grant will provide resources to help an emerging woman director get her film recognized and
ready for distribution.

The 2014 Nancy Malone MAP Grant was awarded to Marielle Heller for her feature Diary of a
Teenage Girl. The film premiered to rave reviews at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, where
Sony Pictures Classics and K5 Intl acquired the rights for distribution. Variety named Heller one
of its Ten Directors to Watch in January.

The Ravenal Foundation Feature Film Grant

The NYWIFT Ravenal Foundation Grant supports a woman second-time feature film director
who is over 40 years of age in the production of a dramatic feature film with $7500. Grant
funds may be used for pre-production, production or post-production. Grant-seekers must have
previously directed a dramatic feature film or feature documentary that was released
theatrically in the United States or included in a major film festival, or a feature-length
television movie shown on a national TV platform. Women who have directed one dramatic
feature (for theatrical or TV) or more than one feature documentary are eligible. Applicants
must be US residents and the works must be primarily in English.

The 2014 Ravenal Grant was awarded to director Janet Grillo for her feature Jack of the Red
Hearts. The film will premiere this May at the inaugural Bentonville Film Festival, which
champions women and diversity in film and was co-founded by Geena Davis and Trevor
Drinkwater.

Designing Women 2016

Presented by New York Women in Film & Television and Variety
Designing Women, a leading awards event taking place on June 13, 2016 in New York City,
honors renowned costume designers, makeup artists and hairstylists in film, television and
digital media. This unique showcase, co-presented by Variety, is attended by actors,
producers, directors, writers, fashion industry leaders and, of course, designers. Proceeds
from Designing Women benefit the nonprofit educational programs of New York Women in
Film & Television.
Designing Women includes the presentation of an award to a costume designer, a makeup
artist and a hair stylist as well as the presentation of the Variety Ensemble Award to the
entire costume, hair and makeup design team from a television series or a movie.
Honorees for 2016 include costume designer Sarah Edwards (Teenage Mutant Ninja
Turtles: Out of the Shadows, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, Michael Clayton), hair stylist
Rose Chatterton (Shades of Blue, The Knick, Its Complicated) and makeup designer
Anita Gibson (Confirmation, Power, Madeas Big Happy Family). The Variety Ensemble
Award will be presented to the costume, makeup and hair design team of The Affair.
The award presentations are accompanied by video interviews of the honorees and clips
illustrating their work. At a reception following the awards ceremony, costumes, sketches,
posters and stills illustrating the work of the honorees are displayed.
Awards are presented by celebrities and creators who have worked with the honorees.
Ray Liotta will be presenting the award to Rose Chatterton. Past presenters have
included Tina Fey, Julia Roberts, Cynthia Nixon, Gretchen Mol, Kate Mulgrew, Uzo Aduba,
Jessica Alba, Rose Byrne, Steve Buscemi, Glenn Close, and Jodie Foster.
About New York Women in Film & Television
The preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York, NYWIFT
supports women calling the shots in film, television and digital media. NYWIFT energizes
the careers of women in entertainment by illuminating their achievements, providing
training and professional development, and advocating for equity. Membership includes
2,000 women and men both in front of and behind the camera. NYWIFT is part of a
network of 40 women in film chapters worldwide, representing more than 10,000 members.
Designing Women, celebrating the creative alchemy of design, character and story, is one
of the most exciting events in the New York entertainment industrys spring calendar.
Expected attendance: 360
New York Women in Film & Television 6 East 39th Street New York, NY 10016
www.nywift.org
DESIGNING WOMEN
Designing Women, celebrating the creative alchemy of design, character and story, is one
of the most exciting events in the New York entertainment industrys spring calendar. This
leading awards event takes place every spring in New York City and honors renowned
costume designers, makeup artists and hairstylists in film, television and digital media - the
unsung heroines of production. This unique showcase, co-presented by Variety, is attended
by actors, producers, directors, writers, fashion industry leaders and, of course, designers.
Designing Women includes the presentation of an award to a
costume designer, a makeup artist and a hair stylist as well
as the presentation of the Variety Ensemble Award to the
entire costume, hair and makeup design team from a
television series or a movie.
Designing Women 2016 takes place on June 13th in NYC.
Francesca Paris, Ann Roth, and Beverly Jo Pryor
DESIGNING WOMEN 2015 RECAP

Designing Women 2015 was presented in May to a sold-out
crowd at the Scholastic auditorium in SoHo. Orange is the
New Black star Lea DeLaria emcee'd. The award
presentations were accompanied by video interviews of the
honorees and clips illustrating their work. A reception
followed the awards ceremony with costumes, sketches,
posters and stills illustrating the work of the honorees on
display.
Emcee Lea Delaria
Hannah Sorkin presented the Designing Women award for

costume design to her mother, the legendary Ann Roth
(Extremely Loud and Incredible Close, Working Girl, The
English Patient). Sorkin read quotes from frequent Roth
collaborators Meryl Streep and the late Mike Nichols, the latter
of whom said Roth can show "awkwardness in a button, hope
in a shiny skirt." Roth had the audience in stitches with her
witty anecdotes about life in the entertainment industry.
Ann Roth with her designs
Talent agent and Criterion Group founder Susan Wright presented

the next award to her friend and longtime client Beverly Joy Pryor
(Empire, Selma, Lee Daniels' The Butler). Wright spoke of Pryor's
kindness and optimism, saying "she never sees strangers, she only
sees friends." Pryor called this "the most exciting time" of her life.
The highlight reel touched on Pryor's skill for transforming biopic
actors to look like their real-life counterparts, as she did in Selma.
Beverly Jo Pryor
Boardwalk Empire star Gretchen Mol presented the Designing Women award to hair stylist
Francesca Paris (Boardwalk Empire, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Two Weeks
Notice), and spoke fondly of "Lola," the name given to the wig Mol wore during her tenure on
the HBO series. Paris used "Lola" to shield Mol during nude scenes, adding hair extensions
to keep her artfully covered.
Uzo Aduba and Kate Mulgrew
The Variety Ensemble Award was presented to the

costume, makeup and hair design team of Orange Is
the New Black. Stars Uzo Aduba, Barbara Rosenblat
and Kate Mulgrew were on hand to give out the
awards. Aduba spoke about "how each designer has
been able to incorporate the persona of each character
inside the walls of Litchfield while still gently and
respectfully maintaining the humanity, individuality and
dignity of each of these women that they so deserve."
NYWIFT WOMENS FILM PRESERVATION FUND

Who We Are:
The Women's Film Preservation Fund (WFPF) is the only program in the world dedicated to
preserving the cultural legacy of women in the industry through preserving films made by
women. It was founded in 1995 by NYWIFT in conjunction with the Museum of Modern Art.
The WFPFs goal is to ensure that the contributions of women to film history are not forgotten.
To date the WFPF has preserved a remarkable spectrum of more than one hundred
American films in which women play key creative roles. These include works by early
feminists, women of color, social activists and artists that represent a unique and
irreplaceable part of our nations cultural legacy. The films already preserved range from
Barbara Koppels Harlan County USA (1976) and Cinda Firestones Attica (1974) to
productions by pioneering early film directors Lois Weber and Alice Guy Blach and
experimental and animated films by Maya Deren and Mary Ellen Bute.
What We Do:
Identify and preserve films in which American women or women from abroad working
in the U.S. have played a significant creative role.
Present these restored films publicly as a way to increase awareness of women's

contribution to the medium and the importance of film preservation.
Contribute to enhanced knowledge of the important role of women in film history Work
with organizations with similar goals, sharing resources and information.
Whats been accomplished:

Since its inception, the WFPF has provided financial support for preservation of over 100
short and feature films. WFPF awards cash grants, as well as in-kind post-production
services generously provided by Cineric, Inc., to preserve or restore films in which women
have played a significant creative role.We are committed to restoring and preserving films
and footage that represent diverse voices, visions and techniques regardless of vintage.
Genres include silent and early color films, experimental and independent films, and political
and social documentaries. WFPF also preserves "orphan films"forgotten or neglected films
that have no clear copyright holder, obscuring the responsibility for preservation.

Individuals and not-for-profit organizations (film archives, educational institutions, media arts
centers) are eligible to apply for grants of up to $10,000. Grants are awarded annually.
Applications are due in the fall. A panel of professional filmmakers, film historians,
preservationists, curators, and educators reviews all applications and their selections are
announced the following spring.
Legacy of Women Filmmakers
Women were part of the film industry from its inception, working on both coasts as directors,
producers, and studio heads, as well as actors. Alice Guy-Blach is considered one of the
first peoplemale or femaleto direct a narrative film. WFPF helped to preserve two of her
shorts, Matrimony's Speed Limit and A House Divided (1913) as part of its inaugural project.
Mixed Pets (1911), Guy-Blachs earliest extant film from her studio Solax, was preserved
through a WFPF grant in 2009, and screened, along with three other WFPF films, at the 2009
Alice Guy Blach retrospective at the Whitney Museum. Our other inaugural project was the
preservation of two films by Lois Weber, the 1913 short How Men Propose and the 1921
feature Too Wise Wives.
Partners in Support:
The Women's Film Preservation Fund would not exist with the support of our sponsors and
in-kind partners such as:
Cineric Inc
The Film Foundation
Kodak
The New York State Council on the Arts
The New York City Council
The New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
NYWIFT SCHOLARSHIP FUND

and digital media, energizing the careers of women in entertainment by illuminating their
achievements, providing training and professional development, and advocating for equity.
One of the key ways we further our mission of championing and supporting women in the
industry is through the NYWIFT Scholarship Fund.
The NYWIFT Scholarship Fund was established in 1995 to provide financial assistance to
second-year women students enrolled in graduate film programs. We currently provide a
scholarship each year to a graduate student at the City College of New York, Columbia
University and New York University. Ten years ago, the program expanded to include a
grant for a graduating senior from the School of Visual Arts. Next year, we will offer a new
scholarship to a student from SUNY Stony Brooks innovative new MFA program. Students
are nominated by faculty at their respective institutions.
The financial assistance provided by these scholarships allows these future media makers
to pursue their own projects, while also giving them access to the one-of-a-kind networking
and professional development opportunities for which NYWIFT, the preeminent
entertainment industry association for women in New York, is known.
Past scholarship recipients have gone on to diverse and illustrious careers:
Alison McDonald, a graduate of Columbia, recently sold her She Got Problems
musical comedy pilot to ABC. Her television writing credits include: A+Es upcoming
remake of Alex Haleys Roots, Garry Trudeau's Alpha House, and Nurse Jackie. A
Fulbright Scholar and Upright Citizens Brigade alumna, McDonald is also a veteran
director of short films, including The Life & Times of Little Jimmy B., which aired on
PBS, and won a Directors Guild of America Student Filmmaker Award.
Sasie Sealy, who received a NYWIFT scholarship while at NYU, recently directed
episodes of the Amazon series Gortimer Gibbons' Life on Normal Street. She is
currently developing her debut feature Lucky Grandma and directing commercials
for clients like Maybelline, Tory Burch, Movado, Sally Hansen and the state of New
York.
Cherien Dabis, an award-winning film and television writer, director, producer and
actor, received her M.F.A. in film from Columbia University. She made her feature
debut with Amreeka (2009), which world-premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film
Festival and won the critics prize at Cannes. Dabis returned to Sundance with her
second feature film May in the Summer, which opened the 2013 Sundance Film
Festivals U.S. Dramatic Competition section and had its international premiere at
the Venice Film Festival.
sold Uggadttir, a Columbia graduate, is an award-winning Icelandic filmmaker

based in Reykjavik, Iceland. She is a two-time winner of the Icelandic Academy
Awards for Best Short Film, (2010 and 2011) in addition to receiving four
nominations (2006 2012).
NYWIFT recently expanded our scholarship program to include high school students as
well. In Fall of 2015 NYWIFT announced the creation of the Sabrina Wright-Gilliar
Scholarship, in memory of the legendary prop master of NYC productions such as The
Good Wife, Sex and the City and Precious. The award will be given to a female high
school senior graduating from the Academy for Careers in Television and Film (TvF) in
Queens, a career and technical education (CTE) high school where students
simultaneously participate in a college preparatory academic program while learning skills
that are applicable to the joining the workforce.
Scholarships are funded through donations from individuals, corporations and unions.
Donations may be ear-marked for specific schools, and are entirely tax-deductible.
Currently, we are raising funds to support the creation of an additional scholarship to be
given to a Brooklyn College student at the newly formed MFA in Film Production program
at Steiner Studios as well as to support the ongoing scholarships at NYU, Columbia, City
College, SVA and TvF.
Remarks from NYWIFT Scholarship Recipients:
Alison McDonald, Columbia: Its a lonely pathWhen I received this scholarship,

suddenly [there was] renewed hope. Renewed faith.
Sasie Sealy, NYU: It was a validation of my own work and that other people saw potential
in it. And that I might have a future as a filmmaker.
FROM SCRIPT TO PRE-PRODUCTION (FS2P): A NYWIFT WORKSHOP

GOAL: To help women make their first narrative feature films. (Their second narrative feature if
their first was a micro budget.)
HOW DOES FS2P ACCOMPLISH THIS?
FS2P will equip the filmmakers. Many are trained and experienced artists but lack the business
experience needed to make independent low budget features. This workshop will help fill in that
gap in three ways:
Present curriculum that organizes the process of building presentations.

Provide mentorship and guest experts.
Work together as a group, helping one another through this often lengthy and challenging
experience.
A woman who has come through this workshop will have created loglines, synopses, pitches and
lookbooks shell be able to sell her project. Shell have researched tax havens, developed
preliminary budgets and created top sheets her numbers will have been vetted. And she will
have a website and a social media presence her audience will be poised to hear about her
project as it advances.
In other words, shell be ready to meet producers and investors. And knowing that shes been
through this workshop, investors can be assured that her project is solid.
WHO IS THIS WORKSHOP FOR?
This workshop is aimed at women who are ready to make features. Each filmmaker will have
written and directed at least one narrative short that demonstrates her competence as a director
and have written a feature length narrative script thats ready for production and can be made on a
low budget preferably in New York State. She should also be someone whos able to work
cooperatively and could benefit from a collaborative process. The group will be small - 6-8
participants - so that everyone can be familiar with all the projects and can help each other as they
work their way through the often overwhelming task of setting up a feature.
Sessions will be held at NYWIFT every Friday from January through June. There is an application
fee of $25 for NYWIFT members and members of the WGAE and $55 for nonmembers. While
there is no cost to participate in this workshop, participants must be NYWIFT members in good
standing. (If selected, nonmembers must join NYWIFT to participate.)
The second annual FS2P workshop is taking place now. It is run by NYWIFT member Elizabeth
Page.

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March 31, 2016

THE NYWIFT STAFF

THE NYWIFT BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2015-2016

Simone Pero, VP/Special Events

Robyn Watson, Development

Heidi Brod, Development

6 East 39 Street, 12 Floor, New York, NY 10016-0112 phone: 212-679-0870 info@nywfit.org

New York Women in Film & Television Announces:

WOMEN DIRECTORS: SHARING IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCES THROUGH FILM

Immigrant Experiences: The Children March 1 Program

About New York Women in Film & Television:

New York Women In Film & Television and IRIS Announce:

THE WRITERS LAB 2016 FUNDED BY OSCAR WINNER MERYL STREEP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

For Immediate Release:

NEW YORK WOMEN IN FILM & TELVISION ANNOUNCES

NYWIFT FUND FOR WOMEN FILMMAKERS

Designing Women 2016

DESIGNING WOMEN 2015 RECAP

Emcee Lea Delaria

Hannah Sorkin presented the Designing Women award for

Talent agent and Criterion Group founder Susan Wright presented

Uzo Aduba and Kate Mulgrew

The Variety Ensemble Award was presented to the

NYWIFT WOMENS FILM PRESERVATION FUND

Present these restored films publicly as a way to increase awareness of women's

Whats been accomplished:

NYWIFT SCHOLARSHIP FUND

sold Uggadttir, a Columbia graduate, is an award-winning Icelandic filmmaker

Alison McDonald, Columbia: Its a lonely pathWhen I received this scholarship,

FROM SCRIPT TO PRE-PRODUCTION (FS2P): A NYWIFT WORKSHOP

Present curriculum that organizes the process of building presentations.

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