WIFTI NEWS
A Publication of Women in Film and Television International
www.wifti.org
Spring 2006 Showcase Issue
WOMEN IN FILM AND TELEVISION INTERNATIONAL
SHORT FILM SHOWCASE
CELEBRATE INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY 2006
The Birth of the Showcase Festival
By Paulina Abarca, Montreal
A timeless journey begins with the first step, every life with a first breath.
This Short Film Showcase has been a long time in the making. It’s a big
busy world! Yet here we are: this is a happening whose time has come. Like
women in the director’s chair.
Directing careers - and transitions within an established career -
often begin with a short. A short film. A film. A challenge, a dream, a
breakthrough, a dare, a must, a struggle, pure joy, revelation, a calling. A
calling card! A calling card for a global network. At 10,000
members and growing, WIFTI is one of the best. If growth is exciting yet
a little daunting, I believe viewing films together is the purest way to
connect.
Film is a director’s medium. At the LA Summit, here’s what we
heard from the top: from episodic television to feature films, women directors
are still rare in the big leagues. Few get a satisfying shot at helming
pictures, making the vital key creative decisions regarding script, actors and
crews. Directing is the final frontier for the female gaze and it matters
greatly. Successions of careers depend on it. As do the lives behind the
stories left untold.
Some of best and brightest working directors also told us that after years of
getting nowhere fast, they ultimately achieved success and unprecedented
opportunities through unity: by banding together and challenging the union, by
fiercely encouraging one another’s projects and of course, by producing
outstanding work. This network of generous intelligence fuelled
friendships and courage, creating tangible results.
I joined the WIFTI board after serving four fascinating and highly challenging
years as VP, Programming at my home chapter. My unfulfilled dream was
producing screenings of films by women, so it was the first item I proposed to
the top-notch ladies around the table at the Atlanta Mini-Summit. I will never
forget their brilliance, how quickly we tailored the concept and eagerly set
wheels in motion.
Similarly, the WIFTI chapters responded quickly to the notion of hosting a
combined event anchored by a selection of outstanding international shorts by
and about modern women, while allowing freedom to showcase local content.
Mounting the Showcase has forged a vibrant connection among participants,
giving one and all a richer identity and an exhilarating taste of the unlimited
potential of our network.
The seven short films chosen by the WIFTI Board of Directors were made by
directors at different stages of their careers. Each has a unique strength,
each displays inspired craftsmanship. As a grouping, the films are a highly
original sampling of female creativity unbound. We are proud to introduce you
to these talented and enterprising filmmakers and we are most grateful to each
for embarking on this first edition.
On March 8th (March 22) in NYC), as screens light up across eighteen cities in
five countries within the WIFTI network, we’ll sit back in style to pay
tribute to our craft, listen to our narratives and travel the world fantastic.
We’ll also be making history!
As we should, on International Women’s Day! May the Showcase inspire you,
entertain you, and challenge you.
“By doing, by doing, it is done.”
Paulina B. Abarca, Chair, Programming WIFTI, FCTNM - Montr�al
The History of International Women’s Day
Article sourced from the United Nations & adapted
International Women's Day (March 8) is an occasion when women on all
continents, often divided by national boundaries and by ethnic, linguistic,
cultural, economic and political differences, come together to celebrate their
Day. It is a time when women can look back to a tradition that represents years
of struggle for equality, justice, peace and development. This date is
also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as
a national holiday. While International Women's Day is the story of
ordinary women as makers of history, it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle
of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. The idea of an
International Women's Day first arose at the turn of the Twentieth Century,
which in the industrialized world was a period of expansion and turbulence,
booming population growth and radical ideologies. Women’s suffrage
and calls for peace were the initial reasons behind the declarations of
International Women’s Day.
Since those early years, International Women's Day has assumed a new global
dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing
international women's movement has been strengthened by four global United
Nations women's conferences. Women’s Day is now a rallying
point for coordinated efforts to demand women's rights and participation in the
political and economic process. Today a central organizing principle of the
work of the United Nations is that no enduring solution to society's most
threatening social, economic and political problems can be found without the
full participation, and the full empowerment, of the world's women. Increasingly,
International Women's Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for
change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who
have played an extraordinary role in the world’s history!
Launch of Short Film Showcase 2006 Around the Globe
WIFTI is proud to announce the simultaneous launch of its first annual WIFTI
Short Film Showcase on Wednesday, March 8 - International Women’s Day
2006 - across eighteen screens in five countries within its network of
member Chapters. For one night only - from Los Angeles, USA to Auckland, New
Zealand - WIFTI Chapters worldwide will present an outstanding collection of
short films by some of today’s best female filmmakers.
The 2006 Showcase is comprised of seven award-winning short films, selected by
WIFTI’s international Board of Directors, from finalist shorts from
Australia’s WOW International Film Festival and the NYWIFT/Hamptons
International Festival’s To The Point: Women Telling Tales Through Media
event.
“International Women’s Day commemorates acts of courage and
determination by ordinary women. What better way for WIFTI members and the
public to celebrate than with a screening of original, accomplished
international short films by and about modern women” said Paulina B.
Abarca, Showcase Producer and WIFTI’s Chair of Programming.
Together, the seven short films have garnered over fifty international awards
including a 2005 Academy Award, a Jury Award for International Filmmaking:
Sundance International Film Festival and the Grand Prix The Golden Dragon at
the International Short Film Festival, Poland for Andrea Arnold’s WASP; a
Best Foreign Film Award at the 2005 Cr�teil International Film Festival, for
Vicki Sugars’ MOUSTACHE; and an IFP Audience Choice Award: Columbia
University Film Festival for Joyce Draganosky’s THE SCIENCE OF LOVE.
“Couple these films with the ingenuity of our chapters to present highly
stimulating events, and you have the makings of a truly fabulous evening,”
comments Abarca from Montreal.
WIFTI Chapters Participating in the Showcase and Screening Location:
Women in Film & Television, Alberta, Canada
Calgary & Edmonton
Women in Film, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Women in Film & Television NSW, Australia
Sydney: Theatrette, Parliament House, Macquarie St.
Guest of Honour: Dr. Meredith Burgmann MLC T: 61(2) 9230.2301
Bay Area Women in Film & Television, San Francisco, California, USA
San Francisco: Variety Club Screening Room, Hobart Building, 582
Women in Film, Chicago, Illinois, USA
Women in Film, Dallas, Texas, USA
Dallas: The Studio Movie Grill in Addision, 5405 Beltline Rd. Guest Speaker:
Elizabeth Glass -
T: 972-992-6684
Women in Film & Video, Washington, DC, USA
Washington, DC: Gala Hispanic Theatre-Tivoli, 3333 14th Street, NW. www.dciff.org
Women in Film & Television, Houston, Texas, USA
Women in Film & Television, Kingston, Jamaica
Women in Film, Los Angeles, California, USA
Los Angeles: The Little Kodak Theatre, 6700 Santa Monica Blvd. T:
310-657-5144.
Femmes de cin�ma de la t�l�vision et des nouveaux m�dias - Montreal, Canada
Montreal: Astral M�dia Screening Room: 2100 Ste-Catherine W. 2nd Floor. T:
514.482.9496
Women in Film & Video, New England, USA
Brookline, Massachusetts: Coolidge Corner Theatre.
T: 781.788.6607
Women in Film, New Mexico, USA
Santa Fe: The Film Center, St.Michael’s Village West
- Special Guest: Shirley Maclaine - www.nmwif.com
New York Women in Film, New York City, New
York, USA*
New York City: HBO Theatre, 1100 Avenue of the Americas T: 212/679-0870 /[email protected]
*NYWIFT will present the Showcase on March 22.
Women in Film & Television, Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland: Rialto Cinemas Broadway, Newmarket
T: 378 7271 or [email protected]
Women in Film & Television, Toronto, Canada
Toronto: NFB Mediatheque, 150 John St. (at Richmond). T: 416-322.3430
Women in Film & Video, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Selected WIFTI Short Films Showcase 2006
The first WIFTI International Short Film Showcase is a 91-minute long package
of short films directed by women from around the world. The WIFTI Showcase
screenings will take place in 18 cities in five countries worldwide on
International Women’s Day. This initiative is made possible through
the invaluable collaboration and assistance of NYWIFT, The Hamptons
International Film Festival: TO THE POINT: Women Telling Stories through Media
and the WOW International Film Festival in Australia. Each WIFTI Chapter may
also add outstanding regional films of their choosing.
KYLIE GOLDSTEIN, ALL AMERICAN / 3 minutes
Director: Eva Saks - USA
Film Synopsis: KYLIE GOLDSTEIN, ALL AMERICAN is the story of Kylie, a little
girl adopted from China who is now an American Goldstein.
Director bio: Eva Saks has written/directed for SESAME STREET, Nickelodeon,
Time Warner Cable, UPN and the Independent Film Channel (currently airing her
CONFECTION and COLORFORMS). Her FAMILY VALUES (available on Netflix) won
a Student Academy Award, screening at Sundance, Telluride and Tribeca. She has
a law degree from Yale and an MFA in Filmmaking from NYU (2005). She is
developing "family-friendly" film and television projects.
MOUSTACHE / 13 minutes
Director: Vicki Sugars - AUSTRALIA
Film Synopsis: Sometimes, it doesn’t pay to change your true self for the
person you love.
Director bio - Vicki Sugars has worked as an assistant director for a number of
years. In 2004, she
was the associate producer on the feature film LOOK BOTH WAYS. MOUSTACHE
is her first film as a director and writer. She is currently producing a 5
minute claymation on plastic surgery and in pre-production on her second film
PAST MIDNIGHT, a half hour drama on psychological violence. She
has a feature film in development, about a writer struggling to write her first
feature. Vicki has yet to
decide if it's comedy or tragedy!
Best Foreign Film: Cr�teil International Film Festival, France 2005;Audience
Award Winner, Palm Springs International Film Festival, USA 2005
Best Film Audience Award, Sao Paulo International Short Film Festival, Brazil
2005; Official Selection Venice Film Festival, 2004
WASP / 23 minutes
Director: Andrea Arnold - United Kingdom
Film Synopsis: When 23 year old single mum Zoe gets asked out on a date, she
lies about having four kids and leaves them outside the pub.
Director bio - Andrea Arnold is currently editing her feature RED ROAD
for project ADVANCE PARTY produced by Zentropa (Denmark) and Sigma (UK) and
originated by Lars Von Trier. Advance Party involves three filmmakers writing a
separate feature film using the same nine characters. RED ROAD was developed at
the Sundance Screenwriters’ Lab in 2005 and is due for release in 2006.
Arnold has made 3 shorts to date: WASP, winner of 37 International Festival
Awards including the Academy Award 2005; DOG, winner of The Jameson Award and
screened at Cannes Critics week in 2002 and MILK, selected for competition in
Cannes 1998.
Academy Award Winner Live Action Short (Oscar)
Jury Award for International Filmmaking:
Sundance International Film Festival;
Grand Prix The Golden Dragon:
44th International Short Film Festival, Cracow, Poland; Best Live Action
Fiction Film Worldwide Short Film Festival, Toronto, Canada; Best of the
Festival:
Palm Springs International Short Film Festival, USA
Best Short Film: - Stockholm International Film Festival, Sweden
HAND SUM / 8min, 3 secs
Director: Eva Colmers - Canada
Film Synopsis: - Miro moves through life without much conviction until a
magical incident prompts an escape from the routine of her daily life. Miro
climbs onto a cloud, listens to the birds and has an adventure. Shot as
stunning shadow projection and rich in images, HAND SUM is driven by a
compelling rhythm. Miro is the allegorical “everyone”,
searching for the meaning of life.
Director bio - Many years ago, Eva Colmers travelled to the islands of
Java and Bali and fell in love with shadow theatre. In Hand Sum, she tries to
incorporate some of the wayang kulit elements into her screenwork. Eva has
created a variety of film work which includes short films, film scripts, a
documentary with the National Film Board of Canada and a PSA. Her work
has been seen at national and international festivals as well as on television.
Eva is also very active in her film and theatre community. She
loves photography and likes to travel.
ON THE CLIFFS / 15 minutes
Director: Lisa M. Perry - USA
Film Synopsis: Best friends Penelope and Dora are the producers and stars of a
local cable access show devoted to staging classics such as Macbeth and Moby
Dick, only the productions are based on the Cliff's Notes version of the novels
rather than the classics themselves. Problems rise to the surface when Penelope
and Dora attempt their interpretation of George Orwell's Animal Farm. This
documentary-style short follows the friends as they deconstruct the plot--and
each other.
Director bio: After graduating with honors in directing and acting from
Skidmore College,
Perry moved to NYC where she began producing plays. In 2001 she moved to
Toronto to work on A&E’s NERO WOLF. Upon returning to New York she
began work on several independent films, including IFC’s IN THE COMPANY
OF WOMEN. In 2004, Lisa co-founded Sloane Road Productions with fellow NYWIFT
member Jessie Hutcheson.
Winner Best Short Comedy - Ohio Independent Film Festival 2004
USA Film Festival Finalist 2005
Best of CineWomen 2005
M�NAGE � TROIS / 15 min
Director: Kimberly M. Wetherell - USA
Film Synopsis: The story of a boy… a girl… and her cell phone.
Director bio: M�nage � Trois marks Kimberly M. Wetherell's cinematic debut
after ten years in the operatic community as a stage director. She started her
film career as an intern with New York Women in Film & Television and is in
pre-production two years later on her upcoming feature film, A PRETTY GIRL (A Sheyne
Meydl)
Best Short Film:
Red Bank International Film Festival, New Jersey 2005
Filmmakers' Favorite:
DC ShortsFest, 2005
Best Actress (M. Raymond) & Best Actor (A. Rein):
Chicks with Flicks International Film Festival, NYC 2005
THE SCIENCE OF LOVE / 14 min
Director/Writer: Joyce Draganosky - USA
Film Synopsis: Sydney, a buttoned up, brainy, beautiful professor, clashes with
Ileana, her seasoned, sexy, seductive boss over research that claims brains
scans can measure true love. Zany, brainy and crazy, THE SCIENCE OF LOVE will
leave you wondering if the mind has a heart of its own.
Director bio - Joyce’s films have played in competition in some of
the world’s top film festivals. She is an Emmy-Award winning
writer/director who freelances for TV and other productions when not making
films. She holds an MFA with honors from Columbia University’s Film
School. At Columbia’s 2004 Film Festival, her film EXTREME MOM won Best
Film, The National Board of Review Award, Lifetime Network’s Outstanding
Filmmaker Award, Best Actress and Audience Choice Awards. It also won the
Triumph Award at the International Angelus Competition and the Grand Prize at
The Director’s View Festival 2005 in Manhattan. Joyce’s film JARED
played international film festivals and won the Grand Jury Prize in Madrid. She
is currently in development on her first feature film which she wrote and plans
to direct.
Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Grant Award for Short Film Production
IFP Audience Choice Award - Columbia University Film Festival 2005
Official Selection - The Palm Springs International Festival of Short
Films 2005
Official Selection - The Seagate Foyle Film Festival 2005
WIFV Dallas
The WIFTI Short Film Showcase Celebrating International Women’s Day 2006
WHEN: Kick-off on Wednesday March 8, 2021
WHERE: The Studio Movie Grill, 5405 Beltline Road in Dallas.
6:30 PM Cocktails
7:30 PM Screening with guest speaker, Elizabeth Glass, General
Manager/Sr.VP Programming, HDNet
9 PM: Movies
WIF.Dallas will be screening films every Wednesday in March. Films include the
"WIFTI Short Film Showcase", "Boys Don’t Cry" (shot
in the area), "The Sisters", and Texas shorts by women. The series is
being sponsored locally by The Studio Movie Grill and Film Frog Productions.
Our program chairs, Tracy McKissick and Jana Perez, have been working
tirelessly to organize this event along with help from
Brandon Jones at the Studio Movie Grill and Joan Murphy-
Rosenzweig, WIFTI Liaison. The Dallas Chapter President, Cynthia Salzman
Mondell, will open the evening on March 8th. As with all our events, our hopes
are that this event will raise our visibility in the community, increase our
membership, and be another opportunity to network, have fun, and see some great
films.
New Mexico Women in Film
Special Guest Shirley Maclaine at
New Mexico International Women’s Celebration
The newest chapter of WIF is celebrating
International Women's Day in a spectacular fashion!
New Mexico Women in Film Awards
March 8, 2021
6:30 PM The Film Center, Santa Fe New Mexico.
Reception at The Green Canteen
The Film Center is associated with the Santa Fe Film Festival.
NMWIF has just completed the statewide competition for two additional shorts to
add to WIFTI's Showcase. The winners are not only from New Mexico, but
the content of their films are very representative of the southwest.
New Mexico Showcase 2006 Filmmakers:
Kate Brown is a potter turned animator.
Angelique Midthunder is a young animal rights activist turned filmmaker.
Nanobah Becker is a Native American, from the Navajo Nation, social activist
turned filmmaker.
All their work is exciting and very different!
“Our night will start out at the Film Center in Santa Fe, New Mexico with
a special guest and New Mexico resident, renowned actress Shirley Maclaine. She
will introduce our winners then the films will begin. After the showing, we are
being hosted by The Green Canteen, a new organic wine bar and eatery. This
restaurant is attached to the theater and we are all very excited by its grand
opening coinciding with our event. This also launches an association between
the Santa Fe Film Festival and New Mexico Women in Film. The Community College
of Santa Fe will provide a film crew to document the event; this will be part
of their training sessions. Since we are the newest chapter of WIF, we are very
proud of all the women who have stepped up to the plate to make this night a
stellar debut for NMWIF.”
Janet Davidson/President, Cynthia Straus/board member, Nancy Nielsen/member,
Sheri Mann/board member
WIFVV - Women in Film and Video Vancouver
The Women in Film Festival, BC (British Columbia) in association with the WIFTI
Short Film Showcase presents International & Home Grown BC films in
celebration of Int’l Woman's Day, March 8. Two Screenings:
7:00PM & 9:00PM
Associated event - The Women in Film Festival, BC5. Selected short
films by BC’s women film makers will be showcased along side award
winning international films by WIFTI women. These hand picked shorts will
showcase the talent of our female directors,
producers, actors & writers. One lucky BC woman will win the coveted ‘Outstanding
Woman in her Field Award’ to be presented at the annual Spotlight Awards
Gala in Vancouver. Other awards include a distribution deal presented by
Ciniclix, and
a screenwriter’s award presented by The Cold Reading Series.
New York WIFT
Celebrating International Women’s Day, March 22, 2021
Program produced by Paula Heredia (WIFTI board) and Kate Lewin
(NYWIFT)
Where: The HBO Theater, NYC
What: Reception & Screenings -
An hour and a half screening of films from around the world and from around the
U.S, followed by coffee and dessert in the HBO reception area overlooking Times
Square. NYWIFT expects about 60-100 members to attend.
WIF Los Angeles
When: March 8, 6:30 PM - Film Program will begin at 7:30PM.
Where: Little Kodak Theatre, 6700 Santa Monica Blvd. (courtesy of Kodak)
Hollywood, CA 90038 Program produced by June Shelley and Madeleine Schnell,
Chairs, International Committee of WIF LA, Chapter President: Cici
Holloway
Carol Savoie, WIFTI rep:
“We hope to make this a good networking event for our members as well as
a chance to see interesting short films from around the world. Many of our
members had no knowledge of International Women's Day and by holding this
event, we hope to increase awareness.”
WIFT NSW, Sydney, NSW, Australia
EVENT: International Short Film Showcase
WHEN: Wednesday, 8 March, 2006 6.30 -8:30PM (screening starts 7PM)
Organized by Yvette Andrews, Lindy Monson. WIFTI BOD representative and WIFT
NSW President 2005 Liz Stevens.
The Women in Film and Television International Short Film Showcase celebrates
the achievements of women filmmakers on International Women’s Day 2006 at
Parliament House in Sydney, Australia. Guest of Honour is Dr Meredith
Burgmann MLC, President of the Legislative Council of New South Wales. Women in
Film and Television NSW invite members, the industry and the public to join
them for drinks and a lively program of women’s films.
WIFV Alberta, Canada
International Film Showcase in Celebration of International Women’s Day
Wednesday March 8, 2021 7:30PM in TWO MAJOR CITIES: Edmonton and
Calgary, Alberta!
Gail M. Yakemchuk - President
Eva Colmers - Canadian Filmmaker
WIFT Toronto
WIFTI International Short Film Showcase
March 8, 2021 7:00PM
Screening will take place in partnership with the National Film Board of Canada
WIFTI Liaison: Lisa Clarkson; Chapter President: Kate Hanley;
Screening WIFT-T coordinator: Sue Sheridan, Acting Managing Director WIFT
- T
“We are pleased to have the National Film Board of Canada as our partner
and co-presenting sponsor of the evening. The audience will be welcomed by one
of our WIFT-T staff followed by a short presentation by each of our speakers
and then the screening. Following the screening, we will hold a reception
with a number of different prizes being given out at that time. The
prizes have generously been donated by Warner Bros.,
WIFV Washington DC
WIFV Washington DC, 8th Annual DC Independent Film Festival, Amnesty
International
Proudly present: A Day of Women’s Films & WIFTI Short Film
Showcase
March 8, 2021
Gala Hispanic Theatre - Tivoli * 3333 14th Street, NW Washington, DC
Schedule:
DCIFF Noon/Screening & Panel: Ordinary Lives (doc) & Shape of
Water (doc)
Amnesty International:
5:30PM Reception 6:30PM Screening
Stories from Afghanistan (doc); A Woman's Face (doc); Dual Injustice, Witness
(doc); God Sleeps in Rwanda (doc) (*Oscar nominated 2006)
*WIFV & DCIFF - 7:30PM Reception 8:30 PM Screening
(Whole Foods, Asia Nora, Embassy of Australia, Washington, DC)
Moving Forward (doc); USA/Colombia (DCIFF;)
Moustache (Australia); Kylie Goldstein, All American
(USA); Wasp ( UK); Hand Sum ( Canada);
Carrie's Choice; USA (DCIFF)
Chaired by Talaya Grimes, WIFV/WIFTI & Carol Bidault
Welcome to Hollywood! Images from the 2005 WIFTI Summit
The return of the WIFTI Summit to Los Angeles last year provided women from as
far as Afghanistan, New Zealand, England, Australia, Russia, Korea, Jamaica and
Canada with many opportunitis to be inspired by the stars.
Women in Film Los Angeles hosted the 2005 Women In Film and Television
International (WIFTI) Summit from Saturday, October 29 through Tuesday,
November 1, 2021 at the beautiful Park Hyatt hotel on Avenue of the Stars in
Century City. The Summit provided the perfect forum to network, greet old
friends and forge new relationships with four exciting days of panels, lunches,
cocktail parties, screenings and special events. The many panels ranged from
successful writers & directors who have made it in Hollywood, to top
agents, managers and executives from studios and production houses. Attendees
were able to learn about diverse subjects such as Distribution, Pitching like a
Pro, Film Finance, Directing, Costume Design, Producing News Shows,
Co-Productions, Visual Effects, Low Budget Filmmaking, Navigating the
Agent System, Film Festivals, Post Production, Films with a Social
Conscience, Tax Incentives for Film/TV, Money Support & Sponsorship.
The highlight had to be the closing night party featuring the WIFTI Women of
Achievement Award presented to the female cast of EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND. The
Awards were designed by Danish jeweler Georg Jensen.
Another highlight of the Summit was an intimate question and answer featuring
the extraordinary actress Geena Davis. Thank you, “Madam President”.
The WIFTI Summit sent everyone home to their corners of the globe with new
inspiration and determination.
The WIFTI Devorah Foundation Awards First Grant
The WIFTI Devorah Foundation announced its first award recipient of the $1500
grant at the October 2005 WIFTI Summit in Los Angeles - the new WIF chapter in
Poland received this first award. Founded by former WIFTI Chair and
TV/Film Producer Ina Fichman, the WIFTI Devorah Foundation is a tribute to her
late Grandmother Deborah Tietolman, who generously supported those in need with
grace, dignity and compassion.
This grant will be awarded on an annual basis to support special projects,
training, professional development and/or mentorship opportunities for emerging
women filmmakers and/or emerging WIFTI film/TV communities around the world. The
2005 awards committee included NYWIFT President, Carey Craeber; WIFV Washington
DC President, Doreen Blunt; WIFTI Board member Joan Beveridge from WIFT-UK; and
founder, Ina Fichman. WIFTI Devorah Foundation grants can be used for
individual professional development opportunities (including, but not limited
to travel grants to attend festivals or workshops, mentorship opportunities,
skills
development, marketing expenses for films/videos from first-time filmmakers);
for special projects to assist a group of women in an emerging film community
(including, but not limited to training
programs, special screenings); or for new/emerging Women in Film and Television
chapters to assist in the launch and formation of their Group (in this case,
priority will be given to chapters outside of North America, Western Europe,
Australia and New Zealand). A fitting tribute to a worthy woman, The
WIFTI Devorah Foundation helps other worthy women achieve their goals and
dreams in our Industry.
Crystal Awards Nominations
For seventeen years, WIFT-T has honored the extraordinary achievements of women
in screen-based media with its annual Crystal Awards celebration. Since the
inception of these coveted awards in 1988, over 70 of Canada's most
accomplished women and men working in film, television and new media have been
honored. These outstanding professionals, through their achievements,
have played a key role in advancing female talent and encouraging young women
to see greater possibilities for their own futures. WIFT-T is now
accepting nominations for our 2006 Awards; please contact Sue Sheridan at [email protected] or 416-322-3430
ext. 23.
Film Submissions Sought
Women in Film and Video of Washington, DC (WIFV) will host the fifth annual
"Kids World Film Festival" (KWFF) on Thursday, April 27. The
goal of KWFF is to give young people in our community the opportunity to learn
critical viewing skills, and to understand the power of film as a medium for
creating positive social change.
We are currently accepting submissions from domestic and international
filmmakers. Films must be approximately 3 to 30 minutes in length and
portray children from different cultures in a positive light. Films should
touch upon issues of peace, tolerance, unity and understanding among all people
in an entertaining and educational
way. The deadline for submission is March 15th. Four to six films
will be selected.
For more information and to submit a film, please contact Elizabeth Ventura,
WIFV Board, at [email protected]
About Our Organization …
WIFTI MISSION STATEMENT
Women In Film and Television International (WIFTI) is a global network
comprised of more than 37 Women In Film chapters worldwide and over 10,000
members dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for
women working in all areas of film, video, and other screen-based media.
LA MISSION DE WIFTI
Women In Film and Television International (WIFTI) est un r�seau international
constitu� de 37 sections de femmes professionnelles � travers le monde
comprenant 10 000 membres engag�s � encourager et soutenir le d�veloppement
professionnel et valoriser l’avancement
des femmes oeuvrant dans tous les secteurs de l’industrie du cin�ma,
de la t�l�vision et des nouveaux m�dias.
SOBRE LA MISION DE WIFTI
Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) es una red internacional de
alcance mundial constituida por m�s de 37 cap�tulos de Mujeres en el Cine, y m�s
de 10.000 miembros dedicados a promover el desarrollo profesional y los logros
de mujeres que trabajan en todas las �reas de cine, video y otros medios de
difusi�n dirijidos a la pantalla.
A Message from the WIFTI Chair
Kia ora, and welcome to the first WIFTI Newsletter of 2006. Before we
look forward, it somehow seems appropriate to look back and congratulate
ourselves on the year that was.
Most recently, WIF LA hosted the 2005 WIFT International Summit where we
honored the Women of EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND with WIFTI Achievement Awards. It
was also the first time for the presentation of The WIFTI Devorah Foundation
Grant which went to WIFT Poland. Congratulations to everyone involved and, in
particular, to Carol Savoie, whose vision for the event lead the team
throughout. Thank you to all the LA Summit’s sponsors, especially
General Motors Corporation, the Summit’s major sponsor, and Georg Jensen,
who donated the amazing jewellery given to our Honorees. Thank you also
to Ina Fichman, whose generosity has given us The WIFTI Devorah Foundation.
Last year’s WIFTI honourees also included Cristina Saralegui, Host and
Executive Producer of Univision’s THE CRISTINA SHOW, who was presented
with the WIFTI Humanitarian Award at a WIFTI Fundraising Gala hosted by WIFV
Washington, DC. The event was well attended and the money raised for
WIFTI will be used for a new WIFTI Grant in Cristina’s honour. Thank
you to Doreen Blunt and everyone involved in this event. Other regular
WIFTI-partnered events are held at the Cannes International Film Festival
(hosted by WFTV UK) and the BANFF International Television Festival (hosted by
WIFT Alberta). WIFTI also supports the Kids World Film Festival (hosted
by WIFV Washington, DC) and last year supported the inaugural meeting of WIFT
Europe. The formation of WIFT Europe is an exciting initiative
spearheaded by WIFT Denmark and now involving most of the European WIFT
Chapters. WIFTI is looking forward to developing a mutually beneficial
working relationship with WIFT Europe.
Another regional initiative strongly supported by WIFTI is a corporate alliance
negotiated by WIF/LA and the WIF Foundation LA with General Motors Corporation
(GM). This initiative is designed “to promote interaction and
cohesion among all U.S. national chapters of Women in Film (WIF), and to
underwrite a number of programs that will benefit women in film and television”.
And, while this initiative is currently only available to U.S. chapters,
WIFTI as a whole has benefited through WIF/GM’s sponsorship of the LA
Summit, and the infrastructure funding they are providing directly to WIFTI. Once
again, thank you to all those involved, and in particular to Judith James and
General Motors Corporation.
And, now let us turn to 2006 and the fabulous WIFT International Short Film
Showcase made possible through collaboration with The Hamptons International
Film Festival’s To The Point: Women Telling Stories through Media and the
WOW International Film Festival in Australia. This initiative has been produced
by Paulina B. Abarca with the support of NYWIFT, WIFT NSW, WIFTNM
Montreal/FCTNM and the WIFTI Programming Committee. The WIFT International Short
Film Showcase is a wonderful celebration of women’s film making talent
and appropriate for International Women’s Day. WIFTI is
hoping to make this an annual celebration and “thank you” to the
chapters who are taking part in our inaugural event. And an enormous “thank
you” to Paulina for her vision and commitment to this project. Paulina
has recently given birth to her second son and epitomizes the dynamic women of
this organization … she has never missed a beat throughout and the
success of this initiative is thanks, in no small part, to her leadership,
visio
n, and drive.
Obviously, there are many more people and sponsors involved with WIFTI
Partnered Events than I’ve had a chance to mention here. Our thanks
to every single one of you and I strongly encourage WIFTI members to support
the products and services of our sponsors.
Noho ora mai,
Fiona Milburn, New Zealand
WIFTI Chair
WE ARE ON THE WEB! WWW.WIFTI.ORG
WIFTI THANKS ITS SPONSORS!
CHITIZPATHAK, Barristers and Solicitors, Media and Entertainment
COMEDIA, Just for Laughs, Montreal, July 2006
*WIFTI CIRCLE OF PATRONS*
*MELVA BUCKSBAUM
*INA FICHMAN
*LUCY LAWLESS
*CAROL SAVOIE
*SHINING SUNG
WIFTI COMMITTEES
Communications
Gayle Economos (Chair)
Joan Beveridge
Talaya Grimes
Justine Jacob
Fundraising
Eileen Hoeter (Chair)
Lone K�hlmann
Judith Link Ruth
Jennifer Pennypacker
Natalie Wallace
Gail Yakemchuk
Membership
Joan Rosenzweig (Chair)
Liz Stevens
Maxine Walters
Sara Zommorodi
Programming
Paulina B. Abarca (Chair)
Marisa Arbona-Ruiz
Paula Heredia
Natalie Thompson
Strategic Planning
Joan Beveridge
Lisa Clarkson
Fiona Milburn
WIFTI Foundation
Ina Fichman
Doreen Blunt
Newsletter Committee
Coordinator:
Talaya Grimes,
WIFV-DC
Lay-out & Production:
Ilda & Tim Diffley,
WIFV-DC
Copy-Editor:
Gayle Economos,
WIFV-Maryland
Wifticommunications
@yahoo.com
Women in Film and Television International
Board Officers
WIFTI Chair: Fiona Milburn (New Zealand)
WIFTI Treasurer: Carol Savoie (Los Angeles, USA)
WIFTI Secretary:
Sherry Richardson
(Atlanta, USA)
WIFTI Business Affairs:
Lisa Clarkson
Toronto, Canada)
Board Members
Paulina B. Abarca,
Chair of Programming (Montreal, Canada)
Joan Beveridge,
Strategic Planning
(United Kingdom)
Gayle Economos,
Chair of Communications (Maryland, USA)
Talaya Grimes, Communications
(Washington DC, USA)
Paula Heredia, Programming (New York, USA)
Eileen Hoeter,
Chair of Fundraising (Vancouver, Canada)
Justine Jacob, Communications
(San Francisco, USA)
Lone K�hlmann, Fundraising (Denmark)
Judith Link Ruth, Fundraising (Las Vegas, USA)
Jennifer Pennypacker, Fundraising (Florida, USA)
Joan Rosenzweig ,
Chair of Membership
(Dallas, USA)
Liz Stevens, Membership (Australia)
Natalie Wallace, Fundraising (Seattle, USA)
Maxine Walters, Membership (Jamaica)
Gail Yakemchuk, Fundraising (Alberta, Canada)
Sara Zommorodi, Membership (Sweden)
Honorary Board Members
Ina Fichman
(Montreal, Canada)
Mike Peters (New York, USA)
Natalie Thompson (Jamaica)
WIFTI Office
Dorothy, WIFTI Administrator