Before we take our summer break, we’ve got interviews with Ina Norris, Keya Mason and Sam Reetz! 

🌟  Ina shares stories from her career putting Black storytellers in the spotlight, founding the Kwanzaa Film Festival (now in its ninth year!) a cultural hub for artistic empowerment. Ina is joined by Keya, the festival’s new director and three-time Emmy-nominated casting executive, director, and producer who also runs Mason Castle Productions. 

🚗  Sam takes us down the road of policy and cultural change, with her production company Millennial Ethics and publication Route 24, creating original films and campaigns to spark intergenerational conversations. 

📺  Hosts Katie and Janine break down the Tubi and Kickstarter crossover and the big opportunities it could bring to indie filmmakers. 

👾  Katie invites us to NYWIFT’s upcoming Summer Soirée: Leveling Up: Girls in Gaming and VR Development (RSVP here)! 

Send us an email at [email protected] to be featured next season! 

SOCIALS: 

Kwanzaa Film Festival: Instagram: @kwanzaafilmfestival / Kwanzaa Film Festival Official Website / Kwanzaa Film Festival Submissions 

Ina Norris: Instagram: @inanorris / LinkedIn 

Keya Mason: Instagram: @keyadmason / LinkedIn /  Keya Mason’s Official Website / Mason Castle Productions Website 

Sam Reetz: Instagram: @samreetzcloseup / LinkedIn / Facebook: SamReetzCloseup / IMDB / Bio Site  

Millennial Ethics: Instagram: @millennialethics / LinkedIn / Facebook: MillennialEthics – Bio Site

WEBSITES: 

News: Tubi and Kickstarter Partnership

Kwanzaa Film Festival Official Website 

Kwanzaa Film Festival Submissions 

Keya Mason’s Official Website

Mason Castle Productions Website 

Route 24 on Substack

This week, we’re inspired by Tanja Caldwell, an award-winning costume designer, and Aurora De Lucia, who has edited over 1,000 episodes of television! 

Tanja brings us a first look at her latest project FOREVER, a modern take on Judy Blume’s everlasting young adult novel. Aurora shares stories from her career working with Jon Stewart, Nancy Meyers and more. 

Plus, Janine McGoldrick and special guest host Amanda Niqole White tell us about new production incentives for New York filmmakers and give recommendations. 

To be featured on the podcast, email us at [email protected], for more great content go to NYWIFT.org.
Special thanks to Elspeth Collard, the creator of our podcast theme song.

SOCIALS 

Amanda Niquole White: Instagram: @theoutsidestudios  

Tanja Caldwell: Instagram: @fresh2impress 

Aurora De Lucia: Instagram: @auroradelucia / Twitter/X: @bitesizeaurora / LinkedIn: Aurora De Lucia / Bluesky: @auroradelucia.bsky.social‬

NYWIFT: Instagram:⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / Twitter/X⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / #NYWIFT

TRIBECA FESTIVAL! 

Need we say more? This week on The NYWIFT Podcast, hear insights, advice and stories from behind the scenes from six NYWIFT members with projects at the festival: 

• Veronica Reyes How (Project Creator, Screenwriter, EP of Mother May I Have a Kidney?)
• Ruth Ann Harnisch (EP of Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, We Are Pat, State of Firsts, Move Ya Body: The Birth Of House, Natchez, She Runs the World and Runa Simi)
• Beatriz Barbieri (Production Manager of Fire at Will)
• Susan Lacy (Co-Director and Producer of Billy Joel: And So It Goes)
• Trevite Willis (Producer of The Inquisitor)
• Marcella Steingart (Producer of Barbara Walters: Tell Me Everything)

To be featured on the podcast, email us at [email protected].

For more great content go to NYWIFT.org.

Special thanks to Elspeth Collard, the creator of our podcast theme song.

Social Media:

Veronica Reyes-How: Instagram: @ImVeronicaReyes and @PinoyCinematicUniverse / LinkedIn: VeronicaReyesHow / IMDB: Veronica Reyes How

Ruth Ann Harnisch: @TheHarnischFoundation / LinkedIn: The Harnish Foundation 

Beatriz Barbieri: Instagram: @BeatrizBarbieriCosta and @FireAtWill_Film / LinkedIn: Beatriz Costa

Susan Lacy: LinkedIn: Susan Lacy

Trevite Willis: Instagram: @Trevite.Willis and @TheInquisitorFilm / LinkedIn: Trevite Willis

Marcella Steingart: Instagram: @MarcellaOfAventine / LinkedIn: Marcella Steingart

Tribeca Festival: Instagram: @Tribeca / Twitter/X: @Tribeca / LinkedIn: Tribeca Film Festival NYC LLC 

NYWIFT: Instagram:⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / Twitter/X⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠

This week on The NYWIFT Podcast, we hear from captivating creators. Multidisciplinary Artist Toni Short describes her path to rebuilding self-esteem through the vessel of creativity, her journey as a filmmaker, and her short drama film Meeting Mr. Oscar. 

Writer and Director Jane Weinstock takes us behind the scenes of Three Birthdays, a drama set in 1970, the Winner of the Woodstock Film Festival/New York Women in Film & Television Award for Excellence in Directing a Narrative Film. 

To be featured on the podcast, email us at [email protected].

For more great content, go to NYWIFT.org.
Special thanks to Elspeth Collard, the creator of our podcast theme song. 

GUEST LINKS:

Jane Weinstock: https://www.janeweinstock.net/ 

Toni Short: www.shortlistagency.com / www.meetingmroscar.com 

SOCIALS: 

Toni Short: Instagram: @toni_short / LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tonishort  

Jane Weinstock: Instagram: @janeweinstock / LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jane-weinstock-2494561/ 

NYWIFT: Instagram:⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / Twitter/X⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / #NYWIFT

This week, Penni Malloy-Harper interviews bold storytellers: Anshulika Kapoor and Angela Page tell us about their short film, Harij Weds Sajili, which explores the dark underbelly of dowry practices in contemporary India while celebrating female agency. 

SOUL Magazine Founder Regina Jones and director Soraya Sélène tell us about their documentary Who the Hell is Regina Jones?, a documentary about Regina’s journey that made history, from being married and pregnant at 15, through the middle of the Watts Rebellion of 1965, to emerging as a groundbreaking magazine publisher. 

Plus, hosts Katie Chambers and Janine McGoldrick share a study highlighting the state of disability representation on television. 

To be featured on the podcast email us at [email protected]. For more great content go to NYWIFT.org.

Special thanks to⁠ Elspeth Collard⁠, the creator of our podcast theme song.

Social Media:

Angela Page: Instagram: @angelapage1200 / BSKY: @angelapage.bsky.social / LinkedIn: Angela Page  

Anshulika Kapoor: Instagram: @anshulika_kapoor / LinkedIn: Anshulika Kapoor Choudhuri / Website: anshulikakapoor.com Harij Weds Sajili: Instagram: @harijwedssajili / Facebook: Harij Weds Sajili 

Regina Jones: Instagram: @whoisreginafilm 

Soraya Sélène: Instagram: @soraya_selene

NYWIFT: Instagram:⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / Twitter/X⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / #NYWIFT

We have an extra special bonus episode with SVP of Development & Production for ALLBLK & WEtv, Nikki Love! Don’t miss her insights and advice in this interview with Tammy Reese, and be sure to subscribe to hear from more creators in the NYWIFT community. 

To be featured on the podcast email us at [email protected]. For more great content go to NYWIFT.org.

Special thanks to⁠ Elspeth Collard⁠, the creator of our podcast theme song.

Social Media:

Nikki: Instagram: @NikkiLovesFilm

NYWIFT: Instagram:⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / Twitter/X⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / #NYWIFT

This week, interviews with Bryce Dallas Howard and Mahen Bonetti inspired us. 

Director and Actress Bryce Dallas Howard invites audiences into the world of dogs, cats, pigs, goats, birds and more with her heartwarming documentary Pets.  

African Film Festival Founder and Programmer Mahen Bonetti gives us an insider’s perspective for the upcoming festival at Lincoln Center in May 2025. 

Plus, co-host Tammy Reese shares the love, kindness and respect from the Broadway Inspirational Voices 30th Anniversary Fundraising Concert. 

To be featured on the podcast email us at [email protected]. For more great content go to NYWIFT.org.

Special thanks to⁠ Elspeth Collard⁠, the creator of our podcast theme song.

Bryce Dallas Howard: Instagram: @brycedhoward / Twitter/X: @brycedhoward 

Disney Plus: Instagram: @DisneyPlus, @disneyorigdocs / Facebook: DisneyPlus / Twitter/X: @DisneyPlus / TikTok: @DisneyPlus /  #DisneyPlus #PetsDocumentary

Mahen Bonetti: Instagram: @AfricanFilmFest

NYWIFT: Instagram:⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / Twitter/X⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / #NYWIFT

We are still feeling inspired by our Muses and their powerful words at the 45th Annual NYWIFT Muse Awards. This week, we have interviews straight from the red carpet!

Hear from Muse Honorees Teen Vogue Editor in Chief Versha Sharma, Director Lisa Cortés, Actress Marissa Bode, CNN EVP for talent at CNN Originals and Creative Development for CNN Worldwide Amy Entelis and Producer Celia Costas; plus 2023 Muse Honoree, Author and Host Sandra Lee; Actresses Jessica Sherr and Samantha Mathis; and NYWIFT Board Members Kuye Youngblood and Shruti Ganguly. 

To be featured on the podcast email us at [email protected]. For more great content go to NYWIFT.org.

Special thanks to⁠ Elspeth Collard⁠, the creator of our podcast theme song.

Link: https://bit.ly/41UQB2M

Social Media:

Versha Sharma: IG: @versharma / Twitter/X: @versharma

Shruti Ganguly: IG: @shrutirya 

Lisa Cortés: IG: @misscortes / Twitter/X: @misscortes

Marissa Bode:  IG: @marissa_edob 

Samantha Mathis: IG: @samantham01 / Twitter/X: @samanthamathis

Sandra Lee: IG: @sandraleeonline / Twitter/X: @sandralee

Kuye Youngblood: IG: @kuyelynne 

Jessica Sherr: IG: @jessica_sherr / Twitter/X: @jessicasherr

Celia Costas: IG: @ccelialove

Amy Entelis: IG: @cnn / Twitter/X: @amyent
NYWIFT: IG:⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / Twitter/X:⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / FB: @NYWIFT

This week, meet Muse Honorees director/producer Lisa Cortés and Teen Vogue Editor Versha Sharma! 

Lisa takes us behind the scenes of iconic projects including Precious, Little Richard: I Am Everything and The Space Race, telling stories that inspire a new examination of figures we thought we knew and push positive change forwards. 

Versha opens up about her journey coming of age in a post-9/11 world to making history as the first Southeast Asian Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue, helping young people find their voice and highlighting unique voices.

We asked our NYWIFT community — who’s your muse? Hear their answers in a special bonus segment!

To be featured on the podcast email us at [email protected]. For more great content go to NYWIFT.org.

Social Media:

NYWIFT: IG:⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / Twitter/X:⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / #NYWIFT

Lisa Cortes: IG: @MissCortes 

Versha Sharma: IG: @VerSharma

This week on The NYWIFT Podcast, we’re kicking off International Women’s Month with three women shaping the media industry: co-founder of The Women’s List (www.thewomenslist.org) Jan Kimbrough (NYWIFT Writers Lab participant) and Screenwriter and NYWIFT Member Leah Curney tell us about this game-changing resource for overlooked writers and filmmakers searching for outstanding stories.

Founder of the Socially Relevant Film Festival, Nora Armani, shares insider tips on making your film stand out on the festival circuit. 

Plus, hosts Janine and Katie discuss the latest findings from USC Annenberg’s study on women’s representation in film, and offer up their Oscars-themed animated streaming recommendations!

The USC Annenberg Report

To be featured on the podcast, email us at [email protected].

For more great content go to NYWIFT.org.

Social Media:

The Women’s List: IG: @thewomenslist / Twitter/X: @TheWomensList / Threads / BlueSky

Leah Curney: IG: @leahcurney

Nora Armani: IG: @noraarmani

Socially Relevant Film Festival: IG: @srfilmfestnyc

NYWIFT: IG:⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / Twitter/X:⁠⁠ @NYWIFT⁠⁠ / #NYWIFT