By Sofiya Saykovska Welcome to NYWIFT, Jennifer Buzzelli! Jennifer Buzzelli is a New York-based producer, international distributor and co-producer. With involvement in the film industry since the 90s, she is the founder of production house Jimmy B Media. Read more to discover her experience in leading film distribution and about her most recent project, producing the upcoming documentary, Long Live the Tyrant. NYWIFT Member Jennifer Buzzelli   Describe yourself. Give us your elevator pitch! I’m a long time international distribution & co production exec, originally from Charleston ..read more

By Terry Greenberg There I was, in Durham, North Carolina, visiting my husband’s relatives for the weekend. While strolling through town Friday afternoon, we stopped into the Durham Hotel for a moment to check out the lobby. Lo and behold, I saw a camera crew, a small crowd, and a sign that said, “Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.” Although I was familiar with the festival, I had no idea it was taking place that weekend. I was very excited! I thought to myself, “Surely, I must know someone in this NYC-looking group,” and a moment later, I spotted the documentary filmmaker Doug Block. I wen ..read more

By Tammy Reese Cynthia Tong, co-founder of The Industry Standard Group, is thrilled to announce the public launch of Second Act Theatrical Capital (2ATC), a groundbreaking initiative that revolutionizes Broadway investment accessibility. After three and a half years of dedicated development, Second Act Theatrical Capital opens the doors to Broadway investment for everyone. Tong and her colleagues at The Industry Standard Group have meticulously researched and created a model for radical access into Broadway investing and producing. Tong states, “We’re on a mission to transform the landscape of ..read more

By Maura Garnett Welcome to NYWIFT, Lynn Dow! From cherished advice on the joy of filmmaking to the heartwarming tale of transitioning from Wall Street to the silver screen, Lynn Dow offers a glimpse into her journey which has been fueled by passion and family support. Her Harlem cultural tapestry weaves its way into her captivating narratives, while insights from her time at Columbia University offer a unique approach to storytelling. Explore Lynn’s intersection of finance and filmmaking through the lens of resilience and strategic thinking, as she shares her favorite projects and inspiration ..read more

By Maura Garnett Welcome to NYWIFT Janet Hyojo Oh! Janet Hyojo Oh is an independent producer and screenwriter with a passion for rom-coms and storytelling. Janet shares insights into her creative process, the impact of events she organizes for women in the arts, and overcoming challenges in her career. Janet emphasizes collaboration, kindness, and the importance of balance in the business of producing. She also reflects on winning her first screenplay award and offers advice to aspiring producers and screenwriters: embrace kindness, collaboration, and curiosity. NYWIFT Member Janet Hyojo Oh ..read more

By Guneet Singh Let’s give a warm welcome to our new NYWIFT member, Taffy Lashley! Taffy is of Afro-Caribbean roots and her love for telling underrepresented stories led her down the path of becoming an editor. She’s worked on interviews highlighting independent creators & their mental health, a documentary with the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, as well as with A+E networks and Reel Works. She’s grateful to network with inspiring women in the media industry. Her involvement with NYWIFT began as an intern and she’s excited to now continue her journey with NYWIFT as an official member!   ..read more

By Ozzi Ramirez Let’s say hello to the fabulous Brianne Neira! She is a director and video editor with a commitment to representing and giving a voice to women and the queer community through her work. Since graduating with a BFA from Emerson College’s esteemed Media Arts Production program in Boston, Brianne’s most celebrated projects include the feminist short film Rotten Meat and her award-winning directorial debut A Place for Ashes.   Get to know Brianne better as we chat about her fascination with horror and the genre’s ability to facilitate a platform that can engage an audience and ..read more

By Ozzi Ramirez Let’s give a warm NYWIFT welcome to Mariluz Guerra! Originally from Colombia, she is a proud indigenous Kankuaman filmmaker with experience directing, scriptwriting, producing, and editing. Her commitment to helping others heal through art is channeled in her films Body Stories: Suraj & Julieta and Body Stories: Together. Learn more about Mariluz as we discuss how her cultural roots are an ongoing influence on her projects, the innovative filmic style of Body Stories: Together, and the significant role that smartphones contributed towards helping her create an original and ..read more

By Tammy Reese Stepping onto the red carpet at The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live premiere at the Linwood Dunn Theater in Los Angeles, California was a surreal moment, one that AMC graciously offered me. As I navigated through the glitz and glamour of the evening, the honor to meet my favorite television actor, Andrew Lincoln as well as the iconic actress Danai Gurira, both beloved actors and executive producers of the new spinoff, became the highlight of an unforgettable experience. Join me as I delve into the heart of this extraordinary journey, weaving together personal and ..read more

By Tammy Reese During the 40th edition of The Sundance Film Festival, I had the incredible opportunity to interview Shivani Rawat, founder of ShivHans Pictures, a fellow member of NYWIFT and a producer of the thought-provoking film, Love Me. This captivating film explores a unique premise — long after humanity’s extinction, a buoy and a satellite meet online and unexpectedly fall in love. What sets Love Me apart is its whimsically philosophical and shape-shifting structure. The film ingeniously weaves together elements of the real, the virtual, and the surreal to create an immersive storytelli ..read more