Four women smile in front of a theater screen holding signs with their crew titles on them.

Public Events

Industry leaders share valuable insights into the art, craft, and business of film, television, and media-making.

Most in-person events are postponed until further notice. While adjusting to distanced programming during the current pandemic, we have been excited to offer virtual events such as Laptop Cinema Club, which features in-depth chats with the women behind the latest and greatest streaming series and movies, and Conversations & Connections, presenting panels of filmmakers and thought leaders discussing their paths in the screen industries.

Virtual event highlights have included conversations with the executive producer and star of Hulu’s “The Great,” Elle Fanning; female filmmakers from the Middle East and North Africa including Haifaa al-Mansour, Maryam Touzani, and Maryam Keshavarz; a look back at STARZ’s “Vida” with its showrunner Tanya Saracho and “One Day at a Time”‘s Gloria Calderón Kellett; The Old Guard director Gina Prince-Bythewood, and many more.

The Speaker Series, which has been held at the West Hollywood Library, is presented in partnership with the City of West Hollywood’s Department of Arts and Culture.

Past Event Highlights

"A Friend of the Family"

Women Directors & Cinematographers

"A Friend of the Family"

Women Directors & Cinematographers

December 14, 2022

WATCH NOW

WIF and Peacock present an exclusive #VoteForWomen screening of A Friend of the Family, followed by a Q&A with cinematographer Celiana Cárdenas, director Rachel Goldberg, director and executive producer Eliza Hittman, cinematographer Hilda Mercado, and director Lauren Wolkstein. Watch the trailer.

LUCY AND DESI

Virtual Screening and Q&A

LUCY AND DESI

Virtual Screening and Q&A

August 15, 2022

WATCH NOW

WIF and Prime Video present an exclusive screening of the Emmy-nominated documentary LUCY AND DESI, followed by a Q&A with director/producer Amy Poehler (WIF Entrepreneur in Entertainment Award winner, 2019), executive producer Sara Bernstein, producer Jeanne Elfant Festa, and interviewee Lucie Arnaz Luckinbill. Moderated by WIF Board President Amy Baer.

"Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls"

Virtual Screening and Q&A

"Lizzo's Watch Out for the Big Grrrls"

Virtual Screening and Q&A

August 8, 2022

WATCH NOW

WIF and Prime Video present an exclusive, virtual screening of the Emmy-nominated “Lizzo’s Watch Out for the Big Grrrls,” followed by a Q&A with global superstar Lizzo herself, hosted by WIF CEO Kirsten Schaffer.

KEEP/DELETE

Virtual Screening and Q&A

KEEP/DELETE

Virtual Screening and Q&A

July 27, 2022

Join WIF for a Production Program Spotlight special virtual screening of KEEP/DELETE followed by a Q&A with writer/director Kryzz Gautier and fellow members of the cast and crew.

This screening is presented with support from the Department of Cultural Affairs of the City of Los Angeles.

Independent Film Financing: Past, Present, and Future

Financing Intensive Public Panel

Independent Film Financing: Past, Present, and Future

Financing Intensive Public Panel

July 13, 2022

Join Sundance Institute and WIF for a session on the evolution of film financing with experienced independent producers of both fiction and documentary features. These producers have sold films in multiple years of the Sundance Film Festival, giving them a distinct perspective on the shifting terrain. We’ll learn how the funding landscape has changed, and continues to change from development to distribution, theatrical to streaming, in-person to virtual, and more. Panelists for this session include Ina Finchman, Mynette Louie, and Nikkia Moulterie; moderated by Carrie Lozano, Director of the Sundance Institute’s Documentary Film and Artist Programs.

"The Daily Show with Trevor Noah"

Laptop Cinema Club

"The Daily Show with Trevor Noah"

Laptop Cinema Club

WATCH NOW

Join WIF for an exclusive screening of “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” followed by a Q&A with the talented women behind the series: producer Jocelyn Conn, writer Kat Radley, producer Brittany Radocha, supervising producer Elise Terrell, and researcher/assistant to host Chelsea Williamson.

"Shining Girls"

Laptop Cinema Club

"Shining Girls"

Laptop Cinema Club

WATCH NOW

Join WIF for an exclusive screening of “Shining Girls,” followed by a Q&A with the show’s creator and showrunner Silka Luisa.

"Minx"

Laptop Cinema Club

"Minx"

Laptop Cinema Club

WATCH NOW

WIF and HBO Max present an exclusive Q&A with “Minx” creator/writer/executive producer Ellen Rapoport, director Rachel Lee Goldenberg, lead actress Ophelia Lovibond, music supervisor Brienne Rose, costume designer Beth Morgan, and actress Idara Victor. This conversation is moderated by Anita Sarkeesian.

The Future is Now:

The Evolution of Our Media

The Future is Now:

The Evolution of Our Media

April 26, 2022

Join WIF and Google for a lively discussion about how traditional models of filmmaking are changing in response to audience demographics and desires. Which companies and creatives are proving most nimble with their content and delivery? Special guests include Syrinthia Studer (EVP, Awesomeness and Nickelodeon Films), DeMira Pierre (Creative Executive, Impact and Racial Justice, YouTube), and Nikki Lewis (Global Head of Marketing, Action Category, Riot Games), and Mary Viola (President of Production, Wonderland Sound and Vision).

This event is part of the WIF Shorts Lab supported by Google.
Our Speaker Series is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board. It is also presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Arts program. For more information, please visit www.weho.org/arts or follow via social media @WeHoArts.

HAPPENING

In-Person Screening

HAPPENING

In-Person Screening

April 25, 2022

Join WIF, Planned Parenthood, and the ACLU for an exclusive VIP screening of IFC’s HAPPENING, followed by a Q&A with director Audrey Diwan and lead actress Anamaria VartolomeiHappening is an adaptation of Annie Ernaux’s eponymous novel, looking back on her experience with abortion when it was still illegal in France in the 1960s.

"Killing Eve"

Laptop Cinema Club

"Killing Eve"

Laptop Cinema Club

WATCH NOW

Join WIF for a conversation with “Killing Eve” lead writer / executive producer Laura Neal; moderated by WIF’s Ashley Chrisman.

MOTHERING SUNDAY

Laptop Cinema Club

MOTHERING SUNDAY

Laptop Cinema Club

WATCH NOW

Join WIF for a conversation with MOTHERING SUNDAY director Eva Husson and actor Odessa Young; moderated by Variety‘s Deputy Awards and Features Editor Jenelle Riley.

MASTER

Laptop Cinema Club

MASTER

Laptop Cinema Club

WATCH NOW

Join WIF for a conversation with MASTER writer/director Mariama Diallo, production designer Meredith Lipincott, and costume designer Mirren Gordon-Crozier; moderated by Dr. Taiyon Coleman.

ATTICA

Laptop Cinema Club

ATTICA

Laptop Cinema Club

WATCH NOW

March 15, 2022

Join WIF for a conversation moderated by our own Ebony Adams with director Traci Curry about her film ATTICA. Attica is nominated for Best Documentary Feature at the 2022 Oscars.

Inclusivity with Power: Disability in the Narrative & on the Bottom Line

Speaker Series

Inclusivity with Power: Disability in the Narrative & on the Bottom Line

Speaker Series

February 17, 2022

Join WIF and Google for a special conversation around telling authentic stories that prioritize inclusivity across multiple identity categories. Explore the importance of ensuring equitable representation in front of and behind the camera and learn about the companies, brands, and filmmakers who are making disability inclusion a cornerstone of their work. Guests: Katherine Beattie (writer/producer), Lesley Hennen (RespectAbility), Juliet Romeo (filmmaker), and KR Liu (Head of Accessibility, Google).

This event is part of the WIF Shorts Lab supported by Google.

Our Speaker Series is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board. It is also presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Arts program. For more information, please visit www.weho.org/arts or follow via social media @WeHoArts.

WHO WE ARE

Laptop Cinema Club

WHO WE ARE

Laptop Cinema Club

Watch Video HERE

Join WIF in conversation with directors, sisters Sarah and Emily Kunstler and writer and film subject of Who We Are, Jeffery Robinson. Interweaving lecture, personal anecdotes, interviews, and revelations, ACLU deputy legal director Robinson draws a stark timeline of anti-Black racism in the United States, from slavery to modern America.

Financing Intensive AMA

Financing Intensive AMA

January 21, 2022

Applications open on January 20 for the WIF | The Sundance Institute Financing Intensive. Thinking about applying? Join us for an informational “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) for a program overview and to get answers to your additional questions. Learn how this program can provide steps to advance your project to the next stages of financing success! In the meantime, please visit our Financing Intensive FAQs.

Feature Residency AMA

Feature Residency AMA

January 14, 2022

Applications open on January 6 for the WIF | The Black List Feature Writing Residency. Thinking about applying? Join Residency directors Megan Halpern (The Black List) and Maikiko James (WIF) for an informational Ask Me Anything (AMA), where they will provide a program overview and answer additional questions. Don’t miss insights into this program! In the meantime, please visit our Feature Residency FAQs.

What Distributors Want You to Know

Speaker Series

What Distributors Want You to Know

Speaker Series

December 8, 2021

Are you a filmmaker wondering just how to get your film seen? Join WIF for a conversation with Kendra Hodgson, Director of Strategy & Innovation at Women Make Movies, about distribution and how filmmakers can best prepare themselves while they are in production. Do you have questions about film festival strategy, the difference between distributors and sales agents, or SVOD? Tune in and ask an expert!

Our Speaker Series is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board. It is also presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Arts program. For more information, please visit www.weho.org/arts or follow via social media @WeHoArts.

WIF Shorts Lab Sponsored by Google

Ask Me Anything

WIF Shorts Lab Sponsored by Google

Ask Me Anything

December 6, 2021

Filmmakers, WIF has a new opportunity to provide the funds and support for you to produce your short film! Applications are now open for the new WIF Shorts Lab supported by Google. If you’re interested in applying, join us for an AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) with members of WIF’s career programs team. Get all your questions answered: who’s eligible, program requirements, and more. Don’t miss this opportunity to get your project funded! In the meantime, visit our FAQs.

Seizing the Means of Production: Latinas Making Moves

Speaker Series

Seizing the Means of Production: Latinas Making Moves

Speaker Series

November 30, 2021

Join WIF for our upcoming Speaker Series with Latinx creatives and executives who are seizing the means of production: creating, developing, financing, and celebrating the new media that is changing our landscape. We want to shine a spotlight on dynamic, brilliant Latinas who are deal- and decision-makers. Stay tuned for the networking session afterwards. Guests: Adriana Martinez Barrón (UnbeliEVAble Entertainment) and Greta Fuentes (MACRO).

Our Speaker Series is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board. It is also presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Arts program. For more information, please visit www.weho.org/arts or follow via social media @WeHoArts.

SHIVA BABY

Laptop Cinema Club

SHIVA BABY

Laptop Cinema Club

November 23, 2021

Catch our conversation with the writer/director and star of SHIVA BABY, Emma Seligman and Rachel Sennott. Synopsis: While at a Jewish funeral service with her parents, a college student has an awkward encounter with her sugar daddy and her ex-girlfriend.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

From Your Nightmares to the Screen: New Female Voices in Horror

Speaker Series

From Your Nightmares to the Screen: New Female Voices in Horror

Speaker Series

October 28, 2021

Join WIF for a roundtable discussion with some of the frighteningly talented creatives behind the year’s best horror. Who are the women behind the stories that are thrilling, terrifying, and unsettling us from our movie screens and couches? From film to TV to web series, we’re surrounded by dynamic writers, directors, and producers who are upending and transforming the horror genre. How and where are they subverting established tropes to make bold new work? What sorts of stories are being pitched and sold? Listen in as these experts share their thoughts on the best new horror available on screens now, and discuss the ways in which horror works to scare and delight us. Guests include Mishna Wolff (WEREWOLVES WITHIN), Marcella Ochoa (MADRES), Jennifer Reeder (V/H/S/94), and more to be announced!

Our Speaker Series is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board. It is also presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Arts program. For more information, please visit www.weho.org/arts or follow via social media @WeHoArts.

Black Member Forum

Black Member Forum

October 14, 2021

We’ve been having such a great time with our Black Member Forum networking sessions that we are keeping it going with monthly mixers! Join us (virtually) for a chance to shout out your work, find collaborators, share industry resources, or just chat with other rising, emerging, or established creatives looking to connect. This networking is for everyone in any filmmaking field, at any level in their careers. Don’t miss it… connect, share stories, and swap resources—and just maybe find that special someone to take your projects to the next level!

This event is for introverts, extroverts, and everybody in between. This event is open to WIF’s Black members at any membership level, and to any Black creatives who would like to learn more about WIF, the Black Member Forum, and the tremendous repository of talent at the forefront of the media that will change our media landscape.

This gathering is specifically for Black creatives. It is open to all Black members of WIF at any membership level and to Black creatives who are interested in being connected with others in the community. For ideas on how to contribute as a white and non-black ally, subscribe to our newsletter.

Exploring Adaptations for the Screen

With Film Fatales

Exploring Adaptations for the Screen

With Film Fatales

September 17, 2021

Join WIF and Film Fatales for a panel discussion with writer/EP Leigh Bardugo, executive producer Shelley Meals, and producer Christina Strain to discuss the evolution of Bardugo’s incredible series “Shadow and Bone” for Netflix.

Together we’ll explore the steps of translating a written work to the screen and learn more about the ins-and-outs of developing movies and television that respect the original work while rebuilding it in a new medium. This conversation will tackle the things you need to know about the adaptation process when working with pre-existing intellectual property like books, documentaries, short films, podcasts, articles, and more. If you’re the creator of an original IP or are a filmmaker with questions about the roles of production companies and distributors, tune in to this fascinating panel to learn what makes for a successful adaptation. Moderated by Drew Denny.

Director & Producer Networking Mixer

Black Member Forum

Director & Producer Networking Mixer

Black Member Forum

September 9, 2021

Are you a rising, emerging, or established creative looking to connect with Black directors and producers? This networking mixer is for everyone in any filmmaking field, at any level in their careers, but is of particular use for those folks hoping to connect with directors and producers specifically for creative exchange and community! Join us THIS THURSDAY at 6:00 p.m. PDT to connect, share stories, and swap resources—and just maybe find that special someone to take your projects to the next level!

We’ll start the evening with a brief conversation about the director/producer relationship, then break into smaller groups for guided conversations that will help spark conversation and encourage you to get to know your peers. This event is for introverts, extroverts, and everybody in between.

This event is open to WIF’s Black members at any membership level, and to interested Black creatives who would like to learn more about WIF, the Black Member Forum, and the tremendous repository of talent at the forefront of the media that will change our media landscape.

This gathering is specifically for Black creatives. For ideas on how to contribute as a white & non-black ally, subscribe to our newsletter.

Writer & Director Networking Mixer

Black Member Forum

Writer & Director Networking Mixer

Black Member Forum

September 2, 2021

Are you looking to connect with other Black filmmakers? Join the vibrant creative community of the WIF Black Member Forum for a networking mixer for writers and directors to connect, share stories, and swap ideas—and potentially find the right partner to take your current project to the next level! We’ll start the evening with a brief conversation about the writer/director relationship, then break into smaller groups for guided conversations that will help spark conversation and encourage you to get to know your peers. This event is for introverts, extroverts, and everybody in between.

This event is open to WIF’s Black members at any membership level, and to interested Black creatives who would like to learn more about WIF, the Black Member Forum, and the tremendous repository of talent at the forefront of the media that will change our media landscape.

This gathering is specifically for Black creatives. For ideas on how to contribute as a white & non-black ally, <u><a href=”https://mailchi.mp/wif/subscribe”>subscribe to our newsletter</a></u>.

"Pose"

Laptop Cinema Club

"Pose"

Laptop Cinema Club

August 20, 2021

Actress Mj Rodriguez has made Emmys history as the first trans woman to be nominated in a major lead acting category for her role as Blanca on “Pose,” a series in the running for numerous awards in other categories for this, its final season. Tune in for a conversation about her work on the groundbreaking show and what’s to come from an already-impressive career. Moderated by Variety‘s Jenelle Riley.

Presented in partnership with FX.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

Mentoring Program AMA

Mentoring Program AMA

August 20, 2021

Applications for the WIF Mentoring Program opened on Monday, August 9. If you are thinking of applying, please join us for an AMA (“Ask Me Anything”) about the Mentoring Program. While the Mentoring Program is only open to applicants who are WIF members, the AMA event is for everyone interested. If you’re not yet a member of WIF and would like to apply for the program, join us here.

"Girls5eva"

Laptop Cinema Club

"Girls5eva"

Laptop Cinema Club

August 19, 2021

Don’t miss creator Meredith Scardino in conversation with accomplished comedy writer and the series’ own “Gloria,” Paula Pell in this delightful conversation about pilots, performance, and even procrastination. Writers will learn from their experiences writing for scripted, late night, and feature formats, and the origins of this Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series nominee.

Presented in partnership with Peacock.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

"Indian Matchmaking"

Laptop Cinema Club

"Indian Matchmaking"

Laptop Cinema Club

August 17, 2021

Join WIF member, Film Finishing Fund grantee, and Oscar-nominated producer Smriti Mundhra for a chat about her global hit series “Indian Matchmaking,” which is nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program. In conversation with Sheila Yasmin Marikar (The New YorkerThe New York Times), hear how she created a successful show telling culturally-specific stories relatable to a broad audience.

Presented in partnership with Netflix.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH

The Nitty Gritty

A Producer's Guide to the Numbers

The Nitty Gritty

A Producer's Guide to the Numbers

August 12, 2021

We’ve got a workshop for ANYONE interested in the nitty gritty of physical production, as well as career line producers, creative producers who want to learn how to track the numbers, and folks interested in knowing how their department’s budget is being presented. Join WIF and Jenn Asaro (VP, Physical Production Finance, Warner Bros.) for a clear and direct workshop that will cover topics like budgeting and cost reporting through the development, prep, production, and post phases of a project—and more!

LORELEI

Laptop Cinema Club

LORELEI

Laptop Cinema Club

July 27, 2021

Join WIF for a conversation with director and Film Finishing Fund grantee Sabrina Doyle about her film LORELEI. The Film Finishing Fund awards promising women-directed films grants enabling them to complete production, going on to gain distribution and win top awards. LORELEI was a part of the official selection for the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, and follows a man (Pablo Schreiber) who is released from prison after 15 years and reunites with his high school girlfriend (Jena Malone), who is now a single mother of three.

Watch HERE.

Supporting Female Filmmakers in a Post-Covid World

Women Rocking Hollywood 2021

Supporting Female Filmmakers in a Post-Covid World

Women Rocking Hollywood 2021

July 24, 2021

Now in its 6th year at the San Diego Comic-Con, the Women Rocking Hollywood panel continues to provide a platform for women navigating the challenges of working behind the camera in film and TV. The industry that has historically been out of balance and skewed toward what director Catherine Hardwicke calls “pale and male” is now grappling with how the major studios, independent productions, and streaming media will proceed in a post-pandemic world. How can we keep the momentum moving forward, and keep the importance of hiring and amplifying the work of more female filmmakers top of mind with gatekeepers that can help bring about parity? One way is to celebrate the work of women creating great content. Kate Herron (Director: “Sex Education,” Executive Producer/Director: “Loki”), Sian Heder (Producer/Writer/Director: “Orange is the New Black,” Writer/Director: CODA), Christina M. Kim (Executive Producer/Writer: “Blindspotting,” Executive Producer/Showrunner: “Kung Fu”), Shaz Bennett (Writer/Director: ALASKA IS A DRAG, Director: “Queen Sugar”), and Ebony Adams (Manager of Public Programs, WIF) discuss their current and upcoming projects, as well as the state of the industry. Moderated by Leslie Combemale (Senior Contributor, Alliance of Women Film Journalists, Producer/Creator, Women Rocking Hollywood).
Watch HERE.

Protecting Producers

Financing Intensive Webinar

Protecting Producers

Financing Intensive Webinar

July 13, 2021

Over the last year, we’ve collectively experienced unprecedented change in our world and personal lives. The pandemic accentuated the failures of existing systems and opportunities to build new ones. Moving forward, how can we re-envision outdated producing models and create better and more equitable ways of working? For our annual WIF x Sundance Institute Financing Intensive, the Women at Sundance program and WIF L.A. will explore fresh ideas in producer career sustainability and reflect on the guidelines and best practices coming out of the newly formed Producers Union and the Documentary Producers Alliance (DPA).

Panelists include Carrie Lozano (Director, Sundance Documentary Film Program and Artist Programs), Yael Melamede (Documentary Producers Alliance), Summer Shelton (Producer), and Avril Speaks (Producers Union).

PLAN B

Laptop Cinema Club

PLAN B

Laptop Cinema Club

July 7, 2021

Join WIF for a live Q&A with Natalie Morales about her feature directorial debut, PLAN B, in conversation with ReFrame Director Andria Wilson Mirza. After a regrettable first sexual encounter, a straitlaced high school student (Kuhoo Verma) and her slacker best friend (Victoria Moroles) have 24 hours to hunt down emergency contraception in America’s heartland.

How Solid is Your Solidarity?

Speaker Series

How Solid is Your Solidarity?

Speaker Series

June 30, 2021

Join WIF and a panel of entertainment leaders & equity advocates for a vital discussion that will challenge, inform, and galvanize you. How can we all become better allies in the fight against unjust behaviors and systems, particularly in an industry that has been hostile or indifferent to change? Come engage with thoughtful speakers and forceful artists who are on the frontline of racial, LGBTQIA+, and gender-based justice work, and learn how you can be part of the fight to disrupt, transform, and expand our industry.

WATCH NOW

Our Speaker Series is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board. It is also presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Arts program. For more information, please visit www.weho.org/arts or follow via social media @WeHoArts. This program is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.

"Hacks"

Laptop Cinema Club

"Hacks"

Laptop Cinema Club

June 16, 2021

Join WIF and HBO Max for a panel discussion and Q&A on “Hacks,” featuring Lucia Aniello (Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Writer, Director), Paul W. Downs (Co-Creator, Executive Producer, Writer, Director, “Jimmy”), and Jen Statsky (Co-Creator, Writer). Max Original “Hacks” explores a dark mentorship that forms between Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), a legendary Las Vegas comedian, and an entitled, outcast 25-year-old (Hannah Einbinder).

WATCH NOW

"Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult"

Laptop Cinema Club

"Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult"

Laptop Cinema Club

June 16, 2021

Join WIF and STARZ for a panel discussion and Q&A about the critically-acclaimed docuseries “Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult,” an inside look at the NXIVM cult and its enigmatic, manipulative founder Keith Raniere. Featuring India Oxenberg (subject/executive producer), Cecilia Peck (director/executive producer,) and Inbal B. Lessner (lead editor/executive producer).

WATCH NOW

A THOUSAND CUTS

Laptop Cinema Club

A THOUSAND CUTS

Laptop Cinema Club

May 20, 2021

Nowhere is the worldwide erosion of democracy, fueled by social media disinformation campaigns, more starkly evident than in the authoritarian regime of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte. Journalist Maria Ressa places the tools of the free press—and her freedom—on the line in defense of truth and democracy. Join WIF for a conversation with director Ramona S. Diaz for a conversation about New York Times Critics Pick A THOUSAND CUTS, the film that The Los Angeles Times calls, “a gripping profile of an incredible journalist,” and CriterionCast calls, “one of the best documentaries of 2020.” Moderated by Karen McMullen, editor and features programmer, DOC NYC.

Owning It—Skill Share

Owning It—Skill Share

May 13, 2021

Looking for a certain skillset to help complete your project? Willing to offer your skills to support a fellow creative? Join The Gotham’s Owning It program, in partnership with NYWIFT and WIF, for a community skill share. You’ll barter and exchange skills, learn best practices for bartering skills, and spend time networking with attendees. If you are attending, please fill out this pre-event survey about the skills you can offer and the skills you’re requesting from the community.

WIF | The Black List Episodic Lab AMA

WIF | The Black List Episodic Lab AMA

May 7, 2021

Thinking about applying to the WIF | The Black List Episodic Lab for screenwriters? Join Residency Directors Megan Halpern (The Black List) and Maikiko James (WIF) for an informational Ask Me Anything (AMA) where they will provide a program overview and answer additional questions. Applications close on Thursday, May 21, so don’t miss it! And in the meantime, please visit our program FAQs.

Producing: A How-To

Speaker Series

Producing: A How-To

Speaker Series

April 29, 2021

Producers are essential to creating media, and hold some of the most powerful positions in entertainment. Yet the role of “producer” is often hard to define, especially as its meaning varies across the field. Anticipating the launch of the WIF Emerging Producer Program, join us in conversation with leading producers in both film and television, independent and studio-based, for a deep dive into what it means to be a working producer, how to make it into a career, and what the industry should be doing to make producing an accessible and sustainable livelihood. The panelists are Avril Speaks (JINN), Nina Yang Bongiovi (Significant Productions, AUM Group), Deniese Davis (Reform Media Group, ColorCreative), Yolanda Cochran (Nickelodeon, Awesomeness); moderated by Moira Griffin (New Bumper and Paint Filmworks).

Our Speaker Series is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board. It is also presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Arts program. For more information, please visit www.weho.org/arts or follow via social media @WeHoArts. This program is supported, in part, by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors through the Department of Arts and Culture.

Sustainable Filmmaking

Speaker Series

Sustainable Filmmaking

Speaker Series

March 25, 2021

Join WIF and a panel of experts for a conversation about sustainable filmmaking. Come learn about what sustainable filmmaking entails, how you can incorporate new and better practices on your own sets (large and small), and how visionaries in the field are setting the standards for environmental accountability in our industry. Featuring Julie Christeas, CEO, Tandem Pictures; Emellie O’Brien, Earth Angel; and Audrey Vinant-Tang, Senior Manager, Global Sourcing—Energy, ViacomCBS.

Our Speaker Series is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board. It is also presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Arts program. For more information, please visit www.weho.org/arts or follow via social media @WeHoArts.

WIF and AFI

In Conversation with Patricia Cardoso and Tanya Saracho

WIF and AFI

In Conversation with Patricia Cardoso and Tanya Saracho

March 23, 2021

WIF and AFI are teaming up for THE RISING CLASS, in conversation with ReFrame Rise Fellow Patricia Cardoso (REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES) and Tanya Saracho (“Vida,” “How to Get Away with Murder”). Join us to hear these inspiring women speak on their journeys and bringing up others along the way.

THE NEVER LIST

Laptop Cinema Club

THE NEVER LIST

Laptop Cinema Club

March 18, 2021

Join WIF for a look into the making of THE NEVER LIST, starring Fivel Stewart as a 16-year-old overachiever who, after the sudden death of her best friend, sets out to fulfill the secret list of outrageous acts the two of them said they’d never do. The film is a recipient of the ReFrame Stamp (click here to learn what that means!) and currently holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Guests include director Michelle Mower, producer Anna Margarita Albelo, and writer/co-producer Ariadne Shaffer.

Bridging the Gap: A Pitching Workshop

Bridging the Gap: A Pitching Workshop

March 11, 2021

Join WIF and ISA for a spectacular pitching workshop, where industry insiders will share with you the key elements for successful pitching, how to effectively pitch on Zoom, and what kind of tips and tricks will set your pitch apart! PLUS, our expert panelists will hear pitches from four writers from ISA and WIF and give them immediate, incisive, authentic, and motivational feedback! Submit your best logline here (can be for film, TV, or web series) along with your project title and genre (comedy, horror, drama, dramedy, procedural, etc.) by February 26 for consideration.

The #VoteForWomen Series

The #VoteForWomen Series

March 4, 2021

WIF launched our #VoteForWomen ballot to draw attention to the women who worked behind the camera on the films that are in the awards season conversation in our industry. Before voting for Oscar nominations opens next week, we’re inviting you to hear from some of those women in a special day of programming.

Directing & Writing Dangerously: Filmmakers on Capturing the Story
WATCH NOW
Featuring Clare Dunne (Herself), Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Tara Miele (Wander Darkly), Channing Godfrey Peoples (Miss Juneteenth), and Sarah Ruhl (The Glorias). Moderated by WIF Executive Director Kirsten Schaffer.

Variety Presents: The Artisans
WATCH NOW
Featuring H.E.R. (original song, Judas and the Black Messiah), Janelle Monáe (original song, All In: The Fight for Democracy), Tami Reiker (cinematographer, The Old GuardOne Night in Miami…), Trish Summerville (costume designer, Mank), Angie Wells (makeup head, Promising Young Woman). Moderated by Jazz Tangcay, Variety Senior Artisans Editor. Read more about this panel on Variety.

Resetting! Female Producers on Seizing the Moment
WATCH NOW
Featuring Mollye Asher (Nomadland), Jess Wu Calder (One Night in Miami…), Monica Levinson (Wander Darkly, Borat Subsequent Moviefilm), Christina Oh (Minari), Lyn Sisson-Talbert (Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey). Moderated by WIF Board President, Amy Baer, Gidden Media CEO.

WIF | The Black List Feature Residency AMA

WIF | The Black List Feature Residency AMA

February 26, 2021

Thinking about applying to the WIF | Black List Feature Residency for screenwriters? Join Residency directors Megan Halpern (Black List) and Maikiko James (WIF) for an informational Ask Me Anything (AMA) where they will provide a program overview and answer additional questions. Applications close on March 8, so don’t miss it! In the meantime, please visit our FAQs.

The WIF | Black List Feature Residency Presents:

A Conversation on Features

The WIF | Black List Feature Residency Presents:

A Conversation on Features

February 25, 2021

Join us for a conversation with Franklin Leonard (Founder, The Black List), Nicole Brown (President, TriStar Pictures), and Amanda Idoko (Writer, BREAKING NEWS IN YUBA COUNTY) to discuss the state of feature films in these continuously unpredictable times. Our three panelists will also share insights on how the industry is and isn’t increasing Black representation when it comes to executives and writers, and the work needed to advance Hollywood’s accessibility for people of color.

Where Do We Go From Here?

Production in the Age of COVID

Where Do We Go From Here?

Production in the Age of COVID

February 22, 2021

Join WIF for a state of the union regarding production during the age of COVID-19. We have all been following the news about what’s in production, what’s in store for the future, and what it means for women. We’re bringing executives from all corners of the entertainment industry to shed light on what trends and movements they’re seeing play out in the field. Featuring Genevieve Jones, Director of Physical Production, UBISOFT; Stephanie Allain, independent producer and Founder, Homegrown Pictures; Kelly Todd, VP of Feature Production, Endeavor Content; and Mary Viola, President, Wonderland Sound and Vision.

"The Great North"

Laptop Cinema Club

"The Great North"

Laptop Cinema Club

February 20, 2021

Join WIF and the creators behind “The Great North” for a conversation about the new animated sitcom premiering February 14 on FOX NOW. We’ll be joined by Wendy and Lizzie Molyneux, writer and producer (respectively) on the show, who both worked on “Bob’s Burgers,” along with series regular Aparna Nancherla.

Coping in Quarantine

Coping in Quarantine

February 18, 2021

Join the WIF Help Line and the Games and Online Harassment Hotline for a discussion on how our communities are coping with harassment and caring for ourselves and one another during these unprecedented times. Help Line Advocates Lupe Arellanes and Ashley Merriman, MSW are joined by Dr. Mary Jayne Sims, psychologist and WIF Black Member Support Space co-facilitator, and Anita Sarkeesian, media critic and founder of Feminist Frequency and the Games and Online Harassment Hotline.

Shoot Your Sho[r]t

Talented Filmmakers on Making Short Films

Shoot Your Sho[r]t

Talented Filmmakers on Making Short Films

February 16, 2021

Join WIF and a panel of talented filmmakers for a lively discussion about the exciting world of film shorts. We’ll be discussing the different paths to developing, shooting, and marketing your short. Interested in writing, producing, funding, or selling your short? Curious about transitioning from short- t0 long-form content? Come join this conversation and learn how these filmmakers are using short-form content to move audiences, educate communities, and advance their careers. The panelists are Felicia Pride, Evelyn Martinez, and Leslie Iwerks; the event will be moderated by Kameishia Wooten.

BLACK BEAR

Laptop Cinema Club

BLACK BEAR

Laptop Cinema Club

WATCH NOW

January 29–February 5, 2021

Register for an exclusive screening of BLACK BEAR and Q&A with Aubrey Plaza! In BLACK BEAR, starring Aubrey Plaza, Christopher Abbot, and Sarah Gadon, a filmmaker plays a calculated game of desire and jealousy in pursuit of a work of art that blurs the boundaries between autobiography and invention.

HOPE

Laptop Cinema Club

HOPE

Laptop Cinema Club

WATCH NOW

January 23–February 1, 2021

Join WIF for a screening of HOPE, Norway’s official selection for the 2021 Academy Awards and winner of the European Cinemas Label Award at the 2020 Berlin Film Festival. Variety describes the film as a “heartfelt drama” about “a couple with a large blended family whose lives break down when the wife is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer, exposing neglected love.” Directed by Maria Sødahl, and starring Andrea Bræin HovigStellan Skarsgård, and Terje Auli. Screening is open to the public. RSVP now and watch between January 23–February 1; AND check out our Q&A with the director and cast, moderated by Indiewire’s Anne Thompson!

ASIA

Laptop Cinema Club

ASIA

Laptop Cinema Club

WATCH NOW

January 22–25, 2021

Join WIF for a screening of ASIA, winner of the Best Actress, Best Cinematography, and the Nora Ephron Prize at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival, and Israel’s entry for Best Foreign Film at the 2021 Academy Awards. In this beautiful film, Asia is the single mother of 17-year-old Vika, whose deteriorating health urges Asia to finally find her voice as a mother and to embrace and cherish their time together.

BELLY OF THE BEAST

Laptop Cinema Club

BELLY OF THE BEAST

Laptop Cinema Club

WATCH NOW

January 21, 2021

Join WIF and reproductive justice advocate Renee Bracey Sherman for a conversation with the filmmakers and subjects of BELLY OF THE BEAST, the galvanizing legal drama that NPR calls “harrowing,” and The Root calls “powerful.” Special guests include director Erika Cohn, producer Angela Tucker, and film subjects Kelli Dillon and Cynthia Chandler.

Director/Producer DeMane Davis

Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa

Director/Producer DeMane Davis

Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa

January 17, 2021

Join producer and host Carolina Groppa (SYLVIE’S LOVE, AUTISM IN LOVE, MISS VIRGINIA) for an in-depth discussion with director and producer DeMane Davis (“Clarice,” “Queen Sugar,” “How to Get Away with Murder,” “Station 19,” “Self-Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker”). Applicants to the WIF Emerging Producer Program are encouraged to attend! Angle on Producers demystifies what producers do by delving into the unglamorous realities of the business. Host, WIF member, and producer in her own right Carolina Groppa is on a mission to talk with some of the most talented and driven producers in the industry: to share stories, shine a light on what it takes, and help other producers navigate their own paths.

BLACKFEET BOXING: NOT INVISIBLE

BLACKFEET BOXING: NOT INVISIBLE

January 15, 2021

Together with ESPN Films and ICM Partners, WIF invites you to a screening of BLACKFEET BOXING: NOT INVISIBLE, followed by a critical conversation with the filmmakers about the documentary highlighting the crisis of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women.

The event will be hosted by Mariska Hargitay, and the panel will include Congresswoman Sharice Davids, filmmakers Kristen Lappas and Tom Rinaldi, and Junior Olympic Bronze Medalist Donna Kipp.

Impact Filmmaking—From the Screen to the Streets

Speaker Series

Impact Filmmaking—From the Screen to the Streets

Speaker Series

December 10, 2020

Join WIF for an incredible discussion about the importance, reach, and artistic triumphs of impact filmmaking with the talented creatives behind some of the most powerful films of the last few years. Learn how these filmmakers are amplifying voices, bringing awareness to critical issue, and changing the world through their work, bringing incredible stories from the streets to the screen and back again. Speakers include Marjan Safinia (AND SHE COULD BE NEXT), Stephanie Wang-Breal (BLOWIN’ UP), Vivian VasquezGretchen Hildebran (DECADE OF FIRE), and Nicole Newnham (CRIP CAMP).

Our Speaker Series is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board. It is also presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Arts program. For more information, please visit www.weho.org/arts or follow via social media @WeHoArts.

WANDER DARKLY

Laptop Cinema Club

WANDER DARKLY

Laptop Cinema Club

Join us for a screening of WANDER DARKLY followed by a conversation with writer/director and WIF alumna Tara Miele and actor Sienna Miller, moderated by WIF Executive Director Kirsten Schaffer. WANDER DARKLY is a film that offers a profound new perspective on the delicate nature of relationships with this emotionally moving story about a couple who must reflect on their past in order to face their uncertain future.

Watch the interview HERE.

LUXOR

Laptop Cinema Club

LUXOR

Laptop Cinema Club

WIF is excited to give its members the opportunity to screen LUXOR for free before it is available on VOD. LUXOR, starring Andrea Riseborough and directed/written by Zeina Durra, premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival and is currently scored at 96% on Rotten Tomatoes! Registrants will receive the link to WIF’s interview with Durra.

Watch the interview HERE.

FAREWELL AMOR

Laptop Cinema Club

FAREWELL AMOR

Laptop Cinema Club

WIF is excited to offer screening links to 150 people to view FAREWELL AMOR, directed and written by Ekwa Msangi. FAREWELL AMOR centers around an Angolan immigrant who is joined in the U.S. by his wife and daughter, reunited after 17 years. Now strangers sharing a one-bedroom apartment, they discover a shared love of dance that may help them overcome the distance between them. Registrants will receive the link to WIF’s interview with Msangi, moderated by Dr. Taiyon Coleman.

Watch the interview HERE.

JINGLE JANGLE

Laptop Cinema Club

JINGLE JANGLE

Laptop Cinema Club

Join WIF as we discuss the “sugar rush of steampunk joy” that is JINGLE JANGLE: A CHRISTMAS JOURNEY, with producer Lyn Sission-Talbert, moderated by actor/producer Ingrid Rogers. This Laptop Cinema Club interview is available to view any time on demand, and JINGLE JANGLE is now streaming on Netflix.

Watch the interview HERE.

Black Muslim Women in Media

Speaker Series

Black Muslim Women in Media

Speaker Series

October 29, 2020

Join WIF, the Hollywood Bureau of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC), and a panel of media makers and industry changers as we discuss Black Muslim women in front of and behind the camera. Panelists include writer/director Nijla Mu’min, writer/director Muna Deria, and actor/writer Sameerah Luqmaan-Harris. This talk is moderated by producer/director, Dr. Aminah Bakeer Abdul-Jabbaar.

Watch the panel HERE.

Our Speaker Series is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board. It is also presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Arts program. For more information, please visit www.weho.org/arts or follow via social media @WeHoArts.

ALL IN: THE FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY

Laptop Cinema Club

ALL IN: THE FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY

Laptop Cinema Club

Join WIF in conversation with ALL IN director/producer Lisa Cortés, moderated by Kat Calvin. ALL IN: THE FIGHT FOR DEMOCRACY is a riveting examination of voter suppression in the United States.

“It’s more than a movie; it’s a movement. It’s about meeting people where they are.” —Lisa Cortés

Watch the interview HERE.

Family Ties—Finding Your Balance While Juggling Kids & a Career in the Entertainment Industry

Speaker Series

Family Ties—Finding Your Balance While Juggling Kids & a Career in the Entertainment Industry

Speaker Series

September 29, 2020

Whether you’re an actor, filmmaker, crew member, or executive, one role that many working in entertainment find challenging to balance is: parent. Join WIF and a panel of industry experts who have been there, too, for an empowering and compassionate discussion on how to prepare, what to expect, and how to find support as a working parent in entertainment. Plus, learn critical resources to combat parenthood harassment that could be faced on the job. Panelists include actor Wendy Braun, showrunner Erin Cardillo, employment attorney Toni Jaramilla, writer/director Lena Khan, and actor/producer Jennica Schwartzman.

Watch the panel HERE.

Our Speaker Series is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board. It is also presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Arts program. For more information, please visit www.weho.org/arts or follow via social media @WeHoArts.

Hair Designer Anne Morgan

Conversations & Connections

Hair Designer Anne Morgan

Conversations & Connections

September 22, 2020

Join WIF for a fascinating conversation with hair stylist Anne Morgan as we discuss her work on GANGS OF NEW YORK, WALK THE LINE, and her Oscar win for BOMBSHELL. We will discuss how Morgan transforms actors into some of the most iconic characters in cinema today. Moderated by Kirbie Johnson, co-host of the Gloss Angeles podcast.

Watch the interview HERE.

STUNTWOMEN: THE UNTOLD HOLLYWOOD STORY

Laptop Cinema Club

STUNTWOMEN: THE UNTOLD HOLLYWOOD STORY

Laptop Cinema Club

September 16, 2020

Join WIF as we discuss the awe-inspiring documentary STUNTWOMEN: THE UNTOLD HOLLYWOOD STORY with filmmakers Mollie Gregory and April Wright, along with stuntwomen Cheryl LewisAmy Johnston, and Donna Keegan. Being a stuntwoman takes discipline, strength, coordination, courage, and a sense of humor to get through the pain. Leaping over walls, taking a punch, landing a kick, feeling the heat of an explosion, and sometimes holding dangerously sharp objects, these are the routine dangers stuntwomen face at the office. On September 22, Shout! Studios will unleash the highly anticipated feature STUNTWOMEN: THE UNTOLD HOLLYWOOD STORY on digital platforms everywhere for watch-at-home. Catch the official movie trailer here.

What She Brings to the Table—A Conversation with Food Designer/Stylist Janice Poon

Conversations & Connections

What She Brings to the Table—A Conversation with Food Designer/Stylist Janice Poon

Conversations & Connections

September 10, 2020

Join WIF for a fascinating conversation with writer, designer, and food stylist Janice Poon as we discuss her work constructing edible masterpieces for “Hannibal,” “American Gods,” and “Star Trek.” Pull up a chair and tuck in to a savory chat about Poon’s career across genres, where she makes the devilish look delectable, and the monstrous look positively mouthwatering.

Watch the interview HERE.

THE GLORIAS with Director Julie Taymor

Laptop Cinema Club

THE GLORIAS with Director Julie Taymor

Laptop Cinema Club

September 9, 2020

Join WIF in conversation with acclaimed director Julie Taymor, of the new film THE GLORIAS, moderated by WIF Executive Director Kirsten Schaffer. THE GLORIAS follows Gloria Steinem, an indelible feminist icon known for her world-shaping activism, in this nontraditional biopic.

Watch the interview HERE.

An Evening with Cheryl Dunye

Speaker Series

An Evening with Cheryl Dunye

Speaker Series

September 1, 2020

Join WIF for an evening with the world-renowned director, writer, and actor Cheryl Dunye as we discuss the ambition, vision, and brilliance of her three-decade career creating magic on the screen. Since her emergence as a vital part of the “Queer New Wave” in the 1990s, Dunye has been creating stunning works of art for the large and small screen, from the classic WATERMELON WOMAN to recent work on Ava DuVernay’s “Queen Sugar.”

Watch the interview HERE.

Our Speaker Series is co-sponsored by the City of West Hollywood and the West Hollywood Women’s Advisory Board. It is also presented with the support of the City of West Hollywood’s WeHo Arts program. For more information, please visit www.weho.org/arts or follow via social media @WeHoArts.

LORRAINE HANSBERRY: SIGHTED EYES/FEELING HEART with Director Tracy Heather Strain

Laptop Cinema Club

LORRAINE HANSBERRY: SIGHTED EYES/FEELING HEART with Director Tracy Heather Strain

Laptop Cinema Club

August 12, 2020

Join WIF in conversation with LORRAINE HANSBERRY: SIGHTED EYES/FEELING HEART director Tracy Heather Strain, moderated by Dr. Taiyon Coleman. The documentary (which is now streaming on PBS and on the PBS app) is the first in-depth presentation of Hansberry’s complex life, using her personal papers and archives, including home movies and rare photos, as source material. The film explores the influences that shaped Hansberry’s childhood, future art, and activism.

Watch the interview HERE.

The Women of "Late Night with Seth Meyers"

Conversations & Connections

The Women of "Late Night with Seth Meyers"

Conversations & Connections

August 6, 2020

We are lucky enough to have five of the “Late Night with Seth Meyers” writers to discuss their careers in comedy, how and when career intersects with identity, and current events. Please join us for this fascinating conversation spanning comedy to writing with Amber Ruffin, Jenny Hagel, Allison Hord, and Dina Gusovsky, moderated by Variety‘s Jenelle Riley.

Watch the panel HERE.

SUMMERLAND with Writer/Director Jessica Swale and Actors Gemma Arterton and Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Laptop Cinema Club

SUMMERLAND with Writer/Director Jessica Swale and Actors Gemma Arterton and Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Laptop Cinema Club

July 29, 2020

Join WIF and writer/director of SUMMERLAND, Jessica Swale, in conversation with lead actors Gemma Arterton and Gugu Mbatha-Raw. This conversation will be moderated by journalist Rebecca Sun. SUMMERLAND follows Alice (Arterton), a reclusive writer resigned to a solitary life on the seaside cliffs of Southern England while World War II rages across the channel. When she opens her front door one day to find she’s to adopt a young London evacuee named Frank, she’s resistant. It’s not long, however, before the two realize they have more in common in their pasts than Alice had assumed.

Watch the interview HERE.

Women Rocking Hollywood 2020

ReFrame at Comic Con

Women Rocking Hollywood 2020

ReFrame at Comic Con

July 25, 2020

What is so great about working as executive producer and director on a Frank Miller/Tom Wheeler project? What is it like to direct Charlize Theron and Kiki Layne in complicated fight scenes? How does working with women above and below the line make a film with Kelvin Harrison Jr, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Dakota Johnson more nuanced and believable? What does a producing director on “Queen Sugar” do? Find out all this and more, including why supporting women in film is so vital to equality for all, and how fans can make a difference, on this exciting female filmmaker-focused panel. Watch WIF Board member and ReFrame Ambassador Nisha Ganatra (director: Late Night, The High Note), Lauren Wolkstein (director: “Cloak & Dagger,” supervising director: “Queen Sugar”), ReFrame Ambassador Gina Prince-Bythewood (writer/director: Love and Basketball, director: The Old Guard), ReFrame Rise Fellow Zetna Fuentes (director: “Jessica Jones,” executive producer/director: “Cursed”), and Alison Emilio (director of ReFrame) as they share their experiences and insights. Moderated by Leslie Combemale (creator: Women Rocking Hollywood, freelance writer: AWFJ.org).

Watch the panel HERE.

"Cursed" with Director Zetna Fuentes

Laptop Cinema Club

"Cursed" with Director Zetna Fuentes

Laptop Cinema Club

July 23, 2020

Join WIF for an exciting conversation with Netflix’s “Cursed” director Zetna Fuentes, moderated by TV & film critic Yolanda Machado. Zetna is one of eight directors in the inaugural class of ReFrame Rise, a two-year sponsorship program that provides high-level endorsement and career acceleration for experienced female directors who are poised to lead commercial features and high-profile television shows.

Netflix’s “Cursed” follows young rebel Nimue who, armed with mysterious powers and a legendary sword, joins forces with charming mercenary Arthur on a mission to save her people.

Watch the interview HERE.

THE OLD GUARD with Director Gina Prince-Bythewood

Laptop Cinema Club

THE OLD GUARD with Director Gina Prince-Bythewood

Laptop Cinema Club

July 16, 2020

Join us for an exciting conversation with Netflix’s THE OLD GUARD director, ReFrame Ambassador Gina Prince-Bythewood, moderated by Vulture writer Angelica Jade Bastién. Based on the acclaimed graphic novel, the film brings Charlize Theron back in action, and is a gritty, grounded, action-packed story that gives audiences a fresh, slyly humorous, and unique take on immortality.

Watch the interview HERE.

"Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story" with Creator Alexandra Cunningham and EP Jessica Rhoades

Laptop Cinema Club

"Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story" with Creator Alexandra Cunningham and EP Jessica Rhoades

Laptop Cinema Club

July 14, 2020

Join us for a discussion with “Dirty John” creator/showrunner Alexandra Cunningham and executive producer Jessica Rhoades. “Dirty John: The Betty Broderick Story,” starring Amanda Peet and Christian Slater, is based on a true story of love gone wrong—spanning the ’60s to the ’80s, through the breakdown of a marriage that Oprah deemed one of “America’s messiest divorces,” before it ended in a double homicide.

Watch the interview HERE.

"Dickinson" with Creator Alena Smith

Laptop Cinema Club

"Dickinson" with Creator Alena Smith

Laptop Cinema Club

July 9, 2020

Join WIF and creator/showrunner Alena Smith for a fascinating discussion about the Apple + prestige drama “Dickinson,” starring Hailee Steinfeld! Emily Dickinson: Poet. Daughter. Total rebel. In this coming-of-age story, Emily’s determined to become the world’s greatest poet.

SPACESHIP EARTH with Producer Stacey Reiss and Music Supervisor Tracy McKnight

Laptop Cinema Club

SPACESHIP EARTH with Producer Stacey Reiss and Music Supervisor Tracy McKnight

Laptop Cinema Club

July 8, 2020

Join us Wednesday, July 8, to discuss the Sundance Fest documentary SPACESHIP EARTH with producer Stacey Reiss and the film’s music supervisor, WIF Board member Tracy McKnight. We have a limited amount of Fandango codes available to watch the film before the event!

MENA Directors: Worlds Within Worlds

Conversations & Connections

MENA Directors: Worlds Within Worlds

Conversations & Connections

July 2, 2020

We are lucky enough to have three MENA (Middle East and North Africa) directors to discuss their careers, festivals, how and when career intersects with identity, and current events. Please join us for this fascinating conversation spanning documentary to narrative with Maryam Touzani (ADAM), Maryam Keshavarz (CIRCUMSTANCE), Haifaa al-Mansour (THE PERFECT CANDIDATE, WADJDA) moderated by Dr. Maytha Alhassen.

Watch the panel HERE.

"Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist" with Producer/Choreographer Mandy Moore and Actor Jane Levy

Laptop Cinema Club

"Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist" with Producer/Choreographer Mandy Moore and Actor Jane Levy

Laptop Cinema Club

June 25, 2020

Join WIF and producer and choreographer of “Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist” Mandy Moore with lead actor Jane Levy for another edition of Laptop Cinema Club! In NBC’s newest Emmy contender, if there’s a song in your heart, it will get in her head. Jane Levy stars in this high-concept drama as Zoey Clarke, a whip-smart computer coder forging her way in San Francisco. After an unusual event, Zoey, who always preferred podcasts over pop songs, suddenly starts to hear the innermost wants, thoughts and desires of the people around her – her family, co-workers and complete strangers – through popular songs. At first, she questions her own sanity, but after getting some guidance from her musically adept neighbor, Mo, and making a breakthrough with her ailing father, Zoey soon realizes this unwanted curse may just be an incredibly wonderful gift as she connects with the world like never before. All registrants will have a link to check out the series!

2019 Production Program Showcase

Laptop Cinema Club

2019 Production Program Showcase

Laptop Cinema Club

June 24, 2020

Join us for the premiere of 2019’s shorts BFFS (written and directed by Elia Urquiza) and YOUR MONSTER (written and directed by Caroline Lindy), followed by 2018’s shorts JUST A DRILL (written and directed by Julianne Donelle) and SIGNAL (written and directed by Chloe Hung). Then, at 6 p.m. our panel will begin with a conversation between moderator Kira Carstensen (Global Managing Director, Merman) and Sundance Film Festival Shorts Programmer Lisa Ogdie, followed by a discussion with the filmmakers. This program is made possible in part by a grant from the City of Los Angeles, Department of Cultural Affairs.

BFFS:
Writer/Director – Elia Urquiza
Producer – Elisa Lleras
Line Producer – Danielle Suarez

YOUR MONSTER:
Writer/Director – Caroline Lindy
Producer – Amanda Mortimer
Line Producer – Alexis Loya

MISS JUNETEENTH with Director Channing Godfrey Peoples

Laptop Cinema Club

MISS JUNETEENTH with Director Channing Godfrey Peoples

Laptop Cinema Club

June 23, 2020

Join WIF and director of MISS JUNETEENTH, Channing Godfrey Peoples (“Queen Sugar”) in conversation with esssayist, author and activist Taiyon J Coleman. A selection for both Sundance and SXSW with rave reviews, the film is Godfrey Peoples’ first feature. Don’t miss this chance to learn from her advancing career– and to celebrate this heart-warming film.

THE HIGH NOTE with Director Nisha Ganatra

Laptop Cinema Club

THE HIGH NOTE with Director Nisha Ganatra

Laptop Cinema Club

June 18, 2020

Join us to discuss the Tracee Ellis Ross and Dakota Johnson starring film THE HIGH NOTE with its director, WIF Board member Nisha Ganatra. Moderated by Executive Director of Women In Film, Kirsten Schaffer.

Film Composer Rachel Portman with Billboard's Melinda Newman

Conversations & Connections

Film Composer Rachel Portman with Billboard's Melinda Newman

Conversations & Connections

May 28, 2020

Join us on Facebook Live for a conversation with Academy-Award winning composer Rachel Portman (The Cider House Rules, ChocolatEmma), the first female composer to win an Academy Award. She’ll be in conversation with Billboard‘s Melinda Newman to discuss her new album, ask the river, released earlier this month via Node Records. Do not miss this fascinating conversation about the intersection of film and music in the entertainment industry!

Watch the interview HERE.

"Vida" with Showrunner Tanya Saracho

Laptop Cinema Club

"Vida" with Showrunner Tanya Saracho

Laptop Cinema Club

May 20, 2020

Join WIF and the showrunner of the Starz series “Vida,” Tanya Saracho—in conversation with ReFrame Ambassador and showrunner of “One Day at a Time,” Gloria Calderón Kellett! The series finale of this milestone show, a beacon for both the queer and Latinx community, is upon us in just a few more episodes! Celebrate with us and Tanya as we look at the past three seasons of the series—one of the first ever to receive the ReFrame Stamp for Gender Balanced Production for Television!

"The Great" with EP/Actor Elle Fanning

Laptop Cinema Club

"The Great" with EP/Actor Elle Fanning

Laptop Cinema Club

May 19, 2020

Join WIF and Elle Fanning to discuss her role as executive producer and star of “The Great,” the new original series now streaming on Hulu! Elle Fanning leads this comedy—created by the co-writer of THE FAVOURITE—as Catherine the Great, who becomes involved in a plot to overthrow her husband Peter III (Nicholas Hoult).

"Little America" with EP Emily Gordon

Laptop Cinema Club

"Little America" with EP Emily Gordon

Laptop Cinema Club

May 11, 2020

Join WIF and executive producer and co-creator of Apple TV’s “Little America,” Emily Gordon! Watch in preparation for this conversation about the new anthology series, moderated by Anita Sarkeesian.

THE HALF OF IT with Writer/Director/Producer Alice Wu

Conversations & Connections

THE HALF OF IT with Writer/Director/Producer Alice Wu

Conversations & Connections

May 7, 2020

Join WIF and director, writer, producer of THE HALF OF IT, Alice Wu! We’ll be joined by Music Supervisor Tracy McKnight, in a conversation moderated by journalist Rebecca Sun.

THE PERFECT CANDIDATE with Director Haifaa al-Mansour

Laptop Cinema Club

THE PERFECT CANDIDATE with Director Haifaa al-Mansour

Laptop Cinema Club

May 6, 2020

Join us for a post-screening discussion on Instagram Live of THE PERFECT CANDIDATE with director, and ReFrame Rise Fellow, Haifaa al-Mansour in conversation with Dr. Maytha Alhassen​​​​​! Watch the film, then follow us on Instagram to join the fun.

"Good Girls"

Laptop Cinema Club

"Good Girls"

Laptop Cinema Club

April 29, 2020

Laptop Cinema Club screens “Good Girls”‘ first episode! While money is on our minds this week, let’s dive into the thrilling world created by Jenna Bans (“Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” “Desperate Housewives”)about three suburban mothers who suddenly find themselves in desperate circumstances. Chat, relax, and watch a women-written show that’s now in its third season, with the WIF staff!

"Little Fires Everywhere" with Showrunner Liz Tigelaar and EPs Lauren Neustadter and Pilar Savone

Laptop Cinema Club

"Little Fires Everywhere" with Showrunner Liz Tigelaar and EPs Lauren Neustadter and Pilar Savone

Laptop Cinema Club

April 22, 2020

Just in time for the provocative season finale, tune in for a fascinating discussion of the new Hulu series “Little Fires Everywhere” with showrunner Liz Tigelaar and executive producers Lauren Neustadter (Hello Sunshine) and Pilar Savone (Simpson Street).

Watch the final episode and then make sure to join the discussion on Zoom with these amazing media makers!

"Home Before Dark" with Showrunner Dana Fox

Laptop Cinema Club

"Home Before Dark" with Showrunner Dana Fox

Laptop Cinema Club

April 15, 2020

Join us for a discussion with Dana Fox, showrunner of the new Apple TV mystery drama “Home Before Dark,” in conversation with Lorene Scafaria (dir, HUSTLERS).

And for a brief time, attendees who rsvp to join the conversation will receive a free code to check out “Home Before Dark” and other awesome Apple TV shows!

"Star Trek: Picard" with Director Hanelle Culpepper and Actor Michelle Hurd

Conversations & Connections

"Star Trek: Picard" with Director Hanelle Culpepper and Actor Michelle Hurd

Conversations & Connections

April 13, 2020

Join WIF, award-winning ReFrame Rise director Hanelle Culpepper (“Castle,” “S.W.A.T.,” “Sleepy Hollow,” “Criminal Minds”), and accomplished actor Michelle Hurd (“Gossip Girl,” Marvel’s “Daredevil,” “Blindspot,” “Hawaii Five-O”), for a gripping conversation about their work on the latest compelling entry in the storied Star Trek franchise, “Star Trek: Picard”! Tune in for insights about their experiences working on a show with the weight of so much fan expectation; the challenges and rewards of carving out a career in today’s TV landscape; and the ways they keep their creative fires lit.

NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS with Director Eliza Hittman and Actors Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder

Laptop Cinema Club

NEVER RARELY SOMETIMES ALWAYS with Director Eliza Hittman and Actors Sidney Flanigan and Talia Ryder

Laptop Cinema Club

April 6, 2020

Join us for a special Q&A with Eliza Hittman, director of Never Rarely Sometimes Always, along with lead actors Sidney Flanigan (“Autumn”) and Talia Ryder (“Skylar”). The Hollywood Reporter calls this film “quietly groundbreaking” and it’s a NYT Critic’s Pick.  Don’t wait to catch this amazing film starting 4/3 on VOD release! Watch before you join our hangout or come to be inspired by the discussion alone.