PWIFT VIRTUAL HAPPY HOUR
2021-03-31 18:00 - 20:00 UTC
JOIN PWIFT for our first virtual “Happy Hour”
Wednesday, March 31, 2021 6-8PM
Close out “Women’s History Month” with the PWIFT community. Network and reconnect with other members is a casual and fun setting on Zoom. We’ll play some trivia games for a chance to win prizes and learn about upcoming events on the PWIFT calendar.
REGISTER HERE

PWIFT PRESENTS: "FOCUS & ZOOM" - A Conversation with Chloe Carroll
2021-02-07 15:00 - 17:00
Join PWIFT for our first LIVE virtual event of 2021
“Focus & Zoom”
with Actress/Filmmaker Chloe Carroll
February 7th at 3pm EST
We will be speaking with Chloe Carroll, the star of “The Honeymoon Phase” now streaming on Amazon Prime. Check out the film prior to the event and get your questions ready for our interactive Q&A after the event!
The Honeymoon Phase (Official) Trailer
Tickets are FREE to PWIFT Members. If you are not a PWIFT member, please consider joining or donate $2 in the link.
JOIN PWIFT
Event will be hosted by PWIFT board members Hillary Hanak and Dafna Yachin.
Click on the link below to register or purchase your ticket.
REGISTER/PURCHASE TICKETS
We look forward to seeing you on Zoom for our first LIVE Virtual Program Event of the year!

FREE DEMO - SONY FX9 CAMERA - Hosted by Videosmith, Abel Cine and Sony
2020-02-19 13:00 - 16:00
Come out for a FREE demo of the new Sony FX9 Camera hosted by Videosmith, Abel Cine and Sony.
Sony representative, Tom Cubby, will be on-hand to demonstate this state-of-the art camera and answer questions.
When:
Wednesday, February 19, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Where:
Billy Penn Studios Atrium (Same building as Videosmith)
1516 N. 5th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
Don’t miss this awesome opportunity.

PWIFT PRESENTS: FILM FESTIVAL STRATEGY SESSION
2019-12-08 11:00 - 15:00 | GERSHMAN HALL CHAPEL (GERSHMAN Y), 401 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, 19147, United States
PWIFT PRESENTS: FILM FESTIVAL STRATEGY SESSION
Join PWIFT for a day-long, deep dive into Film Festival Strategies, Sunday, December 8th
Hear first-hand from four influential festival directors who will share their secrets.
* Why certain films ‘make the cut’
* How festival directors manage their submissions
* Choose the right festivals from so many options
* Make your film attractive to the right festival
* How to handle those rejection letters
Next, our panelists roll up their sleeves to give you hands-on help developing the best plan for your film, saving you thousand$ in consulting fees.
Registration includes lunch, panel discussion and small group mentorship.
Limited ‘Pre-Event Screening’ includes review of your film by panelist Phuong Nguyen prior to the event, with feedback provided in the breakout session. Submission release form must be signed and submitted by Friday, Nov. 22, 2019 ~ A separate ticket must still be purchased for attendance to the event.
Tickets are $20 ($15 for dues-paying PWIFT Members and Students)
Our Panelists:
Maori Karmael Holmes Founder & Artistic Director, BlackStar Film Festival
Phuong Nguyen Co-Founder & CEO of The Women’s Film Festival
Suzi Nash Programmer – Shorts, Features, Docs at qFLIX Philadelphia
Katherine Elisabeth Clark Writer/Director, Co-Founder of PopUp Anthology
Our Moderator/Event Producer:
Amy Tiehel, Filmmaker

PWIFT partners with PJFF - Philadelphia Premiere- LATTER DAY JEW
2019-11-16 19:30
PWIFT is proud to partner with the Gershman Philadelphia Jewish Film Festival for the Philadelphia premiere of
Latter Day Jew
Saturday, November 16th, 7:30pm
Suzanne Roberts Theatre
Get Your Ticket to PJFF’s Latter Day Jew
Post screening Q&A sponsored by PWIFT and moderated by PWIFT’s Dafna Yachin with Special Guests:
Aliza Rosen | Director of LATTER DAY JEW
H. Alan Scott | Comedian/Subject of LATTER DAY JEW
Todd Shotz | Producer of LATTER DAY JEW
Dues-paying PWIFT members get 35% discount off one ticket. Email info@pwift.org for more information.
Your ticket gets you a seat at the premiere, post screening Q&A and admission to post-film reception, courtesy of Cooper Spirits.

PWIFT ARMCHAIR SERIES: BEYOND SIXTY PROJECT - Special Philly Premiere Screening
2019-10-22 18:00 - 21:00 | Creperie Beau Monde & L’Etage, 624 S. 6th Street, Philadelphia, 19147, United States
Join PWIFT for a screening of the
“Beyond Sixty Project”
– a feature documentary Produced and Directed by PWIFT member, Melissa Davey

PURCHASE TICKETS
Driven by a series of interviews with women in their early sixties to mid-eighties, the documentary celebrates the resilience, defiance and wisdom of redefining life at any age. The Beyond Sixty Project challenges the way we think about aging and proves that relevance has no expiration date.
Post screening, we’ll have an intimate Q&A with Melissa moderated by Media Maker and Cultural Literacy Advocate Tatiana Bacchus
Tickets are $10 ($5 for students) or FREE for dues-paying PWIFT members. Contact us for a member Promo Code.
Your space will only be reserved by clicking the “Get Ticket” link.
The Armchair Series showcases innovative women in media – producers, directors and writers – sharing personal and inspiring stories about their craft. Join us in supporting and networking with our Philly Female Media Makers!

Philadelphia Film Premiere of The Great Flip-Off and PWIFT Party
2019-04-03 18:00 - 22:30 | Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, 19102, United States
PURCHASE TICKETS
Philadelphia Film Premiere of The Great Flip-Off and PWIFT Party
Philadelphia Women in Film and Television (PWIFT) Celebrates Female Filmmakers and the 225th Anniversary of the American Circus!
The very first American Circus was launched right here in Philadelphia! PWIFT in partnership with Circadium invite you to experience this changing art-form with the premiere of two award-winning circus centric films: The Great Flip-Off, from Producer/Director Dafna Yachin and Live Your Light, a short film by DP/Director Jendra Jarnagin.
Join our Ringmistress at Volver for the ultimate After Show with live circus artists, drinks, small plates and even more entertainment!
Come clown-around with us!
Perelman Theater at the Kimmel Center
Wednesday
April 3, 2019

6PM

Doors Open

6:30-8:30PM

Screenings, Folly and Exciting Announcements

8:30-10:30PM

After Show and Party at Volver

All proceeds benefit PWIFT educational programs

$19.95

Screening Ticket

$50

Screening + After Show

$100*

Screening + After Show + VIP Package

(*VIP package includes premium seating, Champagne filmmakers toast and fun film gifts)
Tickets On Sale Now
PURCHASE TICKETS

About the Films:
The Great Flip-Off, Facing extinction from the American circus, the last extreme bareback riders, along with their majestic horses, unite for one final death-defying performance. Feature Documentary, 87 minutes:
Live your Light, Poetically profiles eight unique professional performers from the Bushwick Brooklyn circus arts collaborative called “House of Yes” as they perform for the camera in this stylized dance film. Short: 5 minutes

About Dafna Yachin
Dafna Yachin is an indie filmmaker and founding partner and creative director for Lunchbox Communications. For more than 25 years, Dafna has written, produced and directed award-winning television, film, and multimedia productions. Her documentaries and specials have aired on CBS, ABC and SyFy (among others). She has been instrumental in creating lasting series formats on Discovery, the Travel Channel and Comcast. As a co-writer and director of more than 50 film/HD national and international spots, Dafna has managed teams in 30 countries. A seasoned storyteller, Yachin’s indie documentaries focus on anthropologic preservation and social impact. Her feature length HD documentary “Digital Dharma: One Man’s Mission to Save a Culture” recounted the rescue, preservation and digitization of Tibetan Buddhist literary culture. The film captured prizes internationally and qualified for Oscar consideration. It was also the very first film to be publically screened at The Perelman Theater. Dafna is thrilled her second Feature, The Great Flip-Off , will also have its Philadelphia Premiere at the Perelman.
http://thegreatflipoff.org

About Jendra Jarnagin
Filmmaker Jendra Jarnagin is an esteemed, award-winning Director of Photography, with over 25 years experience and dozens of credits in feature films, episodic television, web series, commercials, music videos, documentaries and virtual reality. She has added directing commercials, music videos, and short documentaries to her repertoire in the last several years. Canon commissioned Jendra to make her own film to be shown at The Whitney Museum as a showpiece for the release of their new 5D Mark iv camera. She conceived the inspirational, experimental dance film Live Your Light, which she directed, produced and shot. The film went on to win the Experimental category in the Brooklyn, Coney Island and Culver City film festivals, and Jendra was selected for SHOOT Magazine’s prestigious 2017 New Director’s Showcase.
As director, she has also collaborated on music videos and documentaries, including political ads and environmental projects with Mark Ruffalo, and as field director for many segments of the international documentary, Women Behind the Camera. She has produced her own commercials, a short film, and received associate producer credit on the feature film TRI, for which she served as Director of Photography.
As director, Jendra is represented by The Director’s Network, and as Cinematographer by Agency for the Performing Arts. She is a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts Undergraduate Film Program.
http://www.floatingcamera.com/liveyourlight/

Adaptation - Turning Novels to Screenplays and Vice-Versa
2019-03-12 18:30 - 20:00 | Philadelphia Film Center (Formerly The Prince Theater), 1412 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, 19102, United States
Gain expert professional insight on the creative and business best practices for adapting a novel into a screenplay and a screenplay into a novel from a publisher, an agent, a novelist and a playwright/screenwriter.
PURCHASE TICKETS
Our panel:
Bruce Graham, playwright/screenwriter/actor
Liz Moore, writer of fiction and creative non fiction
David Borgenicht, CEO and owner of Quirk Books
Jess Dallow, Brower Literary & Management

In this panel event, some of the many questions covered in addition to the audience Q&A will be:

Does an author automatically get to write the first draft script adaptation of his book when a producer options it?
When should a screenwriter decide to adapt one of their original scripts into a novel (reverse adaptation) — rather than write another original screenplay?
Are ‘book ‘genres the same as ‘film’ or ‘TV’ genres? When a book gets adapted into a script, can its ‘genre’ change?
What will it do for the screenwriter’s career? How does an author-turned-screenwriter decide what elements of a story ‘stay’ and what must ‘go’ when adapting their novel/non-fiction book into a script?
How should an author who adapts her own books promote herself—as a novelist or a screenwriter? If she’s ‘both’, will she dilute her career path?
Publishers don’t always make an issue of securing dramatic rights to works they are acquiring—why does Quirk, and what do you do with them?
What can authors and publishers do to give their works the best shot at making it onto a big or little screen?
How can a publisher ensure that the author stays as involved as he/she wants to in the process of adapting their works?

About our panelists:
Bruce Graham is a playwright, screenwriter actor and educator. Bruce will serve as our as host. began his career as a playwright at the Philadelphia Festival Theatre for New Plays (PFT) in 1984 with Burkie. Graham became playwright-in-residence at PFT and later served two years as Artistic Director. He has received grants from the Pew Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and was a past winner of the Princess Grace Foundation Statuette. He won the Rosenthal Prize for Coyote On A Fence. He has won consecutive Barrymore Awards for Best New Play (Something Intangible and Any Given Monday) and Chicago’s Jefferson Award for The Outgoing Tide. He is the first American playwright to be invited two years in a row to the Galway Arts Festival, which produced The Outgoing Tide and Stella and Lou.
Liz Moore is an American author. After a brief time as a musician in New York City, which inspired her first novel, The Words of Every Song, Moore shifted her focus to writing. She subsequently published the novels Heft in 2012 and The Unseen World in 2016.
David Borgenicht is the owner/CEO of Quirk Books. David is the creator of the Worst Case Scenario brand and co-author of all of the books in The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook series. He has appeared on hundreds of television and radio programs, including the Today Show, 20/20/, Late Night With Conan O’Brien, The Tyra Banks Show, and The Big Idea With Donnie Deutsch. He has also given speeches at American Express, The Commonwealth Club, The 92nd Street Y, and at dozens of other venues to students, executives, and fans of the series.
Jess Dallow is an associate literary agent with Brower Literary and Management. She has a BFA in Writing for Film and Television from the University of the Arts and worked in Hollywood for eight years before returning to her home state of NY to work in publishing. She has previously worked in film – both in entertainment and the literary world.
PURCHASE TICKETS

Post Soup
2018-11-12 18:00 - 20:00 | L’ETAGE, 6TH/BAINBRIDGE, Philadelphia, United States
Featuring two of Philly’s premier editors, Valerie Keller and Kathryn Cates
Tickets: $10 for nonmembers, free for members

Fall Back Schmooze
2018-09-26 18:00 - 20:00 | J J BOOTLEGGERS, 35 S. 2ND STREET, Olde City Philadelphia, PA, 19106, United States

PWIFT BREAKFAST SERIES: Sound Design for Dramatic Impact
2018-05-23 08:30 - 10:00 | Green Eggs Cafe, 212 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States
Join us for bagels, coffee and a lively discussion with JENNIFER ZAYLEA about how to improve your film’s quality of sound!!!
WHEN: May 23rd @ 8:30 am
WHERE: Green Eggs Cafe
PWIFT dues-paying members: FREE Non-members: $15
RSVP at the following link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pwift-breakfast-series-sound-design-for-dramatic-impact-tickets-44036082107

Women's Film Showcase at the Kimmel Center
2018-05-08 | Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, 19102, United States
Women’s Film Showcase at the Kimmel/Pearlman
Co-sponsored with the Greater Philadelphia Film Office
First annual film showcase of female filmmakers at UArts, Temple, and St. Joseph’s Unviersity

ARMCHAIR SERIES: From Seed to Screen - The Making of CNN's Original Series "Pope"
2018-05-01 18:00 - 20:30 | L’ETAGE, 6TH/BAINBRIDGE, Philadelphia, United States
Tuesday, May 1st ??
CNNs ‘Pope: The Most Powerful Man in History’ was one of the biggest network series produced in Philly.
Join us for an evening with Pope’s Supervising Producer, Lauren Saft and Series Producer and PWIFT Founding Member, Veronica Stickelman
Tix are FREE for dues-paying PWIFT members (but please register), $10 for non-members.

https://www.facebook.com/pwift/posts/10156330128314486

Bluestocking Films
2018-04-12 18:00 - 20:30 | Fergie’s Pub, 1214 Sansom St, Philadelphia
Join Philadelphia Women in Film & Television for a night of complex female characters.

PWIFT Armchair Series - Heidi Saman
2018-04-04 18:00 - 20:30 | L’ETAGE, 6TH/BAINBRIDGE, Philadelphia, United States

PWIFT Gala Honoring Sharon Pinkenson
2018-03-01 18:00 - 21:00 | Fleisher Art Memorial, 719 Catharine St, Philadelphia, PA, 19147, United States
Celebrate the Future of Women in Media
In solidarity with the #metoo and #timesup wave, PWIFT continues to be a fierce advocate for justice and equity for all women in film and media in Philadelphia. Join us to celebrate our inaugural PWIFT Elevation award honoring Sharon Pinkenson of the Greater Philadelphia Film Office for her tireless work in helping to lift up so many in our community.
Walk the red carpet through the Fleisher’s annual exhibit of emerging artists. Enter this historic sanctuary for a fun-filled evening of entertainment and a celebration of diversity. Enjoy cocktails, a buffet dinner, and a silent auction. Become a champion for the next generation of female filmmakers.

Gala Package $100 6-9PM

Cocktails, entertainment, dinner, and a silent auction.

PWIFT Supporter $150 6-9PM

Gala Package + one-year PWIFT membership.

VIP Package $250 5-6PM

Gala Package + one-year PWIFT membership + cocktails (5-6PM) with the founding members, board members, guests of honor, and filmmakers.

Special Student Rate $50 6-9PM

Includes Gala Package + student PWIFT membership.

GET YOUR TICKETS HERE
RSVP by February 20, 2018
Dress: Red-Carpet flair encouraged
Proceeds: Fewer than 11 percent of all films are being directed by women. The proceeds from the 2018 PWIFT Gala will go to the new Palmer Enfield Directors Grant to help aspiring women directors launch their careers, and to other PWIFT educational programs.

Armchair Series TBD
2018-02-15 18:00

PWIFT Breakfast Series - Making Social Media Fit Your Narrative
2017-11-29 08:30 - 10:00 | Green Eggs Cafe, 212 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States

Armchair Series: From Seed to Screen
2017-11-15 18:00 - 20:30 | L’ETAGE, 6TH/BAINBRIDGE, Philadelphia, United States
SAVE THE DATE: November 15th

Our next Armchair event will feature Docu Filmmaker Ilana Trachtman and will be moderated by Media Maker Tatiana Bacchus, with a special film screening. STAY TUNED FOR MORE INFO……..

2017-10-26 10:00 - 2017-10-29 23:00
PHILADELPHIA FILM FESTIVAL
OCTOBER 19-29th
PWIFT is a proud ‘Friend of the Festival’ this year, and our members get a $2 discount on tickets. CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK and get your tickets for films by Philadelphia filmmakers, and from around the world — http://filmadelphia.org/festival/
One of the many films being screened:

Thelma (116 min)
Young Norwegian student Thelma comes from a deeply religious upbringing, but discovers she has startling, supernatural powers as she begins to fall in love with a beautiful girl at her university.

Philadelphia Film Festival
2017-10-19 20:00 - 2017-10-29 12:00 | Unnamed Venue, Philadelphia
PHILADEPHIA FILM FESTIVAL
October 19-29
PWIFT is a proud ‘Friend of the Festival’ this year — our members get a $2 ticket discount!!
Don’t miss the exciting films and work of filmmakers from around the world — CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK and get your tix NOW!
32nd Philadelphia Film Festival

Playing October 25th:

Thelma (116 min)
Young Norwegian student Thelma comes from a deeply religious upbringing, but discovers she has startling, supernatural powers as she begins to fall in love with a beautiful girl at her university.

A 360 VIEW OF 360 PRODUCTION
2017-06-06 18:00 - 20:00 | University of the Arts — CONNELLY AUDITORIUM, 211 S. Broad Street -- 8th FLOOR, Philadelphia, 19102, United States
Virtual Reality has moved from emerging technology to a viable game-changer for brands, businesses and entertainment. By 2020, Virtual Reality and 360 video are anticipated to grow into a $30 billion market. What does it take to transfer your well-honed production skills to this new medium and make your 360 productions virtually successful? You’ll hear from experts Marie Patriarca and Lisa Cavallaro from MONOGRAM, Hillary Hanak at VIDEOSMITH, Mark Schultz from SHAKE AUDIO POST, and keynote speaker Jumoke Dada from TECH WOMEN NETWORK who will show-and-tell how VR has changed their process, workflow, budget and craft. Of course there will be a bit of hands-on for the tech tenacious. From concept to goggle viewing, don’t miss your opportunity to get fully immersed in the world of VR!

Click on the FACEBOOK EVENT PAGE below and RSVP and BUY TIX….or BUY TIX at the door…..and BRING A FRIEND!!!

GPFO PHILLY Film Industry Rally
2017-06-03 10:00 - 11:00 | Bottom of the Rocky Steps — Philadelphia Museium
On Saturday, June 3rd, join us in support of the GPFO for a rally for Philly’s film industry!

The future of the film industry in our region is threatened. But the local film industry creates family sustaining jobs for a huge base of production professionals, support businesses and their employees, and provides outstanding content for and about our city and region. Unique challenges are threatening the ability of our local workforce to be able to live and work in Philadelphia while supporting their families. This rally was to unite and galvanize our industry and elected officials into addressing the urgency of supporting the film, TV, commercial, and multi-media industry of Philadelphia. Strength in numbers, including PWIFT members!
Some of the guest speakers:
M. Night Shyamalan, Director, Writer, Producer
David Morse, Actor, Director, Producer
Sarah Megan Thomas, Actress, Producer, Writer
Sheena M. Joyce, Producer, Director
State Senator Vincent Hughes & State Representative Tim Briggs
Councilman David Oh & Councilman Mark Squilla
Sheila Hess, City Representative
Diane Heery, Casting Director, Heery Loftus Casting
Sharon Pinkenson, Executive Director, Greater Philadelphia Film Office
Jim Whalen, Teamsters Local 817 & John Fundus, IATSE Local 52
Neil Samuels, SAG AFTRA

Meet us at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, bottom of the Rocky steps, 10-11am. Bring your colleagues, family, friends, and anyone who cares about our industry! Let’s show how many people care about and depend on #PhillyFilm! Strength in numbers! There will be media coverage. Rain or shine. Share this with everyone in your networks.
#StrengthinNumbers #Sharethis #TellYourFriends#PhillyFilm

The Armchair Series: From Seed to Screen
2017-05-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Creperie Beau Monde & L’Etage, 624 S. 6th Street, Philadelphia, 19147, United States
What happens when you have two passionate filmmakers in one family? Come find out when sisters Amy Tiehel and Tammy Tiehel-Stedman share their story on collaborating for their new female-focused short film, Redcoats. Tammy’s feature film Slow Learners was shot in Philly and just listed as one of Netflix’s “Top 25 Romantic Comedies to Watch.” Redcoats is Amy’s writing and directorial debut after years as a Producer and Actress. Host Maori Holmes, creator of BlackStar Film Festival and of the founders of PWIFT will host this not-to-be-missed celebration of two great Philadelphia female indie-filmmakers.

The Armchair Series showcases Women in Media – Producers, Directors, and Writers – with innovative and inspiring stories as they discuss their crafts, the challenges they face and the obstacles they overcame. The Armchair Series is a fantastic opportunity for our production community to come together to network and support ongoing projects.

PWIFT BREAKFAST SERIES: Launch Your Career with a Web Series!!
2017-05-24 08:30 - 10:00 | Green Eggs Cafe, 212 S. 13th Stret, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States
What does life after graduation consist of for a Screenwriter or Filmmaker today? What challenges do you face when you step out to create your own content? Come listen to two University of the Arts Alumni tell you how, in less than a year, they were able to take one’s Senior thesis and turn it into an actual indie web production! Creator/Director, Gina Etlinger and Executive Producer, Brandy Austin, want to tell you about their journey from taking an idea and turning it into a reality.
“If not for creating our own content and actually taking the steps to make it into a real thing, than we would still be waiting for our turn to get heard in Hollywood. We might be waiting a long time. Instead we’re working together and making our content, our way; it’s pretty exciting!” – Brandy Austin

BAGELS and COFFEE will be ready and waiting for you at 8:15am — come early to network with fellow filmmakers

The State of the Philadelphia Film Industry
2017-05-12 13:00 - 17:00
If you’re available, please join us at this important hearing in support of Councilman Oh’s initiative on the STATE OF THE PHILADELPHIA FILM INDUSTRY (see Resolution 17025800 below) from 1-5pm today (Friday, May 12th) at City Council Chambers, City Hall, Room 400. If you can’t be there in person, tune in via channel 64 http://vp.telvue.com/player?height=300&id=T01340&noplaylistskin=1&video=40960&width=400&autostart=true <http://vp.telvue.com/player?height=300&id=T01340&noplaylistskin=1&video=40960&width=400&autostart=true>

PWIFT’s President, Suzanne Landau, will testify sometime after 2:30/3pm with the following:
“Good Afternoon, Chairperson David Oh, and members of the Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy committee.
My name is Suzanne Landau and I am the President of the Board of Philadelphia Women in Film and Television (PWIFT). I am here to express support for Film Resolution 17025800. Thank you Councilman Oh for advancing this initiative to bring more films to Philadelphia.
PWIFT is a nonprofit corporation dedicated to recognizing, celebrating and advancing the professional development and achievement of women working in all areas of film, television, video, multimedia and related disciplines. PWIFT is committed to creating economic and social stimulus for its members and the community at large by helping emerging artists and established professional members reach their full potential, and by attracting new jobs, investment and production to the creative economy in the Philadelphia area.
Our community of women media makers is very diverse and is comprised of independent filmmakers in both scripted and documentary, professionals in television, digital arts, film and radio, women in advertising along with technical freelancers, writers and visual artists. Our community embodies both women new to the industry and seasoned professionals. Inclusivity and diversity are paramount for us especially since Philadelphia has such a rich and varied population.
This resolution is spot on. We need more films to come to Philadelphia, but we cannot discuss that without also talking about the lack of diversity in the film industry.
Research shows that women, who are more than half of the population, write only a third of the stories and we direct only 17% of what we see on film and in television. Media tells us our roles in society –who we are and what we can be. The women engaged in PWIFT’s community are concerned that most of our entertainment is directed by white men and most of the stories are told through the eyes of men.
In the past few years, initiatives outside of Philadelphia commenced in an attempt to decrease the gender gap for women in the film industry. In fact, last year, the ACLU launched an investigation into discrimination against female directors in Hollywood. Geena Davis initiated the Gender Institute that studies women’s roles in the media. Patricia Arquette pleaded for equal pay for women at the Oscars. Meryl Streep followed up by funding a writing lab for Hollywood’s untouchable caste, women screenwriters over 40. And recently, Filmmaker Alma Har’el launched a new, historic initiative to #FreeTheBid for female commercial directors to be included in every agency bid. In 2010, The Academy Award for Best Director went to Kathryn Bigelow for the “Hurt Locker,” making her the first woman to ever win that category. Six years later she is still the only one who has won and no other woman has been nominated since.
The first step in changing this picture is to recognize there is a problem. That’s where we come in. PWIFT brings women in the industry together to learn, bond and succeed. We are more powerful together and stronger when we can rally together locally and be part of a strong global community. Recently, PWIFT became a member of Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI), which addresses arts, business and cultural media around the world.
Women are an underserved community in the media industry, especially in Philadelphia. Only 6% of the films produced here in the Philadelphia area are made by women. Statistics like these discourage women from entering the entertainment business. PWIFT, along with our male allies in the profession, is working to improve parity in the industry, to take part in the conversation, to help raise the profile of women in film, and to encourage women to stay in the industry. Most importantly, PWIFT seeks to improve opportunities in film for women in Philadelphia so they stay here and create film here.
PWIFT is currently in discussion with three local universities to help launch an incubator that will encourage filmmakers to stay in Philadelphia to hone their craft. We hope this project will contribute more opportunity for women, women of color, LGBTQ people and make Philadelphia a place female filmmakers grow their art and business.
It matters what stories are told and it matters who makes them. PWIFT was formed to help cultivate the talent of female media makers here in Philadelphia and PWIFT will help put Philadelphia on the map as a place where women in film and all areas of media will be championed.
We hope we can work together to advance gender equity in the film industry.
Thank you for this opportunity to testify on this issue. I am happy to answer any questions.”

For Reference, here is RESOLUTION NO. 170258:
Authorizing Council’s Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold public hearings on the state of the Philadelphia Film Industry.
WHEREAS, Philadelphia has been the setting of many acclaimed movies and television shows. The City’s neighborhoods and skyline provide an iconic backdrop to hundreds of such productions; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia offers prime locations for filming, from historic buildings to beautiful parks to bustling college campuses; and
WHEREAS, Several incentives are available to filmmakers looking to bring their productions to Philadelphia. The Pennsylvania Film Production Tax Credit Program, a hotel tax exemption, police assistance, and fee-free locations are all offered in Philadelphia; and
WHEREAS, Attracting film production to Philadelphia and encouraging independent filmmaking directly benefits to the City. Production crews use local hotels, restaurants, other businesses, and labor; and
WHEREAS, While movies and television shows are still filmed in Philadelphia, the frequency with which large-budget film productions have chosen to locate in the City has greatly declined. Meanwhile, cities such as Pittsburgh have seen significant increases in the number of films made within their limits; and
WHEREAS, Philadelphia has a sizable number of schools that produce talented filmmakers and young professionals whose creative talents Philadelphia should be competitively seeking to retain upon their graduation. Losing these creative individuals to other cities as they search for opportunities in the film industry hampers Philadelphia’s long-term competitiveness in many creative industries; and
Authorizing Council’s Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold public hearings on the state of the Philadelphia Film Industry.
WHEREAS, The film industry offers opportunities for diverse people of all backgrounds to contribute towards making movies and television shows. Philadelphians should be able to work on film projects of all genres and budgets in their own City; and
WHEREAS, Film production is important to Philadelphia’s national reputation and the local economy. The more movies and television shows choose to shoot in Philadelphia, the more of a hub of the creative economy the City becomes; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That it hereby authorizes Council’s Committee on Global Opportunities and the Creative/Innovative Economy to hold public hearings on the state of the Philadelphia film industry.

"Big Sonia" & "Joe's Violin"--CineMonday 2017
2017-05-08 19:30 | Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, 300 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, 19102, United States
PWIFT is proud to be a Community Partner for PJFF’S CineMonday 2017
Closing Night: Big Sonia screening with Joe’s Violin

Philadelphia Premiere
Date: Monday, May 8
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Director: Todd Soliday and Leah Warshawski
Genre: Documentary
Country: USA
Year: 2016
Running Time: 93 min
Language: English
Sponsored by: Joseph and Marie Field

Tickets now on sale at the Kimmel Center Box Office or you may purchase tickets HERE!

BIG SONIA
A mere four foot eight inches tall, 91-year-old Sonia Warshawski cannot help but leave an immense impression on everyone she meets. From her loyal customers at the tailor shop to the high school students, church groups, and prisoners whose lives have been so remarkably transformed by hearing her story, Kansas City’s last remaining Holocaust survivor is a force to be reckoned with. Spending the entirety of her teenage years shuttled between concentration camps, Sonia is no stranger to adversity. Her experiences during the war were horrifying and reprehensible, a nightmare Sonia is unable to rid from her memory. Yet, with all of the pain she still carries inside, Sonia’s outlook on life is anything but “doom and gloom.” With her wild fashion sense and larger-than-life persona, Sonia, along with her daughter Regina, are committed to inspiring others with a powerful message of hope.
This award-winning, poignant documentary by husband and wife filmmaking team Todd Soliday and Leah Warshawski (Sonia’s granddaughter) artfully integrates animations inspired by Sonia’s own drawings and revelatory interviews with her family and friends.
JOE’S VIOLIN
This Academy Award-nominated documentary short directed by Kahane Cooperman tells how a Holocaust survivor’s donation of his violin transforms the life of a young aspiring musician.
Special Guests: Todd Soliday and Leah Warshawski, Directors of Big Sonia

"IN BETWEEN" -- CineMondays 2017
2017-05-01 19:30 | GERSHMAN HALL CHAPEL (GERSHMAN Y), 401 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, 19147, United States
PWIFT is proud to be a Community Partner of the PJFF’s CineMondays 2017
In Between

Philadelphia Premiere
Date: Monday, May 1
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: The Gershman Y
Director: Maysaloun Hamoud
Genre: Narrative
Country: Israel
Year: 2016
Running Time: 96 min
Language: Arabic and Hebrew with English subtitles
Sponsored by: Larry and Cindy Rappoport
Warning: Contains language, drug use and some strong sexual content

Buy tickets HERE!

Sharing an apartment in the heart of Tel Aviv, three young Palestinian women with diverse aspirations come of age. Leila (Mouna Hawa), a chain-smoking criminal lawyer with unwavering wit and wild magnetism, enjoys dancing off workday stress in the underground club scene. Her good friend, Salma (Sana Jammelieh), more subdued yet similarly stylish, is a DJ and bartender floating from gig to gig. While Nour (Shaden Kanboura), the youngest and most understated of the three, is a religious Muslim, engaged to be married, who moves in with Leila and Salma in order to study at the university.
Though Noor finds her new roommates at once intimidating and intriguing, she enjoys her newfound independence and comes to appreciate the women as true friends. With everything going well and her studies in order, Nour arranges an evening alone with her conservative fiancé (Henry Andrawas) who is arriving for a visit. Incensed by his future bride’s cosmopolitan existence and the liberal influences of her secular roommates, he entreats Nour to hasten their marriage, leave Tel Aviv, and assume her rightful role in the home. When Nour refuses his wishes, his violent rebuttal leaves her shaken, yet willing to kick the stakes up a notch.
With a rocking score by MG Saad, unforgettable performances, and bright, engaging camerawork, IN BETWEEN is a heart-thumping, compelling exploration of human frailty and resilience in the face of Israel’s ever changing social landscape.
Special Guest: Ibrahim Miari, Lecturer in Modern Hebrew Language at the University of Pennsylvania
Followed by 20s and 30s Happy Hour at City Diner (corner of South and Broad Streets) with free appetizers and drink specials

"FANNY'S JOURNEY"--CineMonday 2017
2017-04-24 19:30 | GERSHMAN HALL CHAPEL (GERSHMAN Y), 401 S. Broad Street, Philadelphia, 19147, United States
PWIFT is proud to be a Community Partner of PJFF’s CineMondays 2017:
Fanny’s Journey

Holocaust Remembrance Day/Philadelphia Premiere
Date: Monday, April 24
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: The Gershman Y
Director: Lola Doillon
Genre: Narrative
Country: Belgium, France
Year: 2016
Running Time: 94 min
Language: French with English subtitles
Sponsored by: Jan Felman and Harvey Schwartz, and Dr. Marcia Sachs Littell in memory of Dr. Franklin H. Littell z”l

Buy tickets HERE!
Landing the role of the titular Fanny over 10,000 other aspiring young actresses, newcomer Léonie Souchaud delivers a flawless performance as a brave youngster leading a band of orphans through Nazi-occupied France in this suspenseful and handsomely shot coming-of-age drama based on the autobiographical novel by Fanny Ben-Ami.
After the arrest of their father, 13-year-old Fanny and her two younger sisters Erika (Fantine Harduin) and Georgette (Juliane Lepoureau) are sent to a boarding school in France’s neutral territory. It isn’t long before their safety is compromised and Fanny and the other children are whisked away to yet another temporary safe haven in the Italian zone. There, under the care of the stern but tender Madame Forman (César-winning actress Cécile de France), Fanny is given a job in the kitchen helping out Elie (Victor Meutelet), an affable and attractive young cook eager to join the resistance. Unfortunately, Fanny’s new friendship is cut short when Mussolini’s regime falls and Madame Forman is forced to devise a plan to save her charges. Equipped with fake passports and new names, the children embark on their journey to the Swiss border by train under Madame Forman’s guidance. En route, as circumstances change for the worse, Madame relinquishes her leadership role to Fanny, who despite her mounting fears realizes she has no other choice but to forge ahead.

PWIFT BREAKFAST SERIES: Business strategies for Business Professionals
2017-03-07 08:30 - 10:00 | Green Eggs Cafe, 212 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19107, United States
If you are in production, own a business, or are an independent artist/contractor, don’t miss this very informative session in which issues relevant to your endeavors will be discussed, and all your questions answered.
PWIFT MEMBERS: FREE
NON-MEMBERS: $15
