EVENTS ARCHIVE

2023

The Young Women Writers Screenwriting Contest Panel Discussion


When: October 14th, 11-12:30pm PT

FREE Virtual Event

A joint effort by the Intuitive Writing Project (TIWP) and Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area (WIFSFBA), the Young Women Writers Screenwriting Contest aims to uplift young women and non-binary people in film. By promoting and running this contest, WIFSFBA and TIWP have created a space where young screenwriters can feel empowered in their writing. The contest falls into two parts: a screenwriting contest, and a subsequent panel event run by WIFSFBA. 

The top three scripts selected from the contest are then passed on to the event panelists, all of whom are WIFSFBA members and professional filmmakers, producers, and writers. During the event, the screenwriters will read their scripts aloud to the panelists and audience and then will be given feedback by the panelists. At the end, audience members will be able to ask the panelists questions. Because of WIFSFBA's involvement, young women screenwriters are connected with established and experienced women in the industry and have a chance to learn and grow in their own right.

The contest includes two parts:

The top three scripts selected from the contest were passed on to the event panelists, all of whom are WIFSFBA members and professional filmmakers, producers, and writers.  During this event, the screenwriters will read their scripts aloud to the panelists and audience and then will be given feedback by the panelists.  At the end, audience members will be able to ask the panelists and writers questions.

Because of WIFSFBA's involvement, young screenwriters are connected with established and experienced women in the industry and have a chance to learn and grow in their own right.

Panelists include:

Carol Lee Hall, WIFSFBA Script Incubator Coordinator, Founder of Blue Carp Productions LLC, Executive Producer at Jeweled Bird Pictures

Carol was born and raised in Oakland, California, and formed her own film production company, Blue Carp Productions LLC, in January 2020 to produce some of her screenwriting projects. Prior to that, she had been a screenwriter since 2009. Carol’s passion is to produce films that portray positive and important images of women and Asians. Carol has written seven work-for-hire scripts as part of her freelance writing business. She also has ten years of experience producing stage productions. As an accomplished speaker, she has taught at various conferences and writers’ groups. Besides Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area, Carol is also a member of the California Writers Club.

Nil Unerdem, WIFSFBA Script Incubator Member, WIFSFBA Secretary

Originally from Istanbul, Nil Unerdem grew up in Silicon Valley and majored in electrical engineering at Stanford and Columbia. She worked in tech for 18 years until she   started to pursue filmmaking full-time. Over the years, she’s taken screenwriting & film classes at SFFILM, the Writers Grotto, and Sundance Collab, and completed a one-year film program at the San Francisco Film School. Nil has written several screenplays including a horror comedy feature Human Stalk (Stowe NYX Horror Fellowship Finalist, Screencraft Virtual Pitch Semifinalist, Blacklist Real Time Top List 2023, Screencraft Feature Semifinalist, Cinestory Retreat 2023) and wrote/directed her own short Pearl in the Window (SF Short Film Festival, Cascadia Women’s International Film Festival). Nil is drawn to character driven, female lead, poetic stories about loneliness and connection, interwoven with comedy.

Ami Zins, WIFSFBA Board Chair, Former Oakland Film Commissioner

Ami was born in San Francisco and as a teen moved to Berkeley/Oakland where she has lived ever since. A civil rights and social justice activist her entire life, Ami has found a way to infuse these themes into the over 15 plays she directed, as well as into the communications courses she teaches at UC Berkeley.  With over 25 years’ experience in the film industry Ami is also a producer, consultant, and worked 13 years as director of the Oakland Film Office. She is proud to have worked with films such as Fruitvale Station, Matrix 2 & 3, East Side Sushi, a Carlos Santana music video, among hundreds of other projects ranging from commercials and music videos to student, independent, and studio films. Ami also serves on the board of The LoveLife Foundation, an Oakland based, youth violence prevention program. 

A Conversation with Julie Rubio

When: October 15th, 2pm-3pm PT

FREE Virtual Event


Honoring this year's Hispanic Heritage Month, we invite you to join us for a virtual chat with Julie Rubio, President of Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area (WIFSFBA).  Julie is an accomplished award-winning filmmaker with over 15 awards to her name including the acclaimed "East Side Sushi" available on HBO, Peacock, Amazon Prime and more.  Discover Julie's inspiring journey in the film industry and secrets to her success, the challenges she's overcome, and how she's making a difference.  "A Conversation with Julie Rubio" provides a unique opportunity to connect with Indie filmmakers and learn more about Latino culture and its influence in the entertainment industry.

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JOIN US FOR A FREE MODERATED VIRTUAL PANEL:

●      Saturday, September 23, 11 am - 12 noon PDT 

●      for insights and updates from the SAG-AFTRA & WGA Strike frontlines! 

●      Short Q&A will follow the moderated panel discussion.

●      Invite everyone you think would be interested!

What is at stake for future contracts:

●      Residuals & Wage Increases

●      Impact of potential use of AI on writers and actors

●      The impact of streaming on the state of the industry

●      Staffing requirements for writers rooms

●      Self taping auditions for actors

●      And much more… 

Reserve your free TICKETS using  QR code below…or click here

WGA & SAG-AFTRA Strike Update Virtual Panel

Our Esteemed Panelists:

Kathryn Howell
San Francisco-Northern California Local President, SAG-AFTRA

Kathryn Howell is an American actress known for a wide variety of character roles in film and television. 

Kathryn has worked extensively on stage, holds a BFA in Theatre from UNC-Chapel Hill, and received a full scholarship for advanced study at American Conservatory Theatre in San Francisco. Kathryn is a long-time member of SAG, AFTRA (SAG-AFTRA), and AEA. She received her AEA card at New York's Vivian Beaumont Theatre.

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Niceole R. Levy

After growing up near China Lake Naval Weapons Center in the middle of the Mojave Desert, Niceole escaped to the bright lights of Los Angeles. While studying acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she realized her true love was writing stories, not playing them out. She worked as a police dispatcher to pay her way through USC undergrad and then completed the Master of Professional Writing program, also at USC. An alum of the CBS Writers Mentoring Program, NBC's Writers on the Verge, and the WGAW Showrunner Training Program, Niceole has written on “Ironside,” “Allegiance,” “The Mysteries of Laura,” “Shades of Blue,” "Cloak & Dagger," “Fate: the Winx Saga,” “S.W.A.T,” and “The Recruit.” She also co-wrote a feature, "The Banker," with former “Allegiance” showrunner and director George Nolfi, available on AppleTV+, and recently finished writing “Spark,” a film inspired by the life of Claudette Colvin. Niceole currently has several TV and feature projects in development. Her first book, “The Writers’ Room Survival Guide,” was released in October of 2022.

 Niceole is also featured in a series of powerful Film Courage interviews on writing for television and how to get a foot in the door.


Megan Rees

Screenwriter, Labor Activist, Therapist, WIFSFBA Event Committee Member

Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, Megan Rees graduated from UCSC with a degree in theater and went on to get a master’s in Drama Therapy at NYU. As a licensed therapist, Megan has helped hundreds if not thousands of people tell their stories but had mostly stopped dramatic writing for about 20 years.

After her transition to tech when a colleague commended her ability to write for a very specific brand and she was quarantined during a global pandemic she finally reunited with her love of writing. Her drama pilot Hot Town, inspired by her work as an activist, is a love letter to Oakland’s radical past and has earned three semifinalist placements and an invitation to the Athena Film Festival Writers Lab. 

Megan has a private practice and business consultancy focused on helping people heal from traumatic work experiences and helping companies set up psychologically safer environments. She hopes to use these skills in a TV writers room someday.

THE INS & OUTS OF FILM FESTIVALS

(5 mistakes filmmakers make)

Monika and Rona

Did you know there are more than 5,000+ film festivals around the world? How do you target the right ones?

Join RONA EDWARDS  and MONIKA SKERBELIS  for an enlightening look at how you -- writer, director, producer, actor. -- can maximize your future film festival endeavors by learning from the mistakes other filmmakers have made.             


DATE: Saturday,  Sep 9th, 2023

Time: 11AM-12.30PM PDT

Where: Zoom


TICKETS:

General Admission -- $10 - Buy tickets

Free for WIFSFBA & WIFT-US Members - Click here

Co-Authors of the Complete Filmmaker's Guide to Film Festivals 

2nd Edition soon to be published

DID YOU KNOW there are more than 5,000+ film festivals around the world? How do you target the right ones? Learn TIPs on creating a festival strategy by learning from the mistakes of other filmmakers.  Here’s what will be discussed in this informative seminar: 

Don’t miss this great opportunity to learn NEW and EXCITING ways to make the most of your next film festival SUBMISSION.


DATE: Saturday,  Sep 9th, 2023

Time: 11AM-12.30PM PDT

Where: Zoom


TICKETS:

General Admission -- $10 - Buy tickets

Free for WIFSFBA & WIFT-US Members - Click here

About RONA EDWARDS - Producer, Executive and Educator

A graduate of California Institute of the Arts, RONA EDWARDS, became Vice President of  Creative Affairs for multiple Emmy-winner John Larroquette (Night Court), Academy-Award winner Michael Phillips (The Sting, Close Encounters Of The Third Kind, Taxi Driver) and  Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated producer Fern Field (Monk, Heartsounds). As a producer, she co- produced and/or executive produced One Special Victory (NBC), The Companion (USA/SyFi CHANNEL), I Know What You Did (ABC), and Out Of Sync (VH1).  She produced the TV movie, Blind Trust, for Lifetime Television, and produced a series of movies based upon a book series she optioned, subtitled “Crimes of Fashion,” by Ellen Byerrum. 


Ms. Edwards is also working on a number of documentaries including a series about Military Nurses. She produced the documentaries, Unforgettable, written and directed by Eric Williams (Mad City, Out Of Sync), and Selling Sex In Heaven aka Hope in Heaven. Edwards has had projects made and/or in development with many other major networks and studios including ABC, CBS, ABC, Hearst Entertainment, HBO, Phoenix Pictures, Edward R. Pressman, Revelation, Lifetime, Motor City Films, Warner Bros.,  Alan Landsberg Productions, The David Wolper Organization, Incendo Media, Wilshire Court and All Girl Productions, to name a few. 


Rona has served as a film and TV consultant and story editor for numerous film commissions and production companies worldwide including the Victoria Film Festival, Screen Queensland, Stewart-Hall Productions, Enjoy Entertainment in Australia and Pilgrim Pictures in Singapore.

About MONIKA SKERBELIS - Programmer, Producer and Educator

MONIKA SKERBELIS is the programming director for the American Pavilion's Emerging Filmmaker Showcase at the Cannes Film Festival (since 2009), and was the artistic & programming director for the Big Bear Lake International Film Festival for fourteen years. As Vice President of Creative and Executive Story Editor for Universal Pictures story department, she spent ten years overseeing the story department and developing a number of screenplays including Black Dog starring Patrick Swayze. Prior to Universal, she was story editor for 20th Century Fox and began her career as an assistant in the Story Department for Paramount Pictures. 


Ms. Skerbelis was Associate Producer on two movies: Killer Hair and Hostile Makeover, based on the “Crimes of Fashion” novels by Ellen Byerrum for the Lifetime Movie Network. 


With Rona Edwards, Monika teaches online for Riverside City College and teaches film development at UCLA Extension. 

Rona and Monika, in addition to co-authoring “The Complete Filmmaker’s Guide to Film festivals”, also wrote the critically acclaimed book, “I Liked It, Didn’t Love It (Screenplay Development From The Inside Out)”,  which is now in its 3rd edition and illuminates the development process for both television and feature film development.

WIFSFBA INVITES YOU TO A SPECIAL SCREENING!

"7000 Miles" follows the story of a passionate pilot (Jo), who must return home to Hawaii to care for her ailing grandmother (Meli). Although feisty and spry, Meli continues to get lost in her visions, struggling to put the pieces of her life’s puzzle together. As her Gran’s fragmented memories blur the lines of past & present, real & wondrous, Jo begins to suspect that Meli might actually be history’s most celebrated aviatrix.                                       


Directed by - Amy Glazer

Screenwriter - Colette Freedman

Executive Producers - Tasha Watson & Bryan Spicer

WATCH “7000 Miles”  TRAILER 


DATE: Sunday, August 20, 2023

Time: 1:30 pm PDT (83 min) -- Q & A to follow

Where: California Theatre - 345 S. 1st Street, San Jose, CA 95113


TICKETS:

General Admission -- $14   Buy tickets 

WIFSFBA Members -- click here

CAST

Wendie Malick

Juliet Mills 

Alixzandra Dove

ABOUT THE DIRECTOR -- Amy Glazer

AMY GLAZER began her career in theater, directing numerous award-winning plays in the San Francisco Bay Area including TheatreWorks, Marin Theatre Company, San Jose Rep., Eureka Theatre, Traveling Jewish Theatre and serving as an Associate Artist at Magic Theatre and Associate Artistic Director of SF Playhouse, where she directed numerous plays. Mid-carer, she made her screen directing debut with Barry Gifford's Ball Lightning (2003), Drifting Elegant by Stephen Belber (2006) and went on to make Seducing Charlie Barker (2010) by Teresa Rebeck, which had its world premiere at SFIFF. Prof Glazer has used her theatre directing, focused primarily on new works and premieres, as fodder, adapting to film Drifting Elegant, The Scene, and The Surrogate, merging her two directing "languages". She went on to co-write with Sylvia Brownrigg and direct Kepler’s Dream (2016) and The Surrogate (aka Beautiful Dreamer) 2020, also an official selection that premiered at the 2020 SFIFF. 7000 Miles is her most recent completed film. Amy Glazer lives in the Oakland Hills and is a Film and Theatre Professor at San Jose State University.




“7000 Miles” will be PRECEDED by the short film…


UNDERPAINT (12 min)


Written and Directed by - Anna Hopkins

Starring -  Ben Carlson, Anna Hopkins 


“Underpaint” follows the filmmaker, Anna Hopkins, as she wanders through an art gallery. Noticing a young girl on a gallery visit with her dad, Anna embarks on a journey through memories and conversations she had with her own father, Tom Hopkins, a painter himself. The film incorporates elements of autofiction and memoir about the filmmaker's late father, Canadian painter Tom Hopkins, and his body of work.

SAG-AFTRA &  WGA 

Strike Update Virtual Panel

Community Mixer at Epicurious Garden

Conversations Speakers Series: Gabrielle Carteris

What Gabrielle Carteris is most known for:

Read more

Prepare to be captivated as Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area (WIFSFBA) proudly presents a stimulating evening with the esteemed actor, activist, and industry leader, Gabrielle Carteris. This exclusive virtual event will offer participants a rare opportunity to delve into the mind of a trailblazer who has been instrumental in transforming the landscape of the entertainment industry.

Gabrielle will engage the audience in a riveting conversation, sharing her invaluable insights on the current state of the industry, and how the watershed moment of the Harvey Weinstein scandal not only altered the industry's culture but also paved the way for new laws to protect artists. Don't miss your chance to be part of this exceptional gathering that promises to leave you inspired and enlightened.

More about Gabrielle Carteris, FIA President, SAG-AFTRA Immediate Past President:

Gabrielle Carteris was elected president of the International Federation of Actors, or FIA, in May 2021. She is the immediate past president of SAG-AFTRA, where for more than five years she headed the union of 160,000 actors, recording artists, dancers and broadcasters. Before SAG and AFTRA merged in 2012, Carteris served in leadership positions in both unions, as well as on the merger committee.

Carteris became a household name playing Andrea Zuckerman on Beverly Hills, 90210 and more recently starred in BH90210, a revival of the iconic show. Her extensive resume includes work in television, film and the stage, including guest-starring roles on We Own This City, NCIS and Criminal Minds and voice work for video games. Onstage, she performed a special presentation of The Vagina Monologues to raise money to combat violence against women and child abuse. 

As SAG-AFTRA president during the first several months of the COVID pandemic, she guided the union’s response to create a set of strict industry wide protocols to ensure that sets and other workplaces were as safe as possible.

A survivor of a serious on-set injury, safety has been a priority initiative for Carteris. She formed the President’s Blue Ribbon Safety Commission, which has advocated for intimacy coordinators to be present on set during the filming of simulated sex scenes and other hype-rexposed work. 

A fierce advocate for diversity, Carteris has taken on age bias in the industry, championed the unionization of Spanish-speaking performers and broadcasters, worked toward gender and pay equity and led efforts to advance greater inclusion in the industry at all levels.

Carteris is a board member of the Solidarity Center, the largest U.S.-based international worker rights organization. Allied with the AFL-CIO, it strives to attain safe and healthy workplaces, fair wages and greater equity. She also is a founding ambassador of ReFrame, an initiative of Women In Film and Sundance Institute to further gender parity in the media industry. In 2017, Carteris was appointed commissioner to the Hollywood Commission on Eliminating Sexual Harassment and Advancing Equality.

In 2010, she began a three-year term as a National Board member. In 2011, she was elected Los Angeles Local president and national second vice president. As part of the Group for One Union, she was instrumental in developing the plan to merge SAG and AFTRA. In 2019, SAG-AFTRA presented Carteris with the George Heller Memorial Award for her years of union service.

Reserve Your Spot Today! Click Here.

Be part of this extraordinary experience and join the conversation with the remarkable Gabrielle Carteris, as she shares her wealth of knowledge and expertise in a not-to-be-missed event. Mark your calendars for June 1st, 2023, and secure your place at this important virtual gathering on Zoom.

Presented by WIFSFBA, this event is one you simply cannot afford to miss. Book your tickets now and immerse yourself in an evening that will undoubtedly spark inspiration, ignite conversations, and fuel change. 

For any questions, please email us at BOD-admin@wifsfba.org with the subject line "Gabrielle Carteris".

AI IN FILMING

CONVERSATIONS WITH BASIL SHADID & PHILIP SHANE

Experience a groundbreaking discussion with guest experts Philip Shane and Basil Shadid as they explore how filmmakers and documentarians can utilize AI technology, especially Chat GPT, at every stage of the filmmaking process!

WIFSFBA President, Julie Rubio, will moderate the first half of the event during which Philip and Basil will share valuable tools including: 

For questions, please email us at BOD-admin@wifsfba.org with the subject line "AI in Filmmaking".

Read More

Experience a groundbreaking discussion with guest experts Philip Shane and Basil Shadid as they explore how filmmakers and documentarians can utilize AI technology, especially Chat GPT, at every stage of the filmmaking process!

WIFSFBA President, Julie Rubio, will moderate the first half of the event during which Philip and Basil will share valuable tools including: 

The second half of the event will be devoted to Q & A from attendees!

This engaging virtual event is open to both WIFSFBA members and non- members of all genders. 

With over 800 RSVPs for their last event, Philip Shane and Basil Shadid have sparked a massive wave of interest. Register early to secure your space and join us in starting a longer, ongoing conversation about AI's role in film, and media production, as well as the ethical and philosophical implications. 

See you online at this transformative discussion on AI in filmmaking.

For questions, please email us at BOD-admin@wifsfba.org with the subject line "AI in Filmmaking".

LOVE, GILDA

A DISCUSSION WITH DIRECTOR LISA D'APOLITO

Join us for an exciting and exclusive virtual event featuring the director of Love Gilda, Lisa D'Apolito, and the Jewish Film Institute (JFI). 

The heartwarming 2018 documentary, Love Gilda, celebrates the life and career of beloved comedienne Gilda Radner, an original member of Saturday Night Live, offering a unique window into her honest and whimsical world.

View the trailer for Love, Gilda here.

Don't miss this amazing opportunity to learn more about how Lisa brought this heartfelt story to the big screen, and what she is working on now. 

You'll also hear from JFI’s Claudia Finkle about the incredible work of the Jewish Film Institute, the premier curatorial voice for Jewish film and media around the world. JFI's programs showcase the full diversity of Jewish experiences, aiming to create a more informed and empathetic world where vital Jewish-content films are made, watched, shared, and treasured.Love Gilda was the Opening Night Film at the Jewish Film Institute in 2018.

Tickets:

$10 General Public

Free for WIFSFBA Members & WIFT-US Members

Secure your spot today and get ready for an unforgettable evening of terrific speakers, followed by an opportunity to network with old friends and potential new collaborators from around the United States.

About Lisa D’Apolito: Producer and Director, Pronouns: She/Her

Lisa D’Apolito is an Emmy nominated producer and director. Lisa’s film documentary, Love, Gilda was selected as the opening night film of the Tribeca Film Festival, was distributed theatrically through Magnolia Pictures, had a broadcast premiere on CNN, and was nominated for 2 creative Emmy’s. Lisa started as an actress in film, theater, and television including a part in Goodfellas.  She went on to producing and directing in advertising, making her way to SVP/EP of production at FCB and then starting her own production company, 3 Faces Films. Lisa was named one of Variety’s 10 Documentarians to Watch in 2018 and was featured in SHOOT Magazine's New Directors Showcase 2019.  Lisa is a dual citizen of the U.S. and Italy.  She is in post-production with PYUNERVERSE a documentary on the Cult director Albert Pyun and recently completed Shari Lewis and Lamb Chop.

About Claudia Finkle: JFI Office Coordinator, Pronouns: She/Her

A veteran of the filmmaking community in the Bay Area and Los Angeles, Claudia Finkle brings her expertise and enthusiasm to the Jewish Film Institute. After graduating from the Art Institute in San Francisco, Claudia went on to edit over 20 feature-length narrative and documentary films. Claudia has served on the Board of American Cinema Editors and Women In Film. When not watching films, you will find Claudia dancing to the beat of the clave in Cuban music.

We are beginning the evening at 4:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time because of the time difference in the Midwest and on the East Coast.

If you have any questions, email us at bod-admin@wifsfba.org and put in the subject line " Love, Gilda."

About Rebecca Pierce: JFI Marketing and Communications Manager, Pronouns: She/Her

Rebecca Pierce is a writer and filmmaker based in San Francisco. With works ranging from documentary films and political essays to pop sketch comedy, Rebecca's multimedia storytelling covers diverse topics related to politics, culture, and social justice. An alumna of UC Santa Cruz's Film and Digital Media program, Rebecca was a 2021 JFI Filmmaker in Residence and a 2019-2020 Affiliate Fellow at Harvard Divinity School's Religion, Conflict, and Peace Initiative. Her writing has been published in Jewish Currents, The Nation, The New Republic, The Jewish Daily Forward, +972, and produced by San Francisco's Killing My Lobster.

ROOT OF EVIL
FACING EVIL WITH YVETTE GENTILE AND RASHA PECORARO

We’re excited to have Yvette Gentile and Rasha Pecoraro join us for a speaker event through WIFSFBA on April 20th! 

Sisters Yvette Gentile and Rasha Pecoraro are primarily recognized as the co-hosts of the wildly popular podcast “Root of Evil: The True Story of the Hodel Family and the Black Dahlia,” a 2020 iHeartRadio ‘True Crime Podcast of the Year’ nominee. The dark story of their mother Fauna Hodel’s life garnered the attention of superstar Chris Pine (Star Trek, Wonder Woman, Dungeons & Dragons), actress India Eisley (Underworld: Awakening, The Secret Life of the American Teenager) and award-winning director Patty Jenkins (Monster, Wonder Woman) and became a six-episode TNT limited television series I Am the Night, which premiered in January 2019. 

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Yvette and Rasha were on set just 6 weeks after losing their beautiful mother to breast cancer at the end of 2017. The sisters were a part of the filming process throughout 2017 and 2018, and were asked to host Root of Evil, which was the companion podcast to I Am the Night. The podcast was created, directed, and written by Emmy Award winning documentarian Zak Levitt of Cadence13. 

Gentile and Pecoraro are currently hosting a new weekly podcast from Tenderfoot TV and iHeart Radio called “Facing Evil.” In their latest venture, the siblings bring their unique perspective of growing up in a family with a dark history to true crime with a focus on the victims and individuals at the heart of the stories and moving onward and upward. 

 “If we can make a difference and teach others how we can be better human beings by doing good in the world, we will have achieved everything our mother stood for,” says the pair. “Our goal for this show is to find a light in the darkness and to bring awareness to those stories that are as deserving of the attention that our family has received. By shining light on these other stories of evil, we strive to foster hope and healing.” 

Outside of podcasting, Gentile is also an actor, model, and sandal designer with her husband Gino. She is an avid yogi and marathon runner who trains and practices classes specific to individuals confronting distress and long-term grief and pain. She splits her time between her hometown of Hawaii, San Francisco and Italy.

Pecoraro was a fierce competitor on “The Biggest Loser” in 2006. Since then, she’s advocated for beauty at any size as a plus size model and married her wife Vanna in 2010. She is a proud LGBTQ+ advocate and activist, mother, as well as an actor and voiceover artist. She resides near Portland but remains a forever native of Honolulu.

CONVERSATIONS & CONNECTIONS

SPRING VIRTUAL PANEL

CONVERSATIONS & CONNECTIONS

SPRING VIRTUAL PANEL

This March 23, 2023 at 7pm PST, Women in Film San Francisco Bay Area (WIFSFBA) is proud to present a live virtual event Conversations and Connections: with Joslyn Rose Lyons, featuring the award-winning director and impact producer and Oakland native, whose films have been featured on Showtime, BET, streaming platforms, and at film festivals nationally and throughout the world! 

Joining Joslyn on the panel will be the stars of her most recent award winning short, Butterfly Boxing: Hill Harper (ABC, The Good Doctor), J. Alphonse Nicholson (P. Valley, STARZ, series, including Mr. Nicholson, nominated for 6 NAACP Image Awards - winners to be revealed on Feb 25, 2023), Donald Lacy (ColorStruck) founder of the LoveLife Foundation (a youth violence prevention/media training program in Oakland, CA), and Kimberly Marie Olivier (SF Ballet). 

Also present will be the esteemed Butterfly Boxing executive producers Salena Rochester, Erika Conner,  Johanna Saldaña, and Producers Dominique Mouton, Alexa Rocero, Shania Banton!

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Joslyn will share her journey and insights as a documentary and narrative filmmaker, producing media campaigns for films, and the success of her films being chosen to screen, and win, at international film festivals.  Joslyn is excited to share how she made her short film Butterfly Boxing as one of the most important steps along the way to its becoming a feature!  

Most recently Joslyn was given the Best Director award at the 7th edition of LA Independent Women Film Awards for her Butterfly Boxing!

Our conversation will also explore Joslyn’s work as the producer on the upcoming doc TALE OF THE TAPE with producing partners Malik Buie and Kim Osario, which takes an unabashed look at the role The Mixtape played during the growth of Hip Hop music from the 1970's to now with Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa, and Big Sean, DJ Clue, Kid Capri, Mobb Deep, DJ Envy, DJ Drama, J. Cole, slated for release in Summer 2023.


PRESS


AWARDS

SCRIPT INCUBATOR

PITCH-A-PRO NIGHT!

Are you a screenwriter with a completed script or a director with a project looking for a producer? Are you a producer looking for a partner? Then come to our Pitch-A-Pro Night when you can present your 2-3-minute pitch to the producer or other industry professional of your choice. At the end of the evening, at least 4 lucky people will get a chance to pitch all of the professionals at once before the entire audience. If the limit is reached, you will be notified to choose a different pro or to get your money back.


Members $10, Non-members $20

Come prepared to verbally pitch for 2-3 minutes your film, TV, or streaming project to the industry professional of your choice. Stay till the end for a chance to pitch the entire panel!


Tuesday, January 31, 2023

7:00 to 9:00pm

Registration opens January 10

DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS 12:00 NOON ON TUESDAY, JANUARY 31st


Industry Professionals include:

A limited amount of spots 

Alex Davies 

Roadmap Writers, 

Director of Education

Brenda Friend

Producer, 

Old Beantown Films

David J. Greenberg

Producer, Director,

Screenwriter at Gilder Frontier

Anna W. Iverson

Producer at IQ Media, 

Co-founder of IQ Media Productions

Adreana Robbins

Literary Manager at

Bohemia Group

Greer Stanley 

Producer, 

formerly at 3dot Productions

Joey Tuccio

Roadmap Writers, 

CEO

Justin L. Ross

Bohemia Group Originals, 

CEO

Cancelled

2022

HOLIDAY VIRTUAL SOCIAL

Join Women In Film San Francisco Bay Area for a Members Only Winter Social! Take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect with other Bay Area women who work in film and media. Are you an editor or cinematographer? Find a writer or director to collaborate with on your next project. Seek out others who do what you do to connect with and share references, contact, etc.


The format will be casual and fun, on Wonder.me, an experimental platform that promises an informal and unexpected experience!  We will also be doing some giveaways. Hope to see you there! 


About Wonder

Wonder.me is a virtual space where you can connect with others in a more spontaneous and fluid way. Move around freely between groups. Check out Wonder here.


To Use Wonder:

Add your photo, move your avatar around with your mouse. To join a conversation circle, click and hold on the circle to join the group. To leave a conversation, click to move away. Check out the beginning of this video to see an example.

Read more

*Wonder is designed for use on desktop and laptop computers and currently doesn’t work on phones or tablets. Learn more about supported devices and browsers here


A link will be sent one day before the event. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at bod-admin@wifsfba.org.


Best regards,


Women In Film San Francisco Bay Area

PLAN LIKE  A BOSS!

FINANCIAL EMPOWERMENT!

LEARN STRATEGIES TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR GOALS 

WITH FINANCIAL PLANNERS:

Wednesday, NOVEMBER 16th •  6pm-7pm (PT)  • FREE


Bring all your questions for Amanda Secen & Meghan Kahler, financial planners representing Northwestern Mutual - a financial services company founded in 1857 that is regarded as a trusted advisor in the financial services industry.


This is a free event.

A Zoom link will be provided the day before the event!

CONVERSATIONS & CONNECTIONS

CONVERSATIONS & CONNECTIONS

Panelists

Diana J. Brodie

Diana is a freelance video editor and post production consultant. Upon graduating Ithaca College with a BS in Television-Radio communications, she moved to San Francisco where she has been working as an editor and filmmaker. She has cut for a number of networks including: The History Channel, Animal Planet, A&E, Discovery, ESPN, National Geographic, and PBS. She has edited everything from corporate videos and national commercials to feature documentaries and broadcast television. Diana has also taught Avid, Premiere, and and to inmates at San Ouentin Prison.

Julie Hwang

Julie is an MIT graduate who left an electrical engineering career making microchips because she wanted to make movies. Julie has designed and managed intricate post production workflows and provided creative editorial assistance on numerous award-winning films and television series. Julie joined Actual Films in 2019 as associate editor on Athlete A, and returned to the company this year as their director of post-production.

Michaelle McGaraghan

Michaelle has been a professional film editor for the past 12 years, collaborating with influential filmmakers such as Vivien Hillgrove and Marc Smolowitz. Her work has screened all over the world including, SXSW, PBS, MTV, and Disney+ and she is a Sundance Art of Editing fellow. Michaelle cuts for clients such as Disney/Pixar and Google.. Her latest work, Embrace the Panda: Making Turning Red premiered on Disney+ in 2022.

Anna-Lena Isaakson

Anna-Lena is a post production manager with Advanced Systems Group (ASG) and manages an international team of 16 video editors, crafting developer-focused content that aims to educate, inspire and inform. She attended the Broadcast and Electronic Arts program at SFSU and started out editing outdoor and travel programming for Barbary Coast Productions. She later moved on to editing current events and corporate stories for LinkTV and others.

Susannah Smith

Susannah is a Queer filmmaker, artist, and curator based in San Francisco with a focus on place-based storytelling. Recent work includes associate editing Home Is A Hotel, assistant editing on The Untitled 19th* News Film, Nasima, and Homeroom, which premiered at Sundance and was recognized with the inaugural Jonathan Oppenheim Editing Award. She is a member of ADE, was a juror for the 2021 IDA Doc editing award, and was a 2018 BAVC MediaMaker Fellow.

SHORT FILM SHOWCASE

September 15th-21st  •  Viewing and Voting

September 22nd - 7pm-9pm  •  Filmmaker Q&A and Audience Awards 

Featured Films

THE LITTLE MASTERS

Directed and Produced by Nan Su - Documentary - 07:37 min

This documentary focuses on how Asian American children and teenagers participate in different activities at the Scouts BSA in San Francisco during their growth to have a better life. It also explores the inner state of Asian American children and encourages them to be more independent.

THE LAST PICTURE

Directed and Written by Ally May, Produced by Ally May and Trevor B. Nagle - 08:26

When two strangers come into her diner, a waitress suspects things are not as they appear and she learns to regret her inaction.

ROUNDUP

Creative Director Carolyn Scott - 02:37 min

Find out what is in California wine.

Toxic pesticides like glyphosate and neonicotinoids are putting species like monarch butterflies and bees at risk of extinction – and without these critical pollinators, our food system is at risk.

PEARL IN THE WINDOW

Directed and Written by Nil Unerdem, Produced by Nil Unerdem and Charles Anderson - 16:25 min

When her chipper caregiver goes missing, an isolated, irritable old woman fearfully goes on a journey to find her, embracing her need for connection on the way.

OLD SPELLER

Directed and Produced by Kathleen Antonia Tarr - 05:45 min

Based on Kennedy Center Citizen Artist Fellow and Bay Area local Marvin K. White's poem of the same name, "Old Speller" is a comedic take on the Scripps National Spelling Bee. 

I AM NORMAL

Directed by Olia Oparina - Drama - 20:00 min

In a drama inspired by The Rosenhan experiment, a woman fakes the symptoms of a mentally unstable patient to get into a mental institution for a secret psychiatric experiment.

https://www.instagram.com/iamnormal_movie/  

https://www.facebook.com/IAmNormalMovie

HEARTBEAT ON THE STRINGS

Directed and Produced by Nan Su - Drama - 07:57 min

A teen violinist named Adonis realizes his deep emotions for his neighbor Gemma after he thinks something unexpected happened to her. 

CARVED IN TIME

Directed and Produced by Nan Su - Documentary - 09:23 min

As the unique crafts of traditional Chinese brick carving are on the verge of being lost, a young Chinese brick carver works assiduously to protect this precious Intangible Cultural Heritage and carry forward splendid traditional Chinese culture. This film explores the theme of tenacity through the documentary form.

A DRESS FOR RACHEL

Directed by Ally May, Produced by Tony Reate - 16:37 min

Bereft Cal enters her teenage daughters bedroom. Carefully she meanders through her daughters possessions which represent her child’s short life, and she touches and smells all the items her beloved Rachel had cherished. Overcome with grief, she lies in Rachel’s bed, and doses off. She awakes to the sound of Rachel calling her name and together they choose a burial dress for Rachel and say their final good bye.

About the Filmmakers

Olia Oparina

Inspired by Soviet Propaganda and Siberian fairytales, Olia directs stories that explore the primal emotions and tap into the human psyche. As a multi-linguist with a diverse background. Olia focuses on folk thrillers and psychological dramas that explore the world’s diversity and mythology. Olia is currently a member of a Blackmagic “Future Directors of Studio Features” initiative. Her first feature film was screened at the 70th Cannes Marche Du Film and distributed worldwide.

Kathleen Antonia Tarr

Kathleen Antonia Tarr is founder and producer of the annual Getting Played Symposium on Equity in the Entertainment Industry and Awards, companion to Tarr's 2016 law review article "Bias and the Business of Show: Employment Discrimination in the 'Entertainment' Industry" and born of her feature documentary "Getting Played: Who’s Playing You?!" which received Honorable Mention at the 2010 International Black Women’s Film Festival. Tarr's short animation "I Have All The Feelings" was an Official Selection at IBWFF in 2014, and the next year 2015, her short "Early Aliens" was an Official Selection at ASTRONOMMO: Speculative Fiction on Film + Black Women, also curated by the great Adrienne Anderson. As Kathleen Antonia, Tarr is an award-winning vocalist with stage, film, television, video game, and commercial acting credits including House, Trauma, and Sundance Film Festival award winner Dopamine. Tarr returned to the Sundance screen in 2022 (as self) in Nina Menkes's documentary Brainwashed: Sex–Camera–Power to be released theatrically this fall. When Tarr isn't writing/acting/singing/filmmaking, she may be spotted teaching racism, misogyny, and U.S. law at Bay Area institutions and competing in the RowErg and track & field throws: discus, shot put, javelin, and her favorite, the hammer. #donthurtem

https://tinyurl.com/kathleenantonia

kantonia.wix.com/portfolio

Nan Su

As an independent filmmaker and educator, Nan is enjoying her time writing, directing, producing, and doing post-production on her own and other’s film and TV projects. She also has experience working in the festival world, including the San Francisco International Film Festival, Poppy Jasper International Film Festival, and San Francisco Green Film Festival. Nan holds an MFA in Film from the California College of the Arts.

Nan is called to reveal the commonalities of all human beings through examining unique cultures. She seeks to communicate with her audience and have a spiritual resonance with them through the peaks and valleys of her stories.

With five years of professional experience and several volunteer experiences, Nan is proficient in multiple aspects of the filmmaking process. Her film projects have been selected for, nominated for, and won awards at different film festivals.

Nil Unerdem

Originally from Istanbul, Nil Unerdem grew up in the south Bay Area and majored in electrical engineering at Stanford. She worked in tech for 18 years until 2019 when she started to pursue filmmaking full-time. Over the years, she’s taken screenwriting classes at the SF Film Arts Foundation (now SFFILM), the Writers Grotto, and Sundance Collab. She completed a one year film program at the San Francisco Film School and has written several screenplays and a comedy pilot. She’s interested in subtle, poetic stories about loneliness and relationships interwoven with comedy. Her favorite directors are Philip Kaufman, Alexander Payne, and Chloe Zhao.

Carolyn Scott

Award Winning Producer/Director/Filmmaker and Educator with more than 25 years leading teams in education, technical and film endeavors. Carolyn was chosen by the National Women’s History Project as one of 100 women worldwide for Women Taking the Lead To Save The Planet! The 100 honorees include: Jane Goodall, Rachel Carson, and Diane Wilson.

Ally May

Writer-Director Ally May is a California girl who proudly grew up in East San Jose, a poor neighborhood of low-riders and migrant workers. Seeing the world through the lens of that tough neighborhood and resilient community has given Ally an eye for finding the beauty in tragedy. Ally attended the UCLA Writing Program, the Academy of Film Writing, SF Film School, the Directing Actors Workshops and Sundance Directing Actors Program. She has written several award-winning screenplays that have been finalists in Athena, Page, Final Draft Finalist and others. Ally has also directed 4 short films that have placed in festivals including - Napa Valley Film Festival, Los Angeles Independent Film Fest and she recently won Best Narrative Short in the Toronto International Women Film Festival. Ally is visual writer and director who abhors exposition. She writes emotional thrillers and drama features, filled with mood and tone and messy female protagonists. She creates visually beautiful, emotionally haunting, deeply disturbing stories that stay with the audience long after they've put down the pages or left the theater.

2021

VIRTUAL MEMBER SOCIAL ON WONDER.ME

Read more

On July 14, 2021, WIFSFBA launched a virtual social event program exclusively for members. As an organization that aims to empower, promote and celebrate women’s creative work, we wanted to find creative ways to offer opportunities for members and build a stronger community for women working within the film, television, and digital media industries. 

                                                          

For the past 18 months COVID made it difficult to meet in person, so we  all relied on Zoom for meetings at work, our children’s school, and connecting to friends and family. Before we knew it, the dreaded ‘Zoom fatigue’ set in, so we looked for innovative creative ways for members to be able to share knowledge, and/or form human connections. That’s when member Emily Eshraghi  introduced us to Wonder.me, an alternative to Zoom, where she said WIFSFBA members could connect to others in a more spontaneous way, socialize freely in an environment where “you feel like you are at an in-person party... energized and able to mingle and move from group to group...and easily meet potential collaborators.”


   And, the virtual background was changeable -- we could travel from city to city to meet each other, be in nature, or even float through space as we socialized!  To chill and relax, we chose a white sand beach with palm trees which made us all feel like we were on vacation! 

 

Looking back, we know this was a very special event...


"The Virtual Summer Social was for members to meet other members, share stories and resources. Hopefully, some great connections were made that may one day evolve into partnerships or collaborations on creative work. The whole mission of Women In Film San Francisco Bay Area is to nurture this amazing group.”
--Tasha Nesbitt, President of the Board


And it seems like our SUMMER VIRTUAL SOCIAL did just that: 


“Met new people and was referred to potential collaborators for a short film I'm planning.”               
--Emily Eshragi, Moderator


"You never know who you are going to meet. I was so surprised to reconnect with my mentor from the Squaw Valley Community of Writers retreat from ten years ago. I also met another filmmaker with a project related to mine and had a good conversation. Who would have thought?"

--Carol Lee Hall, Board Member


“Wonder felt like a little vacation from Zoom. I like their visuals and really enjoyed being able to pop over to different rooms that look like little motos on a Tahitian island. I still was able to connect with members and felt a real connection and camaraderie to Women in Film SF BA. It’s good to continue to learn new software and see what else is available besides a zoom meeting. It was really great to be able to share my film project and learn about other people’s projects. The way the world is right now it felt great to be able to talk about film with other filmmakers in the comfort of my home and in a safe environment.” 

--Julie Rubio, Board Member


“I'm really glad I went to the WIFSFBA mixer last month mostly because it was nice to meet other women in film ‘in person’ for the first time. I was very interested to hear what kinds of projects everyone was working on, and as an aspiring writer/filmmaker, I even got a recommendation for a weekly free writing series online I didn't know about. I look forward to meeting up again, and hope to help out on set or otherwise to keep learning from all these amazing women filmmakers.”  
--Nil Unerdem Riedmiller, WIFSFBA Member

CONVERSATIONS & CONNECTIONS
VIRTUAL MIXER

Calling all Women in Film, Television,
and everything Digital Media...

Time: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Date: Thursday, March 25th, 2021


You are invited to join Women In Film San Francisco Bay Area for an evening of Conversations & Connections.  


Learn, share and network with others with formal and informal networking opportunities, 30-min forums and discussions. Enjoy a LIVE music performance that will surely spark up the event for a warm and entertaining evening. 

LIVE MUSIC GUEST PERFORMANCE

At 6:30pm, there will be a live music performance from Autumn Jones. She'll set the tone for a lively, fun discussion between members of our community, industry and career prospects. Log in early so you don't miss out!

NETWORKING 

Take advantage of this unique opportunity to meet and mingle with other Bay Area women who work in film and media. We will include a Filmmaker Exchange and information on how to get involved and the benefits of a WIFSFBA membership, including ways in which it can support your career.

MINI-FORUM BREAKOUT SESSIONS

There will be several mini-forum breakout sessions, focused on Casting, Directing, Media Mentorship, Producing, Screenwriting & Cinematography.  The mini-forum sessions will be facilitated by members of the WIFSFBA community who live in the Bay Area and have extensive experience working in the industry. Each 30-minute session will be informative, with a Q&A, sharing and a chance to network. 


LIST OF SESSIONS

CASTING
Giving & Getting Authentic Auditions

This session is targeted for actors but suitable for everyone involved in casting, Mary Cutler will provide you with a few exercises on how to be your authentic self and channel those nerves to work for you, not against you!

Mary Cutler is an actor and a former traffic radio reporter. She has taught both acting and casting at Camp Reel stories in Oakland. A member of the Monday Night Players with Shari Carlson, she currently also attends improv classes with Second City.

MENTORSHIP
The Value of Media Mentorship

If you’re a MENTOR in our business looking to give back, or a MENTEE looking for long-term guidance, please join this discussion to find out how to build this all-important creative relationship into something that benefits both parties.

Diane Walsh has been a TV producer in L.A. for 20 years, and received an Emmy nomination for Hallmark Hall of Fame's "A Place For Annie," starring Sissy Spacek. She served as Director of Programming for the Family Channel, taught writing at UCLA and AFI, and recently retired as Dir. of the Writing for Film/TV Program at Philadelphia's University of the Arts. Diane’s also been a film/TV script consultant for over 30 years.  

SCREENWRITING
From Page to Screen (Incubator Program)

This session will introduce WIFSFBA’s Script Incubator program, a forum for screenwriters to achieve their writing goals, from page to screen. This group will be designed for those wanting the collective power (and deadlines) of a critique group to complete their projects. Whether you're preparing for contest submissions, industry meetings, or a self-financed indie journey, the WIFSFBA Incubator Program will provide you with the structure, community, and inspiration to help you see your film, television, or digital streaming media project completed.

Carol Lee Hall has been a scriptwriter for 17 years and formed her own film production company, Blue Carp Productions LLC to produce some of her own projects. Her family crime dramedy, Ryan’s Treasure Hunt was optioned by Roslin Pictures. Carol’s passion is to write and produce films that portray positive and important images of women and Asians. Her project in development is The Angry Angels of Chinatown, a historical drama feature inspired by true events about the fight against human trafficking in 1911 San Francisco. 

DIRECTING
Communicating Your Vision

Whatever your genre - comedy, drama, or documentary, Rubio's methods will help you to communicate your vision; deepen relationships with your cast and crew; and connect with your Director of Photography.

Julie Rubio is an award-winning film producer, writer, director, and actor. She is the Director of Business for Women in Film SF Bay Area. Rubio launched East Meets West Productions in 2002 and her films have been featured in many domestic and international festivals. Rubio is best known for her film East Side Sushi. East Side Sushi has domestic and international distribution through Samuel Goldwyn Company, Sony Home, HBO North America, and Netflix.  Rubio wrote, directed, and produced the feature film Too Perfect, distributed domestically through Amazon Prime and internationally through Osiris Entertainment. She wrote, directed, and produced the feature film Six Sex Scenes and a Murder, distributed through Apple TV. Julie Rubio is excited to bring her story to the screen as the writer, producer, and director of the definitive documentary, Tamara, about the artist Tamara de Lempicka.

PRODUCING
 Keeping It Together From Start To Finish

Tasha Nesbitt will share her pre-production checklist. One of the most important aspects of film production, a well-made checklist will improve efficiency, decrease costs, and reduce post-production time. 

Tasha Nesbitt is a producer, director and writer who, for the past decade, has worked on documentary, narrative and historic video projects, web series, commercial ads, music videos and instructional videos. As Tasha's production company (Tasha.Media) continues to be impacted by Covid, she has stepped into a new role as Head of Content and Growth Marketing at Vyrill.com, a start-up company whose cutting edge, A.I. 'in-video search technology & video marketing tools allow brands to leverage user-generated video content and enhance commerce.

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY
 Being a Collaborative Cinematographer

This general discussion will explore what it's like to be a DP and the path to becoming  one. Jes will also share how to best collaborate with directors and talent and the top 5 things every DP should know. 

Jes Gallegos is an award-winning cinematographer specializing in cinéma vérité, beautifully lit interviews + scene-work, and has an eye for crafting intimate stories by and for diverse communities. She has traveled on assignments across various continents capturing content that has played at many top film festivals around the world and appeared on numerous networks like HBO, Netflix, National Geographic, VICE, as well as and many Fortune 500 companies like Dropbox, Facebook, and Amazon.

WIF "Chat"
 Conversations & Connections Virtual Lounge

Prefer to just lounge and chat informally? Join us at the virtual WIF Chat where you can hang out, meet others in the WIFSFBA community, share stories and network.

Amy Harrison, Secretary for WIFSFBA, will be hosting the chat room.  Amy is a San Francisco-based filmmaker of scripted and unscripted films. She is passionate about socially relevant storytelling featuring strong female protagonists and underrepresented communities. Her work has screened at venues such as New York’s Film Forum, L.A. Film Festival, London’s BBC Short Film Festival, Slamdance, Museum of Modern Art, Ann Arbor Film Festival, and more.  

Autumn Jones
Musical Guest

Don't be late! You don't want to miss the soulful R&B performer, Autumn Jones. Autumn creates an expression of her life experiences as told through her stories in each of her songs. She has had success performing in Boston at venues such as City Winery, Ryles Jazz Club, Midway Cafe & Hard Rock Cafe.

Performance brought to you by  MuZe-music.com

FEBRUARY VIRTUAL SOCIAL

WIFSFBA MEMBERS ONLY

Calling all Women in Film, Television, and everything Digital Media...

You are invited to join Women In Film San Francisco Bay Area for a Members Only Virtual Social! Meet and mingle with other WIFSFBA members. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect with other Bay Area women who work in film and media.


Chat and network with other WIFSFBA members. Meet other women in the San Francisco Bay Area film, digital media and screen arts. Are you an editor or cinematographer? Find a writer or director to collaborate with on your next project. Seek out others who do what you do to connect with and share references, contact, etc.


The format will be casual and fun on this new platform that promises an informal and unexpected experience.


CONVERSATIONS & CONNECTIONS

Conversations & Connections is presented by
the WIFSBA Programming Committee & Board of Directors