WHAT A GREAT YEAR IT’S BEEN SO FAR
WIP is making waves in many directions this year. Our dynamic and talented members are all over the world making deals, making films and making trouble. We kicked off the year with a bang at Sundance, where WIP member Jennifer Fox premiered The Tale to positive reviews and subsequently sold the film, backed by Gamechanger Films, to HBO.
Despite a few snowstorms, WIP members gathered at various events and parties throughout Park City and beyond during the high-profile festival. (Thanks to those who stopped by the press office to say ‘hi’ to me while I was working as a volunteer).
After Sundance, WIP co-hosted a jam-packed, high-octane party during Tribeca. Co-hosted by Goldcrest, NYWIFT and the PGA, we enjoyed delicious appetizers, drank and danced the night away. Founding WIP member, Danelle Eliav’s premiered her film The Great Pretender at the festival. And fell WIP member Gabrielle Nadig premiered Little Woods.
In the Spring, founding member, Brandi Savitt, took the lead on behalf of WIP to nominate projects for the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) second annual 2018 MOME Finance Lab. WIP members Jessica Caldwell, Soojin Chung, Adetoro Mankinde, Lia Mayer-Sommer and Rachel Watanabe-Batton were selected to participate in the event that provided thirty women filmmakers with an unprecedented opportunity to pitch multiple financiers for investment in their projects. Congratulations ladies!
Earlier this year, we formed several committees to focus on WIP initiatives. The Communications Committee is conducting interviews to build expanded profiles of our members. At some point, we plan to conduct video interviews with select members to add to our site. Thanks to those who have responded to our phone calls and written requests for information. If you haven’t updated your profile or headshot, please do. The site is attracting visitors who are looking for talent.
The Partnership Committee is working on crafting new alliances with potential sponsors and festivals. We would love to have a WIP House at Sundance ’19, so let’s get that going.
The Education Committee is planning a series of Master Classes. (I’ll be teaching a session on creative film financing in the fall. Check out the details in this newsletter).
The Festival Committee continues to provide a means for WIP-ers to connect when at the major festivals. If you have a film in a festival, please let WIP know so we can promote it with and for you.
On a personal note, thanks to my WIP membership, I’m collaborating with three wonderful members on two fantastic projects. Brandi and Erin Mae Miller are on board to produce a potential documentary series. I’m also working with Julie Crosby on a feature film project. The power of networking!
Finally, a heartfelt thanks to Lia Mayer- Sommer for hosting our monthly potluck dinners at her spacious and comfortable Walter Pictures office. It’s the perfect venue in a central location on 42nd Street.
Lia has also provided rental space to WIP members, including Aliki Parachis. If you need an affordable and flexible space to produce a project, please speak with Lia.
We’ll be meeting again on Sept. 11, so, bring your energy, your ideas and your enthusiasm for helping WIP flourish during the rest of this year and beyond.
See you at the next meeting!
janewapplegate@me.com