“When I started making films in the late 1960s, it was the beginning of the Women’s Movement. At the time, there were few women making independent films and even fewer who were dealing specifically with women’s political issues. I was one of the three independent women filmmakers in Massachusetts. Film equipment was scarce and expensive. Fortunately, I had a friend who was an MIT student taking a film course. He introduced me to the legendary Ricky Leacock who graciously loaned me his converted Auricon camera and sound equipment to shoot my film” says the producer Liane Brandon.

WIFVNE Member Liane Brandon (below) is an award-winning independent filmmaker, photographer, and University of Massachusetts/Amherst Professor Emerita. Her film Betty Tells Her Story was one of 25 films inducted into the National Film Registry in 2022 by the Library of Congress.  

Liane was one of the first independent women filmmakers to emerge from the Women’s Movement. During that time, she was a member of Newsreel Film Collective and Bread and Roses, one of the earliest women’s liberation groups in Boston. She is a co-founder of New Day Films, the nationally known cooperative that pioneered in the distribution of feminist/social issue films and videos. She was also a founding member of FilmWomen of Boston and the Boston Film/Video Foundation.

“When I made Betty Tells Her Story in 1972, it was very different from traditional non-fiction films about wars, historical events, male heroes, travel, inventions, and so-called ‘primitive’ tribes. Most were made by men. Very few, if any, were concerned with the lives of ordinary women, or with the issues of culture, standards of beauty, clothing, and identity. I thought it was important to make films that allowed women to tell their own stories; stories that reflected their own experiences.”

Brandon’s groundbreaking films Sometimes I wonder Who I Am (1970), Anything You Want to Be (1971) and Betty Tells Her Story (1972) were among the earliest and most frequently used consciousness-raising tools of the Women’s Movement. Her films, which also include Once Upon A Choice and How To Prevent A Nuclear War have won numerous national and international awards, and have been featured on HBO, Cinemax, and the Criterion Channel.  Both Anything You Want To Be and Betty Tells Her Story have been restored with grants from the Women’s Film Preservation Fund.

“When Betty Tells Her Story was released, it was considered innovative- even radical- for some reasons. One was its subject. It was one of the early non-fiction films to give voice to an individual (not famous or glamorous) woman. Betty simply tells her story in her own words. There was no commentary interpreting her. The form was also controversial. Betty is not an actress. She tells her story twice. There are no cuts in either of the stories. Each time Betty tells her story, she does so in a single take. This went against all conventions of filmmaking.…

Even though there was strong demand for this film (and for Anything You Want To Be which I made the year before) commercial distributors were still reluctant to handle women’s social issue films. So in 1971, Julia Reichert, Amalie Rothschild, Kim Klein and I created New Day Films, the nation’s first filmmaker-run cooperative dedicated to the distribution of feminist and social issues films-still going strong after 51 years. In the following years, the film received a great deal of acclaim. It was selected to appear in more than 20 festivals and it has been screened at prestigious venues including the First International Festival of Women’s Films in Paris and Mumbai, La Femme& Le Film International Film Festival, Toronto, the Museum of Modern Art, the Robert Flaherty International Film Seminar and the Mary Pickford Theater at the Library of Congress. Following its registration in 2010 with a grant from the Women’s Film Preservation Fund, the film continues to receive recognition and use. It is regularly screened in documentary courses, film study programs, women’s studies, journalism, psychology, sociology, and anthropology courses.”

Liane is the recipient of the Boston Society of Film Critics Award and the Distinguished Alumni Award from Boston University. She has served as a juror for the Emmy Awards, the Evvy Awards, the Student Academy Awards, and as an education consultant for WGBH-TV. She was named Pioneer Woman Filmmaker by CineWomen of New York. Liane's work has been profiled in The Boston Globe, International Documentary Magazine, Variety, The Chicago Tribune, Film Library Quarterly, Documentary Storytelling for Film, Videomakers, and many other publications.

In addition to her role as a Professor at the University of Massachusetts and Chair of the Educational Technology Program in the College of Education, she was the Director of UMass Educational Television. The College of Education became the first educational college in the country to produce original educational programming for cable/home audiences.

Liane’s historic films and papers are now part of the New Day Films Collection in the Archive at Duke University. Her films are in active distribution through New Day Films.

More notes:

- Before becoming a filmmaker, Liane experimented with several short careers, working as a ski instructor, file clerk, high school teacher, and professional stunt woman.

-Liane was the producer, director, camerawoman and editor of Betty Tells Her Story. Betty was a school teacher and curriculum specialist (not an actress).

- For more on the other films inducted into the National Film Registry, please see this press release from the Library of Congress. 

Sule KIZILTAS, newly graduated from Department at Suffolk University and welcomes the opportunities to connect about careers in media and journalism, also seeks for OPT opportunities. 

WIFVNE Member Marilyn Swick,  award winning SAG-AFTRA actor, screen-writer, director, and producer, recently wrapped her latest film "Ocean Child". The film was shot in Plymouth Beach, MA and Kahala Beach, HI. Marilyn and her co-writer Laura Koons of Katy, Texas created a mystical world of mermaids, dreams, hopes, and destiny. 

"Marilyn and Laura have written and created a story that is every childhood dream come true", stated Heather Whitty, the casting director and acting coach." They created a magical world that feels heartfelt, inclusive, and most importantly full of endless wonder. An incredibly well-crafted and imaginative screenplay with characters that embody worlds of their own that you can't wait to learn more about." 

The cast of the film traveled from Hawaii, New England, Texas and Virginia for the shoot. One of the writers, Ms. Swick, said that the reason why they chose Plymouth Beach is because the rocky beaches would best serve to showcase their mystical cove. "We loved the rocks" she added. The storyline of the film follows a young girl's journey towards her destiny as a mermaid attending the underwater School of Mermaidology and Neptunism in spite of her mother's fears. The young girl's name is Hope and she is merhuman like her father and grandmother.

The film features eight mermaids from six years of and up including Queen Amara of the Seven Seas and Aria, the music teacher who plays a magical saxophone and signs from their School of Mermaidology and Neptunism. Avery Rodgers, from Virginia, plays the lead role of Hope and is also a singer and songwriter. Marilyn Swick plays the role of Serena, Hope's grandmother, who was the original Queen of the Seven Seas and she is also a merhuman who gave uo her mermaid life when she fell in love with a sailor on the Navy ship, the Blue Ghost. Other cast includes the roles of Queen Amara (LaTeace Towns-Cuellar); Aria-the music teacher of the school (Evelyn Rubio); Joy from the original concept "Wish Upon A Starfish". The supporting cast comes from New England including Mary Herbert, Alex Bensley, Rhys Cote, Gavin Walker, Chloe Trejo, Jayla Onwuakor and Lexi (Grand Champion Doberman-Hope's trusted companion).

Marilyn Swick says that the original concept "Wish Upon A Starfish" was captured as a proof of concept five years ago with a diverse cast in TX; this storyline expanded into series that brought more diversity to the cast and became "Ocean Child".

"Ocean Child" will begin its journey in the Academy Award Qualifying Film Festival Circuit in 2023 with the culmination of mystical series being optioned by one of the networks.

For more information and those who would like to follow their journey, follow them on Facebook and IMDB.

Sule KIZILTAS, Graduate student in Department at Suffolk University and welcomes the opportunities to connect about careers in media and journalism. 

On Thursday November 17, Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) announced the new president Dr. Susan Liddy, who had been serving as the Chair of WFT Ireland. She will step into the role that has been occupied by Swedish producer Helen Granqvist since 2018. These two women will work together as Co-Presidents until Dr. Liddy assumes the helm in August 2023. 

"I'm looking forward to sharing the leadership of WIFTI with Dr. Liddy during the transition period." said Ms. Granqvisit while welcoming Dr. Liddy to her new role. "Susan is a researcher and I am a practitioner but we are both activists who work strategically for change. I couldn't wish for someone better to take over the leadership for WIFTI."

While talking about her appointment, Dr. Liddy said she is honored to be chosen to lead WIFTI in the years ahead and looks forward to working with the international colleagues to elevate and amplify the role of women in film and television. "I salute Helen Granqvisit who has worked tirelessly to build a global organisation that is united in a vision of female empowerment and advancement. Our goal remains firm: to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the screen industries everywhere" she said. 

Who is Dr. Susan Liddy?

Dr. Susan Liddy has led WFT Ireland as chair since 2018. She serves on the board of Irish Film Institute, the Writers Guild of Ireland and Raising Films Ireland. She lectures the Department of Media and Communication Studies in University of Limerick. Dr. Liddy is also the founder and director of Catalyst International Film Festival that priorities films from underrepresented groups. 

WHAT IS WIFTI?

WIFTI (Women in Film and Television International) is a coalition of Women in Film Chapters as well as other women's media organizations around the world. There are more than 50 WIFT and WIFT-partner chapters on six continents that all work for the same goal: gender balance in the film industry. It was established as the global network connecting all women in Film organizations to speak with one common voice. 

WIFVNE is a member of WIFTI.

WIFTI BOARD MEMBERS: 

Co-Chairs: Susan Liddy, WFT Ireland and Helene Granqvist, WIFT Sweden
Board members: Sarah Inya Lawal, WIFT Africa; Ajoke Silva, Forum of Women and Film and TV Nigeria; Rubaiyat Hossain, WIFT Bangladesh; Tsiako Abezadze, WIFT Caucasus; Susan Brinton, WIFT Vancouver; Brigitte Monneau, FCTMN Montreal; Nicole Ackermann, WIFT Germany; Patricia Watson, WIFT New Zealand; Katrina Graham, WIFT Australia; Nerissa Scott, WIFV New England; Serena Mmifinyana, Women in Film Guild Botswana; Marjaana Mykkänen, WIFT Finland; Domizia De Rosa, WIFTM Italy; Katerina Kaskanioti, WIFT Greece; Osnat Bukofzer, WIFT Israel; Nadean Rawlins, WIFT Jamaica; Susana Campos, WIFT Brazil; Cynthia Lopez, New York WIFT and Kirsten Schaffer, WIF Los Angeles.

The Fall issue of IMAGINE Magazine -- "The Art and Business of Film & Television Production in New England" -- is available now and you need go no further than a click to read it!  Turn the virtual pages to read about WIFVNE members and their projects, in-depth interviews, productions shot in New England, film festival and industry news in the region, and features such as the "Legal Lens."

Access IMAGINE’s latest eEdition:  click on the latest cover image to view the current issue. The eMag site also has several past issues to access.

The Fall 2022 issue of IMAGINE

Look inside the digital pages for the cover story on WOUND WOOD, a feature shot last summer just outside Concord, MA. WIFVNE President Emeritus Alecia Orsini served as Production Manager for the film, and many WIFVNE members served on the crew. 

In the photo montage below, from right to left:  Production Office: Stacy Buchanan and Alecia Orsini; Costume Department: Feliz and Kayla McEniry; Camera Department: Capri Kuliopulos, Nikki Skelly, and Jenna Hobgood; Audio Department: Yvonne Corbett.

Also inside is a feature on OCEAN CHILD, a short film produced, co-written by, and starring WIFVNE Member Marilyn Swick. Marilyn talks about her all-female crew, most of whom are WIFVNE members (photo below). The editorial includes a recap of the retirement event for WIFVNE Member Lisa Strout formerly the Director of the Mass Film Office.

WIFVNE is pleased to announce Laina Barakat will be WIFVNE's New Hampshire state co-chair with Jaci Kjernander. 

Laina Barakat is an Independent Film Writer, Director and Producer. Her film career began with an internship for Either/Or Films during Post Production and Distributions of The Sensation of Sight (David Strathairn, Ian Sommerhalder, Jane Adams, Ann Cusak). The first film she produced, Only Daughter, premiered at Cinequest Film Festival and picked up various awards across the country including Audience Choice Award at New York No Limits, and NH Film of the Year at New Hampshire Film Festival. While working with Kingston Road Pictures in late 2015, Laina Associate and Line-Produced a documentary film in Grand Rapids Michigan called More Art Upstairs, which premiered at Hot Docs in 2017 and won the Audience Choice Award at Tribeca Film Festival.

Barakat formed Wayward Ark Productions in 2016 to take creative control of her projects, and empower young filmmakers in the Monadnock Region. She has written, directed and produced seven short films which have garnered awards including Audience Choice Award for Best Drama at New England Film Festival, Best NH Performance at NH Film Festival, the Judge's Award for Best Comedy at Iron Mule Film Festival, Audience Choice Award at MONIFF, and Best Shorter Short Comedy at London Comedy Short Festival.

Her first feature film as a director, Light Attaching to a Girl, premiered at RiverRun Film Festival, then went on to New Filmmakers New York. It is currently touring the festival circuit.

Laina co-founded and was Executive Director for the Monadnock International Film Festival during its first three years. She currently lives in Marlborough, New Hampshire and while balancing her film pursuits, she is the General Manager of 58 year old organization, Monadnock Music.

WIFTI is delighted to introduce the new WIFTI Board, elected at the General Assembly on August 22, 2022. For the first time in WIFTI history, WIFTI is represented on all six continents, a big moment for our network!

The new and returning members cannot wait to begin the work of growing and strengthening our networks around the world. 

RETURNING MEMBERS

Sarah Inya Lawal, WIFT Africa

Ajoke Silva, Forum of Women and Film and TV Nigeria

Rubaiyat Hossain, WIFT Bangladesh

Tsiako Abezadze, WIFT Caucasus

Susan Brinton, WIFT Vancouver (Vice President)

Brigitte Monneau, FCTMN Montreal

Helene Granqvist, WIFT Sweden (President)

Nicole Ackermann, WIFT Germany (Treasurer)

Susan Liddy, WFT Ireland

Patricia Watson, WIFT New Zealand (Vice President)

Katrina Graham, WIFT Australia

Nerissa Scott, WIFV New England

NEW MEMBERS

Serena Mmifinyana, Women in Film Guild Botswana

Marjaana Mykkänen, WIFT Finland

Domizia De Rosa, WIFTM Italy

Katerina Kaskanioti, WIFT Greece

Osnat Bukofzer, WIFT Israel

Nadean Rawlins, WIFT Jamaica

Susana Campos, WIFT Brazil

Cynthia Lopez, New York WIFT

Kirsten Schaffer, WIF Los Angeles

Note:  WIFVNE is a member of WIFTI, so WIFVNE members are members of WIFTI.

WIFVNE is delighted to announce an addition to its Board of Directors:  Angela Onwuachi-Willig.

Angela Onwuachi-Willig is dean of Boston University School of Law and the inaugural Ryan Roth Gallo & Ernest J. Gallo Professor of Law, the nation’s first endowed professorship in critical race theory. Prior to joining BU Law in 2018, she served as Chancellor’s Professor of Law at the University of California, Berkeley.

Dean Onwuachi-Willig is a renowned legal scholar and expert in racial and gender inequality as well as anti-discrimination law. She writes in a variety of areas, including employment discrimination, family law, and critical race theory. She is author of According to Our Hearts: Rhinelander v. Rhinelander and the Law of the Multiracial Family from Yale University Press, and her articles have appeared in leading law journals such as the Yale Law Journal, California Law Review, Michigan Law Review, Georgetown Law Journal, Northwestern University Law Review, and Vanderbilt Law Review, to name a few.

Earlier in her career, Dean Onwuachi-Willig clerked for the US District Court of the Northern District of Ohio and the US Sixth Circuit Court. She practiced law as a labor and employment associate at Jones Day and Foley Hoag. In 2010, she was elected to the American Law Institute (ALI), and 2011, she was a finalist for the Supreme Court of Iowa. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Grinnell College, where she now serves on the board of trustees; a JD from the University of Michigan; and a PhD in sociology and African American studies from Yale University. In 2021, Dean Onwuachi-Willig was elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences and the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.

Connect with Dean Onwuachi-Willig on LinkedIn.

WIFVNE is pleased to announce Jaci Kjernander will be WIFVNE's New Hampshire state co-chair with Christine Altan.

Jaci Kjernander is a New England-based actress, director, writer, and producer. After discovering the thrill of live theater at a very young age, Jaci has been a life-long performer. Her stage roles soon lead her to pursue a career in film, leading to a string of complex leading roles. She is drawn to playing tough-as-nails women hiding their sensitivity and often wielding a wicked sense of humor. Equally at home behind the camera, Jaci co-founded Dover Point Productions, where she is Head of Development. Under the Dover Point banner, her most recent project is the award-winning short film Out With It, which she wrote, produced, and directed.

Out With It won a dozen awards as an official selection at festivals, including Best Comedy at the Austin Comedy Film Festival and Best Director at the Portland Comedy Film Festival. Born in Boston, Jaci is a true New England seafarer at heart and makes her home on the New Hampshire seacoast. When not performing, producing, or directing, she can often be found behind the helm of her boat, Orca.

Learn more about Jaci at her website, or connect on Facebook or Instagram.

The Jane Austen Society of North America (JASNA) is hosting a short film competition.  Amateur filmmakers under the age of 30 are eligible for this young filmmakers contest.  Industry professionals including a producer from Bridgerton and an actress from Sanditon are members of the judging panel. Entry deadline is September 15, 2022. 

See the attached flyer for details.  JASNA young filmmakers contest.jpg

Thank you to WIFVNE Board member Rachel Thomas-Medwid for putting a spotlight on the cast and crew of her film PENNY at the private premiere event at the Cabot Theater in Beverly on July 16.

 

WIFVNE members, cast and crew, and film-goers attended the red carpet networking and screening event.

Thank you to photographers Desiree McMahon and Tyler Phinney for capturing the day! Just a small sample is shown here.