Women in Film and Video New England is proud to announce a new President of the non-profit organization. Sharon Contillo has begun her term as President, formerly serving as Vice President to President Alecia Orsini. Alecia Orsini will now serve as President Emeritus.
Sharon Contillo is the founder of Middle Center Productions, LLC, a Rhode Island-based production company with a focus on female-led and family productions. In this role, she highlights the under-represented, giving them a platform to be seen and heard.
“When you pour your time and love into a project, sometimes it can be hard to hand over. I am happy to say, that hasn't been the case for me,” says Alecia Orsini. “After 6 years at the helm of WIFVNE, my amazing Vice President Sharon Contillo enthusiastically took over the reins as President. I am excited for the future of WIFVNE with Sharon steering the ship, and her visionary team of Nerissa Williams Scott (Vice President) JoAnn Cox (Director of Operations) Alison Cupples (Treasurer), Grace-Mary Burega (Secretary) and, of course, the rest of the amazing Board! This organization has brought me so much joy in the years I spent as President. It's a whole new joy I have knowing that Sharon is making big plans for WIFVNE. She has the same gusto and drive for securing a bright future for the women storytellers across New England, and I am honored to be among them!”
Sharon is an award-winning filmmaker. Her recent awards include Best Shorts Award 2020, Rhode Island State Council on the Arts Grant winner 2019, and IBM Master Storyteller Award 2019. In addition, Sharon has won awards for her feature scripts, Madam President and Sandwitched. Sharon wrote, produced and starred in four IBM commercials made for trade shows and conferences around the world. She won first place at the IBM WebSphere Technical Conference for her short film, Sign.
Sharon’s feature-length original animation script, Ornaments, is currently in pre-production. The story is based on Sharon’s youth chapter book The Little Christmas Ornament.
Sharon has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Rhode Island. She studied filmmaking and writing at the New York Film Academy and ScreenwritingU.
In addition to serving as President of WIFVNE, Sharon serves as a Board member of Women in Film & Television - US (WIFT-US).
About WIFVNE
Women in Film & Video New England (WIFVNE) works to “Widen the Lens” for New England filmmakers by advancing female storytellers in their craft through networking, community, mentorship, and education.
Founded in 1981, WIFVNE is a non-nprofit membership organization dedicated to supporting the accomplishments of women working in the film, video and new media industries. WIFVNE provides an educational forum for media professionals and a valuable network for exchange of ideas and resources. WIFVNE works to promote proactive images of women to the public and to empower all women in film and video to achieve their professional potential.
WIFVNE is a founding charter member of Women in Film & Television - US (WIFT-US), a national network of Women in Film organizations with the goal of information sharing, as well as to promote the positive images of women in all media, empower their members to achieve their highest professional/creative potential, and help create more job opportunities throughout the United States.
WIFVNE is also a member of Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI). WIFTI is a global network comprised of over 50 Women in Film organizations worldwide and more than 13,000 members dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of film, video, and other screen-based media.
