NYWIFT and Fulbright India Interest Group: Aparna Sen & Deepa Mehta in Conversation with Vishaka Desai 

Sep 10, 2025 | News

New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT), in collaboration with the Fulbright Association India Interest Group, invites you to a special virtual event bringing together two of India’s most acclaimed filmmakers, Aparna Sen and Deepa Mehta, in conversation with cultural leader Vishaka Desai.

The discussion will explore the artistry, passion and vision behind their groundbreaking work, looking at how cinema can spark change across cultures and generations.

Thursday, September 25, 2025
7:30 am PT | 10:30 am ET | 8:00 pm IST
Free virtual event – Register here

Africa’s Largest Gathering of Women in Screen Industries Returns with the 2025 Women in Film and TV Conference at the Africa Creative Market

Sep 3, 2025 | News

The 2025 edition of the Women in Film and TV Conference will take place on September 16, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM, at the Landmark Event Centre, Lagos, as part of this year’s Africa Creative Market (ACM).

Hosted by the Forum for Women in Film and TV Nigeria (FWIFT Nigeria), in partnership with Women in Film and TV Africa and Women in Film LA, the event brings together the most influential voices across film, television, and screen-based media from the African continent and the global diaspora. This year, the conference is expected to welcome over 1,500 participants, nearly doubling last year’s record of 800 attendees — making it the biggest gathering of African women in screen industries in 2025.

Themed “Creative Bridge: Empowering Talent, Accessing Ecosystems, Unlocking Markets!”, the one-day conference will explore co-production opportunities, narrative sovereignty, creative financing, market access, and the infrastructure needed to power global careers. Delegations and speakers are expected from Senegal, South Africa, Ghana, Cameroon, Kenya, Benin Republic, and several other African nations, as well as an international delegation from Women in Film Los Angeles and Europe.

“This is more than a conference — it is a movement. We are building the networks and systems needed for African women to thrive locally and globally,” said Joke Silva, veteran actress and President of FWIFT Nigeria. “With the incredible growth in participation, we are witnessing a real hunger for collaboration, visibility, and equity in our industry.”

“At Women in Film and TV Africa, we are building an empowered continental network that connects women to real opportunities, financing, mentorship, and global collaboration. This conference is a reflection of that commitment,” said Dr. Inya Lawal, President of Women in Film and TV Africa and Founder of Africa Creative Market. “Through ACM, we’ve created a powerful platform to translate these conversations into real access, visibility, and deals for African creatives.”

“We are proud to support this growing network of women leaders across Africa’s screen industries,” said Andria Wilson Mirza, Director of International Programs at Women in Film Los Angeles. “This conference is a powerful platform to build bridges between our global chapters and help drive meaningful change.”

The conference will be followed by the inaugural Women in Film and TV Africa Awards & Gala Night on September 17, 2025, also at Landmark Event Centre, hosting 300 top-tier industry guests to celebrate excellence, leadership, and impact by African women and institutions in film and television.

What to Expect: Empowerment, Access, and Opportunity

Participants can look forward to keynote speeches by seasoned global leaders, inclusive workshops on critical topics such as film finance, industry structure, policy advocacy, and capacity-building, and the opportunity to network with founders of international festivals and creative platforms, including Les Taranga Film Festival, Afro Cannes, Afro Berlin, the African Pavilion, and others.

Attendees will also enjoy curated showcases, high-level networking sessions, project pitching opportunities, and in-depth discussions on narrative equity and strategies for unlocking global markets for African women creatives.

Register to Attend:

Participants can register via the official link:
bit.ly/WIFatACM2025

For press and partnership inquiries, please contact:
admin@wiftafrica.org
+234 91 67667376 

WIF India Announces Filmmaker Delegation to Toronto International Film Festival

Sep 3, 2025 | News

WIF India has unveiled the six filmmakers selected for the country’s women-led delegation to the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), following a nationwide competition that drew over 200 applications in just one week.

The selected filmmakers and projects are:

• Arshaly Jose – A Dandelion’s Dream 
• Deepa Bhatia – Rabbit Hole 
• Katyayani Kumar – Sons of The River 
• Madhumita Sundararaman – The Guest House 
• Paromita Dhar – Ulta 
• Pramati Anand – A Late Autumn Dream 

This groundbreaking initiative, supported by the Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, marks the first time Indian women filmmakers will collectively represent the country at TIFF. The programme provides international visibility, mentorship, curated networking, and pitching opportunities to help bridge representation gaps and build long-term global pathways for Indian women storytellers.

The delegation will be coordinated with U.S. creative strategy firm Product of Culture and supported by mentors including WIF India, WIF LA, Oscar-winning producer Guneet Monga Kapoor, and members of the international selection jury.

Read the full Variety article here.

WIFTI and Stage 32 Unveil Education Partnership at Cannes

May 16, 2025 | News

Stage 32, the online platform for film, TV and digital content creation education, and Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) have unveiled what they called “a transformative partnership” that makes Stage 32 the official education provider for all 57 Women in Film chapters and affiliates worldwide. The partnership was unveiled during the Cannes Film Festival and celebrated with an exclusive black-tie villa event.

“As filmmaking expands globally, driven by untapped talent and a surge in tax incentives, this partnership addresses vital skill gaps for women in film chapters and affiliates worldwide,” the partners said. “Stage 32’s extensive online library, offering over 3,000 hours of webinars, classes and labs, will provide training in above-the-line and below-the-line skills. Courses are led by industry luminaries, including Oscar, Emmy and BAFTA winners such as Meg LeFauve (Inside Out 1 & 2), Nick Vallelonga (Green Book), David Seidler (The King’s Speech), Alec Sokolow (Toy Story) and Christopher Anthony (The Jungle Book), alongside Oscar-nominated talents like Terence Blanchard (BlacKkKlansman), Roger S.H. Schulman (Shrek), Chris Moore (Manchester by the Sea) and Lesley Paterson (All Quiet on the Western Front). Recent additions include Sarah Lucas, First AD on Netflix’s Adolescence, and screenwriter Mahtaub Zare on Netflix’s Nobody Wants This.”

The partnership will also include special events, such as a biannual virtual open house featuring high-profile keynote speakers, as well as collaborations on educational panels and networking opportunities at major film festivals and industry summits. “Both organisations are committed to creating long-term benefits that empower women to succeed in all aspects of the film and television industry,” the partners said.

“This partnership with Stage 32 is a pivotal moment for WIFTI and our global network,” said Susan Liddy, president of WIFTI. “By providing access to Stage 32’s exceptional educational resources, we are empowering women in film and television to develop their skills and seize opportunities in this dynamic industry.”

Added Stage 32 CEO Richard Botto: “Stage 32 is committed to making industry education inclusive and accessible, and this collaboration advances that mission by equipping WIFTI members with the tools to create powerful stories.”

Thanks to Georg Szalai from The Hollywood Writer for the full article. 

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