In an industry where women’s voices and visions continue to push boundaries, Her Arts Lab stands as a beacon of empowerment, offering young female and non-binary creatives a space to grow, collaborate, and challenge the status quo.

The Spring 2025 edition of Her Arts Lab will take place from April 28 to May 4 in Paestum, Italy—a week-long immersive experience designed to foster artistic expression, professional development, and cross-disciplinary collaboration. Bringing together a diverse cohort of emerging artists and storytellers, the lab provides a crucial stepping stone for those looking to break into creative industries.

At its core, Her Arts Lab is more than just a training ground—it is a community-driven initiative that nurtures bold storytelling and innovative artistic practices. Through workshops, networking opportunities, and hands-on projects, participants will gain both practical skills and a strong support system, helping them navigate the industry with confidence and resilience.

In a field still grappling with gender disparities, programs like Her Arts Lab serve as catalysts for change. They not only equip participants with industry knowledge but also instill a sense of belonging, leadership, and advocacy—essential tools to reshape the creative landscape for future generations.

As WIFTI celebrates initiatives that uplift women in film, television, and the arts, we recognize the importance of spaces like Her Arts Lab—platforms that provide emerging talents with the resources, mentorship, and visibility they need to thrive. We look forward to witnessing the new voices, stories, and collaborations that will emerge from this year’s program in Italy, shaping the future of creative industries worldwide.

For more details on Her Arts Lab and their 2025 program, visit their website.

Women in Film & Television Greece (WIFT GR) successfully hosted its 8th annual festival from November 28 to December 1, 2024, at the Greek Film Archives, offering an impactful lineup of screenings, discussions, and industry panels that spotlighted the evolving landscape for women in film.

A key highlight of the festival was Ariane Labed, who screened her latest film following its Cannes premiere and participated in a compelling panel discussion on the opportunities and challenges women face in the post-MeToo era.

The festival also featured:

• Two Greek film premieres, both drawing packed audiences.
• A workshop and discussion on intimacy coordination, addressing evolving industry standards in creating safe sets.
• Engaging panel discussions on diverse family structures and their representation in media.
• A spotlight on Palestinian women filmmakers, amplifying their voices and stories.
• A thriving Greek short film competition, reinforcing WIFT GR’s commitment to uplifting female filmmakers and resonating with young audiences.

As WIFT Greece continues to advocate for gender equity in film and television, the 8th WIFT GR Festival once again proved to be a vital platform for conversation, creativity, and change.

Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI) is pleased to share the expansion and rebranding of Women in Film & Television San Antonio (WIFT SATX+) to Women in Film & Television Texas (WIFT Texas). This evolution reflects the organisation’s dynamic growth and commitment to serving a broader community across Texas and beyond. The transition to WIFT Texas enables the organisation to expand its reach while remaining dedicated to its founding mission of producing programming, providing services, and empowering women in Bexar County, the Hill Country, Coastal Bend, Rio Grande Valley, broader South Texas, and its growing connections with Monterrey, MX. This expansion further highlights the significant contributions of women in the media and entertainment industry.

WIFT Texas is positioned to foster industry growth and build valuable connections within an underserved region, amplifying the societal and economic impact of women in media and entertainment within Texas’ multi-billion-dollar industry. With the state’s entertainment sector poised for rapid development, WIFT Texas aims to be a driving force in redefining industry standards and opportunities for women. Over the past 14 months, the organisation has experienced remarkable growth, and 2025 is expected to be a pivotal year for WIFT Texas as it continues to enhance its influence regionally, nationally, and globally. With a focus on advocacy, leadership, and programming, WIFT Texas remains dedicated to strengthening opportunities for women in all areas of media and entertainment.

The rebranding reflects WIFT Texas’ commitment to amplifying the voices, talents, and potential of women across the state and beyond. This shift is not just geographical—it represents a strategic effort to create more opportunities for collaboration, education, and advocacy for women working across all sectors of the industry. From producers and directors to marketers, journalists, executives, designers, and talent—whether above the line, below the line, or on-camera—WIFT Texas is committed to fostering career growth and professional development.

Key Focus Areas for WIFT Texas in 2025:

• Expanding Membership Opportunities: WIFT Texas will enhance its membership offerings, introducing new levels and benefits to serve a broader network of professionals and students. Dual Memberships will be available for members of WIFTI-recognised chapters, fostering stronger national and international industry connections.
• Enhancing Programming & Events: WIFT Texas will continue to deliver industry-leading events such as the WIFT TX Speaker Series, The Celestial Party (Annual Tribute to the Academy Awards), The WIFT Texas Summit & The Celestial Awards™, and the WIFT TX Magazine. Additional workshops and networking opportunities will also be introduced to support the unique needs of creatives in Texas and beyond.
• Advocating for Women in Media & Entertainment: WIFT Texas remains committed to advancing gender equity, career development, and fair compensation in the industry. Through programming, mentorship, and advocacy, the organisation will continue to provide a supportive environment that empowers women at all stages of their careers.
• Strengthening Partnerships & Industry Collaborations: WIFT Texas will expand its partnerships with industry leaders, educational institutions, organisations, and governmental agencies to support professional growth, increase visibility for women in media, and influence industry decision-making.

“This rebranding represents a natural next step in the evolution of our organisation, reinforcing our unwavering commitment to connection, equality, and the advancement of women in media and entertainment,” said Eileen Kret, founding vice president of WIFT Texas. The Board of Directors, Council of Commissioners, and all members of WIFT Texas are excited about this new chapter and look forward to welcoming new members, collaborators, and supporters into the growing community.

On October 24, 2024, NYWIFT colleagues gathered together online for a virtual speed networking mixer, joined by their friends from WIFT Jamaica (WIFTJA)! The evening began with an in-depth salon conversation with WIFT JA leaders to discuss their organization’s latest initiatives, the state of the industry in our two countries, and production opportunities. The conversation was recorded and is available to watch here!

We are keen to bring chapters together and forge stronger WIFTI bonds across the world. To that end, we encourage chapters to set up ‘Let’s have coffee’ meet-ups online. To meet the needs of busy professionals we recommend limiting it to 30 minutes. We will meet two individual chapters each month for introductions or catch ups. To make sure we all get a chance to chat we’ll have a maximum of 4 members on each chapter’s side. These can be Board Members or regular chapter members. So, thirty minutes, 4 members. Twice a month. Interested? Please contact us at smrithika@wft.ie and we’ll take it from there! We encourage chapters to continue this initiative! Pretty soon, we’ll all be talking! Grab a screenshot, and share your experience in a paragraph for the WIFTI Newsletter by sending it to Smithy at smrithika@wft.ie.

Created by members of Women in Film and TV Greece, “Maria – the Unknown Callas” is a period drama TV Series (10 episodes x 50 minutes) that delves into the early life of Maria Callas, focusing on her transformation from a young girl in Athens during World War II to a world-renowned opera diva. Written and directed by the founder of WIFT Greece Olga Malea, the narrative explores her relationships with pivotal figures, including her ambitious mother, passionate Spanish teacher, pianist sister, rebellious baritone lover, devoted German maestro, and beloved father.

The series was part of a special screening at the 2024 Thessaloniki Film Festival,

The series explores Maria’s relationship with important mentors in her life as a young artist: her ambitious mother, her passionate Spanish teacher, her beautiful pianist sister, her rebellious baritone Greek lover, her devoted German maestro, and her beloved father. They all shape her character and gradually lead her to become the most acclaimed opera diva of all time, while in Athens, Greece, during WW2.

MARIA: THE UNKNOWN CALLAS is a fictional biopic based on true events. It is a contemporary story of international appeal with a strong Greek woman who became a pop idol and the first woman to brand herself.

The inaugural Driving Change Summit, held from November 17 to 19, 2024, at Sydney’s Bondi Pavilion, marked a pivotal moment in advancing disability employment within the film, television, and commercial production industries. This event brought together industry leaders, advocates, and creatives to explore, elevate, and celebrate the inclusion of people with disabilities both in front of and behind the camera. Over the following two days, attendees engaged in a series of insightful sessions, each addressing critical aspects of disability inclusion in the screen industry.

Day One Highlights

• First Nations & Disability: This session, presented by the First Peoples Disability Network Australia, shed light on the unique experiences of Indigenous individuals with disabilities. Moderated by Kerri-Lee Harding of SBS, the panel featured Damian Griffis, CEO of the First Peoples Disability Network Australia, Brandon Fairley, a Bus Stop Films Student Ambassador, and Joanna Agius OAM, founder of Deaf Aboriginal Services.

• Hollywood and Inclusion: Keely Cat-Wells delivered a keynote address focusing on the imperative of creating space for disability on the red carpet and beyond, emphasizing the transformative power of authentic representation in mainstream media.

• Who Pays for Access?: A critical discussion on budgeting for disability in productions, this session was hosted by Glenn Hamilton of Screen Producers Australia. Panelists included Dana Cadden from Unilever, producer Pip Smart, writer and producer Meret Hassanen, and Dianna La Grassa of Bus Stop Films, who collectively underscored the importance of financial planning in facilitating inclusive practices.

Day Two Highlights

• Disability & Streaming: This session explored the role of streaming platforms in promoting disability inclusion. Moderated by Liana Dubois of Nine, the panel featured Nas Campanella of ABC, Joshua Griffin from SBS, Debra Richards of Netflix, and Paralympian Ellie Cole, who discussed strategies for enhancing representation and accessibility in digital content.

• Access & Inclusion on Set: Focusing on the practicalities of creating inclusive production environments, this discussion was led by Diana Fisk of Bus Stop Films. Contributors included screenwriter and access coordinator Sofya Gollan, employment trainer Seema Dudley, filmmaker and actor Emily Dash, and access coordinator Chanel Bowen, who shared best practices for supporting diverse talent on set.

A Showcase of Inclusive Storytelling

An undeniable highlight of the summit was the screening of the feature film “Audrey,” starring Hannah Diviney. The film’s presentation, followed by an engaging Q&A session, exemplified the summit’s commitment to showcasing authentic narratives that resonate with a broad audience.

Reflections and the Path Forward

The Driving Change Summit illuminated the profound impact of collaborative efforts in reshaping industry standards. By addressing topics ranging from casting practices to the responsibilities of government and broadcasters, the summit fostered a comprehensive dialogue on dismantling barriers to inclusion. The event underscored the necessity of intersectional approaches in advocating for equitable representation. The Driving Change Summit is a movement towards a more inclusive and representative screen industry. As we reflect on the discussions and stories shared, we are reminded of the collective responsibility to drive systemic change, ensuring that the tapestry of global storytelling authentically reflects the richness of human experience.

For more information, please visit the summit website.