Women in Film and Television International

Global networking organization

Women in Film and Television International

Abbreviation| WIFTI
Formation| 1997; 28 years ago (1997)
Headquarters| Sandy, Utah, U.S.[1]
Website| wifti.net

Women in Film & Television International (WIFTI) is a global network of non-profit membership chapters. Established in 1997, it is dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of film, video, and other screen-based media.[2]

## Aims

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* Enhance the international visibility of women in the entertainment industry.
* Facilitate and encourage communication and cooperation internationally.
* Develop bold international projects and initiatives.
* Stimulate professional development and global networking opportunities for women.
* Promote and support chapter development.
* Celebrate the achievements of women in all areas of the industry.
* Encourage diverse and positive representation of women in screen-based media worldwide.[3][citation needed]

## History

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Women in Film Los Angeles was founded in 1973 by Tichi Wilkerson Kassel. After several Women in Film organizations were established in a variety of cities around the globe, Women in Film and Television International WIFTI was organized in the mid-1990s.[4]

### 1973–1997

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See also: Women in film § Women in Film and Television International

Women in Film and Television International (WIFTI) is a "global network comprised of over forty Women in Film chapters worldwide with over 10,000 members, dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of film, video and digital media."[5] The organization was founded in 1973 in Los Angeles by Tichi Wilkerson Kassel and grew quickly worldwide, hosting their first Women in Film and Television International World Summit in New York City in September 1997.[6]

## WIFTI chapters

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Main sources:[7][8]
Region  |  | Chapter  | Yr.fo.  | Yr.ch  | President | Web

|
|
|
|
|
|

Africa  |  | WIFT South Africa |  | 2005  |  |
Asia  |  | WIFTAI India  |  |  |  |
Australia[4] |  | WIFT NSW  | 1982 |  |  | [1]
| WIFT Victoria  | 1988  |  | Lauren Simpson  | [5][9]
| WIFT WA  | 2016  |  |  | [10]
| WIFT Australia  | 2018  |  | Liz Tomkins (chair of national board)  | [11][12]
| WIFT South Australia  | 2018  |  |  | [13]
| WIFT Tasmania  | 2018  |  |  | [14]
| WIFT Queensland  | 2020  |  |  | [15]
Pacific Islands  |  | WIFT NZ  | 1993  |  | Vicki Jackways  | [3a]
Europe  |  | WIFT Finland  |  | 2014  | Elina Knihtilä  | [2]
| WFTV United Kingdom | 1989 | 1990  | Liz Tucker | [2a]
| WIFT Ireland  |  |  |  | --
| WIFTM Italy  | 2018  |  |  | [16]
| WIFT Germany  |  |  |  | [3]
| WIF France  |  |  |  |
| WIF Sweden  | 2003 | 2005  |  | [4]
| WIFT Greece  | 1973 |  | Olympia Mytilinaiou  | [5]
WIF Czech Republic  |  |  |  |  | [6]
South America  |  | WIFT Brazil  |  |  |  | [7]
Latin American & Caribbean  |  | Dominican Republic  |  |  |  | [8]
| WIFT (Mexico) |  | 2002  | Concepción Tabaoada  | [9]
Canada  |  | WIFT Alberta  |  |  | Kathy Fedori  | [10]
| WIFT Atlantic  | - | 2009  | Kimberlee McTaggart  | [11]
| WIFT Montreal  | 1991 |  | Brigitte Monneau  | [12]
| WIFT Toronto  | 1984 |  | Karen Bruce  | [13]
| WIFTV Vancouver  | 1989 |  | Sarah Kalil (2017-19) | [14]
United States  |  | WIFT Atlanta  |  |  | LaRonda Sutton  | [15]
| WIFT San Francisco  | 2001 | 2003  | Soumyaa Kapil Behrens  | [16]
| WIF Chicago  |  |  | Carrie Hunter  | [17]
| WIF Dallas  |  | 1984  | Alicia Pascual  | [18]
| WIFM Kansas City  |  |  | Laurie Crawford (2017 19) | [19]
| WIF Los Angeles  | 1977 | 1997  |  | [1a]
| WIF Las Vegas  | 2002  | 2004  | Phyllis Cesare-Taie (Founder)  |
| MNWIFT (Minnesota)  |  | 2012?  | Joanne Liebeler (2016-17) | [20]
| WIFT Nashville  |  |  | Lynda Evjen  | [21]
| WIFV New England  | 1981 | 2005?  |  | [22]
| NMWIF Santa Fe  |  |  | Christine McHugh  | [23]
| NYWIFT New York | 1977 |  | Simone Pero (2017-18) | [24]
| WIF & Media Pittsburgh  |  | 2007  | Roxana Gilani  | [25]
| WIF-PDX Portland  |  |  | Lisa Miyamoto  | [26]
| WIF Seattle  |  |  | Lisa B. Hammond  | [27]
| WIFV Washington D.C.  | 1979 |  | Carletta S Hurt  | [1b]
| Women in Film Utah  |  | 2010  | Susan McEvoy (2017- ) | [28]
| WIFM Tennessee  |  |  | Roxanna 'Roxie" Green  | [29]
| WIFT Palm Springs  | 2001 | 2010  |  | [30]
| WIFT Florida  |  |  | Nancy McBride  | [31]
| WIFT Louisiana  |  |  | Carol Bidault de l'Isle  | [32]
| WIFT Maryland  |  |  |  | --
| WIFT Houston  |  |  |  | [33]

Notes

1\.  1a WIF Los Angeles -- Official Website: WomenInFilm.org

-- see also, Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards
...  1b WIFV Washington D.C. -- Women in Film & Video-DC Women of Vision Awards

-- The founders include Ginny Durrin, Judy Herbert, Sharon Ferguson, Christine Brim, Jan Hatcher, Norma Davidoff, Pat McMurray, Catherine Anderson, Lauren Versel, Michal Carr, Elise Reeder, and Polly Krieger.[17]

2\. 2a WFTV United Kingdom -- Official Website: WFTV UK

-- The founders include Lynda La Plante, Norma Heyman, Jenne Casarroto, Dawn French, Joan Collins and Janet Street-Porter.[18]

3\. 3a WIFT NZ -- Official Website: WIFT NZ

History of WIFT in NZ, researched and written by Helen Martin, traces the history of Women in Film and Television, from the establishment of WIF in Los Angeles in 1973, through the founding of WIFT Wellington in 1994, to the 10th anniversary of WIFT Auckland in 2005.[19]

4\. 4 As of May 2022[update], WIFT VIC and WIFT WA were operating as individual organisations, while WIFT NSW was in the process of transitioning up into WIFT Australia.[12]

5\. 5 See also Women Applying to Film School, an initiative run from 1989 and co-sponsored by WIFT Victoria in 1990.

## Programs

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* Women in Film-LA presents annual awards at their Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards ceremonies. In 1988, they presented the Lillian Gish Award for excellence in episodic directing.
* Women in Film Foundation's Film Finishing Fund supports films by, for or about women.[20] -- since 2004

* There are 22 affiliate organizations of WIFTI in the United States.[21] The Washington D.C. affiliate, Women in Film & Video, has presented Women of Vision awards annually since 1994 to honor creative and technical achievements of women in media.[22][23] Women in Film & Video has held a WIFV annual film festival.[24]
* Women In Film & Television Short Film Showcase, or WIFTI Short-Case, is a demonstration of WIFTI members' creativity, vision, and artistry.[25] -- since 2004

* WIFTI Summits have been held bi-annually.[26][27] -- since 1997

## See also

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* Women in Film Crystal + Lucy Awards
* Women in Film & Video-DC Women of Vision Awards
* New York Women in Film & Television
* Women in Film and Television (South Africa)
* UK Women in Film and Television Awards
* Women in Film and Television New Zealand Awards

Related organizations

* Women in film
* International Association of Women in Radio and Television
* ReFrame

## References

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1. ^ "Women In Film and Television International (WIFTI) Organization Bylaws" (PDF). March 19, 2020.
2. ^ "Women in Film and Television International - About Us". WIFTI. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
3. ^ "Women In Film & Television International". Women in Film & Video DC. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
4. ^ "About WIFTI Chapters". www.wiftichapters.org. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
5. ^ "Mission". Women in Film and Television International. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2013.
6. ^ "Overview". Women in Film and Television International. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
7. ^ "Chapters". Women in Film and Television International. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
8. ^ "Other Chapters". Women In Film Los Angeles. Archived from the original on April 17, 2019. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
9. ^ "WIFT VIC". WIFT Australia. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
10. ^ "What We Do". WIFT WA. Retrieved August 30, 2020.
11. ^ "WIFT Australia Board". WIFT Australia. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
12. ^ a b "Chapters". WIFT Australia. Archived from the original on March 8, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
13. ^ "WIFT SA". WIFT Australia. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
14. ^ "WIFT TAS". WIFT Australia. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
15. ^ "WIFT QLD". WIFT Australia. Retrieved December 9, 2024.
16. ^ WIFT Italy
17. ^ "History". WIFV Washington D.C. Retrieved May 21, 2018. "In 1979, Ginny Durrin sent a letter to women she knew working in media inviting them to a meeting at her house. [...] Among the women involved in the first year were: Ginny Durrin, Judy Herbert, Sharon Ferguson, Christine Brim, Jan Hatcher, Norma Davidoff, Pat McMurray, Catherine Anderson, Lauren Versel, Michal Carr, Elise Reeder, and Polly Krieger."
18. ^ "History". Women in Film & TV (UK). Retrieved May 21, 2018. "In 1989, a group of women came together for the first WFTV (UK) meeting. A mix of executives, creatives and performers, they included Lynda La Plante, Norma Heyman, Jenne Casarroto, Dawn French, Joan Collins and Janet Street-Porter. [...] They resolved to take positive action and follow in the footsteps of organisations in Los Angeles and New York City established in the '70s to support women working in the film and TV industries. [...] In 1990, the first Women in Film awards ceremony was held to recognise the achievements of some of the most successful women the industry could boast. Twenty-five years on, the WFTV Awards is the largest annual celebration of women working in film, TV and digital media in the UK."
19. ^ Helen, Martin. "FROM THE VAULT - A History of Women in Film and Television in New Zealand" (PDF). WIFT NZ. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
20. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (January 8, 2018). "Women In Film LA Unveils 32nd Annual Film Finishing Fund Recipients". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
21. ^ BOARD,TREASURER, CAROL SAVOIE-WBST ADMIN WIFTI. "Women In Film And Television International". www.wiftichapters.org. Retrieved August 15, 2015.
22. ^ Annual Women of Vision Awards program, October 6, 2011, Rosslyn, Virginia
23. ^ Women of Vision Awards at wifv.org
24. ^ Hail, Carla (March 2, 1987). "She Is a Camera". Washington Post.
25. ^ "Short Film Showcase". WIFTI. 2018. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
26. ^ "Past Events". WIFTI. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
27. ^ "WIFTI Summits". WIFTIchapters.org. Archived from the original on June 13, 2018. Retrieved May 22, 2018.

## External links

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* Women in Film & TV International (official website)
* Kansas City Women in Film & Television

*[Yr.fo. ]: Year found
*[Yr.ch ]: WIFTI Member
*[President]: President od Board Chair
*[Web]: Official Website
*[WIFT (Mexico)]: Mujeres en el Cine y la Televisión A.C.