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25.01.2022 Hey WIFT VIC members! A quick reminder that our 2020 AGM is happening tomorrow on Zoom. Everyone who attends will be in the running to win 1 of 5 double passes to see a film of their choice at Cinema Nova. Don’t forget to register! See you all at 6pm.

25.01.2022 'THE FEMALE GAZE' by Lisa French - GET YOUR COPY NOW! We are excited to share that WIFT VIC Lifetime Member, Lisa French, is set to publish her new book 'The Female Gaze in Documentary Film an International Perspective' on July 3. It contains historical material on women in documentary; an approach to understanding ‘the female gaze’ (as multifarious and intersectional as that might be); a discussion of aesthetics and the influence of gender; an insight into relationships be...tween feminisms and documentary practice; and six global case studies with leading and established female documentarians from across the world. Whilst it is not published for a few weeks, it can be ordered as part of Palgrave Macmillan’s summer sale for 40% off until June 23 on coupon: SUMMER21 or by following the sale link at the top of the webpage: https://www.palgrave.com/gp/book/9783030680930 CONGRATULATIONS LISA!

24.01.2022 WIFT VIC WELCOMES MEMBERSHIP ADMINISTRATOR We are excited to announce that WIFT Victoria now has a dedicated membership administrator. Ally Riches will be assisting the board with redesigning the membership experience. Ally joins WIFT VIC after 12 years working at Oxfam Australia in various administrative and supporter services roles. Along with her administrative skills, she brings a passion for film and television. She is currently studying a Bachelor of Screen Media at Vic...toria University with a focus on screenwriting and directing. Ally will be managing our membership database and taking care of any-and-all queries from members. If you have any suggestions or would just like to say "hi" please email [email protected]. REMINDER: Ally recently emailed a short survey to WIFT VIC members in order to help her understand what is important to you. This is a gentle reminder that the survey closes on Friday 28th August. Thank you to those members who have already responded! Your feedback is invaluable and very much appreciated.

24.01.2022 Pitching a Project 101: The Nuts & Bolts - NEW DATES! Get Your Pitch On with Media Mentors Australia for the ultimate two-part workshop to get your pitch ready to go. COVID DISCOUNT EXCLUSIVE FOR WIFT MEMBERS AROUND AUSTRALIA... COST: $175 per person ONLINE: Wed 25 November & Wed 2 December REGISTER: https://wiftvic.com.au/get-your-pitch-on-vic/ Pitching your ideas, your skills and your projects is arguably the most fundamental skill we all need to proceed in our world. Regardless of career stage. And a successful pitch begins way before walking into a room (or a Zoom meeting). Here’s how you will do it: Media Mentors Australia's Denise Eriksen and Esther Coleman Hawkins will help you prepare your idea for a pitch incorporating all of the possible formats, whether it’s a written pitch document, a video pitch or an in-person meeting. Workshop 1 - Pitching basics (2hrs) - What actually is a pitch? - What’s the point of a pitch? - How to read guidelines for a pitching opportunity. - When to pitch. - What makes a brilliant pitch? - Types of pitches in person, written, video. How do they differ? - What is your idea how to distil even the most complex story into a simple sentence. - How to pitch yourself people buy you as much as the idea so how do you sell yourself? Homework: Using the skills learned in Workshop 1 create your pitch with the support, if required, of your Media Mentors. Workshop 2 Pitch Practice (2hrs) - Every participant will pitch their idea to the group and get feedback. - Workshopping ideas for improvement. - Polish pitches. Everyone will finish the workshop feeling absolutely confident in their ability to pitch their next project. Media Mentors Australia offer workshops for small groups of people. They are carefully designed to ensure they leave a legacy beyond a brief experience.

24.01.2022 JOIN WIFT VIC AND WIN TIX TO 'HERSELF' To our valued friends and supporters, WIFT VIC is offering you the chance to win one of three double passes and a limited number of 2-for-1 tix to see 'Herself' courtesy of our friends at Madman Films. All you need to do is join up as a member! To be released on July 1st 2021, Herself is the latest film from Phyllida Lloyd (director of Mamma Mia! and The Iron Lady) in collaboration with writer and lead actress, Clare Dunne. Garnering rav...e reviews, HERSELF is a timely and empowering drama about a single mother determined to rebuild her life. It is an inspiring story of the strength of women and the power of community. JOIN NOW: https://wiftvic.com.au/join-wift-vic/ WATCH THE TRAILER: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yj3ogdMb16w We can't wait to meet you!

23.01.2022 STAY SAFE, STAY CONNECTED To all of our members and supporters, WIFT VIC offers its unwavering support to each and every one of you, as we navigate the second lockdown in Victoria. Our organisation stands beside you as individual women and as a collective industry during this challenging time.... We fully acknowledge the difficulties currently faced by creatives, particularly those relating to wellbeing and mental health. To that end, we will endeavour to bring you events and inspiration wherever we can. Through continued connection and solidarity, we will get through this. Stay safe and stay connected

18.01.2022 'MAD WOMAN' MEMBERS TICKET GIVEAWAY WIFT VIC is excited to offer a limited number of complimentary tickets to see 'Mad Woman', written and performed by Rosaleen Cox, and presented digitally for Melbourne Fringe. Next shows: 26, 27 & 28 Nov. The seriocomic one person show explores the world of the recently single Niamh. New to Australia and notorious for making light of dark situations, Niamh navigates her own unchartered waters of online dating, therapy and life down under. I...nterlaced with sketches, 'Mad Woman' is the first one person show written and performed by (self confessed) prize idiot, Rosaleen Cox. To win, email us at [email protected] with Mad Woman in the subject line. https://melbournefringe.com.au/event/mad-woman/

18.01.2022 HAVE YOURSELF A WIFTY LITTLE CHRISTMAS IN JULY **SAVE THE DATE - 22 JULY** Preparations are well underway for the first of our ‘no frills networking’ events, Christmas in July! Wooo!... WIFT VIC is joining forces with fellow Victorian guilds to bring you a casual event all about giving space to members to catch up, network and connect, which is most welcome after the latest lockdown. We also have a super-fun Kris Kringle Raffle organised with some exciting prizes. Christmas in July is scheduled for Thursday July 22 from 6pm-10pm. So diarise now and SAVE THE DATE! (location tbc) Stay tuned for details!

18.01.2022 Call for entries for Attagirl, feature film incubator program for female and non-binary filmmakers from around the world.

17.01.2022 Go to www.greataustralianbinge.com and help Australian comedy survive and thrive on the other side of the pandemic.

17.01.2022 WELCOME LAUREN SIMPSON, WIFT VICTORIA’S NEW PRESIDENT The WIFT Victoria board is thrilled to announce the appointment of Lauren Simpson to the role of President as Margarita Ivanovsky steps down after her three-year term. Margarita has left an incredible legacy. Specifically, her passion, hard work and dedication to WIFT Victoria has provided us with a truly exceptional foundation from which we will continue to build the future of the organisation.... As Lauren takes the reigns, she is particularly aware that, as a result of the year that’s been, we have all lost valuable time and opportunities. However, she is focussed on ensuring that our members enter 2021 with clear heads and hearts, so we can work towards building a safe, diverse and inclusive network one of which we can be proud. Now, more than ever, Lauren understands the importance of coming together, reconnecting and rallying for the future of our industry. I am so looking forward to working with and getting to know all of you, hopefully in person, sometime soon! Thank you again I’m really excited to see what the future holds for all of us. A LITTLE BIT ABOUT LAUREN: Lauren's film story started with a specialist study in film at California State University Long Beach. She backed that up with a Bachelor of Film and Television from Swinburne University and an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business. Her work in the industry has been varied and rewarding: she's been the Sales, Account and Expo Manager for FilmInk Movie Magazine, the Event and Marketing Manager for Event Cinemas on George Street and, as an accomplished Service Producer, Lauren has produced high-level international content for companies such as Rooster Teeth Productions LLC (a subsidiary of Warner Media Entertainment), Blizzard Entertainment and Fade In Creative. In 2015 Lauren co-founded a production company where she produced several award-winning short films that have been released and screened at film festivals internationally. Today she's the CEO and co-founder of Iris Arc Pictures where she's producing and developing several high-concept feature films, series and podcasts across the fantasy, thriller and horror genres. In addition to being a member of Screen Producers Australia (SPA), and an alumnus of the prestigious Sundance Co//ab, Lauren is also a proud advocate for gender equity and diversity in the film industry. At the time of her appointment as WIFT Victoria President, Lauren was a Board Member and Mentor for our organisation. Finding new ways forward for women and their own film careers, inspires and excites me just as much as producing compelling, creative content does.

17.01.2022 Variety has reimagined its popular Power of Women luncheon as a virtual summit to take place on Oct 28 and 29. The conversations will celebrate female executives, producers and talent who create content that inspire and promote social good. The summit is free to attend but requires registration at https://variety.com/powerofwomenconversations/.

16.01.2022 CARLA 2020 - Get ready culture changers! Organised by Women in Film & Television International, in association with the Carl International Film Festival, Carla 2020 is a three-day digital conference (21-23 August) that brings together new visions for diversity and inclusion in the global film & TV industry. The full programme is now released and registrations for Carla 2020 have opened!... Carla 2020 will be a celebration of activism, inclusion and constructive social change in the film ecosystem, with speakers including Joey Soloway, Yvette Nicole Brown, Lorraine Toussaint, Amma Asante, Tabitha Jackson and many more. It features content from many of our WIFT chapters and will be a brilliant opportunity to meet, network and get energised to implement our dreams! And the best thing is, all content is accessible for FREE and to anyone! Check out the full programme here: https://www.carla2020.se/carla-programme-2020/ Book your conference pass here: https://www.carla2020.se/registration/

15.01.2022 Running Free Live: The Healing Ahead | Keeping Australia's screen industry alive For those of you who missed last night's extraordinary Running Free Live discussion, please take the time to watch via the link below. State and Federal funding bodies are proving to be the lifeblood of much of Australia’s creative productions. This month's panel featured the Heads of all of these funding bodies to share what they are doing to keep production going and how they view the future. B...etween them they have lifetimes of experience in a variety of business worlds. Moderated by Media Mentors Australia's Denise Eriksen, they shared their thoughts on the way ahead for our creative industries and how we rebuild our resilience. Panellists: - Caroline Pitcher, CEO of Film Vic - Grainne Brunsdon, Head of Screen NSW - Jennie Hughes, Director of Screen Territory - Kate Croser, CEO of South Australian Film Corporation - Kylie Munnich, CEO of Screen Queensland - Monica Penders, CEO of Screen Canberra - Sally Caplan, Head of Content, Screen Australia - Willie Rowe, CEO of Screenwest - Alex Sangston, Executive Manager of Screen Tasmania Running Free Live is presented in partnership with ACMI, Film Vic and Media Mentors Australia. www.mediamentors.com.au

14.01.2022 REMINDER! Natalie Miller Fellowship is presenting a live panel event at 5pm TODAY! Jump online to hear from an amazing panel of female screen practitioners!

14.01.2022 WIFT VIC AT SETTING SUN - THE ROUGE We are thrilled to once again be partnering with the Setting Sun Film Festival to bring you The Rouge program - an eclectic selection of ten short films made by some exceptional female filmmakers from around the world. Check out the films here: https://bit.ly/2TtqZcG During the recent lockdown in Victoria, festival director Anna Bourozikas announced that the 2021 program would move from its home at the Sun Theatre in Yarraville to the inter...webs, where everyone could enjoy the films safely at home. THE ROUGE: Sunday June 20 at 4pm Price: $10 Place: Vimeo! For more info and to book: https://bit.ly/3gl69oU The Rouge will be presented as one of three paid sessions in Program A. (Viewers also have the opportunity to purchase all three sessions for just $20.)

14.01.2022 THE ROUGE - TOMORROW AT 4pm! There’s just one sleep to go until our Setting Sun Film Festival online event kicks off! Join us on Vimeo for The Rouge program - an eclectic selection of ten short films made by some exceptional female filmmakers from around the world. Check out the films here: https://bit.ly/2TtqZcG... THE ROUGE: Sunday June 20 at 4pm Price: $10 Place: Vimeo! For more info and to book: https://bit.ly/3gl69oU

12.01.2022 A huge and historic day for women around the world.

12.01.2022 REGISTER NOW FOR 'INTERMISSION' To our valued WIFT VIC members, A gentle reminder to register for Intermission, a FREE online mental health information session, if you haven't already.... We bring this event to you in partnership with Entertainment Assist. Presented by Rae Bonney, a qualified counsellor and Entertainment Assist's Program Manager, the INTERMISSION program offers mental health training for Australian entertainment industry workers. It was created as a direct response to findings from world first research conducted by Entertainment Assist, Victoria University, Melbourne Australia and Victorian College of the Arts. Entertainment Assist is a health promotion charity, dedicated to raising awareness about mental health in the Australian entertainment industry, by commissioning research, for workplace and educational transformation and identifying support pathways for industry workers. INTERMISSION - WIFT VIC MEMBERS ONLY Date: Thursday 10th Sep 2020 Time: 7pm-8pm Cost: FREE Register below: https://bit.ly/2En4mzn After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

12.01.2022 EOY WIFT VIC MEMBERS SCREENING OF 'BRAZEN HUSSIES' It's that time of year again! WIFT VIC is excited to present the Annual EOY Members Screening & Networking Event, to celebrate Australian cinema. This year, we're thrilled to bring you a screening of Brazen Hussies, the debut feature documentary of writer/director Catherine Dwyer, produced by Philippa Campey and Andrea Foxworthy.... DETAILS: 6:30pm on Thursday Dec 3rd at Cinema Nova PRICE: $15 (includes one drink) TO PURCHASE TIX, simply jump on to the WIFT VIC website and log in to the members page: https://wiftvic.com.au/login/ The screening will be followed by networking - Venue TBC It will be a joy to catch up IN PERSON and once again enjoy the cinema (and *ahem* bid farewell to 2020 as we ride full steam ahead into 2021!) BRAZEN HUSSIES reveals a revolutionary chapter in Australian history, the Women's Liberation Movement (1965 -1975). Interweaving freshly uncovered archival footage, personal photographs, memorabilia and lively personal accounts from activists, it shows us how a daring and diverse group of women joined forces to defy the status quo, demand equality and create profound social change contributing to one of the greatest social movements of the 20th Century. To our valued non-member friends and supporters, if you'd like to join up and be part of the WIFT VIC community, please click on the link: https://wiftvic.com.au/join-wift-vic/

11.01.2022 'BRAZEN HUSSIES' PRODUCERS TO JOIN AS AGM GUESTS TONIGHT! WIFT VIC is thrilled to announce that Brazen Hussies producers, Philippa Campey and Andrea Foxworthy, will be joining us as special guests for the AGM at 6pm tonight. Get your questions ready for the Q&A and see you all then! PHILIPPA CAMPEY... Philippa is the founder of Melbourne-based production company Film Camp. Over the past 15 years, Film Camp has produced many critically acclaimed and commercially successful feature documentaries including Bastardy, Murundak: Songs of Freedom, and Iraq, My Country. Her debut feature drama Galore premiered at Berlinale 2014; The Face of Ukraine: Casting Oksana Baiul, won the Short Film Jury Prize at Sundance 2015; and her debut short Clara won the Jury Special Mention in Cannes 2005. Other films have won awards at AFI Fest, FIFO and Seminci Valladolid, and have screened at over 100 festivals in the world including Venice, Berlinale, Telluride, True/False, BFI London and Sheffield Doc/Fest. Philippa has most recently released theatrical documentaries The Leunig Fragments about the acclaimed cartoonist and artist, and No Time for Quiet about Girls Rock! Philippa was awarded SPA's Independent Documentary Producer of the Year (2008); Film Victoria's Greg Tepper Award (2009); and is an inaugural recipient of Film Victoria's Natalie Miller Fellowship Women in Leadership (2016). ANDREA FOXWORTHY Andrea Foxworthy is an experienced Producer and Production Manager based in Melbourne. At Sensible Films she coordinated post-production of the CinéfestOZ prize-winning Putaparri and the Rainmakers and worked with Impact Producer Julianne Deeb on the festival and impact campaign for the film. In 2010 Andrea first discovered the chutzpa of the second wave activists of the Australian Women’s Movement, when she produced On Her Shoulders (2011) for UN Women, to commemorate the centenary of International Women’s Day. On Her Shoulders was nominated for an ATOM Award (Best Short Documentary), won ‘Best Short’ at the 2011 La Mirada Film Festival, screened at Revelation Perth International Film Festival, was broadcast on ABC TV, distributed to Australian High Schools and has had over 100,600 YouTube views. At Early Works, Andrea Co-Produced Indonesia Calling: Joris Ivens in Australia (2009, ABC TV/MIFF Premiere Fund). As a freelance Production Manager, Andrea has helped ensure the smooth delivery of many broadcast documentaries including Indian Wedding Race (2016, SBS), Sperm Donors Anonymous (2015, ABC), Devil Island (2013, ABC/ITV/France Television/NGTI), Acid Ocean (2013, SBS/ARTE/SVT/ZDF/WGBH/ZED), An Unstoppable Force (2008, ABC), Hidden Treasures Series 2 (2008, ABC), PNG: The Rules of the Game (2007, SBS/ITVS) and Dogstar (2007 & 2012, 9 Network/BBC).

11.01.2022 'Brazen Hussies' - 1 MORE SLEEP! REMINDER! The WIFT VIC EOY Screening & Networking Event is happening tomorrow night! Join us for a screening of Brazen Hussies followed by a Q&A with writer/director, Catherine Dwyer, and networking. DETAILS: 6:30pm, Thurs Dec 3rd at Cinema Nova PRICE: $15 (includes one drink per member)... TO PURCHASE TIX, simply jump on to the WIFT VIC website and log in to the members page: https://wiftvic.com.au/login/ See more

10.01.2022 'Brazen Hussies' Screening PLUS Q&A with Catherine Dwyer Breaking News! WIFT VIC is thrilled to announce that Brazen Hussies writer/director, Catherine Dwyer, will be joining us for a Q&A at the 2020 EOY Members Screening & Networking Event. DETAILS: 6:30pm on Thursday Dec 3rd at Cinema Nova... PRICE: $15 (includes one drink per member) TO PURCHASE TIX, simply jump on to the WIFT VIC website and log in to the members page: https://wiftvic.com.au/login/ The screening will be followed by networking (venue TBC) Produced by Philippa Campey and Andrea Foxworthy, this much anticipated feature documentary reveals a revolutionary chapter in Australian history, the Women's Liberation Movement (1965 -1975). Interweaving freshly uncovered archival footage, personal photographs, memorabilia and lively personal accounts from activists, it shows us how a daring and diverse group of women joined forces to defy the status quo, demand equality and create profound social change contributing to one of the greatest social movements of the 20th Century.

10.01.2022 INTERMISSION - A MENTAL HEALTH INFORMATION SESSION We are pleased to be partnering with Entertainment Assist to bring you INTERMISSION, a FREE online event for WIFT VIC members focussed on delivering mental health information. Presented by Rae Bonney, a qualified counsellor and Entertainment Assist's Program Manager, the INTERMISSION program offers mental health training for Australian entertainment industry workers. It was created as a direct response to findings from world ...first research conducted by Entertainment Assist, Victoria University, Melbourne Australia and Victorian College of the Arts. Entertainment Assist is a health promotion charity, dedicated to raising awareness about mental health in the Australian entertainment industry, by commissioning research, for workplace and educational transformation and identifying support pathways for industry workers. INTERMISSION - WIFT VIC MEMBERS ONLY Date: Thursday 10th Sep 2020 Time: 7pm-8pm Cost: FREE Register below: https://bit.ly/2En4mzn After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

07.01.2022 LIVE SCREENCHAT Q+A WITH MEDIA MENTORS AUSTRALIA Tune in to Screenchat next Wednesday (July 29) from 3pm - 3:30pm for a LIVE Q&A with the extraordinary women from Media Mentors Australia, Denise Eriksen & Esther Colman-Hawkins, as they discuss how to create your own successful career in the film and television industry. These incredible mentor creatives assist individuals regardless of their career stage, and guide businesses towards achieving a strong foothold in the industr...y. This exclusive chat will be moderated by former WIFT VIC Treasurer, Marcela Toro. https://www.mediamentors.com.au/ Denise Eriksen says, I bloody love television creative content made for all platforms and my career has allowed me to play in that particular sandpit for more years than I can remember! I binge watch everything from high-end (and low rent) drama and documentary to factual and reality shows. I’ve worked as a journalist, producer and Executive Producer around the world - and in brilliant jobs as Head of Factual and Head of Current Affairs at the ABC, and Head of Production and Development at SBS. I regularly consult for international companies setting up in Australia and I’m currently Development Executive in Australia for Arrow Media UK. In tandem with my production and commissioning career, I’ve made it my mission to ensure that talented people access the training and resources they need to forge their careers. I’ve run courses for the BBC, ITV, ABC, SBS, NITV, TVNZ and RTE. Most recently, I trained journalists and producers in Ho Chi Minh City, and worked as co-Director of Make It in Melbourne for AFTRS and Film Vic. My career highlights? Making shows that audiences love, create careers or educate while entertaining. Oh and bringing Australia’s own Eurovision broadcasts to SBS. Esther Colman-Hawkins says, I’m a smart, creative and innovative producer with a wealth of worldwide programming experience. From the award-winning Revolution School for ABC1 to the Logie-nominated Last Chance Saloon, my goal is to bring intimate stories to life with insight and humour. I’m also a long-standing, and enthusiastic, veteran of development. I thrive with the challenge of turning an exciting idea into a successful TV series. Some of my favourite success stories are Luke Warm Sex, Secrets of Our Suburbs and House of Food Obsessives. Alongside two decades of program making, I love coaching and mentoring people both inside and beyond the media industry. I’ve helped people kick start their projects and revamp, restart or change careers. I’m driven by the fact that I love working and I think, given how much of our lives most us of spend at work, that we need to do something that meets our needs. Like or follow Screenchat to receive notifications.

06.01.2022 At the recent 2020 AGM, we bade farewell to WIFT VIC stalwart, Melinda O’Connor, after two decades on the board, including time as our President. Melinda’s much admired passion, support and dedication to WIFT VIC and its ethos has been an inspiration to many, many women over the years. Her warm heartedness and unconditional guidance have earned her the honorary title, Fairy Godmother of WIFT VIC. Melinda, you are an integral part of our organisation’s history and strength today - you will be greatly missed. We salute you, thank you and wish you all the very best. x

06.01.2022 A huge thanks to everyone who came along to our EOY Members Event on Thursday evening for the screening of Brazen Hussies at Cinema Nova. We loved seeing you there! And a special thank you to the film’s writer/director, Catherine Dwyer, for joining us in a truly insightful Q&A. What a film and what a way to finish the year!

06.01.2022 WIFT VIC’S LISA FRENCH AT CARLA 2020 We are excited to announce that WIFT VIC Lifetime Member, academic Lisa French, has contributed to a publication being launched at Carla 2020, about Gender Matters and women in Australian film. We encourage you to take a look at Lisa’s Research Presentation below. Hosted by WIFT International and Carl International Film Festival, Carla 2020 is running virtually this year. It aims to paint a holistic and intersectional picture of structural... inequalities, systemic oppression and constructive social change. Anyone can attend but registration is essential! https://www.carla2020.se

05.01.2022 CREATING IN CONFINEMENT PANEL EVENT If you nurture a diverse group of people in the early stages of their filmmaking practice they will grow in confidence and continue making work, contributing to a more interesting landscape of films and media. ~ Hannah Moore, filmmaker Creating in Confinement, a remarkable portrait of nine female artists made during Melbourne’s first lockdown, was filmed entirely via Zoom by a young female and non-binary team led by Hannah Moore. The film... is a telling portrayal of the challenges artists face to maintain motivation and continue creative work within the confines of four walls, and a demonstration of what can be done creatively during lockdown. A Female Futures panel about creativity in lockdown and filmmaking in a female/non-binary only environment is scheduled for Monday August 3. Facilitated by Samira Farah, it features two of the artist subjects Nkechi Adele (Saskwatch lead singer, Triple J presenter, actor) and Yandell Walton (visual artist working predominantly with projections) in discussion with filmmaker Hannah Moore and two of the Female Futures Creative Collective who worked on the films. This panel will be a Zoom webinar that is also streamed on Facebook live. DETAILS 5pm-6.15pm, Monday August 3 Cost: FREE, bookings essential (register below) All ages welcome! For more details of the Female Futures project and to watch the films go to www.femalefutures.org.au Originally planned as a portrait of Melbourne-based female creatives, the collaborative project began production just as Covid 19 restrictions began, and the film was adapted to focus on making creative work during isolation, highlighting the human side of the Covid-19 story with young women from various cultural backgrounds working together across borders, and one member of the group even having to return to China (to be with their family) and continue the creative process from there. Working with all female and non-binary filmmaking teams created a safe space for the artists to open up about the challenges they were facing during lockdown. CREATING IN CONFINEMENT is the product of Female Futures, a VicHealth funded SIGNAL project that empowers and upskills young women and non-binary young people as arts leaders in their community. In 2019 Signal received a grant from VicHealth’s Gender Equality through the Arts program to work with young female and non-binary people and professional artists to explore gender equality through the making of short films.

04.01.2022 WIFT VIC AGM SUCCESS! To all the wonderful WIFT VIC members who came along to the AGM last week, THANK YOU. It was an immensely enjoyable and productive evening - and such a great opportunity to catch up, albeit online! We began by breaking down the WIFT VIC 2020 Members Survey, then took a tour of the new WIFT VIC website, followed by a Q&A with our special guests - Brazen Hussies' Catherine Dwyer, Philippa Campey and Andrea Foxworthy, and finished with member networking in ...breakout rooms. In addition, we welcomed our new President Lauren Simpson to the helm, and farewelled Margarita Ivanovsky after her three-year term, and stalwart Melinda O'Connor as she leaves the board after two decades of dedicated service. We are delighted that Margarita will remain on the board, and we look forward to what the next year brings! Attached are some images of a few of the incredible women in attendance. To our valued non-member friends and supporters, if you'd like to join up and be part of the WIFT VIC community, jump online: https://wiftvic.com.au/join-wift-vic/

03.01.2022 BOARD MEMBER NOMINATIONS OPEN As advocates for women working in Victoria’s screen-based industries, WIFT Victoria aims to support all creative women from diverse cultural and social backgrounds, sexualities and women with disability. To do this effectively and meaningfully, we have recognised that we need to better reflect the community of women we want to represent. With this in mind, we are seeking nominations from women-identifying Victorian screen practitioners from diver...se backgrounds to join our board and help shape WIFT Victoria’s future. We are a volunteer working board and so require members who are able to devote some time to collaborate on and help with initiatives, programs and events for the broader WIFT VIC membership. Board membership also includes attending board meetings once a month for around 1-1.5 hours. To nominate for one of the 4 board positions, please send an expression of interest that summarises your skills, experience and why you would like to join the board to [email protected] by Sunday 6th September. New board members will be elected at the WIFT Victoria AGM taking place this October. For any further queries, send us an email at [email protected].

03.01.2022 WIFT Victoria NEW LOOK website! To all of our wonderful members, supporters and friends, As we edge closer towards the end of Victoria’s second lockdown, the WIFT VIC board would love to share with you the first of a few projects that have kept us busy during Covid-19 restrictions: our NEW LOOK website!... Please jump online and have a look around: www.wiftvic.com.au We specifically want to guide you to the membership page, which details our different member categories. We are pleased to introduce the implementation of a new rolling membership system, to make the process of joining and rejoining simpler for everyone. Of course, current members can still enjoy their three-month membership extension until the end of December.

01.01.2022 EOY WIFT VIC MEMBERS SCREENING - BOOK NOW! Tickets are selling fast for our EOY Members Screening & Networking Event! Be quick to secure your seat and join us in celebrating Australian cinema. We're marking the end of 2020 with a screening of Brazen Hussies, the debut feature documentary of writer/director Catherine Dwyer, produced by Philippa Campey and Andrea Foxworthy.... DETAILS: 6:30pm on Thursday Dec 3rd at Cinema Nova PRICE: $15 (includes one drink) TO PURCHASE TIX, simply jump on to the WIFT VIC website and log in to the members page: https://wiftvic.com.au/login/ The screening will be followed by networking - Venue TBC BRAZEN HUSSIES reveals a revolutionary chapter in Australian history, the Women's Liberation Movement (1965 -1975). Interweaving freshly uncovered archival footage, personal photographs, memorabilia and lively personal accounts from activists, it shows us how a daring and diverse group of women joined forces to defy the status quo, demand equality and create profound social change contributing to one of the greatest social movements of the 20th Century. To our valued non-member friends and supporters, if you'd like to join up and be part of the WIFT VIC community, please click on the link: https://wiftvic.com.au/join-wift-vic/

01.01.2022 CINEMA NOVA TICKET GIVEAWAY at AGM The 2020 WIFT VIC Annual General Meeting is almost upon us. And we are excited to announce that those members who attend will be in the running to win one of five double passes to see a film of their choice at Cinema Nova when it reopens! (Vouchers valid for three years.) To be held over Zoom, the first part of the AGM will be dedicated to official business including voting for new board members and our new Constitution, announcing the resul...ts of the 2020 Members Survey, and a tour of the new website. We will then welcome special guest, Catherine Dwyer, whose Australian feature documentary Brazen Hussies opens in cinemas next month (including Cinema Nova!). The final part of the evening will be a members' networking session in breakout rooms. http://www.cinemanova.com.au/films/brazen-hussies AGM DETAILS 6pm-7.30pm Wed 28th October *Members, please refer to your e-newsletter for registration details*

01.01.2022 Pitching a Project 101: The Nuts & Bolts LOCKDOWN HARDSHIP OFFER - TWO FREE PLACES We are pleased to announce that Media Mentors Australia is offering two WIFT VIC members the opportunity to participate in their upcoming workshop, free of charge, due to financial circumstances.... Simply email [email protected] and tell us in 25 words or less, why the course would be of benefit to you. Get Your Pitch On: the ultimate two-part workshop to get your pitch ready to go. ONLINE: Wed 25 November & Wed 2 December Pitching your ideas, your skills and your projects is arguably the most fundamental skill we all need to proceed in our world. Regardless of career stage. And a successful pitch begins way before walking into a room (or a Zoom meeting). Here’s how you will do it: Media Mentors Australia's Denise Eriksen and Esther Coleman Hawkins will help you prepare your idea for a pitch incorporating all of the possible formats, whether it’s a written pitch document, a video pitch or an in-person meeting. Workshop 1 - Pitching Basics (2hrs) - What actually is a pitch? - What’s the point of a pitch? - How to read guidelines for a pitching opportunity. - When to pitch. - What makes a brilliant pitch? - Types of pitches in person, written, video. How do they differ? - What is your idea how to distil even the most complex story into a simple sentence. - How to pitch yourself people buy you as much as the idea so how do you sell yourself? Homework: Using the skills learned in Workshop 1 create your pitch with the support, if required, of your Media Mentors. Workshop 2 Pitch Practice (2hrs) - Every participant will pitch their idea to the group and get feedback. - Workshopping ideas for improvement. - Polish pitches. Everyone will finish the workshop feeling absolutely confident in their ability to pitch their next project. Media Mentors Australia offer workshops for small groups of people. They are carefully designed to ensure they leave a legacy beyond a brief experience.