# Women in Film and Television International

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.

## Aims

* 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.

## History

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.

### 1973–1997

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." 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.

## WIFTI chapters

    Main sources:
| Region | Chapter | Yr.fo. | Yr.ch | President | Web |
| Africa | WIFT South Africa | | 2005 | | |
| Asia | WIFTAI India | | | | |
| Australia | WIFT NSW | 1982 | | | |
| Australia | WIFT Victoria | 1988 | | Lauren Simpson | |
| Australia | WIFT WA | 2016 | | | |
| Australia | WIFT Australia | 2018 | | Liz Tomkins (chair of national board) | |
| Australia | WIFT South Australia | 2018 | | | |
| Australia | WIFT Tasmania | 2018 | | | |
| Australia | WIFT Queensland | 2020 | | | |
| Pacific Islands | WIFT NZ | 1993 | | Vicki Jackways | |
| Europe | WIFT Finland | | 2014 | Elina Knihtilä | |
| Europe | WFTV United Kingdom | 1989 | 1990 | Liz Tucker | |
| Europe | WIFT Ireland | | | | — |
| Europe | WIFTM Italy | 2018 | | | |
| Europe | WIFT Germany | | | | |
| Europe | WIF France | | | | |
| Europe | WIF Sweden | 2003 | 2005 | | |
| Europe | WIFT Greece | 1973 | | Olympia Mytilinaiou | |
| WIF Czech Republic | | | | |
| South America | WIFT Brazil | | | | |
| Latin American & Caribbean | Dominican Republic | | | | |
| Latin American & Caribbean | WIFT (Mexico) | | 2002 | Concepción Tabaoada | |
| Canada | WIFT Alberta | | | Susan Feddema-Leonard | |
| Canada | WIFT Atlantic | - | 2009 | Kimberlee McTaggart | |
| Canada | WIFT Montreal | 1991 | | Brigitte Monneau | |
| Canada | WIFT Toronto | 1984 | | Karen Bruce | |
| Canada | WIFTV Vancouver | 1989 | | Sarah Kalil (2017-19) | |
| United States | WIFT Atlanta | | | LaRonda Sutton | |
| United States | WIFT San Francisco | 2001 | 2003 | Soumyaa Kapil Behrens | |
| United States | WIF Chicago | | | Carrie Hunter | |
| United States | WIF Dallas | | 1984 | Alicia Pascual | |
| United States | WIFM Kansas City | | | Laurie Crawford (2017 19) | |
| United States | WIF Los Angeles | 1977 | 1997 | | |
| United States | WIF Las Vegas | 2002 | 2004 | Phyllis Cesare-Taie (Founder) | |
| United States | MNWIFT (Minnesota) | | 2012? | Joanne Liebeler (2016-17) | |
| United States | WIFT Nashville | | | Lynda Evjen | |
| United States | WIFV New England | 1981 | 2005? | | |
| United States | NMWIF Santa Fe | | | Christine McHugh | |
| United States | NYWIFT New York | 1977 | | Simone Pero (2017-18) | |
| United States | WIF & Media Pittsburgh | | 2007 | Roxana Gilani | |
| United States | WIF-PDX Portland | | | Lisa Miyamoto | |
| United States | WIF Seattle | | | Lisa B. Hammond | |
| United States | WIFV Washington D.C. | 1979 | | Carletta S Hurt | |
| United States | Women in Film Utah | | 2010 | Susan McEvoy (2017- ) | |
| United States | WIFM Tennessee | | | Roxanna 'Roxie" Green | |
| United States | WIFT Palm Springs | 2001 | 2010 | | |
| United States | WIFT Florida | | | Nancy McBride | |
| United States | WIFT Louisiana | | | Carol Bidault de l'Isle | |
| United States | WIFT Maryland | | | | — |
| United States | WIFT Houston | | | | |
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.
    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.
    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.
    4. $^4$ As of May 2022, WIFT VIC and WIFT WA were operating as individual organisations, while WIFT NSW was in the process of transitioning up into WIFT Australia.
    5. $^5$ See also Women Applying to Film School, an initiative run from 1989 and co-sponsored by WIFT Victoria in 1990.

## Programs

* 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. — since 2004
* There are 22 affiliate organizations of WIFTI in the United States. 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. Women in Film & Video has held a WIFV annual film festival.
* Women In Film & Television Short Film Showcase, or WIFTI Short-Case, is a demonstration of WIFTI members' creativity, vision, and artistry. — since 2004
* WIFTI Summits have been held bi-annually. — since 1997