Alex Austin
Special to In Motion
Women in Film is an organization that brings together men and women who aspire to become media-makers and empowers them to achieve their highest potential of professionalism and creativity.
The Daytona Beach branch meetings are held on every first Wednesday of the month from 6 to 8 p.m. at The Hub on Canal Street in New Smyrna Beach.
Central Florida’s Women in Film club was established in 1989 by a group of independent producers looking for support and others who were in the same position as them. A decade later, the chapter’s name was changed to Women in Film and Television- Florida, or WIFT-FL, to enhance the membership and sponsor base. WIFT-FL members are qualified men and women who specialize in various categories such as performers, producers, directors, or writers. WIFT-FL headquarters are in Orlando and branches can also be found in the Tampa Bay area, Miami/South Florida, Jacksonville and Daytona Beach.
Alexa Sheehan is on the local chapter’s Board of Directors and is a member of the budget and events committees. She joined WIFT originally in the late ’90s when she graduated from Rollins College as a fine arts major.
“I tried to be a productive member, but ended up moving to Los Angeles instead,” Sheehan recalled.
In L.A., she worked 12 and 18 hour days, six days a week making movies and commercials. She was aware of the organization in Los Angeles, but was working so steadily that she didn’t have time for extra-curricular activities. In 2015, she moved back to Florida and joined Women in Film again. When moving back to Volusia County, she was intensely aware that the film community was sparse and not very vocal. She believes finding the Daytona Beach branch of WIFT changed the course of her new life in Florida.
Club directors and members strive to create more job opportunities throughout the state of Florida. As an organization, they continue to search for members to join and hop on the ride to success in the film, television and digital media industries.
Tichi Wilkerson Kassel, publisher and editor-in-chief of the entertainment trade magazine, Hollywood Reporter, founded Women in Film in Los Angeles in 1973. Firsthand, Kassel knew how limited the opportunities for women were in the entertainment industry and she was determined to change that. Kassel, however, did not discover this organization alone. Alongside her were many women such as Sue Cameron, a British journalist and columnist for The Daily Telegraph, and Nancy Malone, an American television actress. These women represented various aspects of the film and television industry. Together, they created Women in Film to recognize, develop, and actively promote the unique visions of women in the field of communications.
With all the controversy over now-infamous producer Harvey Weinstein scandal, the #MeToo movement and women actors coming forth with seemingly unending stories of sexual harassment, and worse, in the industry, WIFT is finding its mission more relevant than ever.
And it is not just for females, members emphasize.
Partnering with male members — such as Art Smith Jr., who is also highly involved with WIFT — is key to overcoming historical discrimination against women. He is an avid supporter of women’s right to rise to positions of authority in the entertainment business.
Smith serves as a board member, secretary and chair of the committees for memberships, budgets and scholarships for the WIFT-Florida chapter. He has over 30 years of film/TV experience and oversees his own production company, No Budget Movie Company.
Recently, he has been working on developing reality TV shows, along with small independent films. He is a member of the prestigious American Film Institute, Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences TV and many other professional groups.
Smith said he was a member of WIFT-NY before moving to Florida in 2004. He describes WIFT as professional, caring and full of opportunities. While the organization has accomplished a lot in the past 14 years, his favorite task was developing the state branches and creating new friendships with other members.
Daytona State College students interested in the film, television, or digital media industries are invited to join Women in Film. It costs $25 a year and promises to greatly expand their potential as filmmakers or actors. Members have entry to attend many events and festivals. Those are the start of professional networking so important to building careers. More importantly, it gives them the chance to be in rooms full of people who have the same interests and aspirations.