WFF2026 - February 18-22 2026
Lisa Green is a NYC based Set Decorator and Production Designer. She finds inspiration from the world around her. From the bustling city streets, shop windows in Soho, brownstones in Harlem to nature trails upstate, she has the ability to create spaces that tell a story. She interprets what is written and transforms it to…
Tara Sansone has had a career in the arts and education sector for over 25 years. For the last 10 years, 5 of which she has been the Executive Director of Materials for the Arts and Friends of Materials for the Arts. Prior to her role at MFTA, she was Director of Public Programs and Community…
Azadeh Moaveni is a journalist, writer and associate professor at New York University, where she directs the Global Journalism Program. Her books and articles explore the interaction between gender and armed conflict, and how women’s rights, security and political participation are impacted by war and authoritarianism. Her recent research has focused on women’s recruitment to…
Michael Solomon is a Brooklyn-born sustainability consultant. He has seen first-hand many of the exciting advances in the film and TV industry’s transition to cleaner technology and sustainable production. A writer, former producer, and longtime PGA member, his credits include How to Eat Your Watermelon in White Company (and Enjoy It) and Constantine’s Sword, among…
Emmy-nominated Executive Producer Christina Delfico garnered over 40 awards in children’s media. As The Producers Guild’s Green Committee Co-Chair, she supported the Mayor’s launch of NYC’s 1st television and film sustainability initiative. During her United Nations sustainability panel she asked the public to RETHINK EVERYTHING they use. A decades-long career with Sesame Workshop sparked an…
WFF2026 includes six films by Iranian filmmakers and will be screening them together in a block on Thursday February 19 from 8:30-11:15PM. Join Azadeh Moaveni with our filmmakers in an informal moderated talk about the current situation for artists in Iran.
Judith B. Balkin is a graduate of NYU Tisch School Of the Arts. She has worked in various media outlets, most notably for WCBS TV news. She is an independent producer and a member of BAFTA, NYWIFT., and HRTS. Currently, she is the Chairwoman for the NYU Women’s Initiative which has 73,000 women members, and…
Shira Gans is the Senior Executive Director of Policy + Programs at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Media & Entertainment, where she directs NYC Film Green Office Hours, a virtual discussion series that helps promote and create a sustainable blueprint for Film and Television productions in New York City. She also leads the city’s strategy…
Kavery Kaul is an award-winning director-producer-writer whose films boundlessly straddle many worlds. From brain injury to vibrant music and art to compelling coming of age stories, Kavery’s array of subjects introduces viewers to people they may never have met. Working in the US and internationally, Kavery brings to her projects an understanding of the challenges…
Sen-I Yu is a New York based filmmaker originally from Taiwan. She has directed a wide range of productions including short films, documentaries and commercials. Her feature directorial debut MY HEAVENLY CITY was selected in the 43rd Hawaii International Film Festival, nominated for NETPAC Award, and received positive reviews from The Guardian, MovieWeb.com and Asia…
Producer/Director Joanne Friedland Roberts, has created TV pilots, series, documentaries and digital media for companies and institutions like CBS, PBS, NBC, ABC/Disney, HBO, AOL, Lifetime, Nickelodeon, The Smithsonian, Sesame Workshop and the Brennan Center of Justice. An internet pioneer, Joanne has led 3 start-ups. creating some of the earliest web communities, games and videos for…
Michal Sinnott is a classically trained storyteller. Her first narrative feature, UNPACKING, as co/writer-director-producer-actor now streams Amazon Prime as 100% Popcorn Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes after screening in 25 fests (WFF, Cinequest, RIFF, Sedona) and winning 17 awards (incl. Best Actress -Michal, Best of Fest, Best Ensemble, Audience Choice, Rising Star Director). Her second feature…
Kevan Ali is a filmmaker, creative entrepreneur, and the Founder of the North Jersey Film Industry Conference (NJFIC). He is known for directing Emerald Ties (2024) and the upcoming experimental short film Subversion (2026). Ali serves as Chief Creative Ambassador for the Sparta, New Jersey Film Commission, focusing on directing feature films and television while connecting Hollywood creatives with New…
Marko Novakovic was born in Belgrade and graduated in Direction from the Academy of Arts in Novi Sad (Serbia). He is known for his feature films NEKO ME IPAK CEKA (2009) , ZVERINJAK (2012) and BEZ STEPENIKA (2015) , which have won dozens of awards and prizes on Serbian and international film and TV festivals….
Sunny Liu, a versatile filmmaker, pianist, and animator based in NY, champions marginalized voices through compelling storytelling. With degrees from Emerson College, The New School and the School of Visual Arts, her talent spans diverse creative realms. Her films received acclaim at Doc NYC and The Nepal American International Film Festival, highlighting her commitment to…