2026 WFF - February 18-22 2026
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Joanna Rudolph is a producer of several short films and is an executive producer of the indie feature film “Burning Annie,” which was acquired by Lightyear Entertainment for distribution, and later self-released on TVOD platforms via Sundance Institute’s Creative Distribution Initiative. A member of New York Women in Film and Television and The D-Word, Joanna…
Jalen Vasquez serves as the Director of Freelancers Hub, a coworking space operated by Freelancers Union in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. In this role, he coordinates workshops, programming, and actively engages with community members. Beyond his responsibilities at Freelancers Hub, Jalen is a dedicated freelance multidisciplinary designer specializing in illustrations,…
Born and raised in Brooklyn, Rafael Espinal became New York’s youngest elected official at age 26 when he joined the State Assembly. The son of Dominican immigrant union members and freelancers, Rafael has dedicated his career to advocating for workers, small businesses, artists, low-income communities, and the environment. In 2013, he was elected to the…
Jim Thalman is the Managing Director of i*Deal Films, a film finance fund that provides first monies to curated high concept independent feature films. i*Deal’s current slate of films include “MISERIA” (“The Mummy” meets “Murder on the Orient Express”) and “Psychopathy” (“Dinner at Andre’s” with serial killers.) In addition, Jim is overseeing the development of…
A graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, Ian Holt studied under the late great Stella Adler and Beatrice Straight. Ian is the co-author, with Dacre Stoker, of the international best seller, Dracula The Un-Dead, the official sequel to Bram Stoker’s classic 1897 novel, Dracula. Ian wrote the cult classic slasher, Dr….
Easmanie Michel manages NYWIFT’s fiscal sponsorship program; works closely with NYWIFT’s CEO and treasurer on the monthly profit and loss statement and annual budget; handles the day-to-day tasks of recording financial transactions; works with the Finance Controller on reconciliations and the yearly audit; co-produces the Muse Awards and Designing Women; coordinates the Animation Series; and…
Ian Bignell is a Film Festival Strategist at Festival Formula. As one of the lead Strategists at Festival Formula, Ian watches films that come into the company, providing impartial feedback on how they best fit into the worldwide film festival circuit. Drawing on his wisdom as the companies previous Submissions Coordinator, he has expert insight…
Katie Bignell is Film Festival Strategist & Founder at Festival Formula. Katie graduated from Bournemouth Media School with a degree in Scriptwriting for Film & TV. She is also a graduate of the Royal Court Young Writer’s and Invitation Only groups. While pursuing a career in writing upon graduation, she received funding from Arvon Foundation…
Mike has been teaching improv since 2011. Before the pandemic, he taught at The People’s Improv Theater for 3 years before going on tour with BeerProv, a Short Form Improv show (much like ‘Whose Line Is It Anyway’) performing shows nightly aboard the MSC Meraviglia Cruise Ship. He developed his own signature style of improvisation…
Dan is the founder of Soundview Media Partners. He entered the film distribution industry in 1984. He started in advertising, moved into sales in 1986 and by the mid-90’s came in from the cold entering into senior management for companies that included Fox Lorber Associates, The Disinformation Company and Koch Entertainment/Entertainment One where, for 7…