BOARD OF TRUSTEES
SUSAN CARTSONIS (WIFF Chair)
Susan Cartsonis is a Producer and President of Storefront Pictures.
The Hollywood Reporter named Susan Cartsonis one of the top five grossing producers of the year for her box office record-breaking film, What Women Want (Paramount), and Where the Heart Is (20th Century Fox). Recently, she produced the teen hit, Beastly and executive-produced No Reservations, starring Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Cartsonis, an executive at 20th Century Fox for nearly a decade, rose from script reader to Senior Vice President of Production. During her tenure at Fox, a few of the many films she supervised include Nell, The Truth About Cats and Dogs, For the Boys, Dying Young, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Cartsonis often makes films from the female perspective that men like too.
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ILENE KAHN POWER (WIFF Vice Chair; Chair and Producer of WIF Legacy Series)
Ilene Kahn Power is an Emmy Award winning and multiple Golden Globe nominated producer of movies and miniseries such as GIA starring Angelina Jolie, Roswell starring Martin Sheen, Who Is Clark Rockefeller? starring Eric McCormack, Stalin, starring Robert Duvall and Julia Ormand, White Mile starring Alan Alda, Elvis, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Traffic, the miniseries for USA, Fatherland and Buffalo Soldiers, starring Danny Glover. She is a former Senior Executive with HBO Films where she developed and oversaw the production of more than sixty films.
CLARE BAREN
Whether producing for film, music, video or interactive, Clare Baren has always been at the cutting edge of media innovations. Since the late ‘90’s, she has become a prolific DVD producer, applying her talents to creating virtual art galleries, documentaries, audio commentaries, interactive games and storybooks for dozens of animated features including Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, Dumbo, Peter Pan, Monsters Inc., Aladdin, Brother Bear, Mulan 2, Hercules, Stuart Little and Finding Nemo for Disney/Pixar and Open Season for Sony.
HILLARY BIBICOFF (WIF Secretary)
Hillary Bibicoff is a transactional entertainment attorney at Holmes Weinberg where she represents both established and "up and coming" actors, hosts, directors, writers, authors and independent producers, with a client list that includes Pam Fryman, Dan Knauf, Jim Lampley, Ricki Lake, Rob Long, Mike Rowe, Dan Staley, Robert Towne and Vaupen & Baker, as well as several independent production companies. In addition to talent deals, she has negotiated book, screenplay and life story agreements, as well as various film finance and distribution deals and studio term deals. She also handles licensing, merchandising, endorsement and spokesperson deals for both traditional entertainment companies and those, such as 24-Hour Fitness, whose main business is outside of the entertainment industry. She has been involved with audits of major studios conducted on behalf of talent with gross profit participations. She represented the two largest investors in the $500 million 25 picture film finance deal between Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros and recently represented Toho Co., Ltd. in the sale of the rights to a Godzilla feature to Legendary Pictures and Warner Bros.
IVY KAGAN BIERMAN
Ivy Kagan Bierman's practice includes the representation of entertainment and related companies in labor, production, distribution, technology and other business matters. She handles both transactional and litigation matters for clients.
Ms. Bierman is one of a select few of entertainment labor lawyers looked to by producers, distributors, national advertisers and advertising agencies for representation in guild and union matters. She regularly counsels entertainment and advertising companies about the SAG, AFTRA, DGA, WGA, AFM, Teamsters and IATSE agreements and handles claims arising out of such agreements.
CANDACE BLOCK
Candace Block is a marketing and business development professional with extensive expertise in financial, entertainment, sports, sponsorship and cause-related marketing ventures. Block is President of The Block Network (TBN), a marketing communications company, focused on providing consulting services for the creation & management of strategic relationships, alliances & networking. In addition, Ms. Block had been advising a team at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management,(MSPWM) Beverly Hills, in entertainment marketing & networking issues and is a registered securities broker. Prior to joining MSPWM, Block provided marketing services to a team at Citigroup Smith Barney. Block has developed a broad range of contacts, resources and an expertise in networking. Recent projects have included: The Governor of California’s Conference for Women & Families, Ralph Edwards Productions, Dell Technology Seminar for Women, LOHAS-Lifestyle of Health & Sustainability Conference, Image Entertainment, Dream Big Productions, ThinkQuest Awards; One World Networks and Yachtstore.com to name a few.
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CINDY BOND
President Mission Pictures International
An entertainment industry veteran, Cindy Bond, is acclaimed for her pioneering work in distributing, marketing and producing uplifting, entertaining and inspirational films for families and people of faith worldwide.
In 2008 Cindy co-founded Mission Pictures International, a foreign sales, distribution, finance and production company, with American Cinema International co-founder and President Chevonne O'Shaughnessy. Since its inception, Mission has acquired over sixty films for theatrical, home video and TV release, and has become the international destination for films to the family and faith market.
HOLLACE DAVIDS
Hollace Davids has spent most of her career planning and executing events from premieres for 5,000 to dinner parties for 10. Currently, she serves as Senior Vice President of Special Projects at Universal Pictures in the Feature Marketing Department. She is responsible for planning and implementing all Universal Premieres for the motion pictures, working on the Academy and Awards Campaigns as well as film festivals. She handles all special projects for the studio including the recent premieres of LEATHERHEADS, DEFNITELY, MAYBE, CHARLIE WILSON’S WAR, AMERICAN GANGSTER, THE GOLDEN AGE, THE KINGDOM, and EVAN ALMIGHTHY, Motion Picture Group parties, dinners, retreats, tradeshows and Exhibitor Relations Meetings, Workshops and Film Festivals.
LISA GEWIRTZ
Born and raised in New York City, Ms. Gewirtz spent her youth touring all over the world with her family's performing act, singing and playing a number of musical instruments, on her vacations from school. She attended the "famed" High School of Performing Arts, and immediately upon graduation moved to Los Angeles where she began working for various celebrities in a variety of roles. She continued to fill her creative needs by performing around town, accompanying others when needed, and singing and playing songs she wrote.
KATHY FIELDS LANDER
Kathy Fields Lander began her career as actress in feature films, stage and television. She co-starred in Richard Brooks’ The Happy Ending and Dalton Trumbo’s Johnny Got his Gun.
Kathy was trained as a directing fellow at the American Film Institute and was the second woman to become a member of Local 659, the cinematographer’s union, as a still photographer.
Kathy has a Masters Degree in psychology. She is a licensed California therapist in Los Angeles.
In past several years, Kathy has teamed up with successful producers and filmmakers, developing and producing projects for film and television. She recently formed her own company, In Your Dreams Productions.
CONCEPCIÓN LARA
Concepción Lara is an acknowledged expert in the Latino market: she pioneered the multi-channel industry’s foray in the US Latino Market as well the expansion of key digital venues and satellite TV channels into Latin America. She is well versed in multi-platform distribution which covers television, internet, mobile phone and other digital distribution vehicles.
While at HBO, Lara proposed and was instrumental in the launch of HBO Ole, one of the first pan-continental, satellite-delivered services in the world—and HBO’s most successful international venture to date. She was also a key force behind the creation of HBO en Español, The Fox Latin American Channel and Fox Kids Latino.
NAKETHA MATTOCKS
Larger Than Life Productions, Head of Development
LILLAH McCARTHY
Lillah McCarthy serves as Senior Vice President of Original Programming for TNT and TBS and is responsible for the development and production of new drama series for TNT and new comedy series for TBS.
Since joining the Turner networks in 2003, Ms. McCarthy has been instrumental in the development of all original series for both networks including: "The Closer", starring Emmy winner Kyra Sedgwick, "Rizzoli and Isles" starring Angie Harmon and Sasha Alexander, "Saving Grace" starring Holly Hunter, "Perception" starring Eric McCormack, "Leverage" starring Tim Hutton, the critically acclaimed "Men of a Certain Age", Stephen Spielberg’s "Falling Skies", the irreverent dramedy, "Franklin & Bash", the gloriously devilish "Dallas", and the highly anticipated new medical drama from David E. Kelley and Sanjay Gupta, "Monday Mornings", which will premiere in early 2013. At TBS, Ms. McCarthy was instrumental in the development and production of the highly acclaimed My Boys, the hour comedy series "Wedding Band", and two new half-hour series about to begin their second seasons, "Men At Work" and "Sullivan & Son". When McCarthy joined the networks, there were no original series on the air. In the summer of 2012, TNT was the home of basic cable’s top 5 original series and TBS had its own original successes with "Conan" and the new original comedies. Ms. McCarthy was recently put in charge of heading up the network’s in house original productions division as a result of the networks continued expansion of its original programming.
DEBORAH MILLER
Miller was a VP with the William Morris Agency for fifteen years where she headed the TV Variety department for six years and headed the entire TV Talent Department for four years. This was followed by a two year stint as Vice President and head of the TV and Motion Picture Talent Department at The Agency for the Performing Arts. As a theatrical agent, she has represented a diverse and wide range of talented personalities, musicians, comedians, actors, writers, directors and producers, including David Letterman, Ned Beatty, Merv Griffin, Sir Ian McKellen, Julio Iglesias, Bob Uecker and William Devane. She served on the Board of Governors of ATAS for seven years. She was Vice President of Women In Film and is currently on the Board of the Women In Film Foundation. Since 2003, Deborah Miller has been an independent talent manager and is affiliated with Shelter Entertainment Group.
ROBERT NIETO
Robert Nieto, President of Greenhouse Marketing Group, Inc., is a 24-year veteran in sales and marketing, promotions and public relations. Over the years, Robert has created strategic branding and corporate relationships for his high profile special event clients tied to the the entertainment and the visual arts industries. Mr. Nieto has created and executed targeted marketing programs for Fortune 500 companies, such as Avery Dennison, American Airlines, ABC Television, ABC Daytime programming, The View television show, HBC Broadcasting, Univision Radio, General Motors, Target Stores, Farmers Insurance, Chevrolet, Lexus, FAO Schwartz, among other high profile clients. Mr. Nieto has degrees from Rutgers University and New York University in Paris. He speaks four languages fluently, French, Italian, Spanish, and English.
NINA NISENHOLTZ
President, N2N EntertainmentELLEN OLIVIER
Ellen Olivier originated the online magazine, Society News LA, http://SocietyNewsLA.com which chronicles the social, charitable and cultural scene in Los Angeles. Prior to launching the website, Ellen wrote the Sunday social column, “Scene & Heard,” for the Los Angeles Times Image section. She currently writes for the LA Times online edition, which frequently refers readers to her website through its morning fashion report.
Over the years, Ellen has written about society, fashion, culture and the arts for the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, various magazines and other news sources. While at the Orange County Register, she also produced and appeared in television news features on the subjects of society, fashion and culture for OCN-TV, the Orange County News Channel.
CHEVONNE O'SHAUGHNESSY
Chevonne began her career as the President of International sales for PM Entertainment. Her ten years in this position resulted in the production and sales of over 176 feature films and two successful television series. PM produced and distributed original prime time product for numerous international TV clients and domestic cable networks, with the distinction of being one of the first suppliers for HBO World Premier Movies. PM remains one of the few among the competitive world of independent filmmaking that consistently generates high quality Action Adventure feature films. She has also served as the executive producer of numerous films and TV-mini series’ including El Dorado, Born to Race, Power Play, Phase IV and many more.
BETSY POLLOCK
Betsy has worked as a Producer, Line Producer, UPM and a 1st AD over her 25 year career in the Motion Picture Industry. In 2004 she was the Co-Producer of a short film entitled TWO SOLDIERS, which won the Academy Award for best dramatic short at the 2004 Academy Awards. As a film production professional she was associate producer of the feature film WIND, directed by Carroll Ballard; head of production for a film production company called Filmlink International; first assistant director on such films as STEALING HOME, LADY IN WHITE and GOOD BURGER, in addition to work on numerous commercials and documentary films. Betsy was the co-founder of the PSA Committee of Women in Film a group created to produce and distribute public service announcements to local groups unable to publicize their services in any other way. Betsy also served at one time on the Board of Directors of Women in Film. Betsy was the Head of the Producing Discipline at the North Carolina School of the Arts from 2000 through 2003 and while there produced a marketing video which has become one of the school’s primary marketing tools. She is currently Associate Dean/Director of Production Services at the American Film Institute and as such is responsible for overseeing over 100 short films each year.
PAT QUINN
Partner/Manager of Quinn Media Management
A longstanding member of the Hollywood creative community, Pat Quinn specializes in aiding entertainment companies in the packaging and development of projects for all media. Covering all aspects of entertainment media sales, Quinn creates sales strategies, pitches and sales presentations. She also represents the creators of international television series and formats, which she packages for domestic networks and cable.
Her clients include award winning screenwriters, and U.K. and international television series formats, which she packages for networks and cable. This year she is leading an Enterprise Ireland Business Development initiative with top media companies from Dublin.
TAMARA RAWITT
Tamara Rawitt winner of the 1990 Emmy Award for “Outstanding Variety/Music/Comedy Series” co-created and produced In Living Color for its first four seasons from 1989 – 93 responsible for discovering Jim Carrey,Jamie Foxx and Jennifer Lopez to mention just a few.
She is currently involved in creating a new television pilots for Fremantle Television.Rawitt is an industry vetern of over 25 years working as a producer of film and television as well as having been a studio executive in both production andmarketing at such studios at Columbia, Paramount, MGM and United Artists.
After In Living Color Rawitt went on as Creator and Executive Producer of She/TV, a sketch/variety series for Carsey/Werner and ABC that aired during the summer of 1994. Later that year, Rawitt served as Executive Producer/Consultant on the ABC morning show Mike & Maty, where she launched the show for the network. For the next year and a half she was in development on several series for CBS, a sketch/variety show for the WB Network, and a talk show pilot for New World Television.
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MARION ROSENBERG, OBE
Marion Rosenberg graduated from the Universities of Manchester, England and Grenoble, France. She started her show business career in the Bands and Acts Department of MCA. From 1960 to 1976 she worked in production on both sides of the Atlantic, on such films as I COULD GO ON SINGING (Judy Garland), THE BEST MAN (Henry Fonda), WHERE EAGLES DARE (Richard Burton and Clint Eastwood) and THE MISSOURI BREAKS (Marlon Brando and Jack Nicholson). In l976 she became head of EMI Films in Los Angeles, and set up such productions as THE DRIVER, CONVOY and THE DEERHUNTER, on which she served as Associate Producer.
LISA SANDERSON
CAROL SAVOIE
Deloitte Tax, LLP - National Director
Specializing in Business Management and Tax Services for high net worth individuals and their related companies in the Entertainment Industry. Clients consist of confidential list of Award winning producers, directors, actors, musicians and sports figures. Services include film production assistance, contract review for accounting and tax implications, revenue splits, concert tour issues, cash flow modeling and other entertainment related accounting and tax services.
PAULA SILVER
Paula Silver, founder of Beyond the Box has more than 25 years of experience in the development, production and marketing of motion pictures. Paula was the marketing strategist behind the surprise 2002 Indie hit, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, developing a marketing plan that relied heavily on grass roots and localized publicity strategy, and one that has continued to sustain its position as the longest running film in theatrical release. Paula brought the Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability Conference to Los Angeles from Colorado in 2004, with the belief that the storytellers of Hollywood needed to experience the concepts behind sustainable living in their own backyard. At the Walt Disney Company, Paula was renowned for creating an award-winning marketing campaign for Mr. Hollands' Opus, which revitalized 'grass roots' marketing, for the industry, and contributed to that film's $90 million box office success.
NANCY RAE STONE
Nancy Rae Stone has worked as a producer, line producer and executive in the motion picture industry for over 20 years. Presently, she oversees an economic development program for the California Film Commission in order to retain our signature industry in California. Prior to this, she was the Executive Vice President of Production at Beacon Pictures, where she supervised the physical production of notable theatrical films, including “Spy Game”, “Bring It On”, “Family Man”, “13 Days”, “A Lot like Love”, “Emperor’s Club”, “The Hurricane”, and "End of Days". Ms. Stone was an independent producer and line producer, with credits such as “The Last Seduction” with Linda Fiorentino, “Femme Fatale” with Colin Firth, “Playing God” with Angelina Jolie, and “American Heart”, starring Jeff Bridges. Ms. Stone has supervised productions with budgets ranging from $4M to $90M dollars; she continues to consult with independent production companies on their production plans.
CATHLEEN SUMMERS
Cathleen Summers is a successful producer who has worked in the motion picture and television business for over twenty years, served as Exec VP for Tri Star Pictures, worked as a studio executive for Columbia Pictures, as president of three major independent production companies with studio bases, worked as a talent manager, and is a writer.
Amongst her producer credits are the hit movie Stakeout starring Richard Dreyfuss, Emilio Estevez, Madeline Stowe and Aidan Quinn; Another Stakeout; Doa starring Dennis Quaid and casting Meg Ryan in her first leading role; Dogfight, the cult classic starring River Phoenix and Lily Taylor; The Sandlot, the summer baseball adventure hit for Twentieth Century Fox ; Mystery Date starring Ethan Hawke and Terri Polo; Vital Signs starring Diane Lane, Laura San Giacomo, Adrian Pasdar, Jimmy Smits, and William Devane; Everything That Rises, Dennis Quaid’s directorial debut; Class starring Jacqueline Bissett, Rob Lowe and discovering Andrew McCarthy, John Cusak, Joan Cusak, Virginia Madsen, and Lolita Davidovich; A Change Of Seasons starring Shirley MacLaine, and introducing Anthony Hopkins to the American film audience; Mountain Men starring Charleton Heston; Slow Burn starring Minnie Driver; A Man in Love, directed by Diane Kurys and starring Peter Coyote and Greta Scacchi; Hideaway featuring Jeff Goldblum, Christine Lahti and Alicia Silverstone; Wizard Of Lonliness starring Lukas Haas and Lea Thompson; and several television pilots.
DIANA TAUDER
ADVISORY COUNCIL
- Stephanie Austin
- Patricia Barry
- Debbi Bossi
- Barbara Boyle
- Carol Chacamaty
- Loraine Despres
- Bonny Dore
- Linda Feferman
- Tara Grace
- Glenda Grant
- Mollie Gregory, WIF Historian
- Judith Parker Harris
- Joan Hyler
- Irma Kalish
- Nicole Katz
- Willette Klausner
- Sharon Lawrence
- Johnna Levine
- Nancy Malone, WIF Co-Founder
- Dorothea G. Petrie
- Doris Roberts
- Nancy Schreiber
- Marion Spiegelman
- Margot Winchester
