New York Women in Film & Television has named Jamie Zelermyer as its new board of directors president. Zelermyer has served on the NYWIFT board for four years, most recently as vice president of special events through which she oversaw the production of the 2017 and 2018 NYWIFT Muse Awards. She has been a New York-based producer and production executive for over 20 years and is currently producing Independent Feature Project’s signature program, IFP Week.
Zelermyer was the VP, physical production at Focus Features / Rogue Pictures for six years, where she oversaw films including Admission, One Day, Jane Eyre, Sin Nombre and Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day. Most recently, she was the program manager of the Made In New York: Pilot Competition, a program founded by The Mayor’s Office of Film Media and Entertainment to tackle gender inclusivity in the television industry; she executive produced the two winning half hour pilots and executive produced season one of the winning show, Half Life.
“We are thrilled to have Jamie Zelermyer lead NYWIFT into a new era of increased advocacy and awareness for women’s representation, equality, and safety in film, television and digital media,” said NYWIFT executive director Cynthia Lopez. “Her decades of industry experience as well as her intimate understanding of the needs of the NYWIFT community will make her a bold, compassionate and astute leader for our organization.”
"I am humbled and honored to take over the presidency of New York Women in Film & Television and to collaborate with the other distinguished women on our board,” said Zelermyer. “The organization’s mission of equity and advocacy are as important as ever and I look forward to working with Cynthia Lopez and the entire NYWIFT team as we continue to support women at every level throughout the industry.”
Zelermyer succeeds former president Simone Pero, the founder of For Impact Productions. Pero’s championing of women is a hallmark of her work as a producer of social impact film including Jennifer Fox’s Emmy-nominated The Taleon HBO and as executive producer of Tom Donahue’s documentary This Changes Everything about gender discrimination in media.
“We are infinitely grateful to Simone Pero for her leadership, insight and unparalleled dedication to advancing women across all levels and facets of the industry,” said Lopez. “I look forward to collaborating with her in a new capacity through NYWIFT’s Advisory Board.”
NYWIFT is also pleased to announce the results of the 2019 board of directors election. Seven spots on the board have been filled, with four new members and three returning members.
The new members are Alex Cirillo, Kerry Fulton, Gretchen McGowan and Zenaida Mendez. Returning members are Christine Bragan, Kathryn O’Kane and S. Casper Wong.
New York Women in Film & Television http://www.nywift.org