New York Women in Film and Television Announce Recipient of Ravenal Foundation Grant

New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT) is pleased to announce the presentation of a $7,500 grant funded by the Alan M. & Mildred S. Ravenal Foundation. The NYWIFT Ravenal Foundation Grant supports the production of a dramatic feature film from a female second-time feature film director over 40 years of age. Grant funds may be used for pre-production, production, or post-production.

This year's grant has been awarded to Rachel Feldman for LEDBETTER. Feldman will direct the screenplay that she co-wrote with Adam Prince. The film is a suspense drama based on the true story of Lilly Ledbetter, the woman for whom President Obama named The Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Restoration Act. The script is an Athena List Screenplay award winner.

"I'm passionate about my film about the remarkable hero, Lilly Ledbetter, because she is the personification of how one person can instigate justice," Feldman said. "Whether a tire factory supervisor in Alabama or a film director in Hollywood, gender discrimination is the same everywhere. My hope is that Lilly's legacy of fairness and determination will reverberate for girls and women around the world."

Rachel Feldman is a director and screenwriter who has directed many hours of television, including the feature-length Lifetime movie SHE'S NO ANGEL. She is currently in development on SHUTTERBUG, a mother/daughter comedy for Electric Entertainment, and she recently won the 2015 WGA Drama Queen Award for Best Spec Pilot for her script THE UNDERNEATH. Feldman has taught directing and screenwriting in the MFA program at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts and Loyola Marymount University. She recently chaired the Directors Guild of America Women's Steering Committee. Feldman is repped by Ivy Kagan Bierman at Loeb & Loeb.

LEDBETTER was chosen from applications submitted by women filmmakers from around the country.

This is the second year the grant is being presented. Last year it was awarded to Janet Grillo for JACK OF THE RED HEARTS, which went on to premiere at the inaugural Bentonville Film Festival in May and will open in New York in December.

Filmmaker Cornelia Ravenal, who initiated the grant, states, "Barriers in the entertainment industry, especially for women directors, are finally being exposed. But for women over 40, there's an additional barrier: ageism. We hope this grant begins to address that inequity and encourages all women directors to forge ahead."

About New York Women in Film & Television

New York Women in Film & Television supports women calling the shots in film, television and digital media. NYWIFT energizes the careers of women in entertainment by illuminating their achievements, providing training and professional development, and advocating for equality.

The preeminent entertainment industry association for women in New York, NYWIFT brings together nearly 2,000 women and men working both above and below the line. NYWIFT is part of a network of 40 women in film chapters worldwide, representing more than 10,000 members. NYWIFT produces over 50 innovative programs and special events annually, including the Muse Awards for Vision and Achievement, which honors women in front of and behind the camera, and Designing Women, which recognizes costume designers, makeup artists and hair stylists in the industry.

NYWIFT is a nonprofit, 501c3 public charity, and contributions are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. It is governed by an 18-member board of directors. The board is elected by the membership.

More information can be found online at: www.NYWIFT.org