Imagine This Women's International Film Festival
(Inspired by Women Storytellers and Filmmakers)
Mission Statement:
Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival is dedicated to championing and amplifying the voices of women, non-binary filmmakers, and storytellers from underrepresented communities, including BIPOC and LGBTQ+ creatives. Our mission is to provide a platform that celebrates diverse narratives, fosters meaningful industry connections, and empowers filmmakers through screenings, educational initiatives, and professional development opportunities. By showcasing bold and inspiring stories, ITWIFF aims to drive change, challenge industry norms, and create a more inclusive and equitable future for film.
Patrice Francois
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Patrice Francois is a filmmaker who works in television and is the Founder and Festival Director of Imagine This Women's Film Festival. Her goal is to support women by sharing their work with the public, promoting equal opportunities for BIPOC women and the LGBTQIA+ community while encouraging professional and educational development, and serving as a resource information network.
Continuing with her mission, Patrice Francois launched Girl Power Film + Media Summit, an informative and inspirational event with discussions, panels, film screenings, and mixers that exemplify the power of women in the film industry. Patrice has recently curated Ladies Rocking the Lens, a film series celebrating the rising tide of strong female voices in local cinema. Her goal is to disrupt the status quo.
Susie Francois
Co-Founder and Director of Development
Susie Francois is the Director of Development at Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival.
Her passion is to help develop people in ways that improve their working and personal lives and promote cultural change. Along with her career passion and love for cinema and storytelling, she was inspired to create a platform that would provide opportunities to promote diverse filmmakers and storytellers and celebrate their work. She and her daughter, Patrice, launched Girl Power Film + Media Summit and Ladies Rocking the Lens to continue their support for women storytellers.
2025 INTERNS
Callee Fair
Blog Writer
Movies have always provided Callee Fair with an escape to another world, offering endless possibilities for exploration and imagination. While this still holds true, she has come to understand that film offers much more than a simple escape. Film serves as a medium to tell stories that dare to create deeper meaning, which is vital to humanity.
In a field largely dominated by men, Callee recognizes the critical importance of supporting women filmmakers. The issue is not a lack of creativity or talent among women but a lack of opportunities and accessibility for them to showcase their artistry. To drive meaningful change, Callee believes it is essential to be the catalyst that brings women's perspectives and stories to the forefront.
Lana Spota
Blog Writer
Lana Spota is a freshman at New York University, where she studies Film & Television with a concentration in Dramatic Writing. Lana has always had a passion for film, photography, and writing, and has conceptualized and written four feature screenplays with a fifth one on the way. In her free time, she has taught screenwriting classes at her local library, conducted interviews and concert reviews for her university’s radio show, and worked closely with other artists on student films to immerse herself in the communities she loves most.
She is the creator and editor of Girl With a Movie Camera Blog, where she covers filmmaking and film criticism, and is working to release a magazine in future years. Her goal is to provide filmmakers and artists from around the world with an opportunity to place an emphasis on the art they are proud to share, and is excited to become a part of the ITWFF team.
Jamie Marie Torres
Blog Writer
Jamie is a senior in her final semester at Pace University, double majoring in English with a creative writing focus and Film Studies. Born and raised outside New York City, she has been immersed in performing arts from a young age. College has helped her find a passion for film and literary criticism. As a kid, Jamie's abundance of creativity blossomed into a desire to write fiction novels and screenplays; she hopes to bring her love of science fiction and fantasy into her work.
In her free time, Jamie enjoys spending quality time with her "dependents" (cats), Libby Rhodes and Nova Artino Torres. She also enjoys role-playing druids and warlocks in the tabletop game Dungeons and Dragons.
This budding writer is excited to join the ITWFF team; she desires to hone her personal voice in combination with writing experience that will help her grow her skill set.
Suhani Baviskar
Programmer Intern
Suhani Baviskar is a senior at Pace University, majoring in Film and Screen Studies. Her creative journey began with playing the piano and performing in original theater productions. Suhani composes piano music, a passion that ultimately led her to discover her love for film. She firmly believes that sound and music play a crucial role in creating an emotional impact in storytelling.
Throughout her college years, Suhani gained hands-on experience by working on various student films, honing her skills in camera work and editing. She is pursuing a career in directing and aims to become a music composer for films. Beyond her passion for film and music, Suhani enjoys photography and maintains a healthy lifestyle through regular workouts, which she finds enhances her creativity. She is thrilled to be part of a team that empowers and appreciates the talent of women in the industry.
Kemi Star
Programmer Intern
Kemi Star is a filmmaker with a distinctive voice, known for exploring themes of intimate relationships, desire, and the complexities of human connection. A Pratt Institute graduate currently pursuing her BFA on Presidential Scholarship, Kemi has directed a diverse range of short films, including BOUNDARIES (2023), a lesbian drama that delves into forbidden desire and the blurred lines in the search for something deeper. Her work often highlights the body as a vessel for emotional and relational expression, as seen in her gallery pieces like Genesis, Desire, Space (2023).
Kemi’s films have been showcased at festivals such as Out At The Movies Film Fest and the Yale Festival, while her gallery installations, including Transfigured and Pieces of Me, Pieces of You, have also gained attention.
In addition to her directing work, Kemi brings a holistic approach to the industry as a producer, assistant director, co-writer, and intimacy coordinator. Currently, she’s focused on an upcoming short film set to debut at various film festivals. Outside of filmmaking, Kemi enjoys reading fiction and poetry, and capturing moments on film.
Mia Longenecker
Programmer Intern
Mia Longenecker is a freshman at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, where she is majoring in Dramatic Writing. Gaining her appreciation for the creative arts through short story writing since her days in elementary school, Mia has always shared a deep passion for writing for purposes of making sense of her own emotions as well as moving others emotionally. While her main concentration lies in the art of screenwriting/playwriting, Mia also enjoys dabbling in virtually any writing medium, including short stories, poetry, opinion articles, and analysis essays.
At NYU, Mia is a member of the Courier’s Screenwriting Club, and hopes to spearhead a club of her own in the near future. Outside of writing, Mia loves watching movies, reading, thrifting, spending time with her friends/family, singing, and shopping at Whole Foods! Being a new member to the ITWIFF team, Mia is ecstatic to become involved in an organization dedicated to spotlighting and elevating new artistic voices!
Matthew Arradaza
Programmer Intern
Matthew Arradaza (he/him) is a freshman at Pace University, majoring in Acting with a minor in Arts and Entertainment Management. He is passionate about expanding his palate for the performing arts by exploring directing, playwriting, and technical elements. His love for acting began in middle school when he joined his school’s thespian troupe. Outside of theater, he enjoys practicing guitar, playing basketball, and reading. A dedicated advocate for social justice since the age of 12, he is excited to contribute to the festival. Matthew looks forward to collaborating with fellow artists and making a meaningful impact.
Jenn Morriss
Programmer Intern
Jenn Morriss (they/she) is a junior at Pace University NYC majoring in Film and Screen Studies with a double minor in Arts and Entertainment Management. She considers herself a creative individual and loves working on content across various forms of media like music, photography, film, writing, and more and is always looking for unique ways to communicate with an audience.
She has had various experiences in 16 mm filmmaking, photography, editing, and journalism. Jenn is a musician and storyteller by heart and is hoping to pursue a career blending these passions through films, music documentaries, and live entertainment production, design, and videography. She is very happy to be part of such a great team that works to support the voices of LGBTQ and women creators in this field.
Dreana Henry
Programmer Intern
Dreana Henry is a Junior at pace University, majoring in Writing for Diversity and Equity in Theatre and Media and minoring in Film and Screen Studies. She has had a love for the arts ever since attending a Performing Arts school in her youth and since then has been in many plays, musicals, and other public speaking performances. Dreana has now focused in on her passion for writing and telling the stories she has always wished to see in the media. As a young black women, she hopes to create films and other works of art that reflect her experience and the experience of those like her in true and authentic ways.
Since starting her journey of creating in college, Dreana has made case studies pertaining to DEI and it’s accurate representation in the media, and has worked with peers on projects that center marginalized voices. Through this trajectory, she hopes to have a career in screenwriting as well as becoming a novelist. Outside of her passions, Dreana also loves to read in her free time and has an interest in expressing herself through fashion. She is overjoyed to be joining the ITWFF team and can’t wait to see the greatness that comes from their efforts!
Olivia Tarling
Programmer Intern
Olivia Tarling is a junior at the University of Michigan studying Film, Television, and
Media and English Literature. She is deeply passionate about film and theater, and
hopes to become a screenwriter or TV writer in the future.
Olivia is the TV Beat Editor at the University of Michigan’s student newspaper, The
Michigan Daily, and a member of The Women’s Network - UM Chapter. When she’s not
writing or editing, Olivia loves to sing, listen to music, exercise, and bake. She is very
excited to be a part of the Imagine This team!
Mia Abdallah
Programmer Intern
Mia Abdallah is a sophomore at Pace University, majoring in Film and Screen Studies. She has a deep passion for photography, particularly film photography, and videography. Mia aspires to pursue a career as a producer in the film industry, believing that planning and pre-production are the most valuable aspects of filmmaking. To Mia, movies are not only enjoyable to watch but also serve as a compelling art form that connects people and captures important aspects of the human experience.
Throughout her time in college, Mia has developed strong critical thinking skills, which she applies to her analysis of films. She is particularly interested in working with film festivals, appreciating their role in showcasing diverse storytelling. Additionally, Mia has explored her interest in video editing, eager to constantly expand different skill sets in the field of filmmaking.
Bee Messin
Programmer Intern
Bee Messin is a sophomore at SUNY New Paltz, studying Digital Media Production. She fell in love with the arts at a young age, transitioning from acting in youth theatre to working in film classes at her highschool. Bee's ambitions lie in screenwriting and cinematography. Her goal is always to create a connection to her audience through the screen, especially by focusing on underrepresented communities; her queer identity plays a core role in all of her work.
Bee sees film as a way to uplift hidden stories and deepen our understanding of those around us. At SUNY New Paltz, Bee is a member of the TV Studio Production club, Hawk Studios. She works as Vice Head of Development to foster a creative environment in order to bring prospective scripts to the screen.
Eden Blakemore
Programmer Intern
Eden Blakemore is a Junior at Wesleyan University, where she is a double major in Film and
American studies. She has had a passion for film since 7th grade when she started a DVD
collection out of jealousy of her sister’s snow globe collection. Since then, her love of film has
expanded beyond petty sibling rivalry, but she would like everyone to know that her DVD
collection now far surpasses her sister’s.
Her fascination with film comes from a love of stories and how they reflect and influence the
culture. She is inspired by Pauline Kael’s work as a critic, specifically her Bonnie and Clyde
review, and dreams of writing anything as influential as it.
Outside of her academics or movie-watching, Eden is the Editor-in-Chief of Intercut, Wesleyan’s
film and moving image journal, as well as hosts a radio show where she exclusively plays
soundtracks from her favorite movies. She is excited to be a part of the ITWFF team!
J’Prince’Ce’A Simpson
Programmer Intern
J’Prince’Ce’A Simpson is a rising junior at New York University, double majoring in Film &
Television and English Literature. She has a deep passion for reading and writing narrative
fiction stories. As a passionate screenwriter and director, she has written multiple screenplays
and directed short films that explore generational trauma, black culture and identity, and family
dynamics. Her love for storytelling began at just 8 years old, and she continues to hone her craft
through both coursework and independent projects. She is especially drawn to stories centering on underrepresented voices and is excited to support Imagine This Women’s International Film
Festival amplifies women-driven narratives.
In her free time, she loves to spend time with her parrot and rottweiler. She also enjoys
volunteering in community organizations that fight food and shelter insecurity in New York.
J’Prince’Ce’A is excited to join the ITWIFF and help filmmakers achieve their artistic goals.
Emma Miszewski
Programmer Intern
Emma Miszewski is a rising junior at Sarah Lawrence College, concentrating in filmmaking and screenwriting. They have a deep-rooted passion for sitting on the couch and watching movies, which will finally be put to good use as a screener for this fantastic woman-driven independent film festival. In their free time, Emma pulls inspiration from long walks on the beach, Premiere Pro YouTube tutorials, and elaborate theme parties.
Emily Ruina
Programmer Intern
Emily Ruina is a recent graduate of New York University, where she earned a dual degree in Cinema Studies and Social & Cultural Analysis. Her passion for film began in childhood with her first movie theater visit to see Happy Feet (2006) and has since evolved into a deep interest in cinema’s ability to reflect and shape our socio-political reality. Throughout college, Emily has held various internship positions at non-profit organizations, most recently at Film Forum. She is pursuing a career in film programming and exhibition, aiming to introduce audiences to diverse artistic voices and unique storytelling. When she’s not watching movies, Emily enjoys attending live music events and exploring art museums. She is excited to join the ITWFF team and support their work of celebrating women in film.
Aria Lehri
Programmer Intern
Aria Lehri is a senior at New York University majoring in Film and TV Production at Tisch School of the Arts and minoring in politics. Her schooling, experience with local theatre, and relentless consumption of media has left Aria with an unending passion for storytelling of all kinds. Aria is an aspiring screenwriter/television writer with a love for producing and editing as well. In her free time, she's probably rewatching sitcoms, reading, playing her instruments, engaging with theatre, or spending time with her friends and family. Aria is beyond excited to work with and learn from ITWIFF in empowering diverse voices and uplifting artists.
Jasmine Patrick
Programmer Intern
Jasmine Patrick is a recent graduate of The New School who just earned her Master’s in Media Studies, where she bettered her directing, writing, and cinematography skills, which led to
two of her screenplays to placed in two film festivals. Since then, she obtained a film distribution internship with her professor and a programming fellowship at the Maryland Film Festival, where she currently lives. When she is not working on her local music scene documentary, she can be found in a bookstore or a movie theater. She is very excited to join the Imagine this
Women’s International Film Festival team and one day a great filmmaker and film festival programmer to open door for women/womxn who look like her.
Alexis Gutierrez
Programmer Intern
Alexis Gutierrez is a recent graduate of Pace University with a Master’s in Digital Media and Communication, and previously earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Arizona. With a lifelong passion for film and television, she expresses her creativity through poetry and screenwriting, always seeking compelling narratives that resonate emotionally and intellectually. She's also an avid reader with a keen eye for story structure and character development. Her background includes experience in media analysis, content curation, and script coverage. She's excited to contribute a thoughtful, detail-oriented perspective to the industry.
Julia Andrade
Programmer Intern
Julia Andrade is a rising junior at New York University, double-majoring in Cinema Studies and Urban Design & Architecture, with a minor in Film Production. As a filmmaker and visual artist, she is passionate about telling Brazilian stories and exploring themes of intersectional womanhood, third-culture identity, and sustainable art practices. Her creative work centers on translating emotion and narrative through production design, using materials, textures, and bold visual imagery.
Her short films, including We Don’t Decompose (2024), have been recognized at the NYU Climate Change Film Festival and are slated to screen at a range of upcoming events, including the Marché du Film at Cannes 2025, the Icefjord Center in Ilulissat, and a UN-hosted event in the fall. Julia's academic work explores women’s, queer, and social issues in Brazil, her home country. She has written on topics such as gender representation in Brazilian sex comedies and the ethics of documenting favelas, research that earned her an invitation to speak on a panel at NYU Tisch in 2024.
She is excited to be contributing to the Imagine This Women’s International Film Festival and to support a platform that uplifts and celebrates women’s stories and voices in film.
PROGRAMMERS
