We are ecstatic to announce that Women Make Movies Executive Director Debra Zimmerman has been invited to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences! As the Executive Director of Women Make Movies since 1983, she has led WMM to become the world’s largest distributor of films by and about women, supporting countless filmmakers through WMM’s Production Assistance Program.
An expert in independent film distribution, marketing, financing, and women’s cinema, Zimmerman has moderated panels and given master classes at prestigious events such as the Sundance and Toronto Film Festivals. She is a close affiliate of the International Documentary Film Festival (IDFA) and has also been a jury member at renowned film festivals worldwide, such as the Abu Dhabi Film Festival, Cartagena Film Festival (FICCI), and One World Human Rights Film Festival to name just a few. Her full biography is available here.
Ryan Harrington, a WMM Board Member and a member of the Academy, says, “I can think of no other deserving person in the documentary industry to be welcomed into the Academy Documentary Branch. Debra’s commitment to promoting women-led documentary around the globe is unparalleled. I don’t know another that has sacrificed and survived through the many ups and downs within our industry. She will be a great addition to the Academy.”
We are also beyond excited to see that nine of our wonderful WMM Filmmakers have also received invitations from the Academy:
- Erika Cohn (Dir., WMM releases BELLY OF THE BEAST, THE JUDGE)
- Katja Esson (Dir., WMM-sponsored RAZING LIBERTY SQUARE and WMM releases FERRY TALES, SKYDANCER, POETRY OF RESILIENCE, LATCHING ON)
- Jennifer Fox (Dir., WMM release BEIRUT: THE LAST HOME MOVIE)
- Nancy Schwartzman (Dir., WMM-sponsored ROLL RED ROLL)
- Lindsey Dryden (Prod., WMM-sponsored UNTITLED DWARFISM PROJECT)
- Violet Du Feng (Dir., WMM-sponsored MAINELAND)
- Sonia Kennebeck (Dir., WMM-sponsored NATIONAL BIRD)
- Sonya Childress (Impact Advisor, WMM-sponsored STRONG ISLAND)
- Eden Wurmfeld (Prod., NO IMPACT MAN)
- Ally Derks (longtime WMM supporter and friend, founder of IDFA)
Congratulations to Debra and all of the WMM Filmmakers!
