About Us

ABOUT MICHIGAN'S FILM GIRLS

Mission:

DWIFTV is charged with educating and building positive images of media-makers (both women and men), empowering them to achieve their highest professional and creative potential, and helping create more job opportunities throughout the State of Michigan. WIFTV's purpose is to empower, promote, nurture, honor and mentor women in the industry through a network of valuable contacts, events, and programs including the Women In Film Mentor Program, the award- winning Public Service Announcement Production Program, and the annual fundraising gala; The Pink Sapphire Awards.

Vision:

To provide a vehicle by which women (and men) in the Michigan film industry can excel while creating opportunities for cultural diversification and enhancement. To further assist female filmmakers with the chance to network, support, be educated and showcase their independent works so we see more women in the director’s chair and other top positions in the entertainment field.

Board of Directors: Coming Soon...

GM (General Motors)

The Women In Film/General Motors Alliance was created to expand WIF programs supporting women in the entertainment industry. The national initiative was announced in January 2005 by Iris Grossman, WIF president; Judith R. James, WIF/GM national committee chair; and Gary Cowger, GM group vice president, global manufacturing and labor.

General Motors Corp. , the world's largest automaker, has been the global industry sales leader since 1931. Founded in 1908, GM today employs about 321,000 people around the world. It has manufacturing operations in 32 countries and its vehicles are sold in 200 countries. In 2004, GM sold nearly 9 million cars and trucks globally, up 4 percent and the second-highest total in the company's history. GM's global headquarters are at the GM Renaissance Center in Detroit.

Jennifer Kincer Catallo

How did you get involved in the industry?

I have been performing my entire life and always knew I wanted to act and sing so it was a natural progression into the world of Film and Television.

What do you love most about working in this industry?

I love that this industry is reflective of life, expressively showing what's happening around us every day, good and bad. I love that it's fast paced, people centered and the fact that I get to experience something unique and different on a daily basis.

How did you get involved with DWIFTV?

I kept hearing of this Detroit organization that uplifts and focuses on women in the Film and Television Industries. Finally someone connected me to Serenity via email and I proudly joined the organization.

What part do you see yourself playing in WIFTV?

When I decide to get involved in something I believe in, I tend to jump in with both feet in whatever capacity is needed to get the job done. I look forward to watching that involvement unfold and hope to make a difference in the organization.

How do you feel about your role as a woman in this industry? I feel like the opportunities are endless as a woman in the industry. Women have such a great responsibility to be role models for the younger generations. I enjoy the daily challenge of being a mom and still a working professional in the film and television industry. I feel great about being a woman who has never given up on a dream to work in this field.

What are you currently involved in? I continue to audition and act in TV commercials, industrials and increasingly work on short and feature length films. I potentially have four or five film premieres in 2008 as well as work on a children's DVD series, manipulating "Muppet style" puppets to teach kids about manners called- Time for Manners. I am currently involved with an upcoming film festival as Director of Community Relations.

What is your favorite TV show? Film?

Favorites are always tough for me. I love the wit of Seinfeld, Frasier and enjoy daily reruns! As far as film, I enjoy an eclectic list of movies from Chevy Chase Christmas Vacation, to Forest Gump, The Notebook, Pay It Forward , To Kill a Mockingbird to the Wizard of Oz. I am all over the map with film. I always love a great inspirational story, an artful Independent film, a good drama or a lighthearted romantic comedy.

Who is your all time favorite director/ journalist? Again, I wish I could say I had a favorite, I certainly admire the great Francis Ford Coppola and also his daughter, Sofia who was the first Female American Woman nominated for Best Director for her work on "Lost in Translation." I think Kimberly Pierce did a phenomenal job in directing "Boys Don't Cry" starring Academy Award Winner Hillary Swank.

Music you're feeling right now? Wow! Being a musician and teaching music at the University Level, again I have an expansive list of favorites. I love the soundtrack to the musical, Wicked, I am a huge Ray LaMontagne fan, James Taylor, Van Morrison, Firebird by Stravinsky, works of Richard Wagner, independents such as Carol Laula, the popular David Grey, a little Mary J Blige, I love the Rehab song by Amy Winehouse and the smash hit Bubbly. The list could go on for hours!