This panel explores how the medium of documentary film is adapting to a marketplace where an increasing number of films are reaching audiences online and viewers' attention spans are getting shorter. In recent years, both producing documentary content for the web and releasing documentary shorts online have emerged as successful ways to increase mainstream viewership and promote filmmakers' work. Featured speakers are Kasia Cieplak-Mayr von Baldegg (The Atlantic Video), Lauren Cynamon (VICE Media's Munchies), Kyra Darton (Retro Report), Emma Dessau (POV Digital), filmmaker Kelsey Doyle, Marianna Keller (Storyhunter), Kathleen Lingo ("The New York Times"), Jason Sondhi (Vimeo), and moderator Veena Rao. Produced by Emily Harrold and Veena Rao. For more information visit, ht.ly/9XY2301wCvU (Filmed on April 27, 2015)

This panel examines the danger to filmmakers and their subjects when filming in volatile situations and regions. Featured filmmakers are Carol Cassidy, Kirsten Johnson, Beth Levison, Claire Ward, and moderator Savanna Washington. Produced by Ana Breton, Carol Cassidy, Marcia Rock, and Savanna Washington. For more information visit, ht.ly/WhXc301wCkk (Filmed March 24, 2015)

Today, developing the most cost- and time- effective marketing and distribution strategy to reach audiences is a responsibility increasingly shouldered by filmmakers themselves. This panel explores the distribution landscape and the confusing, ever-changing marketplace. Featured speakers are Caitlyn Boyle (Film Sprout), Randi Cecchine (Films Media Group), Emily Russo (Zeitgeist Films), entertainment attorney Robert L. Seigel, and moderator Kelly DeVine (Global Peace Film Festival). Produced by Kelly DeVine and Pearl Park. For more information visit, ht.ly/sol9301wCr6 (Filmed April 2, 2015)

Master of Ceremonies, Nancy Giles.

Nancy Giles is an actress and commentator, perhaps best know for appearances in the series China Beach and on CBS News Sunday Morning. Giles was a member of the Second City Touring Company in 1984. She is a writer and contributor to CBS News Sunday Morning and was the announcer and co-host of Fox After Breakfast. Giles starred in two ABC television series, playing girl GI Frankie Bunsen for three seasons on China Beach and hostile waitress Connie on the sitcom Delta. She had guest roles on shows including The Jury, L.A. Law, Spin City, Law & Order, Dream On, and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air and appeared in the 1985 Broadway production of the musical Mayor. Giles and her CBS colleague, correspondent Erin Moriarty, have collaborated on two public-affairs radio series under the Giles and Moriarty banner, one for WPHT in Philadelphia and another for Greenstone Media. Both shows were produced at the facilities of the CBS Radio Network.

The Muse Awards, NYWIFT's annual gala holiday luncheon, celebrates the vision and achievements of women who work in the entertainment industry. Each year, remarkable and accomplished women are honored with this prestigious award. It is NYWIFT's flagship fundraising event — a highlight of the New York City holiday season in the entertainment industry — and is attended by an enthusiastic audience of 1,200 leading executives from every major studio, broadcast and cable network, and film production facility.

For more info visit: nywift.org

NYWIFT Board of Directors President, Alex Alexanian

Alexis Alexanian is President of Production at Locomotive, an independently financed film and television company founded by Lucy Barzun Donnelly and Alexandra Kerry. She started her career in production on big-budget studio films, including A League of Their Own, Mississippi Burning, Bonfire of the Vanities and Striptease. Alexanian is the co-founder, along with her brother David, of Elixir Films, an independent production company dedicated to character-driven, passion projects for film and television. At Elixir, she produced the international TV series Long Way Round, featuring Ewan McGregor, which aired on Bravo, as well as Ethan Hawke’s The Hottest State, released in 2007. Prior to Elixir, she co-founded, along with Gary Winick, InDigEnt (Independent Digital Entertainment), New York's groundbreaking digital initiative funded by the Independent Film Channel (IFC) and dedicated to producing low-budget, talent-driven features. While at InDigEnt, Alexanian produced Sundance favorites Pieces of April, Tadpole, Tape, Chelsea Walls and Personal Velocity, which garnered her an Independent Spirit Award.

The Muse Awards, NYWIFT's annual gala holiday luncheon, celebrates the vision and achievements of women who work in the entertainment industry. Each year, remarkable and accomplished women are honored with this prestigious award. It is NYWIFT's flagship fundraising event — a highlight of the New York City holiday season in the entertainment industry — and is attended by an enthusiastic audience of 1,200 leading executives from every major studio, broadcast and cable network, and film production facility.

For more info visit: nywift.org