Nashville Women in Film & Television To Bring Industry Conference to Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Feb. 26, 2018 - PRLog -- Nashville Women in Film & Television have announced that the inaugural Southern Women In Film & Television (SWIFT) Summit will be held in Nashville March 22-25, 2018. The event, which will take place at the Hotel Preston, will feature lectures, panel discussions, screenings and one-on-one sessions with industry professionals.

"This event is a great addition for film industry professionals, here in Nashville," says Lynda Evjen, President of Nashville Women in Film & Television (WIFT).  "This is a great opportunity to share insights, get new ideas, learn from each other and meet like-minded leaders in our industry."

This event was created to provide a forum for members of Women in Film residing in Southern states to gather and collectively pursue professional advancement, mentorship and collaboration.  The event will assemble luminaries from all areas of the entertainment industry to explore a variety of topics that greatly impact women, from gender disparity and women's leadership, to storytelling across platforms. Speakers and panelists include actress Jennifer O'Neill, producer Shannon LaMarche, CMT's Heather Graffagnino, NewsChannel 5's Vicki Yates, award-winning producer Carolyn McDonald and actor David Koechner (Anchorman).

In addition to the educational and professional opportunities, this event offers outstanding networking events, including one-on-one sessions with panelists and workshop leaders and entertaining social events, including film screenings, music showcases, a fashion show featuring Nashville's most iconic designer, Manuel, who has had his designs in numerous TV shows and films, plus the inauguration of the Women of True Grit Awards, honoring women who have conquered adversity to achieve success in the world of entertainment. Honorees include actress, Jennifer O'Neill, JoMarie Payton (Family Matters, Proud Family) and Paramount Pictures' Summer Helene. A local film maker will be awarded the Nashville WIFT Finishing Fund Grant, receiving $5000 to complete a current film project.

"I am thrilled to be honoring so many incredible women at our Awards Banquet," says Evjen. "The entire SWIFT Summit will honor our industry."

The event will also feature a female centric exhibit hall, which will be open March 23^rd through 25^th.

Sponsors and supporters include the local CBS affiliate, Newschannel 5, Hollywood Weekly Magazine, APM Music, SAG-AFTRA, The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp., Elite Travel, Northwestern Mutual, Watkins College of  Art, Cognitive Dynamics, Hummingbird Productions, The Edie Hand Foundation and the Dubis Group.

Tickets for the SWIFT Summit are available at Eventbrite. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/southern-women-in-film-tv-su...)

For more information on the SWIFT Summit and the Women of True Grit Awards, visit the official website at http://www.swiftsummit.net.