irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $10.19MPRODUCTION ASSISTANCE - WOMEN MAKE MOVIES, INC. PROVIDES FISCAL SPONSORSHIP, LOW-COST MEDIA WORKSHOPS AND INFORMATION SERVICES TO INDEPENDENT MEDIA ARTISTS. THE SERVICES INCLUDED IN THIS PROGRAM REFLECT THE ORGANIZATIONS COMMITMENT TO OUTREACH AND DEVELOPMENT OF BOTH EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED WOMEN FILM AND VIDEO MAKERS.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Archival and Preservation Initiative
Manages the WMM film archive and collaborates with the Women’s Film Preservation Fund to restore and preserve women’s film heritage
Distribution Program
Offers global distribution services for films by and about women, maintaining the largest catalog of women-centered cinema and facilitating access to educational and public screening markets
Outreach and Exhibitions Program
Organizes in-person and virtual screenings of distributed films to expand audience reach and impact
Production Assistance Program
Provides support to women filmmakers in developing and completing their independent film projects; has helped thousands of women bring their films to fruition
activities · 5 groups
What they do
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Emerging Filmmaker Support Programs 2 activities
- Production Assistance ProgramSupports women filmmakers through direct programmatic assistance, having helped over 2,883 filmmakers complete more than 1,000 films since inception. Facilitated over $100 million in production funding and $3.5 million in royalties to filmmakers, with recent five-year totals of $46 million in funding and $2.5 million in royalties.
- Professional Development Workshops and WebinarsHosts regular educational programming for independent filmmakers, including seasonal webinar series on creative development, tax strategy, website design, and career leadership. Engaged over 1,277 participants in the past year across multiple sessions featuring case studies from Sundance- and SXSW-premiering films.
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Film Distribution and Screening Programs 1 activity
- Film Distribution ProgramDistributes a catalog of nearly 700 films by and about women to cultural, educational, and community organizations globally, with films screened in 86 countries and over 59,612 screenings facilitated worldwide. Offers digital site licenses, streaming access through Kanopy, and physical media with public performance rights, processing orders within three business days and shipping within 7–10 business days.
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Artist Legacy Preservation and Documentation 1 activity
- Film Preservation and Archival SupportManages the WMM archive and supports film preservation through the Women’s Film Preservation Fund, shepherding restorations for grant recipients and collaborating on programming at institutions such as Anthology Film Archives, Metrograph, Union Docs, and London’s Barbican Centre.
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Film Festival and Screening Programming 1 activity
- Public Screening and Exhibition ProgrammingOrganizes in-person and virtual screenings, tribute exhibitions, and special events to promote films in the distribution catalog, including co-organizing the "Make Art, Make Trouble" exhibition honoring Joan Braderman and hosting filmmaker-led conversations around acclaimed documentaries.
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Uncategorized 1 activity
- Commercial Sales and Licensing ServicesOffers flexible licensing and sales options including digital site licenses, DVD bundles, and format upgrade discounts. Provides a 30% discount on bulk digital licenses, 50% off upgrades from VHS/DVD, and bundled deals such as five DVDs for $495, with returns accepted within 30 days and damaged media replaced at no cost.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$13.13M
Contributions & grants$11.81M90%
Program service revenue$1.19M9%
Investment income$136K1%
Other revenue$1K
expenses
Total expenses$11.84M
Program expenses92%
Admin / overhead7%
Fundraising1%
Salaries & benefits$956K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$7.01M
Cash$4.38M
Investments$2.12M
Liabilities$4.70M
Net assets$2.31M
Liquid reserves6.6 mo
6 years on record · 2019–2024 · YoY revenue +7.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DEBRA ZIMMERMAN | EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR | 50 | $198K |
| KENDRA HODGSON | MANAGING DIRECTOR | 40 | $111K |
board members · 14
- CLAIRE AGUILAR — VICE PRESIDENT
- ESTHER ROBINSON — DIRECTOR
- KAYO DENDA — DIRECTOR
- KISHA IMANI CAMERON — DIRECTOR
- LISA CORTES — DIRECTOR
- NEYDA MARTINEZ — DIRECTOR
- NICOLE GUILLEMET — DIRECTOR
- NICOLE PAGE — PRESIDENT
- PAMELA AGUILAR — DIRECTOR
- PATRICIA WHITE — SECRETARY
- RYAN HARRINGTON — DIRECTOR
- TERRY LAWLER — DIRECTOR
- THERESA RILEY — DIRECTOR
- TINA DIFELICIANTONIO — TREASURER
relationships · 29
Who they work with
- 1stLook Partner — Provides institutional streaming services for Women Make Movies' catalog, powered by Docuseek.
- Anthology Film Archives Partner — Co-programmed and promoted live and virtual film events with WMM.
- Brittany Shyne Partner — Director of SEEDS, a film that won the U.S. Grand Jury Prize for Documentary at Sundance and was supported by the Production Assistance Program.
- Dee Rees Partner — Director of PARIAH, a fiction feature supported by the Production Assistance Program.
- Film Fatales Partner — Co-sponsored a webinar series on films premiering at Sundance or SXSW
- ICI Partner — Co-organized a tribute exhibition to Joan Braderman.
- ICI Partner — Co-organizer of a tribute event honoring Joan Braderman
- Joan Braderman Archive Partner — Co-organized and sponsored a tribute exhibition to Joan Braderman.
- Joan Braderman Archive Partner — Co-sponsor of a tribute event honoring Joan Braderman
- Kanopy Partner — Streaming platform partner for distributing Women Make Movies' film collection.
- Laura Poitras Partner — Director of CITIZENFOUR, an Oscar-winning documentary supported by the Production Assistance Program.
- Lisa Cortés Partner — Director of LITTLE RICHARD: I AM EVERYTHING, a film with a strong presence at Sundance supported by the Production Assistance Program.
- London’s Barbican Centre Partner — Co-programmed and promoted live and virtual film events with WMM.
- Marielle Heller Partner — Director of THE DIARY OF A TEENAGE GIRL, a fiction feature supported by the Production Assistance Program.
- Metrograph Partner — Co-programmed and promoted live and virtual film events with WMM.
- Michèle Stephenson Partner — Director of GOING TO MARS: THE NIKKI GIOVANNI PROJECT, a film with a strong presence at Sundance supported by the Production Assistance Program.
- Museum of Modern Art Partner — Hosted a retrospective of Women Make Movies' work in honor of its 25th anniversary.
- Rebeca Huntt Partner — Director of BEBA, a film supported by the Production Assistance Program since 2016.
- Sandi Tan Partner — Director of SHIRKERS, a film that won the World Cinema Documentary Competition Award for Best Directing at Sundance and was supported by the Production Assistance Program.
- School of Visual Arts Partner — Co-organized and sponsored a tribute exhibition to Joan Braderman.
- School of Visual Arts Partner — Co-sponsor of a tribute event honoring Joan Braderman
- Streaming Partner Partner — Collaborates with a streaming partner to deliver access to films under digital streaming licenses.
- Sundance Film Festival Partner — Collaborates with the festival, including launching ten films at the event for the organization’s 30th anniversary.
- Sundance Film Festival Partner — Films supported by WMM have a large presence at the festival, including award winners.
- Union Docs Partner — Co-programmed and promoted live and virtual film events with WMM.
- Video Data Bank Partner — Co-sponsor of a tribute event honoring Joan Braderman
- Video Data Bank Partner — Sponsored a tribute exhibition to Joan Braderman.
- Women’s Film Preservation Fund at NYWIFT Partner — Collaborates on film preservation and restoration efforts; WMM staff serve on the steering committee and support grant recipient restorations.
- Yance Ford Partner — Director of STRONG ISLAND, an Oscar-nominated documentary supported by the Production Assistance Program.
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Amplification of Underrepresented Voices as Cultural Change Strategymethodology: amplifying_diverse_voicesBy distributing films that center BIPOC/ALAANA, LGBTQIA, disabled, and older women’s voices, the organization fosters awareness and shifts cultural narratives because sustained visibility of diverse women’s stories challenges dominant media paradigms and catalyzes collective feminist discourse and action.
- Equity-Centered Distribution and Access Modelmethodology: equity-based_pricingBy structuring film access through long-term leases with public performance rights and deeply discounted pricing for underserved institutions, the organization expands the reach of feminist and women-centered films because removing financial and legal barriers enables broader educational and community engagement.
- Integrated Support Model for Women Filmmakersmethodology: integrated_support_modelBy combining fiscal sponsorship with tailored consultations, professional development, and networking opportunities, the organization increases the success and completion rates of films by women, particularly those from underrepresented groups, because comprehensive support addresses systemic barriers to funding, mentorship, and visibility.