Meet the Team

Katrina Medoff and Tracy Sayre

Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors

Katrina Medoff and Tracy Sayre both worked in the NYC independent film world before founding Women's Weekend Film Challenge at the end of 2017.

Together they have advanced the careers of thousands of women and non-binary filmmakers. Through their signature film challenge, they have produced nearly 40 films that have gotten into over 100 film festivals. In their virtual workshop series, Katrina and Tracy have interviewed over 60 powerful women of Hollywood, including the the writers, directors, and creators behind "The Walking Dead," "Russian Doll," "Jane the Virgin," and more. In 2021, they launched the pilot accelerator which helped writers pitch to major studios uncluding Netflix, HBO, and Anonymous Content. They have been featured on “Good Day LA," "NY One" and KCRW, Los Angeles’ NPR station.

Krystal Dinsberg

Program Coordinator

Krystal Dinsberg is a Black Native comedy TV writer who champions diverse ensembles in her work. Leaving behind a career as an International HR Business Consultant to pursue writing full-time, Krystal’s credits now include shows for Lionsgate TV, Amazon, Paramount +, NBC, and Hallmark. Most recently she was an Associate Producer on THE VOICE Seasons 19 & 20 (NBC), Writers' Assistant on WITH LOVE Season 2 (Amazon) and a freelance writer for a comedy development room. She is a current 2022 Women in Film Writers' Circle Mentee, Coverfly endorsed writer, and was selected as a 2020 DAF x Onion Workshop participant.

Eden Martinez

Development Committee

Eden is a filmmaker, fighter and adventurer. Their aesthetic creates a beautifully striking picture of reality. Gifted with high emotional intelligence, curiosity, and an arsenal of dad jokes Eden creates human stories overflowing with authenticity and charm.

Valerie Medoff

Video editor

Valerie Medoff is an Atlanta-based video editor. As owner of Medoff Media, she edits a variety of projects including YouTube videos, company and individual sizzle reels, and social media content.

Anuj Gupta

Advisor

Entertainment lawyer Anuj Gupta is the founder of First Gen Law, Gupta IP and co-founder of Sankara Pictures. Previously, he served as the head of legal and business affairs at companies including eko, W*E Interactive Ventures JV and Mashable. He also worked at Facebook and Vox Media.

Makana Lani

Director of Communications

Makana Lani is a writer based in NYC. She is passionate about telling character-driven stories centered on queer women.

Jasmine Russ

Advisor

Jasmine is the VP of development & production at Fabel Entertainment (Bosch, The Killing, Interrogation). She began her career in Australia casting for film, TV and theater before transitioning to the US to continue her work. Jasmine began producing under Fabel's previous banner of Fabrik where she established her specialty in genre blending, subversive storytelling and first time creators. She currently has projects set up at Netflix, Amazon, IMDb and Hulu and continues to service Fabel's new genre agnostic brand with a focus on premium content.

Kathryn O'Kane

Advisor

Kathryn O’Kane is the showrunner of the James Beard award-winning “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat,” a four-part travel culinary series on Netflix. She recently directed and produced episodes of “Death Row Stories,” a true crime documentary series for CNN in conjunction with Jigsaw Productions and Sundance Productions. Told by current and former death row inmates, the series poses tough questions about the U.S. capital punishment system.

Aisha Besson

Advisor

Aisha is an accountant with over 20 years of experience in small to mid-level organizations. She has a proven ability to execute and excel in finance and HR related areas. With a solid understanding of GAAP requirements, she is equipped to give recommendations on many issues that arise in an organization.

Elle Johnson

Advisor

Elle Johnson is a TV Writer and Executive Producer who has written and produced shows from "Law & Order," "CSI: Miami," "Saving Grace," and "The Glades," to "Ghost Whisperer," "The Fosters,” and "Any Day Now.” She was an Executive Producer on the Amazon Original Series “Bosch.” And the co-showrunner on Netflix’s NAACP Award winning limited series "Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker.”

Miranda Plant

COVID compliance manager

Miranda Plant is a proud veteran of the first WWFC, and an award-winning film producer and actor. Some of her films include the award-winning Greater Good (2018), and When We Grow Up (2017). She is currently in post production with her documentary George Shirley: Il Rodolfo Nero (2022) about the life and career of the first Black tenor to perform a leading role at the Met Opera. She is currently producing a new feature set to begin production in May 2023 with the 51Fund.

Seneca Schwartz

Intern

Seneca is a soon-to-be college freshman who plans on studying film production at Emerson College. She is passionate about giving underrepresented people a voice through film and has made two short documentaries about women empowerment, and the importance of female role models.