Sisters in Film and Television: SIFTMedia 215 Collective

ABOUT

Video features SIFT Co-Founder Nadine Patterson at the start, and the work of SIFTERS including Lisa Barnes, Destiny Cox, Stephanie Malson, Eboni Zamani, M. Asli Dukan, and Lois Moses. Edited by Milo Cox, with excerpts from the COVID1619 Project edited by Stephen Schaffer. Thank you to The Colored Girls Museum for providing the interview location at the start of the video. SIFTMEDIA 215 is funded by Independence Public Media Foundation.

Welcome to SIFTMedia Collective, where a collective of independent media artists in the Philadelphia metropolitan area come together to champion socially conscious women-identified filmmakers, particularly from Black and Latine communities. Our mission is clear: to amplify the voices and creations of these talented individuals while creating opportunities for their growth and recognition.

Diversity is our strength. Our membership spans a wide range of experiences, ages, ethnicities, and gender identities. From documentary makers to animators, from directors to sound recordists, our collective represents a mosaic of talents and perspectives. Despite our differences, we face common challenges, including discrimination based on age, gender, race, and sexual orientation. We believe that advocacy and economic empowerment are key tools in combating these injustices.

Our efforts extend beyond advocacy. Through projects like THE COVID1619 PROJECT and THE GOOD GRIEF PROJECT we strive to produce meaningful content that resonates with audiences far and wide. From film festivals like Sundance to public television and online streaming platforms such as Kweli TV, we work tirelessly to ensure that the voices of our members are heard and celebrated.

As of March 2024, we are proud to count 30 members among our ranks. As we continue to grow, we remain open to collaboration with like-minded artists and organizations who share our vision of a more inclusive and equitable media landscape.

If you’re interested in learning more about our work or exploring potential collaborations, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at siftmedia215@gmail.com. Thank you for joining us on this journey!

SIFT CREED: Socially Conscious Filmmaker Ethos

• Ask for help when you need it. Offer help in return.
• Cultural workers are mental health workers (Toni Cade Bambara). Be mindful of the power of the images you create.
• Support and Amplify the work of others.
• Be an advocate for “Media Reparations”.
• Make a commitment to hiring, whenever possible, BIPOC and BIPOC people with disabilities who are often locked out of the film/media opportunities.
• Share information and opportunities.
• Keep your word.
• Don’t lie or gaslight.
• Be mindful of the time and energy of others.