Sundance, in all of its glory, can be a surreal experience for any filmmaker, but having the opportunity to actually immerse yourself in the wisdom of a legend is an altogether different triumph. This was indeed my experience this past weekend when producer and film festival veteran, Nancy Schafer, graced the Femde Sundance House for a one-hour roundtable discussion featuring Femde founder, Liz Hausle, and fellow producer and entertainment executive, Beth Hubbard.
In the words of New York Times writer Michael Kane, "Nancy Schafer doesn't go to the movies. The movies come to her." For the past two decades, Schafer has amassed a resume that would make any seemingly accomplished woman quiver with insecurities in comparison. After developing the film festival division of South By SouthWest/SXSW at the ripe age of 23, the young powerhouse moved on to the creation of the Tribeca Film Festival alongside industry groundbreakers, Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal.
Femde founder, Liz Hausle; writer, Myiea Coy; Nancy Schafer; and producer, Beth Hubbard | writer's own image
After serving an auspicious 12 year tenure as Executive Director of the Tribeca Film Festival, Schafer has transitioned with keen skill sets in tow to becoming one of today's most sought after film producers. During our candid roundtable, we discussed her exceptional yet niche-driven career trajectory, transitioning from Executive Director of Tribeca to running her own production company, and, yes, even how to avoid producing a crap-show.
No one knows what producing is. With producing, it's being the boss, raising the money, keeping the schedule, making sure the creative vision is coming across. You need to be the boss, producers are the unsung heroes.
When asked about the key positioning of woman in film today Nancy stated "Its essential women mentor other women. If there are more of us brought to the table then there will indeed be more women at the table."
With a thriller set for release and several documentaries in production, Schafer stands as an icon in the film industry, yet her star still continues to rise. From festival great to producing legend, Nancy Schafer is a true example of what it means to create your own destiny.