Moving and Shaking!
The Houston production industry’s profile has escalated enormously recently and WIFT/Houston members’ successes are ramping up faster than we can keep track! [Hint – we need a membership chair, so please let us know if you are interested at president@wift-houston.org]
Last month WIFT/Houston member, Cindi Davis-Andress was an eloquent award presenter at the HAPIE Awards, a stellar event by the Houston Association of Producers (HAP), as well as an informative panelist at the American Advertising Federation’s “Houston in Production” luncheon meeting.
Cindi, who is owner and CEO of Houston’s most prominent talent agency, Pastorini-Bosby Talent, shared that our city is experiencing a “positive recalibration” right now. We just need to do “more networking” and do “a better job at promoting ourselves.” (Hear, hear!)
Houston Film Commissioner Alfred Cervantes was also on the panel and announced that the Commission is launching a newsletter soon!
WIFT/Houston’s official photographer and longtime member, Heather Leigh Jackson, was thrilled to see the poster for In the Shadow of Grace on the red carpet with filmmaker Jessica Lee Wrable at the Miracle Makers International Film Festival in Los Angeles this month. Heather Leigh’s enigmatic black and white photograph for the movie was larger than life! Outstanding, Heather Leigh!
WIFT/Houston member, Lakisha Lemons is featured on the cover of the inaugural Black Independent Filmmakers Association (BIFA) publication called NO PERMISSION REQUIRED (soon to be online). Lakisha was named their 2026 BIFA Best Director. She was also a prominent participant in the HAPIE Awards as an awards presenter as well as a nominee herself in two award categories. Great work, Lakisha!
Also at the HAPIE Awards, veteran costume designer Rona Lamont, who was a member from the founding days of our WIFT/Houston chapter, was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Current WIFT/Houston president, Cynthia Neely was especially proud to present the award to Rona at the sold-out event and offered a glimpse into the accomplishments of a woman “who for decades has used her gift to create the whole of a talent’s looks – from wigs to wardrobe, from Hollywood to Houston.”
While Rona was a member of the L.A. Costume Designer’s Guild, she worked with some big names and big projects (she managed to “stay alive” working for three seasons of Fear of the Walking Dead). However, her career in L.A. was cut short by a health issue which brought her back to Houston to get it resolved. Unfortunately, that move caused her to have to turn down a job, which became the series “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
Never fear, Rona has since worked on movies including “Tree of Life,” starring Brad Pitt and Sean Penn, “Puncture” with Chris Evans, “Sidekicks” with Chuck Norris, and countless smaller, independent feature films made by Houston filmmakers including Michelle Mower.
And speaking of Michelle, save the date for Thursday evening, September 24th, when she will be guest speaker at our next WIFT/Houston event. Seats are limited – so lock it in on your calendars!
WIFT/Houston members Michelle Mower and Ruth Villatoro are founders of the Houston Association of Producers and the HAPIE Awards. Jenny Waldo, a founding HAP board member (and WIFT/Houston member) was an award presenter, AND won a HAPIE for Best Director herself! Her short Twofer is gaining attention. Way to go, Jenny!
Other WIFT/Houston members seen at the HAPIEs were former president Shawn Harris, past V.P. Linda Gibbs (whose Menopause doc debuted in L.A. and will be coming to the Houston Health Museum), and SAG actress Tina Cohen. (If we missed anyone, please let us know.)
Our newest member, Linda Broocks, wasted no time getting to know everyone at the festive event and we are delighted to welcome her to the organization. Linda is “a full-time attorney” and Houston law firm partner, as well as a “part-time documentary filmmaker” www.ljbfilms.com. Linda believes that “Film is the most powerful agent of social change” and we can’t wait to get to know her and her work.
The Houston Media Conference in September just wrapped and WIFT/Houston members, Nell Teare and Michelle Mower were part of the extensive program at www.cinemahtx.org. One of our lucky members, Julitta Pourciau, was the winner of our drawing for a full conference pass. Congrats, Julitta!
MEMBERS:
- Do you have news? We want to promote you and your work.
- Could you volunteer as Membership Chair to help us collect and keep organized our growing member information?
Let us know at president@wift-houston.org
Sold Out Show!
Merideth Melville, WIFT/H Vice President, recently had a retrospective of the film she produced, Suits: The Clothes Make the Man with The Art Guys (Jack Massing & Michael Galbreth). It was a sold-out show at The River Oaks Movie Theatre.
The Art Guys are considered a “Houston treasure” and collaborated for 35 years. This road trip documentary showcases them traveling across the US in their guise as “human billboards”. They sold advertising to 56 local and national companies whose logos were sewn on custom suits designed by Todd Oldham. Their overcoats and ties were designed by Houstonian, Selven O’Keef Jarmon. Then Mike & Jack travelled across the country wearing those suits for one year.
The documentary took over a year to shoot and edit. The actual suits are now part of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston collection. The journey is also immortalized in a book, where there’s a photo of Merideth (with Mike & Jack as her “bridesmaids”) renewing her wedding vows by an Elvis minister when they were shooting in Las Vegas.
She says, “The 76-minute documentary is filled with thoughtful discussion about art and commerce, juxtaposed with hilarious reactions by people from around the country who weren’t quite sure what the heck they were witnessing,”
Congrats to Merideth for the inspiring, oft-times daft documentary on Houston’s most popular conceptual artists!
Member’s Promo Film a Success!
The screening for the 54-minute promotional film for the docuseries, “The Change Unleasing the Wild Woman,” was a huge success for WIFT/H member, Linda Gibbs. The event, recently held at The McGovern Theater in The Health Museum Houston, received great reviews from the mostly female audience.
The series advocates for holistic and evidence-based treatment options for women experiencing peri and post menopausal symptoms, emphasizing mental, physical and spiritual wellness.
The Q&A panel discussion post screening was led by Linda Gibbs, producer of the series through her company, Gibbs Media Group and included a nutritionist and two OB/GYN physicians.
Best of luck on this important docuseries, Linda!
TV Legend & WIFT/H Supporter to Retire
After 43 years in the newsroom and on-the-air, Houston’s Melanie Lawson has announced she will retire from ABC13. The Chronicle’s Joy Sewing broke the news exclusively that Lawson plans to leave her anchor post January 31, 2026.
A profoundly respected journalist, Melanie has been a member of the WIFT/Houston chapter and helped support past events. Most memorably, she was a moderator of our “Reel Stars of Texas” awards at The Hobby Center which recognized Houston natives, Chandra Wilson and Isaiah Washington of Grey’s Anatomy fame.
We’re thankful for her support of women over the years and especially her integrity and professionalism. We’re sure many retrospectives will surface until her merited retirement when she signs off in January.
