Los Angeles-based Not Your Daddy’s Films (NYDF), a social impact organization dedicated to supporting women and nonbinary filmmakers, has secured fiscal sponsorship from Film Independent. The partnership aims to expand NYDF’s educational programs and resources.
Founded in 2022 by Kourtney Bell, Katherine Hughes, Nicole Lipp, Vika Stubblebine and Carlye Tamaren, NYDF was created in response to “the persistent lack of gender equity and diversity behind the camera.” The founders stated, “We started NYDF because we wanted the kind of community we weren’t finding anywhere else… ambitious, accessible and actually fun to be part of.” They believe the Film Independent sponsorship will allow them to build on their momentum “without losing the energy that made people want to show up in the first place.”
What began as a bimonthly screening for 25 people has grown into a “Daddy community” hosting events with over 300 attendees. Over the past four years, NYDF has organized screenings, workshops, panels, and parties, collaborating with organizations including the American Cinematheque, Alliance of Women Directors, SXSW, Women In Film (WIF), and The Black List. A fourth-anniversary party will be held Friday at the Aster in Hollywood, showcasing work from six emerging filmmakers followed by a Q&A.
NYDF’s initiatives extend beyond Los Angeles through “Daddy Dailies,” a podcast featuring interviews with women and nonbinary creatives. Guests have included Patty Jenkins, Diablo Cody, Meaghan Oppenheimer, Mary Bronstein, Ashley Nicole Black, Lena Khan, Hannah McMechan and Danya Jimenez. The organization also publishes an annual “Daddy’s List” highlighting up-and-coming filmmakers. Alumni include Haley Z. Boston (showrunner of “Something Very Bad Is Going to Happen”), director Giselle Bonilla (whose film “The Musical” was a standout at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival), and director Gia-Rayne B. Harris (“Bridgerton”).
With increased funding from Film Independent, NYDF plans to expand its screenings and educational programming, develop more workshops and resources, strengthen its advisory leadership, grow the “Daddy Dailies” podcast, increase its presence at film festivals, and create more professional opportunities for filmmakers.
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