African American Women In Cinema

What African American Women In Cinema does

African American Women In Cinema (AAWIC), legally African American Women In Cinema Organization, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded approximately 28 years ago (circa 1997-1998) by filmmaker Terra Renee and headquartered in the Bronx / New York City area. The organization provides a continuous platform for women filmmakers of color — directors, producers, screenwriters, and actors — to showcase their work, network with peers, and receive mentorship from established industry professionals. Its primary offerings include the annual AAWIC Film Festival (operating since 1998), the WES Awards honoring leading women across ethnicities, the Sundance Screening Program in partnership with Utah Film Studios, the Anti-Gun Violence Tour, a monthly Online Media Series, and the 25th Anniversary Film Festival Podcast distributed via Buzzsprout and iHeartRadio. Operational chapters are maintained in Atlanta and Florida, with featured programs in the United States, England, Ireland, and a humanitarian affiliate in Senegal.

The business model combines multiple diversified revenue streams typical of a mission-driven cultural nonprofit: tiered annual memberships (Free, $50 Friendship, $100 A-List via PayPal), corporate sponsorships (NBCUniversal, A&E Network, iOne Digital, Ponce Bank, Morgan Stanley), charitable donations including cryptocurrency through Engiven, merchandise sales (AAWIC-branded t-shirts at $24.99 via Bonfire), and transactional pay-per-view streaming through an Exposure Plus TV / HBO On Us partnership at $6.99 per title. The organization operates two wholly-owned subsidiaries — AAWIC Studios LLC for original documentary and short-film production (titles include 'Dear Josephine' and 'Mother Knows Best') and Arret Media LLC for independent filmmaker development, production guidance, distribution, and marketing support — extending monetization into content IP and production services. Distribution leverage is broad but non-proprietary: PayPal for payments, Bonfire for e-commerce, Vimeo and YouTube for video, Buzzsprout and iHeartRadio for podcasts, Amazon Prime and PBS/POV for finished films, and partnership channels via National Urban League, UNESCO NYS, and the United Nations.

Revenue is not publicly disclosed, no institutional funding rounds or external investors are present in the data, and operations are supported by 11-50 staff and volunteers. The organization has accumulated significant intangible assets including a New York City Historic Proclamation, the NAACP Woman of the Year Award (2011), the Nelson Mandela Award (2017), and Terra Renee's "First African American Woman Film Producer/Filmmaker to host a panel on Capitol Hill" distinction, which together underpin sponsor confidence and member loyalty across a 28-year operating history.

Name

African American Women In Cinema

Legal name

African American Women In Cinema Organization, Inc.

Website

https://aawic.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

African American Women In Cinema (AAWIC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by Terra Renee in 1997-1998 that supports women filmmakers of color through an annual film festival, awards, workshops, mentorship, regional chapters, and two production subsidiaries (AAWIC Studios LLC and Arret Media LLC).

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Festival and Filmmaker Support Services

NAICS

Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Other Performing Arts Companies (71119), Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries (512)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Allied To Motion Picture Distribution (7829)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGAHAJ

Media Arts & Film/Photography Nonprofits

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Arts, Culture & Heritage Nonprofits

SECONDARYMPADAKAH

Community & Cultural Screenings (Museums, Cultural Centers)

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Exhibition (Cinemas, Film Festivals, Screenings)

SECONDARYMPAGABAD

Community & Amateur Theatre

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Live Entertainment & Events (Concerts, Theater, Festivals)/Theater, Broadway & Performing Arts

SECONDARYMPADAEAC

Corporate & Internal Communications Video

Media, Entertainment & Sports/Film & Video Production/Distribution/Commercial & Branded Video Production

Keywords

• Women film festivals
• Filmmaker support programs
• Nonprofit film organization
• Documentary production services
• Minority filmmaker networking

Headquarters

HQ city

Bronx

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership program with tiered pricing - Free general membership, $50 Friendship membership, and $100 A-List membership providing newsletters, event invitations, and discounts.
2. Merchandise Sales: Sale of AAWIC branded merchandise including t-shirts priced at $24.99 through Bonfire e-commerce platform.
3. Film Festival Access: Pay-per-view access to film festival content including 'The First on Capitol Hill' encore presentation at $6.99 through Exposure Plus TV partnership with HBO On Us.
4. Donations: Accepts charitable donations including cryptocurrency through Engiven platform. Also accepts Donor Advised Funds contributions and sponsorship fees for specific programs like Cannes Film Festival.
5. Sponsorships: Corporate sponsorships for events and programs including the AAWIC Film Festival, with sponsors such as iOne Digital, NBCUniversal, A&E Network, and Ponce Bank.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

African American Women In Cinema (AAWIC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that runs the annual AAWIC Film Festival, provides membership-based networking and mentorship programs, operates film production subsidiaries (AAWIC Studios LLC and Arret Media LLC), and hosts community events, awards, and online media series to support women filmmakers of color in the entertainment industry.

Product overview

African American Women In Cinema (AAWIC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that operates as a multi-product platform serving women filmmakers for 28 years. The core offerings include the annual AAWIC Film Festival (established 1998), the WES Awards, Sundance Screening Program, Anti-Gun Violence Tour, Online Media Series, and Film Festival Podcast. The organization operates two production subsidiaries: AAWIC Studios LLC for original documentary productions like 'Dear Josephine' and 'Mother Knows Best,' and Arret Media LLC for indie filmmaker support. Additional products include tiered membership programs (Free, Friendship $50, A-List $100), regional chapters (Atlanta, Florida), merchandise, and an e-book publication. The portfolio functions as a comprehensive ecosystem supporting filmmakers from showcase to distribution, with films available on Amazon Prime and content distributed via YouTube, Vimeo, and podcast platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• AAWIC Studios LLC: A dynamic creative hub founded by Terra Renee to amplify and celebrate the authentic voices of women of color in film and media through bold storytelling and innovative content.
• Arret Media LLC

Products and services

• AAWIC Film Festival
• AAWIC Membership Program
• WES Awards
• AAWIC Anti-Gun Violence Tour
• AAWIC Sundance Screening Program
• AAWIC Film Collective Series Vol 1
• AAWIC Studios LLC
• Arret Media LLC
• Dear Josephine Documentary
• Mother Knows Best
• AAWIC 25th Film Festival Podcast
• The Politics of Black Women In Film Podcast
• The First on Capitol Hill
• AAWIC Online Media Series
• 25th AAWIC Film Festival Encore Presentation
• AAWIC Atlanta Chapter
• AAWIC Florida Chapter
• AAWIC Classic T-Shirt Official AAWIC branded premium unisex t-shirt by Next Level Apparel, made with 60/40 cotton-poly blend, sold for $24.99 via Bonfire e-commerce platform.

Named customers1 record

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration9 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, major and core.

• iOne DigitalflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024iOne Digital was a major sponsor of the 25th AAWIC Film Festival and Allison McGevna, Senior Vice President of iOne Digital, received the 25th AAWICFF Pioneer Award.
• NBCUniversalmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024NBCUniversal served as a sponsor for the 25th AAWIC Film Festival, supporting the organization's mission to empower women filmmakers of color.
• A&E NetworkmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024A&E Network provided sponsorship support for the 25th AAWIC Film Festival.
• Utah Film StudiosflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017AAWIC partnered with Utah Film Studios to create a platform for women of color filmmakers during the Sundance Film Festival, receiving a special award for Best Program.
• National Urban LeagueflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational Urban League partnered with AAWIC to present the visionary work of filmmakers at the AAWIC Film Festival, featuring a curated selection of films reflecting the richness and power of Black women's experiences. The partnership provides complimentary registration for film festival events.
• Interfaith Film FestivalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerInterfaith Film Festival is a supporting partner of AAWIC Film Festival events, co-presenting screenings and providing festival support.
• Black Lives Rising Film FestivalcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBlack Lives Rising Film Festival serves as supporting partner for AAWIC Film Festival, co-presenting screenings and documentary content.
• Morgan StanleyflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerMorgan Stanley sponsored the WES (Women of Excellence Salute) Awards hosted by AAWIC, with the C2G Group organizing the event at Morgan Stanley Headquarters in New York City.
• United Nations (New Future Foundation NGO)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerTerra Renee serves as a United Nations Delegate with NGO New Future Foundation for CSW (Commission on the Status of Women). AAWIC maintains delegate status and participates in UN activities.
• African Women for Good GovernancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAAWIC is a member of African Women for Good Governance. Terra Renee co-organized and hosted the 'Women In Power making a Global Difference' conference at the United Nations, sponsored by this organization.
• UNESCO NYScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTerra Renee sits on the Executive Board of UNESCO NYS, supporting international cultural and educational initiatives.
• Exposure Plus TV / HBO On UsflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorExposure Plus TV, a 24/7 platform partnering with HBO On Us, streams AAWIC's 'The First on Capitol Hill' encore presentation as pay-per-view content at $6.99.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Film Independent: LA-based nonprofit supporting independent filmmakers through labs, fiscal sponsorship, and the Spirit Awards. Comparable as a filmmaker-support nonprofit, though broader in scope and not women-of-color specific.
• Women in Film & Television International: International umbrella supporting women across film, television, and digital media with chapters, awards, and advocacy. Comparable to AAWIC as a women-in-film nonprofit platform, though WIFTI is broader in scope and not focused specifically on women of color.
• Pan African Film Festival: Large-scale LA-based festival celebrating filmmakers of African descent with screenings, awards, and educational programs. Comparable in mission scope (Black filmmaking) but operates at significantly larger scale than AAWIC.
• Sundance Institute (Women Forward / Sundance Ignite): Major nonprofit arts organization running labs, festivals, and programs including initiatives supporting women and filmmakers of color. AAWIC partners with Sundance via its screening program; comparable as a film nonprofit ecosystem peer.

Direct peers

• Urbanworld Film Festival: NYC-based festival celebrating diversity in cinema with programming for emerging filmmakers of color. Comparable to AAWIC's NYC festival model and diversity-focused mission.
• New York Women in Film & Television (NYWIFT): NYC-based nonprofit supporting women working in film, TV, and digital media via networking, mentoring, and programming. Directly comparable to AAWIC's NYC-anchored women-filmmaker mission, though NYWIFT is not race-specific.
• Black Women Film Network: Nonprofit dedicated to supporting Black women filmmakers through screenings, networking, and education. Closely comparable mission to AAWIC's focus on women of color in cinema and a directly competing platform.
• Reel Sisters of Film Festival & Media Arts: Brooklyn-based festival and media arts organization dedicated to women of color in film, video, and TV. Closely comparable to AAWIC's women-of-color festival mission and NYC-based footprint.
• BronzeLens Film Festival: Atlanta-based film festival focused on films by and about people of color, with a women-filmmaker emphasis. Comparable to AAWIC's Atlanta chapter presence and festival-driven support model.

Others

• Black Public Media (BPM): Nonprofit supporting independent Black media producers via funding and distribution, formerly known as the National Black Programming Consortium. Comparable as a Black-content support organization and adjacent to AAWIC's talent-development mission.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/AAWICInternational

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about African American Women In Cinema