Debra Zimmerman
Executive Director, Women Make Movies, Inc.
MASTER CLASS 3: Perfect Grant Writing

Debra Zimmerman has been the Executive Director of Women Make Movies, a non-profit feminist media organization since 1983. During her tenure the organization has grown into the largest distributor of films and videotapes by and about women in the world. Women Make Movies is known for discovering and distributing the films of new and innovative filmmakers, including Sally Potter, Jane Campion, Gurindha Chadha and Julie Dash. Its Production Assistance Program has assisted such features as Boys Don't Cry and Love & Diane, a recent WMM theatrical release. Zimmerman is in great demand as a lecturer on women's media and media distribution and fundraising throughout the world, has been a grants panelist for government and private foundations and served as a jury member for numerous festivals. She is a former President and Chair of the Association of Independent Video and Filmmakers. She currently sits on New York State Council for the Arts Electronic Media and Film Funding Panel and is a member of the Advisory Boards of DocuClub, NY; Frameline, San Francisco; Asian Cine-Vision, NY; the Center for Social Media at American University; the Boston Women's Film and Video Festival and the Florida Room Documentary Film Festival.