WHO WE ARE
Women in Film & Television Texas is the leading nonprofit membership organization chartered in 2023 for people working in the media and entertainment industry throughout Texas including members located throughout the United States and globally and advocates of the organization.
We are proudly an official chapter of Women in Film & Television International “WIFTI” which is a global network of more than 13,000 members and 70 partners and chapters located on six continents that for more than 50 years has been dedicated to advancing professional development and achievement for women working in all areas of media and entertainment.
WHAT WE ARE BUILDING
We are currently accepting membership applications to join WIFT Texas from women who comprise a broad range of professions spanning the entire Media & Entertainment industry. From producers and directors to accountants and lawyers, above the line and below, in front of the camera or behind it, WIFT Texas is dedicated to helping women reach their highest level of achievement in media and entertainment.
The WIFT Texas mission and programming is dedicated to promoting equity for women in the Media & Entertainment industry, and we also offer memberships for people who want to advocate, align with, and support our organization. College students from across the state, individuals with an interest in learning about the industry, partner organizations, and our corporate members comprise our membership and team. It is our mission to build community across the industry while collaborating with other WIFTI chapters and partners and organizations in the region we serve.
WHAT WE STAND FOR
HELPING WOMEN REACH THEIR HIGHEST LEVEL OF ACHIEVEMENT
SUPPORT + PRODUCE STORYTELLING THAT HAS THE POWER TO CRAFT CULTURE
TO ACHIEVE PARITY & EQUITY IN WOMEN’S CAREERS IN THE MEDIA & ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
IDENTIFY & INCLUDE PARTNERS IN TEXAS AND GLOBALLY WHO ALIGN WITH OUR ETHOS
ADVANCING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT + EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMING
BUILDING COMMUNITY ACROSS THE INDUSTRY + COLLABORATING WITH SISTER WIFTI CHAPTERS
join OUR REGIONAL & GLOBAL COMMUNITY
Global members
continents
chapters & partners
founding year in los angeles
FOUNDING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CESLIE ARMSTRONG
Board of directors chair & ceo
A native San Antonian and resident Ceslie Armstrong grew up in San Antonio, the Texas Hill Country, and Mexico who then lived and worked in NYC and LA for 25+ years, is the founding Chairwomean of the Board of Directors and CEO of Women in Film & Television San Antonio chartered in 2023 that expanded and rebranded to Women in Film & Television Texas in 2024. She is the CEO of CESLIE Studios (founded 2003), CEO of The BeXar Studios, and Executive Producer of NYTEX Productions. She is an award-winning media and entertainment executive, writer, director, multimedia publisher, art curator, and advisor to major organizations who engage her for her expertise in media and entertainment, as well as building recurring revenue business models focused on tentpole entertainment brands and robust programming slates of original IP.
She has been featured talent and host on thousands of hours of live and recorded broadcast television and radio on major networks, studios, and platforms and held senior editorial positions at major national women’s magazines, and is a globally renowned interviewer [ credits here ]. Armstrong has packaged and produced premium original IP and programming for major networks and studios. She is the publisher for the state of Texas for Global Village Publishing’s INNOVATE series of luxury coffee-table books. A pioneer in early internet-based streaming, Armstrong produces and packages content across all digital platforms.
She has produced Grammy award-winning artists; interviewed world leaders, top celebrities, and influential icons globally. In 2017, the State of Texas commended in a Senate Resolution entered into law and adopted by the 85th Legislature naming Armstrong for the commitment to excellence in journalism and a Resolution was prepared as an expression of esteem. She earned a BFA degree from TCU and her first TV gig was as a “kid reporter” for NBC at HemisFair ’68; her first film appearance was in The Sugarland Express (1974) filmed in San Antonio and Steven Spielberg’s directorial debut; and her first live audience theatre performance was at the Lila Cockrell Theatre. Bio, credits & acknowledgements: ceslie.com
EILEEN KRET
DIRECTOR, vice president
A native of New Mexico and a long-time resident of San Antonio, Eileen Kret is an executive producer, strategist, and marketing executive whose career has spanned the creative, business, and technology sides of the media and entertainment industry.
She is the principal of Innov8 Management Group and a sampling of projects include the feature films Say A Little Prayer (2024) starring Luis Fonsi, Selena (1997) starring Jennifer Lopez; media broadcast series “San Antonio Profiles” (2023-2024); live San Antonio events including Diwali, Fiesta, Fiesta de los Reyes, and many more.
Eileen Kret is a well-known producer in the music industry and is a Mayor of San Antonio appointed Arts Commissioner.
JEFFREY DASH
Director, Treasurer
A native New Yorker, Jeffrey Dash is a serial entrepreneur who has been based in Los Angeles for 30+ years with partnerships operating in Texas. He’s the well-known powerhouse behind a multitude of successful businesses in the Media & Entertainment industry including film and television productions; product development; brand licensing; editorial and commercial photography studios; celebrity, artist, and talent management.
Among other accomplishments, Dash co-founded and successfully built Screenbid into a multi-million-dollar company; launched the children’s publishing company Awesome World LLC; operates Corleone Fine Italian Foods and Spirits under a long-term partnership with Paramount (based on The Godfather film franchise) and is instrumental in the operation of Shotsie Productions Inc, a Los Angeles based print & motion production and marketing company, specializing in media.
Dash grew up highly cognizant of social issues caused by wealth inequalities and has spent years combatting those effects for others as well as being a staunch advocate for women’s rights. He is passionate about harnessing sound economic principles for positive impact on the non-profit sector, which led him to co-found Cleargivers.org and join the Board of Directors of Women in Film & Television Texas.
