ABOUT SWIFT
Our History
In 2013, four Savannah-based female film business professionals came together to form the Savannah chapter of Women in Film. The Four Goddesses (pictured from left) are: Karla Schindler, Marian Green, Judith More, and Beth Nelson.
“SWIFT was started by Beth, Karla, Marian, and me over a glass or two of wine,” chuckled Judith More. “We decided we needed to bring the female filmmakers of Savannah together to showcase what we could do. We had all experienced the disdain of Hollywood crews,” said More.
Connect Savannah (March 26, 2023)
Our Mission
SWIFT has a powerful, two-pronged mission. Our first focus is the advancement of female filmmakers in their craft through education, networking, and mentorship. The second focus is to promote Savannah as a desirable area to live and work in the Film and TV business.
Our Commitment
SWIFT is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting equity, visibility, and opportunity for women and gender-expansive individuals in media and entertainment. Our Code of Conduct applies to all members, event attendees, volunteers, partners, and individuals engaging with SWIFT both in person and online. It is intended to ensure a respectful, welcoming, and professional environment for all.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PRESIDENT: CARA MURPHY
Hailing from the charming landscapes of Alabama and Georgia, Cara has emerged as a distinguished Film and Television Line Producer with a unique blend of southern grace and cinematic expertise. Trained in two esteemed film schools in the southern United States, Cara's journey took a fortuitous turn when she secured a role coordinating a feature film in North Carolina, starring notable actors such as Hugo Weaving, Judy Greer, Carol Kane, and Jack Davenport—a testament to her early prowess in the field. Elevating her career to the role of Line Producer, Cara has left an indelible mark on the industry. With an extensive portfolio that spans over 30 films, projects such as the series "Blue", "Logan Paul Vs.," "Lip Sync Battle Preshow," and the talk show, “The Blend” as well as producing content collaborations with iconic brands like Cotton, NutriBullet, and Brides Live Wedding. She is celebrated for her ability to think swiftly on her feet and offer creative solutions to production challenges. Her impactful contributions extend beyond the professional sphere, as evidenced by her role in producing eight 48-hour film projects, earning her 14 award nominations and the coveted Audience Award. Cara's journey exemplifies a harmonious marriage of southern warmth, cinematic expertise, and an unwavering commitment to creative storytelling — a unique force in the realm of Film and Television production.
VICE PRESIDENT: KARLA SCHINDLER
Karla is one of the four founding members of SWIFT and the current vice president. For the first few years of the organization she was the president of SWIFT in Savannah. Karla started her film career in 1978 as the first and only female motion picture Teamster/driver in NY. In the late ’80s she moved to Los Angeles. That same year she had her first son and changed her career path. She became an interior designer specializing in restoration of older homes. Karla was also an active member of the Pasadena historical homes society. While still in Los Angeles she adopted three children from Asia and became very involved in the adoption community. She was on the board of “Los Angeles families with children from China.” Karla’s adoption experience took her in a new direction when she became the international outreach coordinator for the Heartsent Adoption agency. In 2007 the family moved to Savannah, Georgia. Her work as an interior designer quickly brought her into the film industry here in Savannah. She worked her way up quickly and became an Art Director and an Assistant Production Designer. She was a member in good standing with IATSE local491. In 2015, her life went full circle and she became a Georgia, Teamster/Local 728. She is presently working as a cast and crew driver on films. Check out her IMDB for films and credits.
TREASURER: SAMITA WOLFE
It was on her way out of Woodbine, GA, headed to her destiny by way of a Naval ship bound for Japan, that Samita Wolfe took a long look at the sign at the edge of her home town that said “Dead Peoples Things For Sale.” That old sign would shine in her memory like a call to arms. Steeling herself in that moment she made a vow to prove to herself she could accomplish most anything with grace and style all while never ever paying retail. A hundred tattoos later, she struck out to up-cycle the world’s great theatrical cast offs. Her mission: to rescue old beautiful things to give them wonderful jobs in film and TV over and over again. She took over Film Biz Recycling in 2016 and brought it to Savannah, GA. It’s a way to commodify her instinct to hoard and to keep perfectly useful things from the sets of movies, plays, and TV shows from being wasted. Simultaneously Samita enables the touring and merchandise needs of the band Shovels And Rope, where she has served in some capacity as merchanery, tour support and caretaker. They would be nothing without her.* One fateful day Samita found herself on a film set, staring at a haphazardly decorated scene with non period items – anachronisms all over the place – not to mention inflated budget sheets and dumpsters full of waste. She looked around her, stood tall, red hair billowing on a sudden gust of dramatic wind and bellowed out across the scope of the production “STOP THIS NONSENSE! WHO’S IN CHARGE HERE?!” None dared claim responsibility for the nonsense, and in the power vacuum that was left Samita made a list, a few phone calls, and worked her Virgo magic on the whole show.** Drawing from her own personal stash of things formerly owned by dead people and old movies and shows, she guided the production to an authentic look, reduced the budgets, and made everyone relax. She had the answers people needed answered, and everyone had a good laugh. Samita may be the most frugal person in the world while simultaneously being incredibly generous and abundantly fun. She has an eye for useful things and will find them wherever they hide. She is happy to demonstrate the effectiveness of a 100 year old vacuum cleaner if you need convincing. She has a resourcefulness that is infectious, resulting in all people in her orbit caring more about the world and looking better while doing it. She has a proven talent for connecting people in community and work, with a network of friends and business associates that spans the globe, and she doesn't even sell pictures of her feet yet. She is often supported by a cohort of do-gooders with great style and incredible work ethic on whom her creative circle (including the band Shovels and Rope) has come to depend. Such wonderful folks as her husband Andrew Sovine, the classy chihuahua named Tank, and if you ever catch her in the company of buyer Daphne Colson (her sidekick and future replacement in case of a terrrrrrible accident) you know she means business and is willing to stand on that business for YOU! * this part is absolute fact and has been confirmed with both band and management ** this part is only loosely based on facts but gives the reader the correct gist that Samita is an amazing set decorator and buyer, as well as a Virgo [in my experience Virgos more often than not have a plan and a list and don't really need your help, but are not afraid to ask if they do!] - Written by Cary Ann Hearst
PROGRAMMING & EVENTS CHAIR: BETH NELSON
Beth Nelson, AFCI Certified Film Commissioner, was the founding Executive Director of the Savannah Regional Film Commission from 2016 – 2022. She promoted the Savannah region to the entertainment industry, serving as a liaison between film companies and local municipalities, providing assistance to production companies filming in the area, and supporting local crew and businesses. During her tenure Savannah saw huge growth in the entertainment industry, resulting in economic benefit to the region as well as an increase in jobs in film and television production. Prior to assuming the role of Savannah Film Commissioner Beth worked as a location manager for film, television, and commercial production. Before transitioning to a film career, Beth was an educator in the Savannah-Chatham County Public School System. Beth holds a Master of Education degree from Armstrong State University and a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Georgia. Beth is one of the founders of Savannah Women in Film and Television, serving as president of the organization for many years, and is currently a member of the executive board. She is a founding member of the Savannah Film Alliance. Currently she is the Savannah Field Steward for IATSE 491.
EDUCATION CHAIR & MEMBERSHIP: CAROLINE KAROKI
Caroline is guided by the belief that everyone has a story, creating films that connect audiences through shared humanity and lived experiences. Her directing credits include Art With Every Breath, The Price of Hope, Amnesty, and the recently completed short, The Making of Taylor Square. She is a Southern Documentary Fund grant recipient, a former Cucalorus and Working Films Works-in-Progress (WiP) Lab resident, and a South Pitch Finalist alum
SECRETARY: MARIAN GREEN
Marian has been a stunt performer and stunt coordinator since 1980. The first half of her career was in Los Angeles and the second half has been in Georgia. Marian is one of the four founding members of SWIFT (aka The Goddesses).
MEMBERSHIP: AUGUST STARLING
August joined SWIFT in 2022 and has been working in the film industry since 2015. She owns a small drone company in Savannah named Avian Edge LLC, where she is a Drone Pilot and Drone Camera Operator working on commercials, documentaries, and feature films. August also splits her time in the film industry working as an Assistant Director and Actor. When not filming she is usually working on a theater show, sewing, or riding her motorcycle.
MEMBER-AT-LARGE: JUDITH MORE
Judith was born a very long time ago, in Columbia, SC, the second of six children, to a family with deep Savannah roots. After graduating from the University of South Carolina with a BA in Philosophy, she and her best friend drove to San Francisco to become hippies. Fortunately, she got a job at the American Conservatory Theater instead, making costumes and dressing actors. After 3 years of ACT and the Marin Shakespeare Festival, she realized that she loved Shakespeare more than Aristotle and a career was born. In 1970, she sold her Camaro and blew the money on a trip to London to visit an English friend. It was vibrant, exciting, cold and wet and there was plenty of work. There she met her husband Alan, who was then a Director of Photography and settled down. But in 2011, after helping Alan with his production company and raising two beautiful sons, both of whom joined the film business, she declined to suffer another English winter and moved to Savannah, becoming the fifth generation of her family to live here. Alan soon followed. Their eldest son Alex was already in LA and the youngest Duncan soon moved to Atlanta. Her involvement with the film industry here started just months later with the film, “Savannah.” After that, she put her hand up for every costume job that came to town, sharing the work with a talented group of locals. Ten years ago, Judith and 3 of her friends, Beth Nelson, Marian Green Hofstein and Karla Schindler decided that they needed a way to raise the profile of filming in Savannah and SWIFT was born. They had two goals: to bring the women film crew together and to show Hollywood that Savannah had talented crew. When Judith took over as President, they expanded those goals to include mentoring for young women new to the business and to give back to our community by sponsoring Parker House for single homeless women. Although Judith is mostly retired from stitching costumes, she keeps busy with being a Coastal Georgia Rep for IATSE 491, giving talks to film classes and gardening.