Winter Film Festival is still going strong with ZipSprout a decade later
Steffanie Finn is the Executive Director of the Winter Film Festival, a New York City event showcasing diversity in the independent arts.
We interviewed Steffanie to hear about her decade-long relationship with ZipSprout. Here’s what she said.
Recognizing excellence and diversity in cinema
I’m Steffanie Finn, Executive Director at the Winter Film Festival.
The Winter Film Festival is a New York City event. Like the city itself, we showcase the eclectic diversity and excitement of the independent arts world.
We are an all-volunteer, minority- and women-owned registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in 2011 in New York City by a group of filmmakers and enthusiasts. We recognize excellence and diversity in cinema, with a special emphasis on nurturing emerging filmmakers from all genres around the world.
Our mission is to promote diversity, bridge the opportunity divide, and provide a platform for underrepresented artists and a variety of genres, viewpoints, and approaches. We believe that only by seeing others’ stories can we understand each other, and only via an open door can the underrepresented artist enter the room.
Winter Film Festival is heading into its 15th edition, February 24 to 28, 2027, at Regal Union Square in Manhattan. We will be screening 75-100 indie films from around the world with Director Q&A, 6-8 Education Sessions on topics of interest to emerging filmmakers, plus networking mixers and glittering parties at venues throughout New York City.
Winter Film Festival’s sponsorship mix
Each year, we have about 60-70 sponsors and partners. The majority of our cash funding comes from NY State Council on the Arts and NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. Other sponsors include film, entertainment, and hospitality-related businesses in NYC and around the United States. We also frequently partner with local startup businesses to promote and support each other.
Additionally, we partner with several local universities, including Pratt University, Pace University, Wesleyan University, NYU/Tisch, and NY Film Academy, and with a number of film communities such as SAG, Women in Production, NY Women in Film & TV, NYU Arts Alumni, and Squalor NYC.
What was your initial impression of ZipSprout?
Working with ZipSprout wasn’t a hard sell. We’re always thrilled to work with anyone interested in helping us!
The Festival’s Executive Director — me — makes all decisions like this. No need to sell the Board; they only handle large-scale decisions and approve the annual budget.
This year, we’ve been working with ZipSprout for ten years!
What has your experience been like over 10 years of working with ZipSprout?
We’ve had great success with ZipSprout! We’ve been consistently getting about 500-1000 in cash donations per year through ZipSprout, and I hope to increase that.
The ZipSprout staff has been consistently lovely and responsive.
What is the process like with ZipSprout?
It’s been very quick and painless. My ZipSprout representative contacts me with a potential sponsor. Once we agree, ZipSprout sends us the items we need — generally a logo and a link. We update the website, confirm completion, and receive payment right away.
It takes maybe 30-60 minutes of effort total on our side per donation.
What’s your advice to other festivals considering ZipSprout?
I always encourage other Festivals to give ZipSprout a try — they’re great!
