Nancy Sawyer Schraeder is the lead instructor for Empower Women Media and the creative director of 2021’s Religious Freedom Film Competition. A scriptwriter and producer, Nancy wrote Magdalena: Released from Shame, a feature film which premiered at the United Nations and has been translated into over 200 languages. Portions, a compelling film she wrote and co-produced, won Best Short Fiction Film at the World of Women Film Fair in Dubai. She is also the writer and producer of the cross-cultural comedy web series, Zahra’s New World, and the media-driven eCourse, Live What You Believe. After graduating Magna cum Laude from Wheaton College, Nancy completed a Master of Professional Writing in Drama/Screenplay at the University of Southern California. A passionate teacher and speaker, she has taught writing and film at Biola University and at media summits in Los Angeles, Cairo, London, Tunisia, and online.