The Seventh Annual Vancouver Women in Film Festival (VWIFF) is set to coincide with this year’s International Women’s Day on Thursday, March 8, and run through Sunday, March 11. All films screened at VWIFF are created by women in at least three of the key creative roles (one woman may serve in more than one role): Writer, Producer, Director, D.O.P., Lead Actor, Lead Animator/Editor, or Lead Composer.
Women behind the lens play a key role in the world of film, but still face challenges when it comes to receiving recognition. VWIFF helps to showcase talented women around the world through both film and industry events. The festival, presented by Women In Film and Television Vancouver (WIFTV), will showcase six feature films and more than 50 short films, made by both first time and seasoned women filmmakers.
Kicking things off with the Spotlight Awards Gala™ and the WIFTI short film showcase, three top BC filmmakers will be chosen to receive the Legacy Award, while the coveted Women in the Director’s Chair (WIDC) Feature Film Award will go to one outstanding filmmaker, who will pocket a prize of $120,000.
According to festival Director, Roslyn Muir, “The Vancouver Women in Film Festival and Women In Film and Television Vancouver programs are an integral part of the industry. Without our support, women filmmakers in Western Canada would not have the same filmmaking opportunities that exist today.” Muir continues, “Each year, our submissions and audience numbers continue to grow and, to me, that proves that there is a need to have women’s stories seen, heard and celebrated in the public arena.”
[Hip Hop Mom by Mina Shum. Photo credit: Matt Lyon]
The festival short films and director highlights include: Mina Shum’s comedy ‘Hip Hip Mom‘, Rainmaker’s animated production ‘Luna‘ directed by Donna Brockopp, and MPPIA winner ‘Move Out Clean‘ by Kelly-Ruth Mercier.
Additionally, VWIFF will showcase the ‘Wise + Wild‘ Yukon shorts curated by filmmaker Lulu Keating, which includes festival award-winners such as ‘Time Lines’ by Suzanne Crocker, ‘Soft Spoken’ by Evan Rensch, and ‘Longest Dream’ by Kim Beggs, to name a few.
[Swooni, directed by Kaat Beels]
The festival’s feature-length highlights will include:
Desiree Lim’s horror ‘The House‘
Kaat Beels drama ‘Hotel Swooni‘
Amy Bohigian’s same-sex adoption documentary ‘Conceiving Family‘
Tracy D. Smith’s ‘Everything and Everyone‘, showcasing some of Vancouver’s premier talent
Film genres will include Comedy, Dance, Music, Hip-Hop and Art, Dramedy, Drama, Documentary, Environmental, French language, Foreign language, Gay/Lesbian, History, Horror, Human Rights/Social Issues, Latino, Romance, Magic Realism, Sci-fi, Spiritual, and Western.
In addition to the gala and screenings, a pre-festival launch party, Digital Media Masterclass (“Exploring Platform + Content”), pitching sessions receptions, and networking lunch will round out the three day festival.
The Vancity Theatre, 1181 Seymour Street in Vancouver will serve as the festival’s venue. For tickets or more information, visit the VWIFF website.
