Women's Film Festival Announces Line-Up for 20th Anniversary with
More Eclectic, Exciting Films than Ever Before
January, 2011, Brattleboro, Vermont: The Women’s Film Festival (WFF) of Brattleboro, Vermont, the longest-running women’s film festival in New England and one of the oldest in the country devoted to films by and about women, announced its special 2011 20th Anniversary line-up today with more entertaining and illuminating films than ever before– films that raise awareness of the struggles, accomplishments and creativity of women around the corner and around the globe. A full list of film and blurbs can be found at the WFF website at www.womensfilmfestival.org.
This year the festival is bigger than ever: Over 10 days in March (Women’s History Month) 39 films will be screened at the historic art-deco Latchis Theater and the modern New England Youth Theater in Downtown Brattleboro, a cultural magnet town voted one of the top 25 small cities for art in America by American Style magazine.
The festival opens on Friday, March 11 with “Women Without Men” a surreal and exquisite drama from Iranian-American filmmaker and artist Shirin Neshat and closes on Sunday, March 20th with the world premiere of Allan Holzman’s “My Marilyn,” examining the dark psychological corners of Marilyn Monroe’s life.
An opening gala will be held during Brattleboro’s monthly Gallery Walk on Friday, March 4 where women’s digital art and an overview of upcoming films will be spotlighted at the Latchis Theater. On Saturday, March 26, the festival will officially close with a repeat showing of the ‘Best of Fest’ audience favorite and new high school video competition winners at the New England Youth Theater.
First-time screenings include: “Bhutto,” which will include a post-film discussion (Sunday March 13 4:00 pm) with Vermont State Senator and diplomat Peter Galbraith, a close friend of the slain Pakistani leader; “Poster Girl,” a hard-hitting documentary about a high school cheerleader turned gunner in Iraq shortlisted for an Oscar nomination; as well as films that deal with family issues, the environment, food, aging, art and many other topics. Several films will be accompanied by Q&As with directors and experts following the screenings.
To celebrate its 20th year, the 2011 WFF will also devote some screenings to the best films of festivals past, such as the acclaimed musical-drama “Joanna D’Arc of Mongolia” (featured on the festival poster), audience favorites “I, Doll, The Story of Barbie,” “Heart of the Sea” and Agnes Varda’s acclaimed “The Gleaners and I.”
This is the first year WFF is collaborating with the Center for Digital Art to highlight women’s digital art and mount a national “Min Vid” competition through You Tube for high school students. There will be cash prizes and special screenings awarded to the top
entries illuminating the theme ‘Woman’ in less than two minutes. Details on entry can be found at the Women’s Film Festival website under the heading “High School Video Contest.”
The festival is unique in that it is fully volunteer run and 100% of proceeds benefit the Women’s Crisis Center, a non-profit organization that helps women and children from southern Vermont and surrounding areas protect themselves against domestic violence while educating the community about everyone’s role in stopping the cycle of violence all around us.
WFF chooses films over the winter through a committee process that offers a final roster of cream-of-the-crop features and cutting-edge documentaries from festivals around the world; and a call-for-entries that yields surprising gems. Over the years the festival has had area premiers for much-lauded films such as "Born Into Brothels" and "Bend It Like Beckham"; numerous films screened at the festival have gone on to receive Academy-Award nominations.
In 2010 the WFF received a prestigious grant from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to provide free access to members of youth, elder and multi-cultural organizations, bringing greater diversity to festival audiences.
Brattleboro itself is reason enough to come and celebrate WFF’s 20th year. Nestled in the Green Mountains in the south-east corner of the state only two hours from Boston and three hours from New York City, this creative hub features its own art museum, fine restaurants, unique boutiques, four independent bookstores, and many other arts venues. One may enjoy the charm of the town while taking in top-notch film fare that may never make it to the local multiplex. The manageable size of the festival makes it a stress-free experience that offers a roster of women’s films unsurpassed by larger festivals in big cities.
The festival should come with a warning: whether you are a man or woman -- you will not leave unmoved! Tickets can be purchased ahead of time. Full details, the film line-up and a continually updated calendar of events related to the WFF can be found at the Women’s Film Festival website at www.womensfilmfestival.org.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Womens Film Festival Soiree
WOMEN’S FILM FESTIVAL KICKS-OFF PLANNING FOR 20TH ANNIVERSARY
WITH VOLUNTEER SOIREE
Brattleboro, Vermont: September 14, 2010. People interested in volunteering to be
part of one of Vermont’s most noteworthy events -- the annual Women’s Film Festival
– on its historic 20th anniversary are invited to attend a Volunteer Soiree’ on Monday,
20 September 2010 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at the Marlboro Graduate Center, Room 2 East, 28 Vernon
Road, in Downtown Brattleboro. Food and beverages will be served, a short film
showed and volunteer and internship opportunities discussed.
The 20th annual Women’s Film Festival will run from March 11 through 20, 2011 at
the Latchis Theater and the New England Youth Theater in Downtown Brattleboro.
Google ‘womens film festival’ and the Women’s Film Festival in Brattleboro comes up
first and for good reason. It is the longest running women’s film festival in the nation
and is internationally recognized for the breadth and quality of films presented each
year.
The festival is also important – and unique – in that 100% of proceeds support the
Women’s Crisis Center which, for more than 30 years, has helped free women and
children from the painfully common cycle of domestic violence.
“The festival is 100 percent volunteer-run,” Marilyn Buhlmann, chairperson of the
Women’s Film Festival Steering Committee and Chair of the Board of Directors of
the Women’s Crisis Center said. “People who attend the soiree will explore exciting
opportunities to express their talents while helping others.”
Volunteer and academic internships are available in the following areas: Publicity,
marketing and design, volunteer coordination, special events, hospitality, art show and
silent auction, bookkeeping and budget, administrative support, corporate and individual
sponsorship and fundraising and film selection.
Those who cannot come to the Soiree and would like more information, including job
descriptions, should visit the film festival website at www.womensfilmfestival.org or
contact Gail Haines at 802 387-5676 or gail@svcable.net.
WITH VOLUNTEER SOIREE
Brattleboro, Vermont: September 14, 2010. People interested in volunteering to be
part of one of Vermont’s most noteworthy events -- the annual Women’s Film Festival
– on its historic 20th anniversary are invited to attend a Volunteer Soiree’ on Monday,
20 September 2010 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at the Marlboro Graduate Center, Room 2 East, 28 Vernon
Road, in Downtown Brattleboro. Food and beverages will be served, a short film
showed and volunteer and internship opportunities discussed.
The 20th annual Women’s Film Festival will run from March 11 through 20, 2011 at
the Latchis Theater and the New England Youth Theater in Downtown Brattleboro.
Google ‘womens film festival’ and the Women’s Film Festival in Brattleboro comes up
first and for good reason. It is the longest running women’s film festival in the nation
and is internationally recognized for the breadth and quality of films presented each
year.
The festival is also important – and unique – in that 100% of proceeds support the
Women’s Crisis Center which, for more than 30 years, has helped free women and
children from the painfully common cycle of domestic violence.
“The festival is 100 percent volunteer-run,” Marilyn Buhlmann, chairperson of the
Women’s Film Festival Steering Committee and Chair of the Board of Directors of
the Women’s Crisis Center said. “People who attend the soiree will explore exciting
opportunities to express their talents while helping others.”
Volunteer and academic internships are available in the following areas: Publicity,
marketing and design, volunteer coordination, special events, hospitality, art show and
silent auction, bookkeeping and budget, administrative support, corporate and individual
sponsorship and fundraising and film selection.
Those who cannot come to the Soiree and would like more information, including job
descriptions, should visit the film festival website at www.womensfilmfestival.org or
contact Gail Haines at 802 387-5676 or gail@svcable.net.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Thank You
The Women’s Film Festival would like to thank everyone who attended our 2010 festival and all of the businesses, organizations and individuals who continue to offer support and enthusiasm for this annual event which benefits The Women’s Crisis Center. The festival is truly a group effort; one that includes dozens of sponsors, donors and volunteers.
This year’s festival was made possible by The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences; The Kates Foundation; Latchis Theater/Brattleboro Arts Initiative; Hooker Dunham Theater and Gallery; Key Bank; Brattleboro Food Co op; Brattleboro Museum & Art Center; The Brattleboro Retreat; Chroma Technology; Brattleboro Savings and Loan; Clear solutions; Dr. Elizabeth McLarney; Planned Parenthood of Northern New England; Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity;Bernstein & Fisk Psychotherapy Associates; Dr. Mary Bove/ Brattleboro Naturopathic Clinic; Peter Havens; Brattleboro Area Farmers Market; Melissa Hayes; Park Place Financial Advisors; Richards Insurance Group; Cheryl Wilfong; The Austine School; Brattleboro Housing Authority; Tapestry; Westgate Tenant’s Association; Department of Youth Services; Nancy Groff/ Vermont Interpreter Referral Services; ASL interpreter, Bridgit Paradis; Randy Susan Meyers; Harry Saxman; The Putney Co-op; Landmark College; Putney Inn; North Country Naturals; Someone’s in the Kitchen; Vermont Country Deli; Amy’s Bakery & Arts Café; Side Hill Farms; Chai Wallah; Domino’s Pizza; Fireworks Grill; Grafton Village Cheese; Riverview Café; TJ Buckley’s; Cappella Clausura and Suzanne d’Corsey and, of course, to all of our loyal and hard working volunteers- this festival would truly not exist without you.
Special thanks go to the Steering Committee and Film Selection Committees who labor all year round to produce this event; to our Publicity folks - who got our name out far and wide; to our excellent web site and new media committee who brought us reluctantly into the world of Google documents, Twitter, FaceBook et al and especially to Kristin Wilson for her tireless work on our website; to our fund-raising /grant committee who acquired much needed funding; the Visions Art Show crew for organizing a wonderful venue for local artists; BethAnn Agostini for her invaluable legal advice; the show volunteer committee and all the show volunteers - who made sure there were people to sell tickets and welcome film goers; and to the dozens of other volunteers from hospitality, film trackers and marketing to proofreaders, Best in Fest and data compilation - we are very grateful for you all.
Finally, our gratitude and awe go to the many courageous and strong women in the world who are making their own lives and the lives of many others better, by winning over unsurmountable odds. And to the creative and insightful film makers and directors who tell their stories.
Kris Alden
This year’s festival was made possible by The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences; The Kates Foundation; Latchis Theater/Brattleboro Arts Initiative; Hooker Dunham Theater and Gallery; Key Bank; Brattleboro Food Co op; Brattleboro Museum & Art Center; The Brattleboro Retreat; Chroma Technology; Brattleboro Savings and Loan; Clear solutions; Dr. Elizabeth McLarney; Planned Parenthood of Northern New England; Vermont Partnership for Fairness and Diversity;Bernstein & Fisk Psychotherapy Associates; Dr. Mary Bove/ Brattleboro Naturopathic Clinic; Peter Havens; Brattleboro Area Farmers Market; Melissa Hayes; Park Place Financial Advisors; Richards Insurance Group; Cheryl Wilfong; The Austine School; Brattleboro Housing Authority; Tapestry; Westgate Tenant’s Association; Department of Youth Services; Nancy Groff/ Vermont Interpreter Referral Services; ASL interpreter, Bridgit Paradis; Randy Susan Meyers; Harry Saxman; The Putney Co-op; Landmark College; Putney Inn; North Country Naturals; Someone’s in the Kitchen; Vermont Country Deli; Amy’s Bakery & Arts Café; Side Hill Farms; Chai Wallah; Domino’s Pizza; Fireworks Grill; Grafton Village Cheese; Riverview Café; TJ Buckley’s; Cappella Clausura and Suzanne d’Corsey and, of course, to all of our loyal and hard working volunteers- this festival would truly not exist without you.
Special thanks go to the Steering Committee and Film Selection Committees who labor all year round to produce this event; to our Publicity folks - who got our name out far and wide; to our excellent web site and new media committee who brought us reluctantly into the world of Google documents, Twitter, FaceBook et al and especially to Kristin Wilson for her tireless work on our website; to our fund-raising /grant committee who acquired much needed funding; the Visions Art Show crew for organizing a wonderful venue for local artists; BethAnn Agostini for her invaluable legal advice; the show volunteer committee and all the show volunteers - who made sure there were people to sell tickets and welcome film goers; and to the dozens of other volunteers from hospitality, film trackers and marketing to proofreaders, Best in Fest and data compilation - we are very grateful for you all.
Finally, our gratitude and awe go to the many courageous and strong women in the world who are making their own lives and the lives of many others better, by winning over unsurmountable odds. And to the creative and insightful film makers and directors who tell their stories.
Kris Alden
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