All films will be shown at:
University of the Art, Caplan Recital Hall
211 South Broad Street, 17th Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19107
Saturday, March 12th, 2016- Free Event
Funny Women Panel | 60 minutes | @ 1:00PM
A panel of funny women.
Anna Suzuki
Anna Suzuki is a NYC-based comedian and actor. She has appeared in numerous stand-up festivals around the country. Credits include Orange is the New Black, HBO’s High Maintenance, “I am Michael” (with James Franco, Zachary Quinto), “Time Out of Mind” (with Richard Gere). Currently Anna is part of the all-Asian sketch team, Azn Pop, and co-host of the variety show/podcast, The Soul Glo Project. Most recently Anna co-created the dark comedy web series, ‘Japandering’ in Tokyo based on her experience growing up biracial in Japan. Say hi to Anna on Twitter @thejapjap! More info: japandering.com, helloannasuzuki.com
Jennifer MacMillan
Jennifer MacMillan was the Valedictory Speaker at Commencement- Class of 2006 in her Acting Program. She was also the winner of the Inaugural National Playscripts Funny Women Competition. Published play Enter Bogart She is currently a professional improviser and founding member of Tongue and Groove Spontaneous Theater Company ( performed with 7 years). She is also the Co-Founder and former Artistic Director of Bright Invention: The White Pines Ensemble. She is internationally recognized storyteller with a 4 star review for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Was a Barrymore Nomination for Outstanding Ensemble for “Fair Maid of the West” with the Philadelphia Artists Collective in 2015. A quote from Toby Zinmans review of The Government Inspector with the IRC -the gifted comedienne Jennifer MacMillan Feb. 2016.
Christina May
Christina May is the founder and president of Image of the Word, LLC, established in 2008. She developed her own company to serve as an Acting Coach for aspiring artists, and to create and showcase her original works as an actor. Christina uses the mediums of coaching, directing, writing, and connecting to inspire and motivate others to be forces of Divine Light & Love in the earth.
Moderator- Melissa Kim
Melissa Kim is a writer, director, and producer with a B.A. in Electronic Media from The George Washington University. She once rocked the polyester blue jacket of NBCUs Page Program, and spent several years working in Los Angeles in casting, international television distribution, and theater, among many other pursuits. She has since returned to the Philadelphia area and is currently a writer for entertainment website Soompi. On a completely unrelated note, if you run into Taecyeon, please give him her number.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016-
Kayla O’Donnell/Comedy Shorts Program @ 2:00PM- Free Event
There will be a 5 minute performance piece to Cabinet Battle #2 from “Hamilton” the musical by Kayla O’Donnell before the films.
Peace of Mind Guaranteed | USA | 10 minutes
Directed by Swati Srivastava
Watch Trailer
DNA Paternity testing. One test, many answers. Most of them you don’t want to know!
Director, Swati Srivastava and Co-Producer, Brenden Hubbard may be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Step 9 | USA | 13 minutes
Directed by Leonora Pitts
Two friends, one in recovery and one decidedly not, go on a roadtrip to begin making amends.
Director, Leonora Pitts may be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Texting: A Love Story | USA | 8 minutes
Directed by Jeanette Buck
A short, awkward romantic comedy about love, intimacy, and connection in the digital age.
Another Time | USA | 25 minutes
Directed by Amy Frear
Watch Trailer
A twenty-something woman who may or may not be a lost time traveler deals with commitment issues and indecision in present day Philadelphia.
Director, Amy Frear will be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Animal Profiles | USA | 7 minutes
Directed by Becky Zak
Watch Trailer
Charmingly odd animated comedy where a variety of cartoon animals earnestly discuss a different topic each episode. We Find out the inner workings of our furry friends’ brains and discovers that their struggles aren’t so different from ours…
Hacktivists | USA | 10 minutes
Directed by Genevieve McPherson
In efforts to save their community’s water source, four brilliant women pose as a book club to work as an Anonymous hackers satellite cell to take down the money behind the fracking project destroying their local reservoir. Their greenest member, Jess, is a new mother of twins and feeling the pressures to balance her home life with her work life. As a result, she screws up her assignment and scrambles to repair her mistake in order to stay in the club.
Director, Genevieve McPherson will be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016- Family Shorts Program @ 3:15PM- Free Event
My Brother’s Stocking | USA | 2 minutes
Directed by Hannah Field
My Brother’s Stocking’ is about a family of robins who inhabit a hollowed out space in the wall of a London building. One summer day, the two baby brothers are playing outside when one of them is taken and killed by a kitten. Shock and sadness come upon the whole bird family. As they grieve, they are confronted with a decision to either take the path of anger and bitterness, or to take the path of grace and joy.
How is How | USA | 7 minutes
Directed by Pheng H. Tang
Sometimes getting out of the house in the morning is like a Mission Impossible for a single Chinese immigrant mother and her two kids in How is How.
Director, Pheng H. Tang will be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Farewell my Bird | USA | 22 minutes
Directed by Ameneh Moghaddam
An elderly photographer who loves his pet canary more than anything becomes jealous when a young boy makes a connection with his bird causing a love triangle.
Director, Ameneh Moghaddam may be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Game On! | USA | 15 minutes
Directed by Jennie Crystle
Watch Trailer
On a Monday morning gone wrong, a creative mother of a hectic family, and corporate manager, is challenged to pitch a big contract to her company. After overcoming hilarious obstacles before work, she discovers the support she needs for success has been there all along.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016- PWIFT Panel @ 4PM- Free Event
Presented by
How Can We Make Female Media Makers in Philly More Visible to the People Who Hire?
Join PWIFT and the Women’s Film Festival for a conversation and brainstorming session with:
PANEL:
David Dunn, Executive Producer/Director and Co-founder of All Ages Productions
David Dunn is one of the co-founders of All Ages Productions. As a director he has worked for clients such as: Sailor Jerry Rum, Lily Pulitzer, Hendricks Gin, Britta/Mavea, Health Republic, Dockers, DIAL for Men, TYR, Warby Parker, CHOP and many others. Davids personal works have shown in galleries and festivals nationally. He has completed two US tours of his work video work and over six tours of his performance work. He is also a co-founding member of the Copy Gallery, an alternative arts exhibition space, and the Small Change Experimental Film Screening Series in Philadelphia. David was also a member of the renowned art collective Space 1026 and has shown work with them in venues such as the Institute of Contemporary Art in Philadelphia, Bravinlee Gallery in NY, and LoBot Gallery in Oakland, California.
Maureen Schultz, Owner/Executive Producer, Sweet Spots Productions
Maureen Schultz is an experienced content creator strategically positioned at the crossroads of traditional TV, digital content and social media. She skillfully guides shows and cross-media projects from initial concept to top honors and awards.
Whether producing a broadcast TV series, a YouTube channel or a social media campaign, Maureen engages audiences by merging compelling storytelling with new forms of video and technology.
Combining her multifaceted production experience with digital strategy skills, Maureen creates effective and entertaining content for Sesame Workshop, Disney, Discovery Health, Animal Planet, and other prestigious clients.
Maureens proven expertise across all phases of production enables her to bring together and lead the best talent for any project. Her work has garnered multiple awards, among them an Emmy, Telly and BDA Promax.
Unlike some industry folks, Maureen is proud to admit she watches a lot of TV and constantly monitors digital and social media channels. Its not just a job, its a lifestyle, after all.
Aaron Spence, Chief Business Development Officer for BoatHouse Pictures
Aaron currently serves as the Chief Business Development Officer for BoatHouse Pictures. In 2012, Andre Saballette, Mario Maiale, and Aaron began BoatHouse with $100 and a very big dream: toengage a community of storytellers in Philadelphia helping bring their visions to life. In his capacity as a cofounder & CBDO, Aaron seeks to forge partnerships with those interested in working with a unique creative film organization, building a strong local business community, supervising the logistical needs for clients, and leading the strategic planning for the company at large. He is a proud graduate of both West Catholic Preparatory High School and La Salle University. Aaron serves on the boards of several local community organizations including the West Catholic Alumni Association Board of Governors, The Overbrook Park Church of Christ, and The HER Project, where he serves as Chairman of the Board.
Jacqui Sadashige, Senior Lecturer for the Critical Writing Program at the University of Pennsylvania
Jacqui Sadashige (Moderator) received her BA from Amherst College in English and Fine Arts, an MA in English from Indiana University, and her MA and PhD in Classical Studies from the University of Pennsylvania. Jacqui is currently a Senior Lecturer for the Critical Writing Program at the University of Pennsylvania where she teaches writing seminars that address race and popular culture, with an emphasis on film. Her scholarly interests focus on the ways in which popular culture reflects and refracts our views on race, gender, and species. In addition to teaching and writing about popular culture, Dr Sadashige is also a staff member of the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival, a local fitness professional, and an Elephant Ambassador for the Save Elephant Foundation in Thailand.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016-
“Self Defense for Women” by Platoon Fitness @ 5:00PM- Free Event
For more than 20 years Platoon personal training has been helping people in the Philadelphia, PA get in shape and feel better. They train the body the way it should perform and function in real life. Platoon Fitness has been generous to teach our women how to defend themselves if under attack by another person. Please join us in this free 15 minute demo with a Q&A by fitness instructors by Platoon Fitness.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016
Centerpiece Film: Gender Journeys: More Than a Pronoun | USA | 90 minutes | @ 5:30PM
Directed by Tess Kunik
Gender Journeys: More Than a Pronoun is the first part of a documentary series that focuses on the #TransLivesMatter movement. The filming, which took place at Luke Allen Productions LLC, is part of a larger project that hopes to, according to Christina May, producer, and Tess McChesney Kunik, filmmaker document intersectionality within the Trans* identity. Those interviewed were a host of professionals and activists in the Philadelphia who had the expectation to highlight lives that are often underserved.
Director, Tess Kunik, Producer, Christina May and Executive Producer, Luke Allen will be available for a Q&A session.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016-
LGBTQ Shorts Program @ 6:50PM- Free Program
Truthful Innards | USA | 4 minutes
Directed by Margaret Polzine
An experimental animation approaching the idea of the layers a body builds when it has been harmed.
Director, Margaret Polzine will be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Malefemale | USA | 9 minutes
Directed by Kristin Adair
Frances Reed identifies as gender non-conforming. While they love their body, they have struggled with pain and injury connected to their gender presentation. Frances story is about the challenges and joys of living in ones body, while also seeking to connect and grow in relationship and service to others. This short documentary follows Frances and their long-time partner Jessica as they navigate life together, running an evolving community wellness space called Freed Bodyworks, and being who they are.
Director, Kristin Adair may be available for a Q&A session.
Carefree | USA | 22 minutes
Directed by Tara Shayne
Tara, a quirky, high-strung girl in her 20’s visits her hometown, for the first time since leaving at 17, to crash her high school sweethearts wedding. Through a series of awkward encounters and ridiculous scenarios she finds that not too much has changed back home, yet everything has changed.
Mom’s Wedding | Canada | 12 minutes
Directed by Michelle Brightman
Two very different and estranged sisters come together to celebrate their mother’s new marriage. Dramatic and comedic moments ensue as the sisters tackle issues of sexuality, conformity and family dynamics strengthening their sisterly bond.
Director, Michelle Brightman will be in attendance for a Q&A session.
The Hurtin’ One | Canada | 3 minutes
Directed by Jess Lee
Nursing heartache, a queer woman finds temporary reprieve while immersing herself in a Portuguese community street party.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016-
International Drama Shorts Program @ 7:50PM- Free Event
Roubado | France | 18 minutes
Directed by Erica Watson
A teen photographer in the south of France develops a tense relationship with his mother’s new boyfriend.
Rajakumaran (Prince) | India | 15 minutes
Directed by Sarath Menon
A prostitute creates a bedtime story for her son about his father whose identity even she doesn’t know. Rajakumaran is a mono act involving two characters, one of which marks their presence only through voice. Rajakumar tries to bring out the social issues regarding prostitution and how the children born to prostitutes face a tough life ahead of them. The film is the debut venture by writer and director Sarath Menon. Renowned art house cinematographer MJ Radhakrishnan’s cinematography and the editing skills of B. Lenin make this film unique.
Director, Sarath Menon may be in attendance for a Q&A session.
Barrio Dos: Pintados | Philippines | 4 minute
Directed by Erykah Del Mundo
An elite officer of the Philippine National Police must swear off against a crime lord to rescue a kidnapped girl.
The Guard | Italy | 5 minutes
Directed by Ludovica De Santis
Two children in a building: the guard is outside.
Saturday, March 12th, 2016
The Saver | Canada| 88 minutes | @ 8:50PM
Directed by Wiebke von Carolsfeld
After being orphaned in the middle of a harsh Montreal winter, teenager Fern resolves to avoid her mothers tragic fate by becoming a millionaire. “All you need to do is save,” according to the book How to become a Millionaire. So, with Youth Protection at her heels, she lies to get a job first as a live-in janitor and then another as a dishwasher, saving whatever she finds along the way. But despite all her smarts and fierce determination, Fern’s house of cards beings to crumble, until she realizes that she may not be as alone as she once thought. Based on the young adult novel by Edeet Ravel, starring the newly discovered Imajyn Cardinal, The Saver was written, edited and directed by award-winning filmmaker Wiebke von Carolsfeld (Marion Bridge, Stay).
Director, Wiebke von Carolsfeld and Producer, John Christou will be available for a Q&A session via Skype.