Just in time to honour International Women’s Day, LUNAFEST is an evening of short films by, about, and for women. Featuring films by both emerging and award-winning directors, the 2019 lineup focuses on intersectionality, highlighting important stories about women that may not otherwise receive attention.
“We try to find topics that speak to the social climate,” says LUNAFEST assistant program manager Anja Hakoshima.
Currently in its 18th year, LUNAFEST is the first all-women travelling film festival, now screening in approximately 150 cities across the United States and Canada. The fest’s origins lead back to Clif Bar & Co. co-owner Kit Crawford; the Luna Bar is a nutrition bar for women created by Clif Bar. Crawford is an artist and a strong advocate for women in the arts. If someone wants to bring LUNAFEST to their city, the only request is a $350 donation to Chicken & Egg Pictures, a non-profit organization that supports women filmmakers. Hakoshima explains that they do their best to ensure the donation request is never a barrier to entry, and says that they have waived it in the past.
“The hosts themselves take the net proceeds from the event and give it to their organization,” says Hakoshima. “In this case, it’s the Zonta Club of Victoria. In general, it’s women’s causes, but we don’t eliminate other causes, as well.”
The 90-minute event showcases eight films, each exploring the human condition and female experience through the lens of immigration, LGBTQ identities, disability, race, and more. Hakoshima explains that the event itself is apolitical, although there are films that challenge the status quo and highlight social-justice issues faced by women today.
“We get some pretty powerful films,” says Hakoshima.
Hakoshima says that the organization now receives over 1,000 submissions of short films from all over the world every year. The artists who are selected to fill the main lineup receive an award of $2,500 and are often invited to attend the events.
“They have a chance to really talk to their audience and promote their film,” says Hakoshima. “They get a lot of visibility that they probably wouldn’t if they had just made this one short film but no one was watching it. This way, a lot of people get to see it.”
As for what the future of the fest holds, Hakoshima says she hopes more and more filmmakers submit their films.
“The more the merrier,” she says. “We get more films and of better quality and then more hosts will learn about us too, and so they can utilize this wonderful tool.”
LUNAFEST
7 pm Saturday, March 9
$18, The Vic Theatre
lunafest.org