The Women in Film International Committee’s 3rd Annual Short Film Series, which this year will feature films from Palestinian and Israeli filmmakers, one of the few festivals in the country to bring together these two cultures into one event, officially opened its call for submissions. The films selected will be a part of an entire evening of song, dance and art, celebrating what both cultures bring to their people and the world.
“We are very excited about this year’s series,” says Tessa Bell, one of the producers of the film festival and a member of Women in Film’s International Committee. “Every year we focus on a different culture in an attempt to bring understanding and also enjoy the talents of filmmakers from other parts of the world who bring to us exciting films often from perspectives many of us might not otherwise get.” Tobie Loomis, an advisory chair of the WIF International Committee and Bell’s producing partner for this event wanted to do something different this year. “Instead of focusing on one culture as we have done in our previous series, I wanted to instead bring together into one evening two different but intertwined cultures that certainly are on the forefront of the world’s stage but from whom we don’t often get to experience their art, their people and way of life. We expect it to be a very enlightening and celebratory evening,’ says Loomis.
All of the film’s in this year’s festival, which is being held September 30, 2009, at Mt. St Mary’s College in Los Angeles, must have someone of Palestinian or Israeli descent in one of the key filmmaker positions - director, producer, scriptwriter, cinematographer, though they can come from any place in the world. In addition to the screenings of several short films during the evening there will also be Palestinian and Israeli dancers, musicians, and art, as well as a chance to taste the culinary delights of some of the Middle East’s unique dishes.
This is a short film series so all of the films must have a running time of no more than thirty minutes and can be in a language other than English as long as there are subtitles.
Submissions cannot be in PAL format. There is no charge for submissions to the festival.
Interested filmmakers should go the festival website at www.wif.org/
Women In Film International Committee fosters an interactive, cultural bond with other countries by discovering, promoting and supporting the ideas and efforts of entertainment professionals, especially women, throughout the world. Goals include developing programs and events such as industry panels on co-production, screenings in association with consulates and film boards, and participation in international film festivals. Networking doesn’t stop at our borders, so WIF International Committee is dedicated to serving as a resource for our international filmmaker guests and dignitaries. Women In Film International Committee Co-Chairs are Ruby Lopez and Arati Misro, and its Advisory Chairs are Tobie Loomis and Gabrielle Kelly.
Women in Film is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping women achieve their highest potential within the global entertainment, communications and media industries and to preserving the legacy of women within those industries.
