2011 San Francisco International Women's Film Festival Announces Short Film Program

March 25, 2011 - PRLog -- Women’s Film Institute has announced the program of films selected to screen at the 2011 San Francisco International Women’s Film Festival (SFIWFF). This year the San Francisco International Women’s Film Festival program is comprised of 35 shorts from women directors and co-directors who are from San Francisco, other parts of the U.S. and various international countries.  "It's been a great year for women in film.  The San Francisco International Women’s Film Festival shorts program is one not to be missed this year,” states Scarlett Shepard, Executive Director of the Women’s Film Institute.  The 2011 San Francisco International Women’s Film Festival runs from April 6-10 at the Roxie Theatre in San Francisco. The complete list of films is available at: http://sfiwff.slated.com/2011/schedule/week.

The short films selected for the 2011 San Francisco International Women’s Film Festival are:

U.S. NARRATIVE SHORTS – San Francisco Women Filmmakers

Pax America / U.S. /Portugal (Director: Joana Lima) - A young Colombian woman, who has migrated to San Francisco, California, meditates on the difference between her peaceful present life, and her violent past as a member of the FARC guerrilla.

Martha and Dee Visit the Fifth Dimension (Director: Noelle Foster) - Martha's family has all the outward trappings of suburban bliss. When Martha decides to run away from home, she brings her invisible friend Dee along for an adventure in the city. The two girls discover answers to life and the universe, including the nature of the Fifth Dimension.


U.S. NARRATIVE SHORTS

Grant St. Shaving Co. (Director: Payal Sethi) - An elderly widower wanders through New York City to replace his favorite razor, a first anniversary present from his late wife. Along the way, he meets a friendly delivery guy who takes him on the scenic route down memory lane, back to the same shop.

Little Creatures (Director: Chelsey Dubiel) - In an afternoon of childhood play and whimsy two friends realize that they see the world differently and that their friendship will never be the same.

Little Spoon (Director: Lauren Fash) - Little Spoon' follows a day in the life of an addict. After breaking the heart of her college roommate, Dillyn is forced to move in with her brother and his seven-year-old son, Jigsaw. In her attempt to give up spooning, Dillyn finds her addiction may have some benefit after all, only this time, she's the 'big spoon.'

Bathing & The Single Girl (Director: Christine Elise McCarthy) - A comedic look at the unspoken horrors of dating and bathing with younger men.

The Indian and the Samurai" (Director: Shilpi Roy) - Anil, an awkwardly shy Indian teenager who works in his family’s Indian grocery store, dreams of becoming a Samurai warrior. One day, a Samurai walks into the store, 
and Anil’s dream becomes his reality. But will Anil’s world accept an Indian 
Samurai?

Beirut...Hide&Seek (Director: Darine Hotait) - In 1982 war-torn Beirut, a family lives an emotional war inside the house. Each one seeks a dream. At the end, they all have to face the reality of war.

Becoming Cephalopod (Directors: Rebecca Ramsey, Ariel Aman and Katherine Nilsen) - A film about a girl born with paintbrushes on her hands and feet who has trouble fitting in, and how meeting an octopus changes more than just her life.


INTERNATIONAL NARRATIVE SHORTS

The  Fish / Switzerland (Director: Asa Johannisson) - FISH Gerd is a lonely, young woman who´s only friend, a goldfish, recently died. When Gerd goes out to buy a new fish it also means new experiences. Fish is a tribute to all of us who have ever felt we don´t fit in.

The Frog / Switzerland (Director: Cecilia Torquato) - While the girls get dressed as princesses the boys are knights with swords.  One of the princesses also wants a sword. But?

Puerta 6 / Spain (Director: Avelina Prat) - A man follows another man and begins to copy his clothes, his home, his work ... his life.


DOCUMENTARY SHORTS – San Francisco Women Filmmakers

Positive Negatives (Director: Mindy Steiner) - David Johnson, now 84 years old, was the first African American student to study photography under Ansel Adams. He produced an invaluable collection of black and white images from 1946 to 1966 showing the social, political and private lives of Blacks living in San Francisco's Fillmore District.

Esther & Me (Director: Lisa Geduldig) - A touching and humorous portrait of San Francisco Jewish nursing home resident, Esther Weintraub, a funny, feisty, politically-minded, former model, former comedian, who comes back to life when a spring chicken in her 40's (comedian/comedy producer, Lisa Geduldig) befriends her.

Raging Grannies (Director: Pam Walton) - How much can a small group of people accomplish when they're up against the monolithic organizations that run our country? How can individuals create change in their own democracy when local, state and federal governments ignore them? How can older women, a largely invisible group in American culture, use who they are to advocate for justice and equality?

Who Is Paco Gomes: a dance documentary (Director: Skye Christensen) - Discover the dance of Paco Gomes, who straddles Western and Brazilian culture through his art and life. This dance documentary follows the movement of Paco's dance, his artistic process, and his travels.

Danza del Viejo Inmigrante (Director: Charlene Music) - Through moments of sacrifice and also of joy, elderly Latinos find the courage to forge a new life in the United States. An elderly woman reads a poem from her newfound love. A little boy caresses his grandmother’s tired face. Octogenarians study for their citizenship.

Girls of Daraja (Director: Barbara Rick, Producer: Deborah Santana) - Celebrating the unique and powerful Daraja Academy in Kenya: the first free all-girls secondary school in all of East Africa.  Daraja Academy is a revolutionary idea – a secondary school where remarkable Kenyan girls, otherwise forgotten due to the lack of school fees, are given the one thing they desire most – a chance to succeed, because Daraja and its supporters believe educated girls can transcend poverty and change the world.

FIX-IT SHOPS: An Endangered Species (Director: Dorothy Fadiman) - An Endangered Species takes an affectionate look behind the scenes at Menlo Park's Vacuum & Fix-it Shop, which repairs small appliances.


Wahid's Mobile Bookstore (Director: Anjoo Khosla) - Wahid's Mobile Bookstore, straight from the streets of Mumbai, a riveting short about Wahid a 9 year old mobile bookseller who makes a living selling international bestsellers to customers stopping in their cars at traffic intersections in Mumbai, India.


U.S. DOCUMENTARY SHORTS

Adult Beginner Ballet (Director: Michelle Ortega) -  'Adult Beginner Ballet,' is about adults of various ages, shapes and sizes who take a beginning ballet class at the San Francisco Dance Center. This short documentary features a dedicated teacher who is determined to teach adults the beautiful and technically challenging art of ballet and prepare them to perform on the stage.

Ten Seconds (Director: Kacey Morrow) - For one week, eight people around the country captured videos of their everyday lives at the same designated times regardless of the time difference.

Life Model (Director: Lori Petchers) - A look into the world of an aging nude figure model and beautiful artwork she inspires.

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About San Francisco International Women’s Film Festival:
Supported by the Women’s Film Institute, the Festival has introduced San Francisco residents to some of the best films directed and produced by women from all over the world. The Festival was founded in 2004 to celebrate the achievements of women working behind the camera in film, from the earliest days of cinema up to the present, and to raise awareness about the need for more opportunities for women filmmakers. Each spring, the Festival presents a week of film screenings and other events that showcase and honor films directed or co-directed by women. www.womensfilminstitute.com