The 14th annual Vancouver International Women in Film Festival (VIWFF) celebrates the best of cinema created by women. Running from March 5 to 10, 2019, VIWFF is pleased to be screening 49 films from 19 different countries around the world including 18 local filmmakers!
Opening the festival is the Vancouver Premiere of Warrior Women (US), a documentary featuring Lakota activists Madonna Thunder Hawk and her daughter Marcella Gilbert, who are at the forefront of Native issues, fighting against the environmental devastation of the Dakota Access Pipeline and for indigenous cultural values. Director Elizabeth Castle and film subject Marcella Gilbert will be in attendance. Warrior Women will be screened with the animated short, Bidaaban (The Dawn Comes) from local filmmaker Amanda Strong.
VIWFF is excited to present the World Premiere of Swords And Scepters: The Rani of Jhansi (USA) an epic period film set in India in 1850. The film follows the Rani as she becomes a growing symbol of Indian resistance and ultimately changes the shape of history. The film’s director, Swati Bhise will be in attendance for a discussion.
VIWFF will screen three BC feature films including the Canadian Premiere of A Perfect 14. This feature documentary explores the world of plus-size models fighting to reshape the fashion industry and the beauty standards of society. The film’s director, Giovanna Morales Vargas, producer, James O’Brien, and subject, Kerosene Deluxe will be in attendance.
Other BC features include the BC Premiere of Gigi Saul Guerrero’s, La Quinceañera, and a screening of Ana Valine’s, Once There Was A Winter.
La Quinceañera captures fifteen-year-old Alejandra Santos, whose life is about to change forever on the night of her quinceañera. The film reflects the director’s recognizable style of Tex-Mex grit with a touch of grindhouse and gore. Gigi Saul will be in attendance.
In Once There Was a Winter we are drawn into a dangerous game set in the desolate North where, fueled by isolation, loss and jealousy, Lady treads a delicate balance between defiance and disappearance. Anna Valine will be in attendance.
The program also includes 15 local shorts from filmmakers Athena Han, Agathe Bernard, Meeshelle Neal, Tricia Collins, Iris Moore, Amanda Strong, Layla Cameron, Heather Perluzzo, Ana de Lara, Ana Carrizales, Petie Chalifoux, Jules A Koostachin, Mia Fiona Kut, Tristin Greyeyes, and Eva Brownstein. Many local filmmakers will be in attendance. International Women’s Day on March 8th includes two free screenings, the Canadian Premiere of The Feminist (Sweden) and She Is The Ocean (Russia). The Feminist’s producer, Helene Granquvist, will be in attendance. She Is The Ocean’s director, Inna Blokhina, will be in attendance.
VIWFF is proud to screen several Canadian and International shorts among a diverse selection of documentaries and features. The festival will close with the Awards Ceremony followed by the closing night party. Enjoy the tastes of Syrian cuisine with refreshments by Tayybeh.
Stay tuned for additional announcements including special guests, panel discussion, receptions, workshops, tickets and more!
VIWFF is grateful for the support of VIFF Vancity Theatre, Canadian Heritage, BC Arts Council, Telefilm, Creative BC, City of Vancouver, TELUS, CMPA-BC, UBCP, Bridge Studios, Casting Workbook, CCE, CFM, Chandler Fogden Aldous, DGC BC, Georgia Straight, IATSE 891, ICG 669, Line 21, Matrix Production Services, Pacific Backlot, Ron Heaps, Ken Hayward, Sandman Hotel, Sim International, Side Street Post, Super Channel.