8 Short Docs About Inspiring Women

Date: 10/03/2020 Times: 7:30 pm - 9:05 pm

We were approached by Feminista Film Festival and Tour and asked if we would like to show these inspiring documentary films about women and girls from around the world, in celebration of International Women’s Day. We are only too happy to. They range from 3 to 25 minutes in length and were made in a range of countries: UK, USA, Pakistan, Greenland and Greece. They are called Girls’ section, Grace, Katie, Life of Pie, My Big White Thighs and Me, My Mum Vala, Neal and Sarah and are in black and white and colour. They are a selection from a previous festival which covered inspiring skiers, swimmers, rock climbers, singers, dancers (see photo), painters, sculptors, women facing barriers in Pakistan, Greta Thunberg and so on.

One review of the festival said that “the event was an absolute delight and a perfect mix of art and adventure films.” Another said “I was moved and inspired by the stories of strength, dedication, skill and perseverance against long odds.”

Here is a synopsis of the films we are showing:

Life of Pie

Singletrack shredders and pizza chefs Jen Zeuner and Anne Keller have transformed their town into a mountain biking hotspot with their Hot Tomato Café. It wasn’t easy at first — some conservative residents weren’t quite ready for their “lifestyle.” But they are now indispensable members of the community. Run time: 11 minutes 25 seconds. Created by: Felt Soul Media

Girls Section

Life is hard in remote northern Pakistan – especially for women, who face significant cultural, economic, and geographic barriers to opportunity and education. For the first time, girls in the region are challenging tradition for their right to go to school. Run time: 12 minutes 30 seconds. Director: Kathryn Everett

My Mom Vala

Rivers run through Vala Árnadóttir’s blood and she’s teaching her daughter Mathilda everything she knows. This short film paints the fantastical and mysterious country of Greenland through Mathilda’s fantasies and Vala’s eyes. Run time: 9 minutes 45 seconds. Director: RC Cone

Sarah

Once a swimming champion in Syria, now Sarah finds herself on a broken boat in the Mediterranean. She knows that this will be the most important race she will ever compete in. The prize – saving her own life and the life of her sister. Run time: 3 minutes 52 seconds. Director: Boryana Ivanova 

Katie

Katie Lee was many things: Hollywood starlet turned river rat, guitar-wielding folk singer, uncompromising defender of wilderness and mischievous rabble-rouser. This short film pays tribute to a life shaped by beauty, adventure and the sorrow of a paradise lost, but most of all by uninhibited passion. Run time: 9 minutes 43 seconds. Created by: Felt Soul Media

Grace

Captures the journey of a 36-year-old suburban soccer mom and breast cancer survivor who decides to reclaim her body by covering her mastectomy scars with an elaborate tattoo. Directed by a recent breast cancer survivor and created by an all-female crew. Run time: 16 minutes. Director: Rachel Pikelny 

Nela

A strikingly intimate study of the great classical ballerina Marianela Nuñez as she dances to Nina Simone, choreographed by Will Tuckett. Run time: 3 minutes 26 seconds. Director: Andrew Margetson

My Big White Thighs and Me

A young-ish woman has fallen out of love with her own body. Frustrated, she wishes they didn’t have to hang out quite so much. Committed to making a change she sets herself the simple goal of swimming in open water at least once a month for a year. Duration: 25:00. Director: Hannah Maia

click below for a review of the Feminista Film Festival and Tour

 

 

 

Venue: William Loveless Hall