Horror, Hip-Hop, Drama, and Comedy dominate at this year’s festival

Vancouver, Canada - The 7th Annual Vancouver Women in Film Festival 2012 (VWIFF), presented by Women In Film + Television Vancouver (WIFTV), celebrates the kick off on International Women’s Day commencing Thursday, March 8 to Sunday, March 11, with the Women In Film + Television International (WIFTI) short film showcase screenings on March 8. 

Today, more than ever, women behind the lens are playing a significant role in the film industry; however, in contrast to their male counter-parts, women still face the challenge to receive recognition for their films. According to Telefilm Canada’s 2010 report on the state of women in the Canadian Feature Film Industry, women professionals report they are disadvantaged with respect to visibility at Canadian film festivals.

Festival Director, Roslyn Muir states, “The Vancouver Women in Film Festival and Women In Film + Television Vancouver programs are an integral part of the industry. Without our support, women filmmakers in Western Canada would not have the same filmmaking opportunities that exist today.” Muir continues, “Each year, our submissions and audience numbers continue to grow and, to me, that proves that there is a need to have women's stories seen, heard and celebrated in the public arena.”

On March 8, the Vancouver Women in Film Festival kicks off with the Spotlight Awards Gala™ and the WIFTI short film showcase. The VWIFF will announce the Legacy Awards to the top three BC filmmakers at the festival, and the Women in the Director’s Chair (WIDC) Feature Film Award, curated by WIDC President Carol Whiteman, will present a $120,000 in-kind award to this year’s recipient, which is administered by Creative Women Workshops. Additional events include a Pre-Festival Launch Party, a Digital Media Masterclass, Pitching sessions, Receptions, and Networking Lunch presentation.

Featuring a talented line-up of Canadian, US and International women filmmakers, the  VWIFF will showcase six features and over 50 short films, made by both first-time and veteran filmmakers. Curated by Roslyn Muir, the festival’s feature-length highlights include seasoned filmmaker Desiree Lim’s horror ‘The House’, Netherland director  Kaat Beels drama ‘Hotel Swooni’, director Amy Bohigian’s same-sex adoption documentary  ‘Conceiving Family’, and Tracy D. Smith’s ‘Everything and Everyone’, which features some of Vancouver’s premier talent.   

Curated by Tara Hungerford, the festival short films and director highlights include: Mina Shum’s comedy ‘ Hip Hop Mom’; Rainmaker’s animated production ‘Luna’ directed by Donna Brockopp; and MPPIA winner  ‘Move Out Clean’,  by Kelly-Ruth Mercier, which was also rated #1 on the Shortsreport blogspot.  In addition, VWIFF will showcase the ‘Wise + Wild’ Yukon shorts,  curated by filmmaker Lulu Keating, which includes festival award-winners such as ‘Time Lines’ by Suzanne Crocker, ‘Soft Spoken’ by Evan Rensch, and ‘Longest Dream’ by Kim Beggs, to name a few.

Vancouver Women in Film Festival is grateful to all of our media sponsors involved in the festival this year and would like to thank 24 Hours Vancouver, City TV, Global BC, CBC, MeTV KVOS, WE (Westender), City of Vancouver, Playback, and Shaw for their support.

Media Contact:  Tanya Tweten ~ Promoter at Heart ~ e. tanya@promoteratheart.com ~ t. 604-872-2352