This video documents a roundtable discussion held on September 10th, 2013 at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto. (Text and screen grab from Athena Film Festival Vimeo)
In the face of such gender inequity in the industry and corresponding neglect of women's productions by mainstream festivals, a growing movement of women's film festivals around the world has committed to showcasing films by women and films about women. These festivals play a significant role by exhibiting work that may not otherwise find a venue and by offering settings for conversations that may not take place in mainstream festivals.
MODERATOR
Kay Armatage
Former TIFF international programmer, Professor Emerita University of Toronto
PANELISTS:
Norma Guevara, Program Director, Films de Femmes, Creteil, the world’s longest continuously running women’s film festival
Melissa Silverstein, Co-Founder & Artistic Director of Athena Film Festival, New York
Debra Zimmerman, Executive Director, Women Make Movies (NY) This discussion celebrates the 40th anniversary of Toronto International Women & Film 1973.
Forty Years On: Women’s Film Festivals Today is co-sponsored by the International Women’s Film Network, the Female Eye Film Festival, Women in View, Women Make Movies and the Liaison of Independent Filmmakers of Toronto (LIFT).
Forty Years On: Women's Film Festivals Today
from Athena Film Festival on Vimeo.