Special Events at The Women's Film Festival
All events will take place in conjunction with film screenings
Friday, 3/14 6:30: Opening Night film and speaker, Hooker-Dunham
Theater & Gallery
Women on the World Stage
Iron Ladies of Liberia depicts the empowerment of women in global politics by focusing on Liberia’s new president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. A film filled with hope for our own female political figures, the audience will see how one woman dealt with the inherited problems from previous administrations. Special guest State Senator Jeannette White will discuss the film’s theme of women in politics, and is the keynote speaker for the Festival ’s opening.
Saturday, 3/15 6:00 Panel discussion, The Latchis Ballroom Theater
Women in the Workplace
The Motherhood Manifesto deals with the variety of issues women must cope with when trying to balance the demands of work and family: hiring and wage discrimination, lack of or insufficient health insurance, and inadequate daycare options. It also contrasts U.S. and European policies by highlighting the family-friendly policies of some European countries. Immediately following the film, a panel moderated by Jerelyn Wilson, Director of Administration and Human Resources for BuildingGreen, will provide their perspectives on the issues raised in the film. Panel participants include Attorney Kerin Stackpole, specializing in workplace issues; Judy van Wageningen, Childcare Referral Specialist with Windham Daycare Commission; Lisa Clarke, Director of Planning and Development for Southeastern Vermont Community Action (SEVCA), and Desiree Biesheuvel, psychiatrist at the Brattleboro Retreat, who will share her first-hand knowledge about the family-friendly work policies in the Netherlands.
Sunday, 3/16, 1:00 Speaker, Hooker-Dunham Theater & Gallery
Gay Rights
The two movies shown will deal with the difficulties that can be encountered when one attempts to live true to oneself. Born Again explores the emotional and psychological struggles faced when one’s lifestyle and values don’t fit with that of one’s parents and immediate family. Freeheld shows the difficulties encountered when trying to do the right thing in terms of providing for a life partner when the social system in place is based upon rigid rules of conformity. Immediately following the film Freeheld, guest speaker Bari Shamas will expand on the issues covered in that film by talking about the past fight to obtain civil unions in VT and the current issues being addressed in the Vermont legislature.
Sunday, 3/16, 6:00 Speaker, The Latchis Ballroom Theater
Homelessness
Family Motel tells the story of a woman who is getting more than her share of bad luck, with the last straw being an eviction notice. With her husband far away in another country, she picks up the pieces of her life and moves herself and her children to a local motel. This film explores what it means to become homeless through the personal stories of a mother and her teenaged children. Immediately following the film, Sarah Gray, Case Manager, Morningside House, Inc. (Morningside Shelter) will discuss the homeless situation in our community.
Saturday, 3/22 1:00 Panel discussion, New England Youth Theater
Disability Rights and Issues
All three films in this program deal with issues confronted when
a change occurs in a person’s physical being. Inside Out, the
shortest of the three films shows the personal growth that can occur
when what the world sees is no longer what you are used to being. Each
film that follows expands the realm of issues that face the disabled
community. Multiple broadens the view to include the hurdles that must
be faced when a disabling illness forces workplace and career accommodations.
Body and Soul goes even further by turning the personal obstacles into
greater calls of duty for governmental policy change. Immediately following
the films there will be an open discussion moderated by Thea Lloyd,
attorney and professional mediator. The 5 panel participants include:
Missy Boothroyd, Deaf Advocate for the Vermont Center for Independent
Living (VCIL); Alicia Brelsford Dana, activist for people with disabilities
and employee with Vision, Strength, Access Arts of Vermont; Marilyn
Mahusky, attorney with VT Legal Aid; Eva Mondon, activist for people
with disabilities; and Candace Stoumen, Community Outreach Specialist
with VCIL
Sign language interpreters will sign during the film "Inside Out" and
during the open discussion. The film "Multiple" is closed-captioned,
and the film "Body and Soul" is subtitled.
Sunday, 3/23 4:00 Speaker, The Latchis Ballroom Theater
Women on the World Stage
Carolyn Partridge, Majority Leader for the State House of Representatives,
will speak following the second showing of the Iron Ladies of Liberia,
and provide the closing remarks to the festival. The film’s themes
of empowerment, courage, perseverance, and hope for the future will
be underscored through Majority Leader Partridge’s words.
This screening is sponsored by ALANA.
For a Word Document Version of Special Events, click here --->
For any questions about special events please contact us at: info@womensfilmfestival.org
