Women’s Empowerment and the #MeToo movement have been a major part of news over the past several months, and with March being Women’s History month, the award-winning Women’s International Film Festival (WIFF) is happy to continue its mission of empowering women’s visions, dreams and voices by bringing WIFF to the Big Apple for the first time. WIFF 2018 opens with the New York Premiere of Culture of Fear starring Golden Globe® Nominee Malcolm McDowell, arguably among the most dynamic and inventive of world-class actors. Steven Bauer from Scarface and Showtime’s Ray Donovan will also be on the red carpet. The director of the movie, Kayla Tabish, is a first-time female director who produced a prior film that premiered at Locarno and was featured at Vienna’s Viennnale.
Known for her passion to bring women directors, producers and writers to the forefront of the film industry, WIFF Founder Yvonne McCormack-Lyons is excited about introducing her festival to the home of film, music and entertainment, New York City. The festival boasts over 50 films that are made by women, for women and those who love women. Most may or may not know, particularly in the #metoo revolution, that women make up less than 20 percent of film producers, [big and small screen] and even more disconcerting, less than 5 percent of film directors of which minority women are less than 3 percent [big and small screen].
Of the 50 films screening, more than 15 films are international, including Bachelor Girls (INDIA), A Girl of No Importance (ITALY), Anatomy of Violence (CANADA-INDIA) by Academy Award nominee, Deepa Mehta, Borders from Burkina Faso, and Luba from Canada. One other worthwhile mention is Anna F * *king Molnar (AUSTRIAN) – a film from the WIFF exchange program with the Austrian Film Institute.
More than 10 of this year’s selection are written, directed or produced by black filmmakers. Of note, in his first lead role in a feature film is none other than Bryshire Gray, aka Yazz, (Empire’s Hakeem Lyon) starring in a special screening for WIFF’s closing film, CANAL STREET. Walking the red carpet for this film is Mykelti Williamson (Bubba-Forrest Gump, Yandy Smith – Love & Hip Hop and Juani Feliz). A film that is timely in its subject matter about the way young African-American males are treated in our justice system.
A More Perfect Union (USA) a documentary feature film about love, marriage and a fight for equality, featuring Rosie O’Donnell and See You Yesterday (USA) , A Spike Lee Joint – a short film – written by Frederica Baileu, produced by Ashley Alexander and Executive Produced by the man himself. Another notable mention is a film by Chi-town Executive Producer Tressa Epps, Nothing like Thanksgiving (USA), a compelling story about a successful business man, devoted father and husband, who after discovering he has cancer with only six months to live, embarks on a journey to do the unthinkable. The offerings are so amazing that it’s hard to mention all; every #WIFFNYC film and ticket information can be found on the website, http://wiff2018.com
“We are delighted to be in NYC, one of the world’s epicenter for film, during this pivotal time in women’s history. We certainly look forward to seeing New Yorkers coming out to enjoy all these wonderful films,” said Yvonne McCormack, Founder and President of WIFF.
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About the Festival
WIFF will take place March 8-11, in New York City. Twice Awarded as the Top Miami Film Festival by the Miami New Times Newspaper (2013 and 2007), WIFF has attracted Academy Award® Winner Halle Berry; 2007 Academy Award® Nominee Adriana Barraza; Emmy®, Grammy® and Golden Globe® Award-winning actress, the late Ms. Ruby Dee; The Breakfast Club's Alley Sheedy; actress/producer Vivica A. Fox, and many others. The two day conference began two years ago as a way to assist female filmmakers to hone their skills and learn from each other’s experiences in a safe and welcoming environment. When the sun goes down, the red carpet screenings highlight some of the world's most outstanding and dynamic films made by both emerging and established women filmmakers! Visit: www.womensfilmfest.com
