The LA Film Festival (LAFF) has announced its 2017 competition lineups. “Our competitions reflect who Film Independent is as an organization,” emphasized LAFF Director Jennifer Cochis. “Within each section you’ll find discovery, diversity, and promising talent both in front of and behind the camera.” Thankfully, these aren’t just empty words. The numbers back Cochis up. Of 28 films screening in competition, 13 are directed or co-directed by women, amounting to 46 percent of the lineup. The Documentary Competition — where female filmmakers are usually represented more than the Fiction Competitions — features seven out of 10 titles directed or co-directed by women. Last year, 43 percent of films screening in the competition programs were helmed or co-helmed by women.
Women-directed features in the U.S. Fiction Competition include Leena Pendharkar’s “20 Weeks,” a romantic drama about a couple who has to decide whether or not to carry a baby to term after it’s diagnosed with a serious health issue, and Camille Thoman’s “Never Here,” a thriller that centers on a photographer who senses she’s being watched.
Among the films screening in the World Fiction Competition are “Dark Blue Girl,” the story of a former couple — and their seven-year-old daughter — who return to their vacation home two years after parting ways, and Vashti Anderson’s “Moko Jumbie,” a portrait of a displaced girl living in Trinidad who forms a bond with a young fisherman.
The Documentary Competition lineup includes Valerie Red-Horse Mohl’s “Mankiller,” a celebration of the first woman elected Principal Chief of the Cherokee Nation, and Ema Ryan Yamazaki’s look into the lives of Margret and Hans Rey, the authors behind the “Curious George” book series.
Produced by Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that also produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, LAFF runs from June 14–22.
Check out more information about the women-directed projects screening at LAFF below. List adapted from the fest.
U.S. Fiction Competition (4/10 women directed or co-directed)
Original voices with distinct visions from emerging and established American independent filmmakers.
20 Weeks, dir. Leena Pendharkar, USA, World Premiere
Becks, dir. Elizabeth Rohrbaugh, Daniel Powell, USA, World Premiere
Everything Beautiful is Far Away, dir. Andrea Sisson, Pete Ohs, USA, World Premiere
Never Here, dir. Camille Thoman, USA, World Premiere
Documentary Competition (7/10 women-directed or co-directed)
Compelling, character-driven non-fiction films from the U.S. and around the world.
Dalya’s Other Country, dir. Julia Meltzer, USA, World Premiere
Liyana, dir. Aaron Kopp, Amanda Kopp, Swaziland / USA / Qatar, World Premiere
Mankiller, dir. Valerie Red-Horse Mohl, USA, World Premiere
Monkey Business, dir. Ema Ryan Yamazaki, USA, World Premiere
Out of State, dir. Ciara Lacy, USA, World Premiere
Thank You For Coming, dir. Sara Lamm, USA, World Premiere
Two Four Six, dir. Leyla Nedorosleva, Russia / USA / Haiti, World Premiere
World Fiction Competition (2/8 women-directed or co-directed)
Unique fiction films from around the world by emerging and established filmmakers, especially curated for LA audiences.
Dark Blue Girl, dir. Mascha Schilinski, Germany / Greece, International Premiere
Moko Jumbie, dir. Vashti Anderson, Trinidad and Tobago / USA, World Premiere
LA Muse (6/12 women-directed or co-directed)
Fiction and documentary films that capture the spirit of Los Angeles.
And Then There Was Eve, dir. Savannah Bloch, USA, World Premiere
Built to Fail, dir. Bobby Kim, Alexis Spraic, Scott Weintrob, USA, World Premiere
Fat Camp, dir. Jennifer Arnold, USA, World Premiere
Mighty Ground, dir. Delila Vallot, USA, World Premiere
Roller Dreams, dir. Kate Hickey, USA, International Premiere
The Year of Spectacular Men, dir. Lea Thompson, USA, World Premiere
Nightfall (1/8 women-directed or co-directed)
From the bizarre to the horrifying, these are films to watch after dark.
Serpent, dir. Amanda Evans, South Africa, World Premiere
Short Films (51): From over 2,700 submissions, the short films selected represent 13 countries, 47% are directed by women and 51% are directed by people of color. Short films are shown before features and as part of six short film programs. Shorts will compete for juried prizes for fiction and documentary shorts, as well as an Audience Award for Best Short Film.
Future Filmmakers Showcase: High School Shorts (15):
Made by incredibly accomplished high school filmmakers from across the country and globe, 60% of the short films in this diverse slate are directed by young women and 20% are directed by people of color. Program sponsored by Time Warner Foundation, Lisa Argyros/Argyros Family Foundation and Employees Community Fund of Boeing California.
Episodes: Indie Series from the Web (4/10 women-directed or co-directed)
This showcase of independently crafted web series, 70% of which are directed by people of color and 40% are directed by women, celebrates rising creators whose work and subjects are innovative and unfiltered.
BKPI, dir. Hye Yun Park, USA
My America, dir. Anna Jones, Asaad Kelada, USA
People Of…, dir. lamia Alami, SWITZERLAND
The F Word, dir. Nicole Opper, USA
