The 13th Los Angeles Women’s International Film Festival has announced its 2017 program. The festival will kick-off four days of features, documentaries, shorts, and panel discussions with a screening of “The Drowning,” it announced in a press release.
This year’s fest is produced by Diana Means, Director of Programming at the Alliance of Women Filmmakers (AWF). Founded in 2004 by AWF, the LA Women’s Film Fest “serves as a platform for women filmmakers worldwide to share their unique stories and cultural experiences with Los Angeles’ diverse audience.” Its programming is curated to “educate and inform audiences of social, political, and health issues impacting women globally.” The festival also serves as a fundraiser for women’s causes.
As it has every year, the 2017 festival partnered with an organization dedicated to women. This year the fest is teaming up with WriteGirl, which provides girls “techniques, insights, and hot topics for great writing in all genres from professional women writers” via workshops and one-on-one mentorship.
The festival’s Opening Night film, “The Drowning,” is directed by Bette Gordon (“Variety,” “Handsome Harry”). Based on the novel “Border Crossing” by Pat Barker, the psychological thriller stars Julia Stiles (“Bourne” franchise), Josh Charles (“The Good Wife”), and Avan Jogia (“I Am Michael”). According to the film’s summary, “The Drowning” follows a psychiatrist who “faces the past, present, and future — while treating a young man convicted of a murder when he was just 11 years old.” A discussion with the filmmakers and a gala reception will follow the screening.
Films from many other women directors — including Isabel Coixet, Sally Colon-Petree, Nneka Onuorah, Nevline Nnaji, and Kiley Lane Parker — will also screen films at the festival.
The LA Women’s International Film Festival takes place March 23–26 in downtown Los Angeles. Check out the full lineup below, courtesy of the fest.
Visit the film fest’s website to purchase tickets and for more information.
2017 Festival Schedule
THURSDAY, MARCH 23
OPENING NIGHT
The Drowning, directed by Bette Gordon
FRIDAY, MARCH 24
SHORTS PROGRAMS
SATURDAY, MARCH 25
MORNING PANEL SERIES
Digital Platforms, Panelists TBA
Film Financing, Panelists TBA
Documentary Distribution, Panelists TBA
SCREENINGS
Raising Ms. President, directed by Kiley Lane Parker
Jackson, directed by Maisie Crow
Same Difference, directed by Nneka Onuorah
The Valley, directed by Saila Kariat
The Tribe, directed by Roxy Shih
After Auschwitz, directed by Jon Kean
Women Like Us, directed by Sally Colon-Petree
Reflections Unheard: Black Women in Civil Rights, directed by Nevline Nnaji
Scout, directed by Laurie Weltz
SUNDAY, MARCH 26
Boundaries of the Heart, directed by Zhang Feng
10 Days in a Madhouse, directed by Timothy Hines
It’s Criminal, directed by Signe Taylor
Saanja, directed by Ajay Saklani
Endless Night, directed by Isabel Coixet
