The Whistler Film Festival in Canada, which runs from Novermber 30-December 4 this year, is proudly presenting a number of female-focused films, talent, events, and awards. The festival will feature 31 films directed by women, amounting to 36 percent of the festival’s lineup. Of the 66 Canadian artists confirmed to participate in 11 talent programs, 38 are women, about 58 percent. The female participants include 22 directors, six producers, three screenwriters, two actors, and five musicians/bands in the Music Showcase.
The 16th edition of the fest will feature “special guests, epic events, unique industry and talent programs, and time to play in North America’s premier mountain resort destination. The Whistler Film Festival combines an international film competition with a focused Industry Summit dedicated to the art and business of filmmaking in the digital age. Featuring innovative and original films from around the world and opportunities to connect with the people who made them, this year’s fest will be filled with a solid lineup of premieres, honored guests, lively celebrations, and unique industry initiatives.”
“The Whistler Film Festival committed to promoting the shared goal of breaking the celluloid ceiling and increasing the number of women in the director’s chair, addressing the imbalance of industry diversity behind the camera, and supporting the collaborative efforts to bring more female written and directed narratives to screen,” said Shauna Hardy Mishaw, WFF Executive Director and Founder. “With strong representation both in front of and behind the camera in our films, and talent programs this year, Whistler is taking a timely leadership role for women in the industry, when the need is not only apparent but the collective is calling for it.”
As the announcement details, “To mark its commitment to championing women in the industry and to celebrate the women directors and talent at this year’s fest, WFF is taking a group of filmmakers and industry leaders to the top of Whistler Mountain for a Women on Top Breakfast on December 3. The keynote presentation will be delivered by Valerie Creighton, President and CEO, Canada Media Fund and a member of Women in View’s 2x More Advisory Group. Women in View Executive Director Rina Fraticelli will provide an update on the 2xMore initiative and announce a new national program to promote five new directors for three years. Women in the Director’s Chair Executive Director Carol Whiteman will announce the WIDC Feature Film Award.”
WFF’s Industry Summit schedule and guest lineup are now available at whistlerfilmfestival.com. The Festival’s online box office at is now open for various passes and tickets.
Check out the women-directed films screening at the fest below.
WFF Feature Films directed by women:
“Anatomy of Violence”(Canada) Dir. Deepa Mehta
“Before the Streets” (Canada) Dir. Chloé Leriche
“Below Her Mouth” (Canada) Dir. April Mullen
“Broken”(Canada) Dir. Lynne Spencer
“Going Further” (United States) Dir. Lindsay Kent, Matt Pidutti, Colby Rex O’Neill
“Hunting Pignut” (Canada) Dir. Martine Blue
“Melody Makers, Should’ve Been There” (Canada) Dir. Leslie Ann Coles
“Mr. Zaritsky on TV” (Canada) Dir. Jennifer Di Cresce, Michael Savoie
“From the Land of the Moon” (France) Dir. Nicole Garcia
The Death (and Life) of Carl Naardlinger” (Canada) Dir. Katherine Schlemmer
“The Space Between” (Canada) Dir. Amy Jo Johnson
“The Sun at Midnight” (Canada) Dir. Kirsten Carthew
“The Will to Fly”” (Australia) Dir. Katie Bender, Leo Baker
“Shades of Winter: Between” (Austria) Dir. Sandra Lahnsteiner
“Sled Dogs”(Canada) Dir. Fern Levitt
WFF Short Films directed by women:
“The Door” (Canada) Dir. Reem Morsi
“Hoods”(Canada) Dir. Maja Aro
“In the Blink of an Eye” (Canada) Dir. Janalee Budge
“Let Us End with it Too”
“Tree Huggers”(Canada) Dir. Jordan Yeager
“The Boy is with Us” (South Korea) Dir. Heewon Yoon
“Forest of Echoes” (Austria) Dir. Maria Luz Olivares Capelle
“Bombing”(Canada) Dir. Gloria Mercer
“Drifter”(Canada) Dir. Olivia Lindgren
“Rien Sure Les Mocassins”
“Standby”(UK) Dir. Charlotte Regan
“The Goodnight Kiss” (Canada) Dir. Laura Adkin
“Trying”(Canada) Dir. Shauna Johannesen
“Binary Lullaby” (Canada) Dir. Sharai Rewels
“Authentic Kids” (Canada) Dir. Krista Rand & Orsy Szabo
“High Five Goodbye” (Canada) Dir. Athena Russell
