Each year the Herland Film & Video Festival brings a diverse selection of engaging, challenging and thought provoking films and videos by independent Canadian women artists to Calgary audiences, and this year is no exception.
Herland is Calgary’s longest running independent film festival, embarking on her 16th year, and is unique in that she focuses on presenting works by women. As a feminist organization, herland has made a commitment to showcasing work by diverse populations, including First Nations women, women of colour, women with disabilities, queer women and the transgendered community. Her sustaining philosophy is anti-sexist, anti-racist, and anti-homophobic.
This has been an exhilarating year for herland and there are some exciting things happening. The 2006 festival will take place at The GRAND; a grand space that celebrates Calgary’s vibrant history and provides a venue for the arts to thrive. We hope that The GRAND will become herland’s new home as the festival continues to grow and meet the needs of Calgarians and women media artists.
There is something for everyone at the festival:
An Eco-Feminism program, for all those tree huggers out there.
The Gender Continuum program, taking a revealing look into the Trans community.
The Gala, celebrating women in the arts.
The Aboriginal program, showcasing works by Aboriginal women.
An International program that provides a glimpse into Southeast Asia.
A full Queer program - revealing the intricate and intimate details of lesbian life.
Local Motion - a diverse range of films/videos by Calgary artists.
A Shorts program - a lot can be said in a short film.
With a wide range of themes and genres, herland offers an exciting line-up that promises to inspire, enlighten, educate and entertain. As always, the programming committees have not shied away from controversial topics such as eating disorders, body image, urban sprawl, oil & gas, coming out, breast cancer and the sex trade. Nor have they forgotten that, though women face many challenges and adversities, we all need to laugh and find joy and beauty in our lives and in ourselves.
Herland Film Festival
(403) 245-3441
herlandfestival@telus.net
www.herlandfestival.com
