8th Annual Athena Film Festival, NYC
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| @AthenaFilmFest |
Affair: 8th Annual Athena Film Festival
When: Thursday, February 22 - Thursday, February 25, 2018
Hot Spot: Barnard College, NYC
Deets: Average Socialite is a proud partner of The Athena Film Festival!
The Athena Film Festival (AFF) announced its 2018 lineup, featuring a selection of narrative, documentary, and short films. The Athena Film Festival showcases films about strong and courageous women leaders in real life and the fictional world; it is a weekend dedicated to elevating female voices and stories that inspire and empower a new generation of filmmakers and individuals. The eighth annual festival, co-founded by the Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard College and Women and Hollywood, will take place February 22-25, 2018, at Barnard College in New York City.
Among the feature films included in this year’s lineup are THE BREADWINNER, directed by Nora Twomey and executive produced by Angelina Jolie; the New York premiere of I AM NOT A WITCH, from first-time writer and director Rungano Nyoni; LADY BIRD, the directorial debut of Greta Gerwig (AFF ‘11 Honoree and 2006 Barnard graduate), starring Saoirse Ronan; MEGAN LEAVEY, directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite and starring Kate Mara; WONDER WOMAN, directed by Patty Jenkins and starring Gal Gadot; and THE ZOOKEEPER’S WIFE, directed by Niki Caro and starring Jessica Chastain, among others.
The documentary category includes BOMBSHELL: THE HEDY LAMARR STORY, directed and written by Alexandra Dean; I AM EVIDENCE, directed by Trish Adlesic and Geeta Gandbhir and produced by Mariska Hargitay; the New York City premiere of IT’S CRIMINAL, directed by Signe Taylor (1987 Barnard graduate); and the international premiere of MY YEAR WITH HELEN, directed by Gaylene Preston, among others.
A wide variety of shorts will be featured, including the world premiere of FRONTIER, directed by Jillian Banner; and the New York premieres of AL IMAM, directed by Omar Al Dakheel; BEADS, directed by Rachel Byrd; CON MADRE, directed by Clancy McCarty; THE FAN directed by Mohammad Ghanefard and Ali Delkari; and THE RED THUNDER, directed by Alvaro Ron, among others.
In addition, the festival will feature several Virtual Reality experiences including Look But With Love: A Story of Women, Look But With Love: A Story of Dance from Oscar-winning director Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Testimony from project creator Zohar Kfir, and Under the Net from director and writer Justin Perkison.
The festival will also host entertaining and informative panels including: The Female Gaze, Social Media and Branding For Filmmakers, and Revising the Canon.
“We are thrilled to announce an incredible line-up for the 2018 Athena Film Festival which highlights diverse female talent both in front of and behind the camera,” said Melissa Silverstein, co-founder and Artistic Director of the Festival and founder of Women and Hollywood. “Our goal as a festival has always been to highlight and recognize the strong and unique female voices and points of view in the industry by giving them a platform for their stories to be shared and amplified.”
“It’s an honor to once again host this inspiring festival that celebrates the stories of courageous and bold women leaders and the filmmakers who create them,” said Kathryn Kolbert, co-founder of the Festival and Constance Hess Williams ‘66 Director of the Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard College. “We are thrilled to recognize the diverse talents of current filmmakers, actors and executives and ignite a spark in the next generation.”
As previously announced, the 2018 Athena Film Festival Awardees include two-time Academy Award®-winning documentary filmmaker Barbara Kopple who will receive the Laura Ziskin Lifetime Achievement Award; BAFTA-winning writer and director Amma Asante who will receive the Athena Award; world-renowned cabaret artist and actress Bridget Everett who will receive the inaugural Breakthrough Award; and director, producer and screenwriter J.J. Abrams who will receive the Athena Leading Man Award.
The 2018 festival co-chairs include Ava DuVernay, Julie Parker Benello, Debra Martin Chase, Geralyn Dreyfous, Paul Feig, Sherry Lansing, Jon Levin, Dylan McDermott, Sheila Nevins, David Oyelowo, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Susan Rovner, Regina K. Scully, and Rachel Weisz.
The current lineup is below and additional screenings, panels and special events will be announced in the coming weeks.
Hint For The Average Socialite: Tickets and passes are now on sale. Please visit http://www.athenafilmfestival.com for regular updates and more information.
Special Discount Tickets Available for the 2018 Athena Film Festival
We are pleased to be partnering with the Athena Film Festival, which returns in February for its eighth year of celebrating women and leadership!
The Athena Film Festival is an engaging weekend of feature films, documentaries and shorts that highlight powerful stories about courageous and audacious women leaders. The four-day festival includes inspiring films; conversations with directors, actors, and activists; and workshops for filmmakers and film fans.
The festival will be held February 22-25 at Barnard College in New York City, and we are thrilled to be able to offer you 15% off tickets! To get your discount, visit www.athenafilmfestival.com and use the code 18AFF15PS at checkout.
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